Scalping and Day Trading
Both firms allow scalping, but they apply different structural constraints that affect high-velocity traders.
- Rules and Limits: Maven has a specific consistency rule for its Instant and Mini accounts where no single trade or day can account for more than 50% of total profit. Additionally, Maven prohibits having more than 50% of trades open for less than one minute. Ment Funding is more permissive regarding trade duration but prohibits "tick scalping" and high-frequency trading.
- Costs: Maven is more competitive for scalpers due to lower commissions ($4 per lot on Forex vs. $7 at Ment Funding). Both offer $0 commissions on Indices.
- Risk: Scalpers at Maven must be careful with the trailing drawdown on 1-step and Instant accounts, as it follows the "high-watermark" of equity. Ment Funding’s static drawdown is more forgiving for intraday fluctuations.
- Platforms: Both provide cTrader and MatchTrader, which are superior for fast execution compared to traditional platforms.
Swing Trading and Weekend Holding
The ability to hold positions over the weekend is a major point of divergence between these two firms.
- Rules: Maven allows holding positions over the weekend by default across all its programs. Ment Funding, however, restricts weekend holding unless the trader purchases a specific "add-on" that increases the challenge price by 10%.
- Risk: For swing traders, Maven’s 2-step and 3-step accounts are ideal because they utilize static drawdown, meaning the loss limit does not move up as you make profits. Ment Funding also uses static drawdown, providing a stable environment for long-term trades.
- Platforms: Ment Funding offers DXTrade, which is often favored by swing traders for its interface, while Maven provides MetaTrader 5 for those used to classic charting.
Automated Trading (EAs) and Copy Trading
This is perhaps the most decisive category when choosing between these two firms.
- Rules: Ment Funding fully allows the use of Expert Advisors (EAs). In contrast, Maven strictly prohibits EAs; all trading must be manual.
- Copy Trading: Ment Funding allows copy trading. Maven only allows "manual copying," which significantly limits the use of trade duplicators or external signals.
- Interactions: The combination of EAs being allowed and the option for a 90% profit split (via add-on) makes Ment Funding a powerhouse for algorithmic traders. At Maven, the lack of EAs means the trader must be physically present for every execution.
News Trading
Both firms impose restrictions during high-impact news events, which limits "news straddling" or gambling on volatility.
- Rules: Maven prohibits opening or closing trades within a 4-minute window (2 minutes before and 2 minutes after) a red-folder news event. Ment Funding is even stricter, enforcing a 6-minute window (3 minutes before and after).
- Penalties: At Maven, hitting a Take Profit or a Stop Loss during this window is also considered a violation. In their OMO challenge, profit per news event is capped at 0.50% of the balance. Ment Funding prohibits opening new positions but does not explicitly detail the penalty for existing orders hitting targets during news.
Hedging and Stacking
Traders who use complex positioning to manage risk will find different environments here.
- Hedging: Both firms allow hedging (opening opposite positions on the same instrument).
- Stacking: Maven allows stacking (opening multiple positions on the same pair). Ment Funding explicitly lists "stacking" as a prohibited rule in its JSON data, which might limit traders who scale into positions.
- Risk Limit: Maven has a "Maximum Risk Limit" on Instant/Mini accounts: floating PnL must never exceed 1% drawdown, or the account is breached. Ment Funding does not report a similar specific per-trade risk cap, focusing instead on the overall static drawdown.
If you trade like this
- The Budget Manual Trader: Maven is the clear choice. You can start a $2,000 account for as little as $13 (3-step) or $19 (2-step), prices Ment Funding cannot match.
- The Algorithmic/EA Trader: Ment Funding is your only option here, as Maven prohibits all automated trading.
- The High-Capital Scalper: Ment Funding allows for up to $2,000,000 in allocation and has no "one-minute" rule, making it better for professional scalpers despite higher commissions.
- The Swing Trader: Maven is better because weekend holding is included for free, whereas Ment Funding charges a 10% premium for the same privilege.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to get a $100,000 account, Maven or Ment Funding?
Maven is significantly cheaper. A 1-step $100k account at Maven costs $380, while a 2-step $100k account costs $440. In contrast, Ment Funding charges $750 for its $100k Forex challenge. This makes Maven nearly 50% more affordable for traders looking to manage six-figure capital.
Can I use Expert Advisors (EAs) on both Maven and Ment Funding?
No, you can only use EAs on Ment Funding. Ment Funding allows automated trading and Expert Advisors as part of its rules. Maven, however, strictly prohibits the use of EAs, requiring all trades to be executed manually by the trader.
Which firm pays out faster, Maven or Ment Funding?
Maven has a faster payout frequency. They process withdrawals every 10 days. Ment Funding allows the very first payout to be on demand, but all subsequent payouts are processed every 30 days, making Maven's cash flow cycle much shorter for consistent traders.
Does Maven or Ment Funding charge extra for holding trades over the weekend?
Maven does not charge extra; weekend holding is allowed by default across its programs. Ment Funding, on the other hand, requires traders to purchase a 10% price add-on if they wish to keep positions open during the weekend. For a $100,000 account, this would add $75 to the initial cost at Ment Funding.
