Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AquaFutures | OneUp Trader |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% (first $15K) → 90% | 100% (first $10,000), then 90% |
| First Payout | — | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (24h guarantee) | Weekly |
| Max Account Size | $450,000 | $250,000 |
Winner: OneUp Trader
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFutures 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.
AquaFutures: Futures-Only. 24-Hour Payout Guarantee. $450K Max.
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: AquaFutures scores 7.6/10 vs OneUp Trader at 8.9/10.
Minimum Fee: AquaFutures starts from $50; OneUp Trader starts from $65/mo. AquaFutures is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 90%; OneUp Trader offers 100% (first $10,000), then 90%. OneUp Trader has the higher split.
Platforms: AquaFutures supports Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica; OneUp Trader is on NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, TradeStation, Tradovate, and 15+ more.
Tradeable Markets: AquaFutures covers Futures (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT); 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 AquaFutures and OneUp Trader compare on pricing.
AquaFutures challenge fees start from $50. They have funded over 118,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $6,700,000+.
OneUp Trader challenge fees start from $65/mo. The firm has operated since 2016.
On entry-level pricing, AquaFutures offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
AquaFutures profit split: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. OneUp Trader profit split: 100% (first $10,000), then 90%. OneUp Trader delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AquaFutures pays On-demand (24h guarantee); OneUp Trader pays Weekly. Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of AquaFutures:
AquaFutures (operated by Aqua Funds Consulting FZCO) is a Dubai-based prop firm focused exclusively on futures trading. CEO Jason Blax has built a platform with a distinctive identity — the ‘Aqua’ branding ties into the firm’s ocean cleanup and water charity initiatives — and genuinely interesting structural features: a 24-hour payout guarantee (with a $500 bonus if they miss it), an instant funding path that skips evaluation entirely, and a maximum account size of $450,000 which is among the highest in the futures-specific space.
Over 118,000 traders have registered on the platform. Payout methods are crypto and Rise (formerly Bitwage). Supported platforms are Tradovate, Quantower, and Volumetrica/DeepCharts — note that ProjectX was removed from the platform in February 2026, so traders who relied on it will need to migrate.
AquaFutures is strictly for futures traders. If you trade forex, crypto, stocks, or commodities CFDs, this is not the right platform — all accounts trade futures instruments through CME, COMEX, NYMEX, and CBOT exchanges only.
For futures specialists, the instant funding option is the headline feature: skip the evaluation, receive funded capital immediately, and start collecting payouts. The no-profit-target Standard and Pro models are also attractive for traders who want drawdown-managed risk without a fixed earnings milestone.
AquaFutures offers three main program types:
Profit split structure: 100% on the first $15,000 earned, then 90% split thereafter.
Contract limits: 1–10 contracts depending on account size. Scaling available as equity grows.
Three supported platforms: Tradovate, Quantower, and Volumetrica (DeepCharts). ProjectX support was discontinued in February 2026 — if you were using ProjectX you will need to migrate your setup before joining.
Instruments: futures only — CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT exchanges. No forex, no crypto CFDs, no equity CFDs.
Consistency rule applies to most program types: your single most profitable trading day cannot exceed 40% of total accumulated profits. This prevents accounts funded primarily by one lucky day from qualifying for payouts.
AquaFutures displays a 9.4/10 rating from 5,000+ reviews on their own platform. However, their independent Trustpilot score sits at 3.1/5 — considerably lower. Common themes in Trustpilot feedback include slower support response times and issues following the February 2026 platform migration away from ProjectX. The gap between internal and external ratings is worth noting before committing to a challenge purchase.
AquaFutures earns a 6.3 BestProp score. The 24-hour payout guarantee is a standout commitment, the $450K maximum is class-leading for futures, and the instant funding path and no-target Pro model are genuinely trader-friendly structures. The charity mission adds a point of differentiation that many traders appreciate.
The Trustpilot score of 3.1 pulls the rating down significantly — it suggests a meaningful gap between marketing claims and real-world trader experience, particularly around support and platform stability. Futures-focused traders who have already confirmed the platform works for their setup may find the fee structure competitive; those evaluating for the first time should factor the external review data 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 AquaFutures 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.
AquaFutures offers a lower entry-level challenge fee. However, always compare the full account sizes you plan to trade before deciding purely on price.
OneUp Trader offers the higher profit split. AquaFutures: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. OneUp Trader: 100% (first $10,000), then 90%.
EA policies: AquaFutures — check the review. OneUp Trader — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AquaFutures — check the review. OneUp Trader — check the review.
Read the full AquaFutures 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.
AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 90% 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.
AquaFutures 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 AquaFutures 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.
