Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AquaFutures | Equity Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% (first $15K) → 90% | 80% (90% on Instant and VIP) |
| First Payout | — | 30 |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (24h guarantee) | Bi-weekly (on-demand at VIP) |
| Max Account Size | $450,000 | $200,000 |
Winner: Equity Edge
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFutures vs Equity Edge, 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.
Equity Edge: 5 Challenge Types from $14. Instant Pro Edge at 90% Split. Scales to $2M.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, Equity Edge scores 7.8/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: AquaFutures scores 7.6/10 vs Equity Edge at 7.8/10.
Minimum Fee: AquaFutures starts from $50; Equity Edge starts from $14. Equity Edge is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 90%; Equity Edge offers 80% (90% on Instant and VIP). AquaFutures has the higher split.
Platforms: AquaFutures supports Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica; Equity Edge is on MT5, Match-Trader.
Tradeable Markets: AquaFutures covers Futures (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT); Equity Edge offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how AquaFutures and Equity Edge compare on pricing.
AquaFutures challenge fees start from $50. They have funded over 118,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $6,700,000+.
Equity Edge challenge fees start from $14. The firm has operated since 2025. They have funded over 250,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $4,500,000+.
On entry-level pricing, Equity Edge offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
AquaFutures profit split: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. Equity Edge profit split: 80% (90% on Instant and VIP). AquaFutures delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AquaFutures pays On-demand (24h guarantee); Equity Edge pays Bi-weekly (on-demand at VIP). 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 Equity Edge:
Equity Edge is operated by Equity Edge Ltd (company number 2025-00306), registered in Saint Lucia. CEO Berkay Gurlek leads the firm, which claims 250,000+ traders across 180+ countries and $4.5M+ in 2024 payouts. Five challenge types are available from a $2,500 starting account, with a scaling path to $2,000,000 in simulated capital at VIP status. Trustpilot rating: approximately 4.0/5 from nearly 4,000 reviews.
Trust note: With nearly 4,000 Trustpilot reviews, the sample size is meaningful. A recurring pattern in negative reviews describes payout denials and account closures occurring specifically after significant profits are reached, with traders reporting rule enforcement that felt disproportionate or inconsistently applied. BestProp does not draw conclusions from review patterns alone, but the volume of similar complaints warrants mention. Verify the payout process with a smaller account before scaling capital.
Two rule tiers (Legacy and Swift) apply to both the 1-Step and 2-Step tracks. Legacy accounts have wider drawdown but higher profit targets; Swift accounts have tighter drawdown and lower targets:
1-Step Legacy: 10% profit target. Daily drawdown: 4%. Max drawdown: 6% trailing. 80% profit split.
Fees: $2.5K: $22 | $5K: $27 | $10K: $50 | $25K: $119 | $50K: $259 | $100K: $489
1-Step Swift: 8% profit target. Daily drawdown: 3%. Max drawdown: 5% trailing. 80% profit split.
Fees: $2.5K: $14 | $5K: $18 | $10K: $39 | $25K: $109 | $50K: $239 | $100K: $379
2-Step Legacy: Phase 1: 10%, Phase 2: 5%. Daily drawdown: 4%. Max drawdown: 6% trailing. 80% split.
Fees: $2.5K: $23 | $5K: $29 | $10K: $54 | $25K: $139 | $50K: $269 | $100K: $499
2-Step Swift: Phase 1: 10%, Phase 2: 5%. Daily drawdown: 3%. Max drawdown: 5% trailing. 80% split.
Fees: $2.5K: $16 | $5K: $20 | $10K: $42 | $25K: $129 | $50K: $249 | $100K: $429
Instant Pro Edge (no evaluation): No profit target. Daily drawdown: varies. Max drawdown: trailing. 90% profit split (higher than challenge track).
Fees: $2.5K: $22 | $5K: $45 | $10K: $68 | $25K: $138 | $50K: $159 | $100K: $277 | $200K: $550
Note on drawdown: All accounts use trailing max drawdown – the minimum equity threshold rises as account balance grows. Traders who build profit early reduce their usable drawdown buffer over time.
Five tiers from Level 1 (20% capital increase per milestone) through VIP status. VIP unlocks 90% profit split, on-demand payouts processed within 48 hours, and up to $2,000,000 in simulated capital. Confirm current VIP criteria directly with support before targeting this path.
Platforms: MT5, Match-Trader. Instruments: Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities. Payout frequency: bi-weekly (on-demand at VIP). Methods: Crypto, Bank Wire, PayPal. Payment accepted via Credit/Debit Card, PayPal, Bank Wire.
Restricted countries (23 total): USA, Canada, Russia, Belarus, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, Yemen, North Korea, Afghanistan, and others – check at checkout for the current full list.
Equity Edge earns a 6.5 BestProp score. The fee structure is genuinely competitive – $14 for a $2,500 Swift 1-Step is among the lowest entry points in the industry. Five program types give traders meaningful choice between risk/reward structures, and the Instant Pro Edge 90% split with no profit target is accessible. The $2M VIP scaling ceiling is ambitious.
The Trustpilot pattern of complaints specifically tied to payout denials post-profit is the primary concern, and it is significant at nearly 4,000 total reviews. Saint Lucia registration provides limited regulatory protection. All drawdown is trailing (tightens as profits build), which requires active position management. Start with a Swift 1-Step at the $2,500 size to test the payout experience before committing larger capital.
Overall, our independent scoring gives Equity Edge 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, Equity Edge scores higher overall (7.8/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
Equity Edge 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%. Equity Edge: 80% (90% on Instant and VIP).
EA policies: AquaFutures — check the review. Equity Edge — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AquaFutures — check the review. Equity Edge — check the review.
Read the full AquaFutures review → · Read the full Equity Edge review →
Based on our scoring methodology, Equity Edge 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 Equity Edge offers 80% (90% on Instant and VIP) 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 Equity Edge takes approximately 30 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither AquaFutures nor Equity Edge 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.
