Topstep vs Maven Trading – Elite Prop Firms Comparison

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Introduction

Topstep and Maven Trading target very different traders. Topstep, founded in Chicago in 2012, is the original CME-futures prop firm – it works exclusively in US futures, runs entirely on its own TopstepX platform, and has paid out more than a billion dollars to funded traders. Maven Trading, founded in Canada in 2022 by Jon Alexander, is a budget-friendly Forex/CFD multi-asset firm with one of the lowest entry prices in the industry: its Mini account starts at just $13. Maven supports cTrader, Match Trader, and MetaTrader 5, scales accounts to $1,000,000, and offers swap-free accounts for Islamic-finance-compliant traders. If you trade futures, the answer is Topstep. If you trade Forex, indices CFDs, or want the cheapest possible way to test a prop model, Maven Trading is the better fit.

FeatureTopstepMaven Trading
Topstep Maven Trading
Founded20122022
Profit Split100% first $10,000, then 90/1090
Maximum Account Size$150,000$1,000,000
Evaluation Phases11, 2, 3
Trustpilot Rating3.4
Expert Grade98.2
ProgramTopstepMaven Trading
Entry Level ProgramYes1-Step, 2-Step, 3-Step, Mini
Advanced ProgramInstant
Scaling OptionsNoYes
Demo AccountNoYes
CriteriaTopstepMaven Trading
Profit Target6%10% (1-Step), 8%/4% (2-Step), 5% each (3-Step)
Maximum DrawdownTrailing MLL: $2,000-$4,5006% trailing (1-Step), 8% static (2-Step)
Minimum Trading Days50
News TradingYesNo
OptionTopstepMaven Trading
CFD $10K AccountUSD 79 / Listed challenge / One-time
CFD $25K AccountUSD 149 / Listed challenge / One-time
CFD $50K AccountUSD 249 / Listed challenge / One-time
CFD $100K AccountUSD 449 / Listed challenge / One-time
Futures $50K AccountUSD 49 / Trading Combine / Monthly
Futures $100K AccountUSD 99 / Trading Combine / Monthly
Futures $150K AccountUSD 149 / Trading Combine / Monthly
Coupons / DiscountTopstep discountMaven Trading discount
FeatureTopstepMaven Trading
Trading PlatformsTopstepXcTrader, Match Trader, MetaTrader 5
ForexYesYes
StocksNoNo
IndicesYesYes
CommoditiesYesYes
CryptocurrenciesNoYes
BondsYesNo
EA/Algo TradingYesNo
FeatureTopstepMaven Trading
Payout TermsBi-weekly via ACH, wire, or Rise; $50 minimumEvery 10 business days; $10,000 cap per two cycles
See all prop firm payouts →
Key ElementTopstepMaven Trading
StrengthsIndustry pioneer, generous first $10K profit split, no time limits, EAs permitted, no daily loss limit, $1B+ paid to tradersUltra-low entry ($13 Mini), No time limits, 10-day payout cycle, Halal accounts available, Scaling to $1M
WeaknessesMonthly subscription fees compound, $149 activation fee, TopstepX platform exclusive, futures-only, trailing MLL can catch intraday profit-takersSimulated trading only, Trustpilot rating suspended, EAs prohibited, Wide spreads, High forex commissions
Best ForSerious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluationManual discretionary traders in emerging markets seeking low-cost entry

FAQ

Are Topstep and Maven Trading offering the same markets?

No. Topstep is exclusively CME Group futures (ES, NQ, CL, GC and similar). Maven Trading offers Forex, indices CFDs, metals, energies, commodities, and digital ETFs – 60–75 instruments in total. The two firms barely overlap in instrument coverage; pick based on what you want to trade.

Which firm has the lower entry cost?

Maven Trading wins by a large margin. Its Mini account starts at $13, which is one of the lowest entry points in the prop industry. Topstep’s smallest Combine ($50K) is a recurring monthly subscription that costs significantly more before you even pass the evaluation.

Can I use EAs or automated strategies?

Topstep permits EAs with no specific restriction. Maven Trading prohibits all EAs across every account type and platform – manual trading only. If you rely on automation, you should pick Topstep here.

Does Maven Trading offer Islamic / swap-free accounts?

Yes. Maven Trading offers swap-free accounts across all program types, eliminating overnight interest charges to remain compatible with Islamic-finance principles. Topstep does not advertise a comparable feature for futures traders.

How quickly can I get a payout?

Topstep funded accounts can request bi-weekly payouts after a minimum holding period, with daily payouts unlocking after 30 consecutive winning days. Maven Trading runs a 10-business-day payout cycle and caps payouts at $10,000 per two cycles (scaling proportionally with account size).

How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?

1. We Collect

We pull each firm’s public-facing rules, fees, drawdown parameters, profit splits, platforms, and supported markets from their official documentation and our own JoinProp reviews.

2. We Examine

Each criterion is normalised so the two firms are compared on the same axis – for example, “drawdown” is broken down into trailing vs static, intraday vs end-of-day, and any reset conditions.

3. We Score

Where one firm offers a meaningfully better term – lower fees, broader markets, more permissive rules – we identify it and explain the trade-off.

4. You Choose

The conclusion is written so you can match a firm to your trading style: instrument coverage, evaluation tolerance, and payout cadence are the three filters most traders should care about.

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