Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AquaFunded | Quant Tekel (QT Funded) |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% | 80% (up to 90%) |
| First Payout | — | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (challenge) / On-demand (instant) | 14 days (PRIME/Instant) / On-demand (POWER) |
| Max Account Size | $400,000 | $200,000 |
Winner: AquaFunded
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFunded vs Quant Tekel (QT Funded), 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.
Quant Tekel (QT Funded): BNPL Challenge Fees. POWER from $26. FSCA-Backed Brokerage.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, AquaFunded scores 7.8/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: AquaFunded scores 7.8/10 vs Quant Tekel (QT Funded) at 7/10.
Minimum Fee: AquaFunded starts from Refundable; Quant Tekel (QT Funded) starts from $26.
Profit Split: AquaFunded offers 100%; Quant Tekel (QT Funded) offers 80% (up to 90%). Quant Tekel (QT Funded) has the higher split.
Platforms: AquaFunded supports MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, MatchTrader; Quant Tekel (QT Funded) is on MT5, cTrader (add-on), TradeLocker (add-on).
Tradeable Markets: AquaFunded covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities; Quant Tekel (QT Funded) offers Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto (150+ instruments).
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how AquaFunded and Quant Tekel (QT Funded) 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+.
Quant Tekel (QT Funded) challenge fees start from $26. The firm has operated since 2023. They have funded over 120,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $16,000,000+.
AquaFunded profit split: 100%. Quant Tekel (QT Funded) profit split: 80% (up to 90%). Quant Tekel (QT Funded) delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AquaFunded pays Bi-weekly (challenge) / On-demand (instant); Quant Tekel (QT Funded) pays 14 days (PRIME/Instant) / On-demand (POWER). 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 Quant Tekel (QT Funded):
Quant Tekel operates its prop trading arm under QT Funded (qtfunded.quanttekel.com), with the prop entity registered in the UK (Quant Tekel Ltd, company number 15202495) under CEO Tanswell Sassman. The underlying brokerage (Quant Tekel) is registered in South Africa and regulated by the FSCA (FSP No. 53227). With 120,000+ registered traders across 110+ countries and $16M+ in total payouts, the platform has meaningful scale.
Important background: Quant Tekel rebranded from Ascendx Capital in 2024. Traders researching the firm should be aware that reviews of the earlier brand may also be relevant to understanding its history.
Before reviewing programme details, traders should assess the independent review record. Quant Tekel’s Trustpilot profile shows a 2.5/5 score, with all reviews being 1-star and describing the same pattern: profit earned, payout requested, trading rule violation cited, payout denied. Separately, one trader documented a case where weekend crypto trading rules were not disclosed on the website and only cited after account closure. The firm displays a 4.1/5 rating from 12,608 reviews on its own platform – the significant gap between the internal and external rating warrants careful consideration.
BestProp rates payout reliability as the most critical factor in evaluating a prop firm. Traders should weigh this data point heavily before purchasing a challenge.
Four evaluation types with fees starting from $26:
BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) option: Available on the 1-Step track – pay the challenge fee only after you pass and are funded. Unique in the prop firm space.
Capital Programme: After three successful payout cycles, traders qualify for a monthly salary equivalent to up to 3% of account balance, with daily payout availability. A standout feature if payout reliability can be confirmed independently.
Performance Protection Promise: Up to 3 uses per account – on an eligible breach, the firm pays 10% of profits or a full refund, whichever is higher. Available on evaluation accounts.
Three platforms: MetaTrader 5 (included), cTrader (paid add-on), TradeLocker (paid add-on). Note: cTrader and TradeLocker cost extra – factor this into the total account cost. MT5 unavailable to US and Canadian residents. Instruments: forex, indices, commodities, stocks, crypto (150+ instruments).
EAs allowed with pre-approval and add-on purchase. Prohibited: HFT, arbitrage, copy trading, hedging, all-in gambling-style trades. News trading allowed with 5-minute window restriction. Drawdown is static – max loss is fixed from initial balance, does not trail upward as account grows.
Restricted countries: USA, Canada, UK, Russia, Belarus, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, North Korea, South Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria.
Quant Tekel earns a 5.5 BestProp score. The programme structure has genuine positives: fees starting at $26 (POWER $5K), a BNPL payment option, Performance Protection Promise, the Capital Programme monthly salary path, and a South African FSCA-regulated brokerage backing the infrastructure. These are real differentiators.
However, BestProp cannot overlook the independent review record. The Trustpilot profile shows every review as 1-star with a consistent payout denial pattern, the firm rebranded from Ascendx Capital in 2024, and hidden rules have been documented by at least one trader. Add-on costs for cTrader and TradeLocker platforms and EA pre-approval requirements add friction. Until independent payout reliability is demonstrated at scale, we rate this firm cautiously. Traders considering Quant Tekel should start with the smallest available account size to test the payout process before committing larger capital.
Overall, our independent scoring gives AquaFunded the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If Quant Tekel (QT Funded) 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, AquaFunded scores higher overall (7.8/10). 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.
Quant Tekel (QT Funded) offers the higher profit split. AquaFunded: 100%. Quant Tekel (QT Funded): 80% (up to 90%).
EA policies: AquaFunded — check the review. Quant Tekel (QT Funded) — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AquaFunded — check the review. Quant Tekel (QT Funded) — check the review.
Read the full AquaFunded review → · Read the full Quant Tekel (QT Funded) review →
Based on our scoring methodology, AquaFunded 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 Quant Tekel (QT Funded) offers 80% (up to 90%) profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Yes! Quant Tekel (QT Funded): 50% off — code BESTPROP. See the offer button above for full terms.
AquaFunded processes first payouts in a variable timeframe, while Quant Tekel (QT Funded) takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither AquaFunded nor Quant Tekel (QT Funded) 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.
