The split
The reward for reaching the funded stage is highly competitive in both cases, though the starting point differs:
- AquaFunded: Starts with a 90% profit split by default. You can reach 100% by purchasing a specific add-on (+15% of the fee). Additionally, their "Aqua Elite" program offers monthly salaries (up to $3,000/month in the Gold tier) for consistent traders.
- Funding Traders: Starts with an 80% profit split. You can upgrade to 90% or 100% through checkout add-ons. Their scaling plan increases the account size by 25% every two consecutive profitable months.
How often you can withdraw
Timing is critical for liquidity, and both firms offer ways to speed up the process:
- AquaFunded: The standard wait is 14 days after the first trade. This can be reduced to 7 days with a paid add-on. Instant Flex accounts allow the first payout on demand.
- Funding Traders: Pro accounts (1-step and 2-step) have a default cycle of 21 days, reducible to 14 days with an add-on. Instant Funded accounts are much faster, paying every 7 days (or on demand with an add-on).
Minimums and methods
The logistics of getting your money into your pocket involve different thresholds:
- AquaFunded: Minimum withdrawal is $100. They pay via Bank Transfer, Crypto, and Rise. Note that Rise carry a $35 fee for payouts over $1,000.
- Funding Traders: Minimums depend on the method: $50 for Crypto (USDT-ERC20) and $200 for Rise (Bank Transfer).
What delays a payout
Several risk and consistency rules can pause your progress or reduce your earnings before you can hit the "withdraw" button:
- Consistency Rules: AquaFunded applies a consistency rule where a single day cannot exceed a certain percentage of total profit (e.g., 25% on 1 Step Pro or 50% on 2 Step Pro). Funding Traders uses a 50% rule for Pro accounts and a strict 15% for Instant accounts.
- Risk Management: AquaFunded uses "Wave Stop"; if you lose 2% in open trades, they close your positions. A first breach reduces your split to 50%. Funding Traders has a "Biggest Loss Rule" for instant accounts, where your largest loss must not exceed your biggest win to be eligible for a payout.
- News Trading: AquaFunded caps profits from high-impact news at 0.5% of the balance per cycle. Funding Traders limits news profits to 30% of total gain for Pro accounts.
What it takes to get there
Before the first dollar arrives, you must navigate the evaluation and the initial investment:
- Investment and Phases: Funding Traders is generally cheaper for standard evaluations; for example, a $100k 1-Step account costs $539, whereas AquaFunded’s $100k 1-Step Flex costs $749. AquaFunded offers 1, 2, and 3-step models, while Funding Traders sticks to 1 and 2 steps.
- Time Constraints: AquaFunded requires at least 3 to 5 trading days depending on the plan. Funding Traders requires 2 days for 1-Step and 4 days per phase for 2-Step (unless you buy the "No Minimum Trading Days" add-on).
- Platforms and Styles: AquaFunded offers MetaTrader 5, MatchTrader, TradeLocker, and cTrader. Funding Traders provides MetaTrader 5 and TradeLocker. Both allow EAs, but Funding Traders restricts them to risk management tools unless they are personally developed by the trader.
Which pays out more comfortably
AquaFunded is the better choice for the trader who wants the highest possible profit split (90% base) and plans to build a long-term career to access their "Elite" salaries. However, Funding Traders offers a smoother path for those who prefer crypto (lower $50 minimum) and want to start with a smaller initial investment, especially if they are using their Instant accounts which pay out weekly.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to start a $100,000 1-step challenge, AquaFunded or Funding Traders?
Funding Traders is significantly cheaper, with its $100k 1-Step challenge priced at $539. In comparison, AquaFunded's $100k 1-Step Flex challenge costs $749.
Who offers the first payout faster, AquaFunded or Funding Traders?
For instant accounts, Funding Traders is faster, offering payouts every 7 days (or on demand with an add-on). For evaluation accounts, AquaFunded pays 14 days after the first trade, while Funding Traders takes 21 days by default.
Which firm has a higher default profit split, AquaFunded or Funding Traders?
AquaFunded offers a higher default profit split of 90% across its accounts. Funding Traders starts with an 80% split, although both firms allow you to reach 100% through paid add-ons.
Which firm allows more trading platforms, AquaFunded or Funding Traders?
AquaFunded provides more variety, offering MetaTrader 5, MatchTrader, TradeLocker, and cTrader. Funding Traders is more limited, offering only MetaTrader 5 and TradeLocker.
