Scalping
Scalping is handled with specific technical constraints in both firms to prevent exploitation of the simulated environment.
- Rules and Limitations: Goat Funded Trader (GFT) allows scalping but imposes a strict 2-minute rule: any trade closed in less than 120 seconds has its profit invalidated. Orion Funded allows manual scalping but strictly prohibits tick scalping and High-Frequency Trading (HFT).
- Platforms: GFT offers a superior edge for scalpers by providing cTrader, Volumetrica, and TradeLocker, which are often preferred over MetaTrader 5 for fast execution. Orion Funded relies on MetaTrader 5 and Match-Trader.
- Risk and Cost: GFT's "Goat Guard" can automatically close trades if a 2% loss is reached, which might interfere with high-frequency scalping strategies. In terms of cost, GFT's commissions are $5 per lot for Forex, while Orion Funded is slightly cheaper at $4 per lot.
Swing Trading
Swing traders will find distinct advantages in both firms, particularly regarding drawdown calculations and weekend holding.
- Drawdown Mechanism: GFT uses static drawdown for its 1, 2, and 3-step challenges, which is ideal for swing traders as the limit doesn't move up with profits. Orion Funded also uses static drawdown for its "Standard", "Swing", and "Select" products, but switches to trailing drawdown for its "Zero" and "Nova" accounts.
- Weekend Holding: Both firms allow holding positions over the weekend. However, Orion Funded offers a specific "Orion Swing" account that is tailor-made for this style, removing many of the restrictions found in standard evaluations.
- News Impact: Swing traders must be careful with GFT's 1% profit cap on news events, as a long-term trade hitting a target during news could have its gains limited.
News Trading
The approach to high-impact news is one of the biggest differences between these two companies.
- Goat Funded Trader: It allows trading during news, but with a "soft" restriction: you cannot earn more than 1% of the initial balance from any trade opened or closed within 2 minutes of a high-impact event (red folder on ForexFactory).
- Orion Funded: The rules vary by account. Most accounts (Nova, Standard, Select) prohibit opening or closing trades 2 minutes before and after news. The "Swing" account has no news restrictions at all, while the "Zero" account allows it but reduces the profit split to 50% for those specific trades.
- Alternative: If you are a dedicated news trader, Orion's Swing account is the only path that offers full freedom without profit caps.
Automated Trading (EAs)
Both firms are open to Expert Advisors, but they define "legitimate use" differently.
- Strategy Restrictions: GFT explicitly bans Martingale and Grid strategies. Orion Funded allows EAs as long as the strategy is the trader's own, prohibiting the use of third-party EAs or "off-the-shelf" bots that many traders use.
- Prohibited Practices: Both firms ban latency arbitrage and exploiting platform errors. Orion specifically highlights that HFT is not allowed, even if it's an EA.
- Interactions: In GFT, using an EA combined with the 2-minute rule means the bot must be programmed to hold trades longer, or the profits will be voided.
Copy Trading and Hedging
These strategies are restricted to prevent risk manipulation across multiple accounts.
- Copy Trading: GFT does not allow copy trading between evaluation phases. Orion Funded allows copying only between your own Orion accounts; copying external signals or third-party services is a breach.
- Hedging: GFT prohibits hedging entirely. Orion Funded allows hedging within a single account, but strictly forbids hedging across different accounts to "lock in" profits or manipulate results.
Si operas así
- If you are a budget-conscious scalper: Goat Funded Trader is better due to the lower entry price for 100K accounts ($478 vs $629) and the availability of professional platforms like cTrader, provided you can respect the 2-minute minimum duration.
- If you are a pure Swing trader or News trader: Orion Funded is the better fit, specifically through their "Orion Swing" challenge, which removes the news window restrictions and weekend blocks that can hinder long-term strategies.
- If you use complex EAs: Goat Funded Trader provides more clarity by listing exactly which strategies (Martingale/Grid) are banned, whereas Orion's requirement for "own strategy" can be harder to prove for some traders.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a 100K 2-step evaluation, Goat Funded Trader or Orion Funded?
Goat Funded Trader is significantly cheaper for this specific size. Their "2 Step Goat" 100K account costs $478, whereas the "Orion Standard" 100K account at Orion Funded is priced at $629. This makes GFT a more accessible option for traders looking for large capital with a lower initial investment.
How does the payout frequency compare between Goat Funded Trader and Orion Funded?
Goat Funded Trader offers more flexibility, with biweekly payouts as standard, but options for 10-day cycles on their Premium and HERO accounts. Orion Funded maintains a fixed schedule of every 14 days. Additionally, GFT offers a $500 guarantee if the payout takes longer than 2 business days, while Orion offers a 100% profit split and a fee refund if they miss their 48-hour processing window.
Can I use Martingale or Grid EAs in Goat Funded Trader or Orion Funded?
No, neither firm is friendly to these strategies. Goat Funded Trader explicitly lists Martingale and Grid as prohibited strategies in their rules. Orion Funded prohibits "gambling behavior" and "excessive exposure," and requires that EAs follow a legitimate strategy that is the trader's own, which effectively excludes high-risk Martingale bots.
Who has the more trader-friendly drawdown, Goat Funded Trader or Orion Funded?
It depends on the account type. For standard evaluations, both firms offer static drawdown (10% max at GFT and 6% max at Orion Standard), which is generally preferred. however, GFT's maximum drawdown is higher (10% vs 6%). In their instant models, both firms switch to trailing drawdown, with GFT offering a 6% limit and Orion Zero also offering 6%. GFT's static limit on their 2-step accounts provides more breathing room for growth.





















