Head-to-head comparison · 2026
Apex Trader Funding vs AquaFunded Futures
Side-by-side on the metrics that actually matter: true cost to funded, drawdown type, profit split and payout speed.
Quick verdict
- AquaFunded Futures is $225 cheaper to get funded on a 50K account ($113 vs $338, activation fees included).
- AquaFunded Futures uses end-of-day drawdown, which is more forgiving than Apex Trader Funding's intraday trailing drawdown. Open profit that you give back doesn't count against you.
- Apex Trader Funding has a consistency rule on the funded account, which can hold up payouts after a big day. AquaFunded Futures doesn't. Rule: 50% on funded (PA).
- AquaFunded Futures pays out faster (daily, $500 minimum vs every 5 trading days).
- AquaFunded Futures allows trading during news. Apex Trader Funding restricts it.
Market
Futures
Futures
Founded
2021
-
Total cost to funded
$338
Best$113
Eval cost
$249
$113
Activation fee
$89
-
Pricing model
One-time
One-time
Challenge type
1-Step
1-Step
Drawdown type
Trailing
EOD
Max profit split
90%
90%
First profit
First $25K is 100%
90% split, max $1,100 per daily payout
Payout speed
Every 5 trading days
Daily, $500 minimum
Max account
Best$300K
$150K
Consistency rule
50% on funded (PA)
40% eval only, none funded
News trading
Restricted
Allowed
Platforms
RithmicNinjaTraderTradingViewTradovate
NinjaTraderTradovateVolumetricaTradingView
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 Futures
Strengths
- Daily payouts, no consistency rule once funded
- One-time fee, 100% refundable, no time limit
- EOD drawdown, news trading and weekend holding allowed
Watch-outs
- Payouts only start once the account reaches $52,100
- Max $1,100 per daily payout, $500 minimum, $550 net profit rule
- 40% consistency on the evaluation, $1,000 daily loss limit
🐨 Which should you choose?
Choose Apex Trader Funding if you want more room to scale up.
Choose AquaFunded Futures if you want the lower cost to get funded, a more forgiving drawdown, no consistency rule on payouts, faster payouts and news trading.
Written from our verified data for a 50K account, or the closest size a firm offers. Always check each firm's current terms before buying.
Figures are list prices for the 50K account (or the closest size a firm offers). Verify all details directly with each firm before purchasing. PropKoala may earn affiliate commissions. Trading involves substantial risk.