Head-to-head comparison · 2026
Apex Trader Funding vs AquaFunded
Side-by-side on the metrics that actually matter: true cost to funded, drawdown type, profit split and payout speed.
Market
Futures
Forex / CFD
Founded
2021
-
Total cost to funded
$308
Best$143
Eval cost
$249
$143
Activation fee
$59
-
Pricing model
One-time
One-time
Challenge type
1-Step
2-Step
Drawdown type
Trailing
Static
Max profit split
90%
90%
First profit
First $25K is 100%
90% split, fee 100% refundable
Payout speed
Every 5 trading days
Bi-weekly
Max account
Best$300K
-
Consistency rule
50% on funded (PA)
50% funded
News trading
Restricted
Allowed
Platforms
RithmicNinjaTraderTradingViewTradovate
NinjaTraderTradovateMT5Match-TraderTradeLockerVolumetrica
Strengths & watch-outs
Apex Trader Funding
Strengths
- Almost always on a big discount, often 80 to 90% off
- One-time fee, can pass in 1 day
- Up to 20 funded accounts at once
Watch-outs
- Intraday trailing drawdown on evaluation and funded
- No resets: a failed eval means buying a new one
- 50% consistency rule and a daily loss limit once funded
AquaFunded
Strengths
- No minimum trading days on the challenge, can pass in 1 day
- News trading, weekend holding and EAs allowed
- One-time fee, 100% refundable, 90% split
Watch-outs
- Two phases with a high $5,000 then $2,500 profit target
- 50% consistency rule and 3 minimum trading days once funded
- Bi-weekly rewards, leverage drops from 1:100 to 1:50 once funded
🐨 PropKoala verdict
AquaFunded is cheaper to get funded at $143 total. Apex Trader Funding offers a higher max split at 90%. AquaFunded has the more forgiving Static drawdown, giving you more room to trade.
This verdict is generated from our verified data. Always check each firm's current terms before purchasing.
Figures are list prices for the 50K account, last updated Sep 2026. Verify all details directly with each firm before purchasing. PropKoala may earn affiliate commissions. Trading involves substantial risk.