Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AquaFutures | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% (first $15K) → 90% | 80% |
| First Payout | — | 14 |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (24h guarantee) | Bi-weekly (CFDs), Weekly (Futures) |
| Max Account Size | $450,000 | $200,000 |
Winner: The Trading Pit
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFutures vs The Trading Pit, 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.
The Trading Pit: Multi-program prop trading across CFDs, Futures, and Stocks from Liechtenstein.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, The Trading Pit scores 8.6/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: AquaFutures scores 7.6/10 vs The Trading Pit at 8.6/10.
Minimum Fee: AquaFutures starts from $50; The Trading Pit starts from $49. The Trading Pit is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 90%; The Trading Pit offers 80%. AquaFutures has the higher split.
Platforms: AquaFutures supports Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica; The Trading Pit is on MT4, MT5, cTrader (CFDs); ATAS, Quantower, Tradovate (Futures).
Tradeable Markets: AquaFutures covers Futures (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT); The Trading Pit offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities, US Stocks.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how AquaFutures and The Trading Pit compare on pricing.
AquaFutures challenge fees start from $50. They have funded over 118,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $6,700,000+.
The Trading Pit challenge fees start from $49. The firm has operated since 2021. They have funded over 10,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $16,000,000+.
On entry-level pricing, The Trading Pit offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
AquaFutures profit split: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. The Trading Pit profit split: 80%. AquaFutures delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AquaFutures pays On-demand (24h guarantee); The Trading Pit pays Bi-weekly (CFDs), Weekly (Futures). 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 The Trading Pit:
The Trading Pit was founded in 2021 and is registered in Liechtenstein (FL-0002.693.417-1), making it one of the few prop firms headquartered in an EU-adjacent jurisdiction. Under CEO Daniela Egli, the firm has scaled to over 10,000 active monthly accounts, recorded 450,000+ monthly trades, and paid out more than $16 million to funded traders.
The Trading Pit offers four tracks: CFD 1-Phase, CFD 2-Phase, Futures, and Stocks. CFD programs use MT4, MT5, and cTrader and cover forex, metals, indices, crypto, and US equities. The Futures program runs on Tradovate with access to CME, EUREX, CBOT, COMEX, and NYMEX markets. The Stocks program provides direct access to equity markets with $25K and $50K account sizes.
CFD programs use a static balance-based drawdown (calculated from initial balance). The Futures program uses a trailing drawdown model. Notably, Futures accounts feature a daily pause mechanism rather than a hard daily cut — when the daily drawdown limit is hit, the account is suspended for the remainder of that trading day rather than being terminated.
News trading is prohibited on CFD and Stocks programs with a 2-minute blackout window around major economic releases. The Futures program allows news trading. Expert Advisors are permitted but scalping under 1 minute, arbitrage, and signal copying across accounts are all prohibited. Overnight holding is allowed; cross-account hedging is not. Martingale strategies are banned.
CFD commissions are $5 per lot for forex, metals, and energies; 20% for crypto; 0% for US equities; and 20% for EU/UK equities.
CFD payouts are bi-weekly; Futures payouts are weekly. Payment methods include credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, crypto, and BinancePay. Payouts are made via bank wire, crypto, Binance, or Perfect Money. Maximum account allocation is $400,000 across all accounts.
Overall, our independent scoring gives The Trading Pit 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, The Trading Pit scores higher overall (8.6/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
The Trading Pit 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%. The Trading Pit: 80%.
EA policies: AquaFutures — check the review. The Trading Pit — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AquaFutures — check the review. The Trading Pit — check the review.
Read the full AquaFutures review → · Read the full The Trading Pit review →
Based on our scoring methodology, The Trading Pit 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 The Trading Pit offers 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.
AquaFutures processes first payouts in a variable timeframe, while The Trading Pit takes approximately 14 day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither AquaFutures nor The Trading Pit 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.
