What you are signing up for
In the prop firm world, you pay a fee to access a "challenge" or evaluation. This is a testing period on a demo account where you must reach a profit target—a specific percentage of gain required to prove you can trade—without breaking risk rules.
- At AquaFunded, you can start small with a $5,000 evaluation for $36.
- RebelsFunding offers even cheaper entries, such as a $1,000 account for just $9 or a $5,000 account for $28.
If you pass, you become a "funded trader," meaning you receive a portion of the profits you generate. AquaFunded refunds your entry fee after your fourth payout (withdrawal of earnings), while RebelsFunding offers refunds ranging from 100% to 200% on your first payout, depending on the plan you choose.
How hard each one is
The biggest obstacle for a beginner is the drawdown, which is the maximum loss allowed before the firm closes your account and you fail the evaluation.
- AquaFunded uses "trailing drawdown" for most accounts. This means your loss limit moves up as your account balance grows, making it harder to protect your margin of error. They also have "Wave Stop," a safety rule that automatically closes your trades if you lose 2% of your balance in a single session.
- RebelsFunding uses "static drawdown." This is much friendlier for beginners because the loss limit stays fixed relative to your starting balance. However, they have a strict "risk threshold" rule: you cannot risk more than 1.5% of your balance on a single trade.
How long it takes
Prop firms used to have "maximum trading days" (a deadline to pass), but both firms have largely removed this pressure.
- AquaFunded requires a minimum of 3 to 5 trading days depending on the plan. This means you cannot pass the evaluation in a single day even if you hit the target immediately.
- RebelsFunding does not have a strict minimum number of days, but they do require a minimum number of "real trades" (between 4 and 8 depending on the plan) to ensure you aren't just gambling on one lucky move.
Where beginners fail
New traders often fail due to "consistency rules," which are requirements to ensure your profits are spread out and not the result of a single lucky day.
- AquaFunded has a 15% to 50% consistency rule on most funded accounts. If one day accounts for more than that percentage of your total profit, your payout is blocked until you trade more to balance the ratio.
- RebelsFunding is stricter with styles. They prohibit "aggressive scalping" (trades lasting less than 30 seconds) and many types of automated trading (EAs). If you use a prohibited strategy, you lose the account.
What happens if you make it
If you reach the target and follow the rules, you get to keep a share of the profits, known as the "profit split."
- AquaFunded offers a 90% profit split and allows you to trade on popular platforms like MetaTrader 5 or cTrader. You can request your money every 14 days.
- RebelsFunding also offers up to a 90% split but forces you to use their own proprietary platform, RF-Trader. Like Aqua, they pay out every two weeks via methods like Rise, Crypto, or Bank Transfer.
If it is your first time
For a total beginner, RebelsFunding is the better choice.
The main reason is the "Free Trial." You can practice on their platform and test their rules without spending a single dollar. Additionally, their "static drawdown" is much easier to understand and manage than AquaFunded's "trailing drawdown," which can be confusing and frustrating when you are just starting to learn how to manage risk.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a first $5,000 challenge, AquaFunded or RebelsFunding?
RebelsFunding is cheaper for beginners. Their $5,000 "Copper" evaluation costs $28, while the equivalent $5,000 "2 Step Standard" evaluation at AquaFunded costs $36. RebelsFunding even offers a smaller $1,000 account for $9, which is not available at AquaFunded.
Does AquaFunded or RebelsFunding offer a free trial to practice?
RebelsFunding offers a free trial account so you can test their proprietary platform and rules before paying. AquaFunded does not offer any free trial version; you must pay for a challenge from the very first day to try their services.
Which firm has easier loss limits for a beginner, AquaFunded or RebelsFunding?
RebelsFunding has easier loss limits because they use static drawdown, meaning your maximum loss level is fixed. In contrast, AquaFunded uses trailing drawdown for most plans, which moves your loss limit upward as you make profits, leaving you with less room for error as your account grows.
Can I use MetaTrader 5 at both AquaFunded and RebelsFunding?
No, you can only use MetaTrader 5 at AquaFunded. AquaFunded provides several industry-standard platforms including MT5, cTrader, and MatchTrader. RebelsFunding requires all traders to use their own proprietary platform, RF-Trader, which is based on TradingView charts but is not MetaTrader.
