Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AquaFutures | FTUK |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% (first $15K) → 90% | Up to 80% |
| First Payout | — | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (24h guarantee) | On Demand (Instant Funding), bi-weekly (Evaluation) |
| Max Account Size | $450,000 | $100,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFutures vs FTUK, 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.
FTUK: Flexible prop trading with Instant Funding, 1-Step, 2-Step, and a Pay After You Pass Flex model.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, FTUK scores 8.6/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: AquaFutures scores 7.6/10 vs FTUK at 8.6/10.
Minimum Fee: AquaFutures starts from $50; FTUK starts from $99. AquaFutures is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 90%; FTUK offers Up to 80%. AquaFutures has the higher split.
Platforms: AquaFutures supports Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica; FTUK is on MT5, Match-Trader, TradeLocker, FTUK XT.
Tradeable Markets: AquaFutures covers Futures (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT); FTUK offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how AquaFutures and FTUK compare on pricing.
AquaFutures challenge fees start from $50. They have funded over 118,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $6,700,000+.
FTUK challenge fees start from $99. The firm has operated since 2021. They have funded over 30,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $12,000,000+.
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%. FTUK profit split: Up to 80%. AquaFutures delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AquaFutures pays On-demand (24h guarantee); FTUK pays On Demand (Instant Funding), bi-weekly (Evaluation). 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 FTUK:
FTUK (Funded Traders United Kingdom) was founded in December 2021 and has since funded over 30,000 traders globally, paying out $12M+. The firm offers three core evaluation tracks plus a Pay After You Pass Flex model and a newer Futures program. FTUK is notable for broad platform support — MT5, Match-Trader, TradeLocker, and their proprietary FTUK XT platform — though MT5 is unavailable for US-based traders.
Instant Funding provides immediate funded access with no profit target and a trailing drawdown of 6%. The 1-Step Evaluation requires a 10% profit target with an 8% trailing drawdown. The 2-Step Evaluation uses 10%/5% phase targets and an 8% static (balance-based) drawdown. The Flex Challenge allows traders to begin an evaluation at no upfront cost, paying only after passing — a meaningful advantage for risk-averse traders.
Instant Funding and 1-Step accounts use trailing drawdown, which follows equity upward and creates a moving floor. 2-Step accounts use static drawdown based on the initial account balance. News trading is prohibited during all evaluation phases but is permitted on funded accounts. There are no profit targets on funded accounts — traders can manage their funded capital freely.
Martingale, tick scalping, latency arbitrage, reverse arbitrage, hedge arbitrage, and cross-account hedging are all prohibited. HFT is banned. Manual trading strategies are fully supported. Weekend and overnight holding are permitted.
Instant-funded accounts pay on demand. Evaluation-funded accounts have a 14-day waiting period before the first payout. Payments are made via Rise or USDT (TRC20 crypto). FTUK offers scaling potential up to $6.4M for top-performing funded traders.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FTUK 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, FTUK scores higher overall (8.6/10). 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.
AquaFutures offers the higher profit split. AquaFutures: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. FTUK: Up to 80%.
EA policies: AquaFutures — check the review. FTUK — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AquaFutures — check the review. FTUK — check the review.
Read the full AquaFutures review → · Read the full FTUK review →
Based on our scoring methodology, FTUK 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 FTUK offers Up to 80% 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 FTUK takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither AquaFutures nor FTUK 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.
