Our editorial team compared every key metric — fees, rules, profit split, payouts — so you can pick the right firm.
| Feature | Funded Squad | AquaFunded |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | ||
| Profit Split | 100% (most programs) | 100% |
| Payout Frequency | On-demand / Daily / Every 5–7 days (by program) | Bi-weekly (challenge) / On-demand (instant) |
| Max Account Size | $200,000 | $400,000 |
In this independent head-to-head comparison of Funded Squad vs AquaFunded, 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.
Funded Squad: $1K Missed-Payout Penalty. 100% Fee Refunds. Reward Protection.
AquaFunded: 100% Profit Split. Refundable Fees. On-Demand Instant Funding.
Based on our independent scoring methodology, Funded Squad scores 8.9/10 overall — but the best choice depends on your specific needs. Read the full comparison below.
BestProp Score: Funded Squad scores 8.9/10 vs AquaFunded at 7.8/10.
Minimum Fee: Funded Squad starts from $49; AquaFunded starts from Refundable.
Profit Split: Funded Squad offers 100% (most programs); AquaFunded offers 100%. AquaFunded has the higher split.
Platforms: Funded Squad supports Platform 5, Match Trader; AquaFunded is on MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, MatchTrader.
Tradeable Markets: Funded Squad covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities; AquaFunded offers Forex, Metals, Indices, Crypto, Commodities.
Challenge fees are typically the biggest factor when choosing a prop firm. Here is how Funded Squad and AquaFunded compare on pricing.
Funded Squad challenge fees start from $49. They have funded over 30,000+ traders. Total payouts to date: $2,000,000+.
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+.
Funded Squad profit split: 100% (most programs). AquaFunded profit split: 100%. AquaFunded delivers the higher cut to traders.
Payout frequency: Funded Squad pays On-demand / Daily / Every 5–7 days (by program); AquaFunded pays Bi-weekly (challenge) / On-demand (instant). Faster payouts are better for cash flow management.
Here is our full independent review of Funded Squad:
Funded Squad is operated by Devionics Technology FZCO, headquartered at Dubai Silicon Oasis, UAE. With 30,000+ traders across 130+ countries and $2M+ in distributed rewards, the platform has grown quickly since launch on the back of a notably trader-friendly ruleset: 100% fee refunds on evaluation accounts, reward protection that lets traders keep profits even after failing the funded phase, and the strongest payout penalty we have reviewed — a $1,000 bonus if their 12-hour processing window is missed.
Six distinct program types give traders genuine choice across instant funding and evaluation paths, all with 100% profit splits (except Instant Pro at 70%) and no time limits.
Funded Squad suits traders who want low drawdown risk with high profit retention. The 2-Step Squad account’s 12% max drawdown is one of the most forgiving in the space, while the 1-Step Evaluation’s 7% max drawdown with a refundable fee and 100% split is an attractive combination for traders who are confident in their edge but want fee protection if things go wrong.
The scaling plan doubles account size for every 10% profit milestone — a path that reaches $1,000,000 in total allocation. For systematic and EA traders, automated trading is permitted on all platforms and no consistency rules apply on instant accounts.
Funded Squad offers an unusual guarantee: if a trader fails the funded phase after already receiving payouts, those payouts are not clawed back. Earned rewards remain with the trader regardless of what happens to the account afterward. This removes the risk of a firm claiming back previously paid profits — a practice that has occurred at other firms and caused significant community backlash.
Two platforms: Platform 5 (their proprietary platform, built for speed and advanced order types) and Match Trader. Instruments: forex, metals, indices, crypto, commodities. EAs and automated strategies permitted on all platforms. No consistency rules on instant accounts.
Note: a $10 platform fee applies per account in addition to the challenge fee.
Funded Squad earns a 7.9 BestProp score. The combination of 100% fee refunds, $1,000 payout penalty, reward protection, no consistency rules, and six program types with 100% splits makes the trader-value proposition among the strongest we have reviewed. The 2-Step Squad’s 12% drawdown buffer stands out for traders who need breathing room. Platform 5 is proprietary but capable.
The firm is newer and $2M+ in total payouts — while real — is modest compared to larger firms. No public Trustpilot data was available at time of writing. Overall, Funded Squad is a strong contender for traders who want maximum split retention and fee protection, with the payout guarantee providing a meaningful safety net.
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.
Overall, our independent scoring gives Funded Squad the edge in this 2026 comparison. However, both firms have their merits. If AquaFunded 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, Funded Squad scores higher overall (8.9/10). 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.
AquaFunded offers the higher profit split. Funded Squad: 100% (most programs). AquaFunded: 100%.
EA policies: Funded Squad — check the review. AquaFunded — check the review. Always verify the latest policy directly with the firm.
News trading: Funded Squad — check the review. AquaFunded — check the review.
Read the full Funded Squad review → · Read the full AquaFunded review →
Based on our scoring methodology, Funded Squad 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.
Funded Squad offers 100% (most programs) profit split, while AquaFunded offers 100% profit split. Check each firm's current terms as these can change.
Check our offers page for the latest verified deals on both firms.
Both firms aim for fast payouts. Check each firm's website for the current payout schedule, as processing times may vary.
Neither Funded Squad nor AquaFunded 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.
