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Comparison · Forex

Platforms and execution: AquaFunded and Orion Funded

Where you trade

The choice of platform defines the tools at your disposal. AquaFunded offers a superior variety of environments, allowing traders to choose between MetaTrader 5, cTrader, MatchTrader, and TradeLocker. This caters to both traditional algorithmic traders and those seeking modern, web-based interfaces. Orion Funded focuses on a more streamlined setup, offering MetaTrader 5 and Match-Trader, which covers the essential needs for execution and technical analysis but with fewer alternatives for those who prefer specialized platforms like cTrader.

Who executes your orders

Execution quality depends heavily on the underlying infrastructure. Orion Funded specifies the use of OGM International LTD as their broker, providing a clear point of reference for liquidity and execution speed. AquaFunded does not explicitly name a specific broker in its technical data, though it provides multiple platform bridges which suggests a more fragmented or diverse liquidity setup depending on the chosen platform.

Leverage and margin

Risk management is technically governed by how much capital you can move and when the firm stops your trades.

  • Leverage: Orion Funded offers a consistent 100:1 leverage for Forex on its main challenges, whereas AquaFunded uses a variable model. In AquaFunded, you might have 30:1 on Instant accounts, 50:1 on Standard evaluations, and up to 100:1 only during the evaluation phase of the Flex accounts.
  • Drawdown Mechanics: Both firms offer different drawdown types. AquaFunded uses Static Drawdown on its Flex, Elite, and 3-Step plans, while others use Trailing Drawdown based on the higher of equity or balance. Orion Funded also offers Static Drawdown on its Standard, Swing, and Select plans, but applies a Trailing Drawdown with a lock (it stops trailing once the initial balance plus a buffer is reached) on its Zero and Nova funded accounts.
  • Wave Stop: AquaFunded includes a technical safety net called Wave Stop; if floating losses hit 2% of the balance, the system automatically flattens all positions.

Markets available

Orion Funded provides a significantly broader range of instruments. While both firms cover Forex, Indices, and Commodities, Orion Funded adds Stocks and Crypto to the mix. AquaFunded focuses heavily on the Forex and Indices core, with limited Crypto leverage (2:1) compared to Orion’s multi-asset approach.

What the setup lets you do

The rules dictate the strategy's viability. Both firms allow EAs, Scalping, and Hedging.

  • News Trading: Orion Funded is more flexible for news traders through its Swing account (no restrictions). Its other accounts have a 2-minute window restriction. AquaFunded allows news trading but caps profits at 0.5% of the balance for trades executed within 5 minutes of high-impact events on newer accounts.
  • Consistency: Both firms apply a 20% Consistency Rule (a single day cannot represent too much of the total profit) on specific accounts: Orion Zero/Nova and most AquaFunded funded accounts.

What the setup costs

Execution costs and payout conditions are the final hurdles.

  • Commissions: Orion Funded is slightly more competitive with a $4 round turn per lot on Forex. AquaFunded charges $5 per lot. Both offer commission-free trading on Indices.
  • Payouts: Orion Funded allows payouts every 14 days with no initial waiting period. AquaFunded requires a 14-day wait after the first trade before the first withdrawal.
  • Fees: AquaFunded charges a $35 flat fee for payouts over $1,000 via Rise. Orion Funded does not list a specific withdrawal fee but requires all positions to be closed before requesting.

Updated on

Better setup for

  • AquaFunded is the better setup for traders who prioritize platform variety, specifically those wanting to use cTrader or TradeLocker, and those who prefer a 90% profit split from the start.
  • Orion Funded is the better setup for multi-asset traders who need access to Stocks and Crypto, and swing traders who want to operate during news events without technical restrictions or profit caps.

Frequently asked questions

Which firm offers more trading platforms, AquaFunded or Orion Funded?

AquaFunded offers more platforms, providing four options: MetaTrader 5, MatchTrader, TradeLocker, and cTrader. In contrast, Orion Funded only offers two platforms: MetaTrader 5 and Match-Trader.

Between AquaFunded and Orion Funded, which has lower commissions?

Orion Funded has lower commissions for Forex, charging $4 per lot. AquaFunded charges a higher rate of $5 per lot for Forex, Metals, and Energies. Both firms offer $0 commissions on Indices.

Who provides a faster first payout, AquaFunded or Orion Funded?

Orion Funded provides a faster first payout because it has no initial waiting period, allowing a request every 14 days from the start. AquaFunded requires a minimum wait of 14 days after the first trade before the first payout can be requested.

Which firm is better for trading Stocks and Crypto, AquaFunded or Orion Funded?

Orion Funded is the only one of the two that offers Stocks as an asset class. While both offer Crypto, Orion Funded provides a broader environment for these assets, whereas AquaFunded focuses primarily on Forex, Indices, and Commodities.

Field by field

AquaFunded and Orion Funded, side by side

Rules, plans, platforms, leverage, commissions and payouts of both, with the option to see only what differs.

Head to head

50 differences

25%off · Exclusive
Headquarters

IFZA Business Park, DDP, Premises No. 35882-001, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Building A1, Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

CEO

Jason Blax

David Viota

Country

United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Foundation

2023

2023

Banned Countries
Cuba, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Vietnam, Kenya, Albania, Algeria, North Korea, Senegal
United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, North Korea, Syria, American Samoa, Grenada, Chad, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Indonesia, Cape Verde, Tuvalu, Bouvet Island, Burundi, Cook Islands, Eritrea, Vietnam, Comoros, Fiji, Iran, Afghanistan, Cuba, Sudan
Assets
Forex, Indices, Commodities
Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto
Brokers
No data

OGM International LTD

Refund
Yes

Full refund after 4th payout

Limited

The fee is refunded with the fourth payout. The statutory 14-day withdrawal right applies only before the first trade is opened.

Payout Fee

$35 flat fee via Rise (for payouts of $1,000 or more). Payouts below $1,000 are paid in crypto and only carry the network fee.

No data
Platforms
Metatrader 5, MatchTrader, TradeLocker, cTrader
MetaTrader 5, Match-Trader
Payout Methods
Transfer, Crypto, Rise
Crypto, Wise
Payment Methods
Card, Crypto
Card, Bank Transfer
Payout Frequency

First payout 14 days after the first trade. Every 14 days after that. First payout after 7 days with add-on (+15%).

  • Instant Pro: First Payout on Demand is available as a checkout add-on.
  • Instant Flex: first payout on demand, then every 14 days.

Every 14 days, with no initial waiting period. There must be no open positions when requesting a payout.

Payout Guarantee

Get Paid in 24 Hours or get an extra $1,000. Rewards are only processed on business days, and so the 48 Hour Reward Guarantee timer is paused on weekends.

48-hour guarantee: if Orion does not process the payout on time, it applies a 100% profit split and refunds the evaluation fee.

Maximum Withdrawal

For traders with $200K accounts or larger, the first two reward requests are capped at a maximum withdrawal of $10,000 each. After the first two rewards, this restriction is removed, and there are no further withdrawal limits.

TryAqua: maximum lifetime withdrawal of $100.

No limit

Minimum Withdrawal

$100

$100

Demo Account
No data
Metatrader 5
ID80512087PasswordOC$rWP7A#cServerOGMInternational
Crypto Weekend Trading
No data
Yes
Forex
  • Instant Standard: 30:1
  • Instant Pro, Instant Flex, 1 Step Standard, 1 Step Pro, 2 Step, 3 Step, Aqua Man: 50:1
  • 1 Step Flex: 100:1 during evaluation, 50:1 when funded
30:1 - 100:1
Metals
  • Instant Standard, Instant Pro, Instant Flex, 1 Step Standard, 1 Step Pro, 2 Step, 3 Step, Aqua Man: 10:1
  • 1 Step Flex: 20:1 during evaluation, 10:1 when funded
9:1 - 30:1
Energies
  • Instant Standard, Instant Pro, Instant Flex, 1 Step Standard, 1 Step Pro, 2 Step, 3 Step, Aqua Man: 10:1
  • 1 Step Flex: 20:1 during evaluation, 10:1 when funded
3.3:1
Indices
  • Instant Standard, Instant Pro, Instant Flex, 1 Step Standard, 1 Step Pro, 2 Step, 3 Step, Aqua Man: 10:1
  • 1 Step Flex: 20:1 during evaluation, 10:1 when funded
15:1 - 50:1
Crypto
  • Instant Standard: 1:1
  • Instant Pro, Instant Flex, 2 Step, 1 Step, 3 Step, Aqua Man: 2:1
1:1
Stocks
No data
1:1
Forex
5 / lot
4 / lot
Metals
5 / lot
4 / lot
Energies
5 / lot
4 / lot
Indices
0
0 / lot
Commission-Free Option
No
No
Stocks
No data
0 / lot
Crypto
No data
0 / lot
Swap Free
Yes

Swap-free accounts are available. No overnight swap fees; positions can be held for as long as desired.

Yes

Swap-free accounts are available as a paid option. Terms and availability depend on the selected product.

Add-ons
Yes
  • 100% profit split (+15%)
  • First payout after 7 days (+15%)
  • First Payout on Demand (Instant Pro)
  • 100% profit split and first payout after 7 days combined (+25%)
No
Instant
Yes
Yes
One Step
Yes
Yes
Account scaling
Yes

You can grow your account to a maximum of $4,000,000. In order to scale your capital and grow, you must make 12% within a 3-month period. If you achieve this, they will increase your account size by 25% of your initial balance.

This is complementary to the Aqua Elite Program.

Yes

Over a rolling 3-month period: 15% return, at least 2 of 3 profitable months, and 3 payouts. Balance increases by 25%, profit split rises to 90%, and the account can scale up to $4,000,000.

Two Steps
Yes
Yes
Max Drawdown
  • Instant Standard, Instant Pro, Instant Flex, 1 Step Standard, 1 Step Pro, 2 Step Pro, Aqua Man: Trailing, based on the highest value between equity and balance
  • TryAqua: Daily and maximum drawdowns are trailing
  • 1 Step Flex, 2 Step Elite, 3 Step: Static

The mechanism depends on the product: static on Standard, Swing, and Select; trailing with a lock on Zero and Nova funded accounts.

Profit Split

90%. 100% with add-on (+15%)

80% initially. It rises to 90% after meeting the scaling-plan requirements.

Free Trial
No
No
Daily Drawdown

Based on highest value between equity and balance

Calculated on equity and includes open trades, commissions, and swaps. The applicable percentage is shown on each challenge.

Three Steps
Yes
Yes
Max Allocation
400,000
400,000
Merge Accounts
Yes

Instant accounts can't be merged

No
Maximum Trading Days

No limit

No maximum time limit.

Minimum Trading Days
  • Instant Standard, Instant Pro: 5 days (non-consecutive), 0.5% profit each
  • Instant Flex: 7 days
  • TryAqua: 5 days, with at least 0.5% profit each
  • 1 Step Standard: 3 days, 0.5% profit each
  • 1 Step Pro, 2 Step Standard: 5 days, 0.5% profit each
  • 1 Step Flex: no minimum during evaluation; 3 days before the first funded payout, with at least 0.5% profit each
  • 2 Step Pro: 0 in evaluation, 5 in funded
  • 2 Step Elite: 3 per step, at least 0.5% profit per day, not necessarily consecutive
  • 3 Step: not specified

Standard, Swing, and Select require 4 minimum trading days per evaluation phase. Zero and Nova have no published minimum.

Monthly Competition
No
No data
Maximum Accounts
No data

Maximum combined initial allocation of $400,000.

Expert Advisor (EA)
Yes
Yes

EAs are allowed when the strategy is the trader's own and does not breach prohibited practices such as arbitrage, HFT, or exploitation of delays and errors.

Hedging
Yes
Limited

Hedging within one account is allowed. Hedging positions across multiple accounts to manipulate results is prohibited.

Requires Stop Loss
No
No
Scalping
Yes
Limited

Manual scalping is allowed, but tick scalping, HFT, and strategies exploiting delays or pricing errors are prohibited.

Stacking / Layering (DCA)
Yes
Limited

Multiple positions are allowed as part of a legitimate strategy; excessive or coordinated exposure intended to bypass risk rules is prohibited.

Martingale
Yes
No
Maximum Risk Limit
Yes

If your floating PnL (profit and loss) drops below -2% of the account balance, the account will be permanently closed.

Only applies to Instant Funding Standard, Pro, Flex, AquaMan and TryAqua.

Limited

Orion may treat excessive exposure, overleveraging, and other risk practices inconsistent with realistic trading as a breach.

Copy Trading
Yes
  • Copy trading between AquaFunded accounts
  • Copy trading from Funded-to Evaluation accounts and vice versa
  • Copy trading between AquaFunded account and external accounts.
Limited

Copying between your own Orion accounts is allowed. Copying signals, third-party accounts, or external services is prohibited.

News Trading
Limited

Two policies depending on the account creation date:

Accounts opened after 2026-04-27

  • News trading is allowed.
  • Profits generated within 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after a red folder (high-impact) news event or FOMC are capped at 0.5% of the starting balance per payout cycle.
  • Anything above the cap is removed without further penalty.

Accounts opened before 2026-04-27

  • Trades opened or closed within 5 minutes before or 5 minutes after a red folder news event or FOMC on funded accounts are not allowed.
  • Any profits generated during these windows are removed.
Limited

During evaluation there is no timing restriction, but using news as a strategy is prohibited. On funded accounts, Nova, Standard, and Select prohibit opening or closing trades 2 minutes before and after high-impact news. Swing has no timing restriction. Zero allows it, but trades executed within 5 minutes before or after receive a 50% profit split.

Inactivity Rule

30 days

Limited

The account may be closed after prolonged inactivity under Orion's current terms.

Consistency Rule
Yes

Applies on funded accounts. A single trading day cannot equal or exceed a given percentage of total profits during the payout period. If it does, payouts are blocked until the ratio normalises; the account is not closed.

  • Instant Standard: 20%
  • Instant Pro: 20% for accounts purchased on or after 8 September 2026 (limited-time offer); 15% for accounts purchased before that date
  • Instant Flex: no consistency rule
  • Aqua Man: 15%
  • TryAqua: 15%
  • 1 Step Pro: 25%
  • 2 Step Pro: 50%
  • 1 Step Flex: no consistency rule
  • 1 Step Standard, 2 Step Standard, 2 Step Elite, 3 Step: no specific consistency rule documented
Limited

The 20% Best Day rule applies only to Orion Zero and Orion Nova funded accounts.

Hold Weekend
Yes
Yes
Prohibited Strategies
  • Use of platform or data freezing due to a Demo Server error.
  • Use of a delayed data feed
  • Trading on delayed charts
  • Tick scalping
  • High frequency trading
  • Arbitrage bots
  • Reverse arbitrage
  • Latency arbitrage
  • Hedge arbitrage or any emulators are prohibited.
  • Latency arbitrage, reverse arbitrage, and exploitation of prices or delays
  • HFT, tick scalping, and strategies designed to exploit the simulated environment
  • Copy trading from third parties or signal services
  • Hedging across accounts and coordinated opposite trades
  • Account rolling, third-party management, and sharing or reselling accounts
  • Gambling behaviour, overleveraging, and excessive exposure
VPN
No data
Yes
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