Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | AquaFutures | thePropTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% (first $15K) → 90% | 80% (up to 90%) |
| First Payout | — | On demand |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand (24h guarantee) | On demand |
| Max Account Size | $450,000 | $100,000 |
Winner: AquaFutures
In this independent head-to-head comparison of AquaFutures vs thePropTrade, 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.
thePropTrade: Start Any Evaluation for $9.99. Pay Activation Only After Passing. Full Refund on First Payout.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, AquaFutures scores 7.6/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: AquaFutures scores 7.6/10 vs thePropTrade at 7.5/10.
Minimum Fee: AquaFutures starts from $50; thePropTrade starts from $9.99. thePropTrade is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 90%; thePropTrade offers 80% (up to 90%). AquaFutures has the higher split.
Platforms: AquaFutures supports Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica; thePropTrade is on MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker.
Tradeable Markets: AquaFutures covers Futures (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT); thePropTrade offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how AquaFutures and thePropTrade compare on pricing.
AquaFutures challenge fees start from $50. They have funded over 118,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $6,700,000+.
thePropTrade challenge fees start from $9.99. The firm has operated since 2025.
On entry-level pricing, thePropTrade offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
AquaFutures profit split: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. thePropTrade profit split: 80% (up to 90%). AquaFutures delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: AquaFutures pays On-demand (24h guarantee); thePropTrade pays On demand. 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 thePropTrade:
thePropTrade is operated by The Prop Trade Ltd (registration 2025-00866, Saint Lucia) and QuantElite FZCO (Dubai Silicon Oasis, UAE), led by CEO Katarina K. The firm registered in 2025, making it one of the newest entrants in the prop trading space with a very limited public track record. Platforms include MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradeLocker. Maximum account size is $200,000, with leverage up to 1:100. The firm serves all instruments except jurisdictions on FATF/EU/UN sanctions lists, and excludes China and Vietnam.
thePropTrade’s signature offering is PayFlex Edge — a distinctive pay-to-start model where the upfront evaluation cost is $9.99 for all account sizes. An activation fee (paid only after passing the evaluation) varies by account size and is refunded on the first funded payout.
How it works: Pay $9.99 to begin the evaluation regardless of account size. Complete the 6% profit target. Upon passing, pay an activation fee (see table below). The activation fee is refunded on your first funded payout — making the long-run cost zero if you trade profitably.
Evaluation parameters (all sizes): 6% profit target. Daily loss limit: 4%. Max drawdown: 6% trailing lock — the drawdown ceiling adjusts with equity gains and locks the floor at the highest reached level. Minimum 3 profitable trading days required (with at least 0.5% profit each). No maximum time limit. Swap-free accounts available. No consistency rule.
Activation fees by account size (post-pass):
The overall price is comparable to standard single-phase programs — the innovation is the cost split: risk only $9.99 to attempt, pay the remainder only after proving profitability.
Profit split: 80% (up to 90% with scaling milestones). Payouts on demand. Instruments: Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities. All three platforms (MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker) available on funded accounts. No maximum lot size restrictions. Swap-free accounts available.
Platforms: MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradeLocker — full three-platform flexibility is uncommon at this price point. Instruments: Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities. Leverage up to 1:100.
thePropTrade earns a 6.2 BestProp score. The $9.99 pay-to-start structure is genuinely innovative and removes the most common barrier to entry in prop trading — the fear of paying full price and failing. For a trader with a proven strategy, risking $9.99 to attempt a $100K evaluation (full activation fee refunded if funded) is a compelling proposition. Three supported platforms (MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker) and swap-free accounts add structural quality. On-demand payouts remove payout cycle delays.
The primary concern is the firm’s age: registered in 2025 with registration number 2025-00866, thePropTrade has an extremely limited public operating history. No verified Trustpilot score is publicly confirmed. The CEO is identified only by first name and initial publicly. Trading rules for EAs, news, and overnight holds are not clearly published. Saint Lucia/Dubai dual-entity structure adds a layer of opacity. Traders should proceed with small account sizes first and verify all rules directly with support before committing to larger activation fees. A promising concept; the track record needs time to build.
Overall, our independent scoring gives AquaFutures the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If thePropTrade 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, AquaFutures scores higher overall (7.6/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
thePropTrade 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%. thePropTrade: 80% (up to 90%).
EA policies: AquaFutures — check the review. thePropTrade — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: AquaFutures — check the review. thePropTrade — check the review.
Read the full AquaFutures review → · Read the full thePropTrade review →
Based on our scoring methodology, AquaFutures 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 thePropTrade offers 80% (up to 90%) 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 thePropTrade takes approximately On demand day(s). Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither AquaFutures nor thePropTrade 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.
