Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AquaFutures | FundedNext |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% (first $15K) → 90% | 80% → 95% |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (24h guarantee) | Bi-weekly ($100 minimum) |
| Max Account Size | $450,000 | $200,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFutures vs FundedNext, 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.
FundedNext: $306.9M Paid Out. 71K Trustpilot Reviews. $4M Scaling.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, FundedNext scores 9.7/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: AquaFutures scores 7.6/10 vs FundedNext at 9.7/10.
Minimum Fee: AquaFutures starts from $50; FundedNext starts from $32. FundedNext is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 90%; FundedNext offers 80% → 95%. AquaFutures has the higher split.
Platforms: AquaFutures supports Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica; FundedNext is on MT4, MT5, cTrader, MatchTrader, Tradovate, NinjaTrader.
Tradeable Markets: AquaFutures covers Futures (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT); FundedNext offers Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, CME Futures.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how AquaFutures and FundedNext compare on pricing.
AquaFutures challenge fees start from $50. They have funded over 118,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $6,700,000+.
FundedNext challenge fees start from $32. The firm has operated since 2022. They have funded over 200,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $306,900,000+.
On entry-level pricing, FundedNext offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
AquaFutures profit split: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. FundedNext profit split: 80% → 95%. AquaFutures delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AquaFutures pays On-demand (24h guarantee); FundedNext pays Bi-weekly ($100 minimum). 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 FundedNext:
FundedNext was founded in 2022 and is headquartered in Ajman, UAE, led by CEO Abdullah Jayed. In under three years the firm has distributed $306.9M+ in rewards to funded traders — one of the highest verified payout totals in the entire prop firm industry. The 71,000+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.5/5 give it the largest independent review base of any firm we have rated, providing a level of external validation that few competitors can match. With 200,000+ funded accounts, a 6,000+ person global team, and 50+ offices worldwide, FundedNext operates at a scale that places it alongside FTMO in the top tier of the industry.
FundedNext suits a broad range of traders. Four program formats — Express, Evaluation (2-step), Stellar 1-Step, and Stellar 2-Step — cover different risk tolerances and evaluation styles. Account sizes from $6,000 to $200,000 (scaling to $4,000,000) give beginners a low-cost entry point and professionals a credible ceiling. EAs and hedging are both permitted, which matters for systematic traders. The platform also covers CME futures via Tradovate and NinjaTrader alongside its CFD offering.
Key restriction: weekend holding is not permitted — all positions must be closed before the weekend. News trading is also restricted. Traders who use weekend gaps or news momentum as part of their strategy should account for this before joining.
Four evaluation formats:
15% profit share during evaluation: Like WeMasterTrade, FundedNext pays traders 15% of profits earned during the challenge phase itself — before passing. The challenge fee is effectively refundable through evaluation earnings for traders who perform well.
Balance-based drawdown: FundedNext uses balance-based (not trailing/equity-based) drawdown. The drawdown buffer only resets when you close trades in profit — floating profits do not compress your cushion. This is meaningfully more favorable than equity-based trailing drawdown used by many competitors.
| Account | Fee | Target | Daily DD | Max DD | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,000 | $32 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $15,000 | $70 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $25,000 | $119 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $50,000 | $199 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $100,000 | $349 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
| $200,000 | $549 | 10% | 5% | 10% | 80–95% |
Six platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, MatchTrader, Tradovate (Futures), NinjaTrader (Futures). Instruments: forex, indices, commodities, crypto, CME futures. EAs and hedging permitted. No weekend holding. News trading restricted.
Support: 24/7 live chat in 44 languages. 25+ global meetups annually. 600-second average response time.
FundedNext earns a 9.0 BestProp score — the second-highest in our database behind FTMO. $306.9M in verified payouts, 71,000+ Trustpilot reviews, 200,000+ funded accounts, and a 6,000-person global team are institutional-grade numbers. The balance-based drawdown (not trailing) is a meaningful structural advantage for traders managing open positions. The 15% evaluation-phase profit share, $4M scaling ceiling, and futures coverage via Tradovate and NinjaTrader round out a comprehensive offering.
The trade-offs are real but limited in scope: no weekend holding, news trading restricted, and the 95% split requires a paid upgrade from the 80% base. For traders whose strategies work within those rules, FundedNext is one of the two or three most credible prop firms operating globally in 2026.
Overall, our independent scoring gives FundedNext 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, FundedNext scores higher overall (9.7/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
FundedNext 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%. FundedNext: 80% → 95%.
EA policies: AquaFutures — check the review. FundedNext — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AquaFutures — check the review. FundedNext — check the review.
Read the full AquaFutures review → · Read the full FundedNext review →
Based on our scoring methodology, FundedNext 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 FundedNext offers 80% → 95% profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Check our offers page for the latest verified deals on both firms.
Both firms aim for fast payouts. Check each firm's website for the current payout schedule, as processing times may vary.
Neither AquaFutures nor FundedNext 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.
