Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AquaFunded | FTUK |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% | Up to 80% |
| First Payout | — | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (challenge) / On-demand (instant) | On Demand (Instant Funding), bi-weekly (Evaluation) |
| Max Account Size | $400,000 | $100,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFunded 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.
AquaFunded: 100% Profit Split. Refundable Fees. On-Demand Instant Funding.
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: AquaFunded scores 7.8/10 vs FTUK at 8.6/10.
Minimum Fee: AquaFunded starts from Refundable; FTUK starts from $99.
Profit Split: AquaFunded offers 100%; FTUK offers Up to 80%. AquaFunded has the higher split.
Platforms: AquaFunded supports MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, MatchTrader; FTUK is on MT5, Match-Trader, TradeLocker, FTUK XT.
Tradeable Markets: AquaFunded covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities; FTUK offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how AquaFunded and FTUK 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+.
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+.
AquaFunded profit split: 100%. FTUK profit split: Up to 80%. AquaFunded delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AquaFunded pays Bi-weekly (challenge) / On-demand (instant); FTUK pays On Demand (Instant Funding), bi-weekly (Evaluation). 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 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 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, FTUK scores higher overall (8.6/10). 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.
AquaFunded offers the higher profit split. AquaFunded: 100%. FTUK: Up to 80%.
EA policies: AquaFunded — check the review. FTUK — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AquaFunded — check the review. FTUK — check the review.
Read the full AquaFunded 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.
AquaFunded offers 100% 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.
AquaFunded 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 AquaFunded 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.
