Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | BrightFunded | AquaFutures |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 80% → 100% | 100% (first $15K) → 90% |
| First Payout | 30 | — |
| Payout Frequency | Bi-weekly (weekly add-on available) | On-demand (24h guarantee) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $450,000 |
Winner: BrightFunded
In this independent head-to-head comparison of BrightFunded vs AquaFutures, 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.
BrightFunded: Static Rules. Fast Payouts. Zero Fees.
AquaFutures: Futures-Only. 24-Hour Payout Guarantee. $450K Max.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, BrightFunded scores 8.9/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: BrightFunded scores 8.9/10 vs AquaFutures at 7.6/10.
Minimum Fee: BrightFunded starts from €55; AquaFutures starts from $50. AquaFutures is cheaper at entry level.
Profit Split: BrightFunded offers 80% → 100%; AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 90%. AquaFutures has the higher split.
Platforms: BrightFunded supports cTrader, MT5, DXtrade; AquaFutures is on Tradovate, Quantower, Volumetrica.
Tradeable Markets: BrightFunded covers Forex, Crypto, Indices, Commodities (150+ assets); AquaFutures offers Futures (CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT).
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how BrightFunded and AquaFutures compare on pricing.
BrightFunded challenge fees start from €55. The firm has operated since 2023. They have funded over 27,500+ traders. Total payouts to date: $7M+.
AquaFutures challenge fees start from $50. They have funded over 118,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $6,700,000+.
On entry-level pricing, AquaFutures offers a lower starting fee — an important factor if you are testing with a smaller account first.
BrightFunded profit split: 80% → 100%. AquaFutures profit split: 100% (first $15K) → 90%. AquaFutures delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: BrightFunded pays Bi-weekly (weekly add-on available); AquaFutures pays On-demand (24h guarantee). Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of BrightFunded:
BrightFunded launched in September 2023 with offices in Dubai, Amsterdam, and Warsaw, and has paid out $7M+ to 27,500+ active traders. The firm focuses on a single, well-built evaluation path — a two-phase challenge with static drawdown rules, no consistency requirements, and one of the faster payout processes in the industry (4–8 hours typical, 24-hour maximum guarantee).
Unlike firms that offer 1-step, instant funding, and multiple program types, BrightFunded deliberately keeps its structure simple: one evaluation model, six account sizes, and a clean set of rules. This makes it easy to understand what you’re buying and what’s expected.
BrightFunded suits forex, indices, and multi-asset traders who want predictable, static drawdown rules and no consistency requirements. The static 5%/10% drawdown — which never trails regardless of account growth — means you always know exactly where your limits are. The no-consistency-rule policy means you can make 80% of your profit target in a single trade if your strategy calls for it.
The 30-day wait for the first funded payout and bi-weekly default payout cycle make BrightFunded less suited to traders who need frequent cash flow. If you can absorb that waiting period, the 4–8 hour actual processing time and zero-fee withdrawals are genuinely strong.
BrightFunded offers one evaluation format in six account sizes:
Fees are charged in EUR and are refundable as an optional add-on at checkout (not automatic — you pay extra to guarantee fee refund on your first payout):
BrightFunded’s checkout includes optional upgrades that customise your challenge:
BrightFunded also runs a Trade2Earn loyalty program that awards token rewards for trading activity — an unusual feature in the prop firm space worth monitoring as it develops.
BrightFunded earns a 7.9 BestProp score. The static drawdown rules, zero-fee withdrawals, no-consistency-rule policy, and 4–8 hour payout processing are all genuinely strong features. The 100% profit split after the third scaling event is one of the more generous long-term rewards structures available.
The trade-offs are the 30-day first payout wait, fees charged in EUR (not USD), and the optional rather than automatic fee refund. For traders with a multi-month time horizon who want clean, predictable rules and fast payouts once they’re funded, BrightFunded delivers well above its price point.
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.
Overall, our independent scoring gives BrightFunded 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, BrightFunded scores higher overall (8.9/10). The best choice depends on your trading style, preferred instruments, and account size.
AquaFutures 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. BrightFunded: 80% → 100%. AquaFutures: 100% (first $15K) → 90%.
EA policies: BrightFunded — check the review. AquaFutures — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: BrightFunded — check the review. AquaFutures — check the review.
Read the full BrightFunded review → · Read the full AquaFutures review →
Based on our scoring methodology, BrightFunded 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.
BrightFunded offers 80% → 100% profit split, while AquaFutures offers 100% (first $15K) → 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.
BrightFunded processes first payouts in 30 day(s), while AquaFutures takes approximately a variable timeframe. Always verify current payout timelines on the firm's website.
Neither BrightFunded nor AquaFutures 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.
