Where you trade
Both firms have opted to move away from third-party software like MetaTrader, focusing instead on the user experience through their own technology. Hypernova provides a Proprietary Platform designed to mimic the high-speed environment of decentralized exchanges. On the other hand, Vest Markets also operates via a Proprietary Platform, centralizing the experience within their own ecosystem to ensure compatibility with their various account types (Instant and Evaluation).
Who executes your orders
The execution model is a key differentiator in how slippage and fills are handled:
- Hypernova: Uses a proprietary engine powered by Hyperliquid market data. It is important to note that trading is simulated; orders are not actually routed to the Hyperliquid DEX, though the pricing reflects that environment.
- Vest Markets: Executes through its own internal systems. Like most prop firms, it operates in a simulated environment where the firm acts as the counterparty to manage risk and hedging activities internally.
Leverage and margin
Risk management is defined by how much the platform allows you to lose before a "hard breach" (margin call) occurs.
- Hypernova: Offers 20x leverage on Forex, 2x to 5x on Crypto, and up to 10x on Indices and Metals. Their drawdown is a Static floor based on the starting balance, enforced in real-time on equity. This means if your open positions' floating loss touches the floor, the account is closed instantly.
- Vest Markets: Provides significantly higher leverage for certain assets, reaching 50x on Indices and up to 25x on Stocks, while Forex is capped at 5x. Their drawdown is also Static, fixed at account creation and monitored via equity, including unrealized PnL.
Markets available
Both firms offer a multi-asset catalog, but with different focuses:
- Hypernova: Crypto, Stocks, ETFs, Commodities, Indices, and Forex. They offer a native crypto-trading experience with 24/7 availability.
- Vest Markets: Crypto, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, and ETFs. Note that XRP and HYPE are explicitly unavailable, and while crypto trades 24/7, other markets lock during weekends.
What the setup lets you do
The platform and rules determine your actual trading style:
- Hypernova: Allows News Trading and Scalping. EAs are permitted only if they are self-built; third-party signals or "off-the-shelf" bots are prohibited. Hedging is allowed within the same account.
- Vest Markets: Does not allow EAs or API trading on funded accounts, making it a platform strictly for manual traders. However, it is more flexible in account structures, offering Instant Funding, 1-Step, and 2-Step evaluations. News trading and scalping are permitted.
What the setup costs
Execution costs and payout conditions are the final layer of the trader's overhead:
- Commissions: Hypernova charges between 0.01% and 0.04% on Crypto and 0.005% on Forex. Vest Markets generally applies a flat 0.01% across most assets, except for Indices which can go as low as 0.0025%.
- Challenges: A $100K account at Hypernova costs $400 (Precision) or $1000 (Conservative). At Vest Markets, a $25K 1-Step challenge ranges from $210 to $450 depending on the drawdown and profit split settings.
- Payouts: Hypernova offers a 80% split with on-demand 24/7 payouts in USDC (Arbitrum) settled in seconds. Vest Markets offers 80% to 95% splits; profit claims are credited to a primary account within 24 hours before being withdrawn to a wallet.
Better setup for
- Hypernova is the better setup for crypto-native traders and scalpers who want the fastest possible payout settlement and the ability to use their own custom-coded bots.
- Vest Markets is the better setup for manual swing traders or index traders who require high leverage (50x) and prefer the option of skipping evaluations through Instant Funding.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a 25K challenge, Hypernova or Vest Markets?
For a $25,000 1-Step challenge, Hypernova offers its "Precision" account for $120 and its "Standard" account for $365. Vest Markets has a wider range of prices for the same size, starting from $130 (for a 20% target/3% DLL version) up to $450 (for a 10% target/No DLL/90% split version). Therefore, Hypernova is cheaper for entry-level precision accounts, while Vest Markets offers more expensive premium configurations.
Who has better withdrawal conditions and profit splits, Hypernova or Vest Markets?
Hypernova offers a fixed 80% profit split with the standout feature of 24/7 on-demand payouts that settle in seconds via USDC on Arbitrum, with no platform fees. Vest Markets offers higher potential splits of up to 95% (especially on Instant accounts), but their process is slower, taking up to 24 hours to credit the primary account before the user can move funds to a wallet.
Which firm allows more trading freedom for automated strategies, Hypernova or Vest Markets?
Hypernova is more permissive, allowing traders to use self-built bots and EAs on a single account, provided they are not third-party signals. In contrast, Vest Markets explicitly prohibits EAs and API trading on funded accounts, restricting the platform entirely to manual execution.
How do the leverage limits compare for Forex and Indices between Hypernova and Vest Markets?
There is a sharp contrast: Hypernova favors Forex traders with 20x leverage compared to the 5x offered by Vest Markets. However, for Indices, Vest Markets is much more aggressive, offering up to 50x leverage, whereas Hypernova caps Indices at 10x.
