Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AquaFunded | OneUp Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% | 100% (first $10,000), then 90% |
| First Payout | — | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (challenge) / On-demand (instant) | Weekly |
| Max Account Size | $400,000 | $250,000 |
Winner: OneUp Trader
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFunded vs OneUp Trader, we break down challenge rules, pricing, profit splits, and payout conditions to help you decide which prop firm is the better fit for your trading style.
AquaFunded: 100% Profit Split. Refundable Fees. On-Demand Instant Funding.
OneUp Trader: Subscription-based futures prop trading with no phase requirements.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, OneUp Trader scores 8.9/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: AquaFunded scores 7.8/10 vs OneUp Trader at 8.9/10.
Minimum Fee: AquaFunded starts from Refundable; OneUp Trader starts from $65/mo.
Profit Split: AquaFunded offers 100%; OneUp Trader offers 100% (first $10,000), then 90%. OneUp Trader has the higher split.
Platforms: AquaFunded supports MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, MatchTrader; OneUp Trader is on NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, TradeStation, Tradovate, and 15+ more.
Tradeable Markets: AquaFunded covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities; OneUp Trader offers Futures (ES, NQ, YM, CL, GC, 6E, and 35+ CME products).
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how AquaFunded and OneUp Trader compare on pricing.
AquaFunded challenge fees start from Refundable. The firm has operated since 2023. They have funded over 240,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $7,000,000+.
OneUp Trader challenge fees start from $65/mo. The firm has operated since 2016.
AquaFunded profit split: 100%. OneUp Trader profit split: 100% (first $10,000), then 90%. OneUp Trader delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AquaFunded pays Bi-weekly (challenge) / On-demand (instant); OneUp Trader pays Weekly. Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of AquaFunded:
AquaFunded was founded in December 2023 and is headquartered in the UAE under CEO Jason Blax, who also runs AquaFutures, the futures-focused sibling brand. The two platforms share a brand identity but serve different markets: AquaFutures covers CME futures, while AquaFunded handles forex, metals, indices, crypto and commodities via CFD. With 240,000+ registered traders and $7M+ in distributed rewards, AquaFunded is the larger of the two brands by trader volume.
AquaFunded offers four programme types covering the full spectrum from beginner-accessible to instant-funded. The 100% profit split across all challenge accounts is a headline feature, as are the 100% refundable challenge fees. The Aqua Trader instant funding path skips evaluation entirely and provides on-demand payouts from day one, suited to experienced traders who want capital without a challenge phase.
The No Denials payout policy is stated as a core commitment. However, the external customer rating of 3.5/5 diverges significantly from the internal 9.4/10 rating, suggesting some traders have experienced friction. Weight independent ratings carefully when assessing payout reliability for this firm.
Four platforms: MatchTrader, TradeLocker, MetaTrader 5, cTrader. Instruments: forex, metals, indices, crypto, commodities. Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Bitcoin, Ethereum. Restricted countries, news trading policy, EA permissions and weekend holding rules were not published on the sources reviewed – verify on the live site before purchasing.
AquaFunded earns a 6.5 BestProp score. The 100% profit split, 100% refundable challenge fees, on-demand instant funding and four-programme variety are genuine positives. The sibling relationship with AquaFutures under CEO Jason Blax gives the brand an established operational structure from launch. The external customer rating of 3.5/5 is the second-lowest in our database – a meaningful gap from the internal platform score that traders should factor into their decision.
Here is our full independent review of OneUp Trader:
OneUp Trader is one of the longest-standing futures prop firms in the industry, founded in 2016 and based in Delaware, USA. Rather than a traditional phased evaluation, OneUp uses a monthly subscription model — pay a flat monthly fee for an evaluation account and keep trading until you hit the profit target. There are no Phase 2 requirements.
OneUp uses a trailing max drawdown that locks in at your initial account balance. As your equity rises the drawdown level trails upward, but once it reaches your original starting balance it stops — meaning your maximum total loss from day one is capped at the drawdown amount. There is no daily loss limit, giving traders full flexibility on individual trading days.
Funded traders receive 100% of profits on the first $10,000 earned, then 90% on all profits thereafter. This makes OneUp unusually attractive in the early funded stage. Up to three funded accounts can be held simultaneously (one account for the Express plan).
News trading is prohibited during the funded phase with a 1-minute blackout window around major economic releases. High-frequency trading and latency arbitrage are banned — all positions must be held for at least 10 seconds. A consistency rule applies: the combined net profit of your three next-best trading days must equal at least 80% of your single best day, preventing performance from being dominated by one outlier session. Expert Advisors are permitted for individual accounts; copy trading across accounts is not.
OneUp supports 20+ platforms including NinjaTrader (provided free), Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, TradeStation, and Tradovate. Traders can access 40+ CME futures products including ES, NQ, YM, CL, GC, 6E, and a range of agricultural and currency contracts. Exchange data fees are waived — a meaningful cost saving compared to most futures brokers.
Payouts are processed weekly via bank wire, Bitcoin, USDT, or ETH. Crypto payouts carry a 5% processor fee. A 7-day free trial is available, allowing traders to test the platform before committing to a subscription.
Overall, our independent scoring gives OneUp Trader the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If AquaFunded better matches your specific trading style, instruments, or preferred platform, it may still be the right choice for you.
Use our comparison table above and review the challenge fees at both firms before making your final decision. Both offer risk-free evaluation programs — the challenge fee is the only money at risk.
Based on our independent scoring, OneUp Trader scores higher overall (8.9/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
Both firms have similar entry-level pricing. Compare the full fee schedule for your target account size.
OneUp Trader offers the higher profit split. AquaFunded: 100%. OneUp Trader: 100% (first $10,000), then 90%.
EA policies: AquaFunded — check the review. OneUp Trader — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AquaFunded — check the review. OneUp Trader — check the review.
Read the full AquaFunded review → · Read the full OneUp Trader review →
Based on our scoring methodology, OneUp Trader edges ahead in this comparison. However, the best choice depends on your trading style, preferred platform and account size. Read the full breakdown above for a detailed verdict.
AquaFunded offers 100% profit split, while OneUp Trader offers 100% (first $10,000), then 90% profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Check our offers page for the latest verified deals on both firms.
AquaFunded processes first payouts in a variable timeframe, while OneUp Trader takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither AquaFunded nor OneUp Trader are regulated in the traditional financial sense — prop firms operate as private companies providing traders access to simulated or real capital. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before participating in any prop challenge.
