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Home › Comparisons › AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian — Which is Better?
AquaFutures
7.6/10
★★★½☆
VS
Blue Guardian
8.8/10
★★★★☆

AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian — Which is Better? (2026)

Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.

Get Funded Now — AquaFutures View Firm — Blue Guardian

AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian — Side-by-Side

Feature AquaFutures Blue Guardian
Payout
Profit Split 100% (first $15K) → 90% Up to 90%
First Payout — 7
Payout Frequency On-demand (24h guarantee) On-demand / Daily (Futures Express) / Every 3 days (Futures Standard)
Max Account Size $450,000 $400,000
Our Verdict — AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian

Winner: Blue Guardian

AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian — Executive Summary (2026)

In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian, 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.

Blue Guardian: 9 Programs. CFD + CME Futures. 24h Guarantee or 100% Profits.

Based on our independent scoring methodology, Blue Guardian scores 8.8/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.

Quick Stats: AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian

BestProp Score: AquaFutures scores 7.6/10 vs Blue Guardian at 8.8/10.

Minimum Fee: AquaFutures starts from $50; Blue Guardian starts from —.

Profit Split: AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 90%; Blue Guardian offers Up to 90%. AquaFutures has the higher split.

Platforms: AquaFutures supports Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica; Blue Guardian is on MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, Match Trader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, DeepCharts.

Tradeable Markets: AquaFutures covers Futures (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT); Blue Guardian offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities, CME Futures.

Pricing Comparison: AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian

Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how AquaFutures and Blue Guardian compare on pricing.

AquaFutures challenge fees start from $50. They have funded over 118,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $6,700,000+.

Blue Guardian challenge fees start from —. The firm has operated since 2021. They have funded over 100,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $25,000,000+.

Challenge Rules: AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian

Drawdown Rules

Trading Conditions

Payout Comparison: AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian

AquaFutures profit split: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. Blue Guardian profit split: Up to 90%. AquaFutures delivers the higher cut to traders.

Payout frequency: AquaFutures pays On-demand (24h guarantee); Blue Guardian pays On-demand / Daily (Futures Express) / Every 3 days (Futures Standard). Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.

AquaFutures — Full Review

Here is our full independent review of AquaFutures:

Introduction to 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.

Who Is AquaFutures For?

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.

Challenge Programs

AquaFutures offers three main program types:

  • Beginner ($25K–$150K): Profit target required (5–6%). Daily loss limit 2.5%, max drawdown 4–5%. Weekly payouts. 100% split. Reset available for $39–$199. Consistency rule: single best day cannot exceed 40% of total profits.
  • Standard ($25K–$100K): No profit target required. Daily loss limit 2.5%, max drawdown 3–4%. On-demand payouts. 100% split. No time limit.
  • Pro ($25K–$100K): No profit target, no daily loss limit. Max drawdown 3–4%. On-demand payouts. 100% split. No time limit. Designed for experienced traders who manage risk independently.
  • Instant Funding: No evaluation phase — receive funded capital immediately. Terms mirror Standard/Pro depending on account size selected.

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.

Trading Rules and Platforms

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.

Payouts

  • Payout guarantee: paid within 24 hours — if they miss the deadline, you receive an additional $500
  • Split: 100% on first $15,000 earned, then 90%
  • Methods: Cryptocurrency, Rise
  • Maximum account: $450,000

Reviews and Trustpilot

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.

Our Verdict

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.

Blue Guardian — Full Review

Here is our full independent review of Blue Guardian:

Introduction to Blue Guardian

Blue Guardian was founded in June 2021 by CEO Sean Bainton and is registered in Saint Lucia with operations across 170+ countries. With $25M+ in total payouts distributed, 100,000+ active traders, and a Discord community of 150,000+ members, Blue Guardian has become one of the larger prop trading communities in the space. The platform covers both CFD trading (forex, metals, indices, crypto, commodities) and CME futures, with nine distinct program types across the two tracks.

The firm carries notable sports endorsements — UK boxing champion Chris Eubank Jr and Birmingham City FC — reflecting an unusually high marketing investment for a prop firm. Google reviews sit at 4.9/5.

Who Is Blue Guardian For?

Blue Guardian suits traders across a wide range of styles. Five CFD program types accommodate everyone from instant-funded traders to 3-step evaluation traders who want more time and breathing room. For futures traders, four separate programs cover daily payout structures, no-daily-loss-limit accounts, and instant direct funding. Expert Advisors and trade copiers are permitted on CFD accounts, making Blue Guardian one of the few platforms where systematic traders can operate without restriction.

News trading is blocked on CFD accounts but permitted on the Futures Express program — a useful distinction for traders whose strategies depend on news momentum.

CFD Challenge Programs ($5K–$400K)

All CFD programs carry a 90% profit split, no time limit, and weekend/overnight holding. Leverage up to 1:30.

  • Instant (No Evaluation): Capital access immediately. $3,000 maximum daily loss / $6,000 trailing max drawdown on $100K. EAs and copiers permitted. 90% split. On-demand payouts.
  • 1-Step: Single-phase evaluation. 90% split. No time limit. EAs permitted.
  • 2-Step Standard: Two-phase evaluation with phased targets. 90% split. No time limit.
  • 2-Step Pro: Two-phase evaluation with tighter parameters designed for more experienced traders. 90% split. No time limit.
  • 3-Step: Three-phase evaluation with accessible targets per phase. 90% split. No time limit. Lowest entry pressure per phase of all evaluation tracks.

Platforms: MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker, cTrader, Match Trader.

Futures Programs (CME Contracts)

Four futures programs trade CME-listed contracts on NinjaTrader, Tradovate, DeepCharts, and TradingView.

  • Standard: Up to 90% split. Payouts every 3 days. Payout caps scale to $4,500. $25K account has no daily loss limit.
  • Express: Up to 90% split. Daily payouts. $1,100 daily payout cap. News trading permitted — the only Blue Guardian program where this applies.
  • Reserve: Up to 90% split. No daily loss limit across all sizes. Flat payout caps $1,000–$3,000. More conservative sizing suited to swing-style futures traders.
  • Direct (Instant Funded): No evaluation required. 20%–30% scaling split — significantly lower than the other futures programs. Suitable for traders who want immediate capital access and are comfortable with the lower initial split while they build their allocation.

Payout Guarantee

Blue Guardian’s payout guarantee is among the strongest in the industry: if a verified payout request is not processed within 24 hours, the trader receives 100% of the profits rather than the standard split. Methods: Rise or cryptocurrency.

Payouts

  • Guarantee: 24 hours — missed deadline pays 100% of profits to trader
  • Split: Up to 90% (CFD/Futures Standard/Express/Reserve) | 20–30% scaling (Futures Direct)
  • Frequency: On-demand | Daily (Futures Express) | Every 3 days (Futures Standard)
  • Methods: Rise, Cryptocurrency
  • Maximum allocation: $400,000 per account ($1,050,000 combined)
  • Total paid out: $25M+

Our Verdict

Blue Guardian earns a 7.8 BestProp score. Nine program types across CFD and CME futures, EA and copier permissions on CFD accounts, a 24-hour guarantee with a 100% profit penalty for delays, and a 4.9/5 Google rating make this a well-rounded platform. The $25M+ in payouts and 100K+ active trader base provide meaningful validation.

The Futures Direct program’s 20–30% split is unusually low and should be weighed carefully against the convenience of skipping evaluation. News trading is blocked on all CFD programs. No independent Trustpilot data was available at time of writing — community ratings via Google and Prop Firm Match (4.6/5) are the primary external benchmarks.

AquaFutures — Key Strengths

  • BestProp score: 7.6/10
  • Competitive 100% (first $15K) → 90% profit split
  • Challenge fees from $50
  • 118,000+ funded traders
  • $6,700,000+ total paid out
  • Available on Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica

Blue Guardian — Key Strengths

  • BestProp score: 8.8/10
  • Competitive Up to 90% profit split
  • Challenge fees from —
  • 100,000+ funded traders
  • $25,000,000+ total paid out
  • Available on MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, Match Trader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, DeepCharts
  • Operating since 2021

Final Verdict: AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian (2026)

Overall, our independent scoring gives Blue Guardian 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.

Frequently Asked Questions: AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian

Which is better, AquaFutures or Blue Guardian?

Based on our independent scoring, Blue Guardian scores higher overall (8.8/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.

Is AquaFutures cheaper than Blue Guardian?

Both firms have similar entry-level pricing. Compare the full fee schedule for your target account size.

Which has a better profit split, AquaFutures or Blue Guardian?

AquaFutures offers the higher profit split. AquaFutures: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. Blue Guardian: Up to 90%.

Can I use an EA or trading bot?

EA policies: AquaFutures — check the review. Blue Guardian — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.

Which is better for news trading?

News trading: AquaFutures — check the review. Blue Guardian — check the review.

Read the full AquaFutures review →  ·  Read the full Blue Guardian review →

Who should choose AquaFutures?
  • Traders wanting 100% (first $15K) → 90% profit split
  • Users of Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica
  • Anyone looking for a solid funded challenge
Who should choose Blue Guardian?
  • Traders wanting Up to 90% profit split
  • Users of MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, Match Trader, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, DeepCharts
  • Anyone looking for a top-rated funded challenge

Frequently Asked Questions — AquaFutures vs Blue Guardian

Based on our scoring methodology, Blue Guardian 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 Blue Guardian offers Up to 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 Blue Guardian takes approximately 7 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.

Neither AquaFutures nor Blue Guardian 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.

AquaFutures
7.6/10
Read Review →
Blue Guardian
8.8/10
Read Review →