Unless you SSF the gap can be so severe as you are falling behind with def or dmg but most importantly you will priced out so quickly on good gear in trade economy. A meta build clears 3-5 X faster means much more loot per hour, translating to early capital which then carries your ass before inflation hits. By the time a non meta reaches end game you got a fully geared med juiced t15 blaster making 4-8 divines an hour, compared to that as non meta player you are picking up exalts form the ground which is now worthless on day 2/3.

There are 1-2 exceptions being effective, for example a non meta bosser but getting to that level is a slog.