The split
AquaFunded is one of the most aggressive firms regarding rewards, offering a 90% profit split across all its evaluation models by default. This can even be boosted to 100% through a paid add-on at checkout. Think Capital starts with a more conservative 80% split on its standard programs (Lightning, Nexus, Dual Step, and Bolt), though traders can purchase an add-on to increase this to 90%. While AquaFunded offers more capital to the trader from the start, both firms allow for significant scaling—up to $4 million at AquaFunded and up to $1.5 million at Think Capital.
How often you can withdraw
Both firms follow a biweekly standard but offer paths to faster liquidity:
- AquaFunded: The first payout is available 14 days after the first trade, with subsequent payouts every 14 days. With a +15% add-on, the first payout can be requested after just 7 days.
- Think Capital: The default is biweekly (every 14 days). They offer a weekly payout add-on (+25%). Their "Bolt" (Instant) accounts can access On-Demand payouts with a specific add-on.
Minimums and methods
The barrier to entry for withdrawals is identical in amount but differs in fees:
- Minimum amount: $100 for both firms.
- AquaFunded methods: Transfer, Crypto, and Rise. Payouts via Rise of $1,000 or more carry a $35 flat fee; crypto payouts only carry network fees.
- Think Capital methods: Crypto, Rise, and Transfer. Rise usage involves a $50 monthly fee for any month a payout is requested.
What delays a payout
Reaching the profit target is only half the battle; specific rules can pause your progress:
- Consistency Rules: AquaFunded applies consistency caps on most accounts (ranging from 15% to 50% best-day limits). If a single day exceeds these, the payout is blocked until the ratio stabilizes. Think Capital only applies consistency rules (20-25% best day cap) to its Bolt and Bolt Flex programs.
- Risk Triggers: AquaFunded uses "Wave Stop," which automatically closes trades at a 2% loss. On certain accounts, hitting this trigger reduces your profit split to 50% or 25% before the account is eventually breached.
- News Trading: Think Capital restricts news trading on most accounts unless an add-on is purchased; executing trades 2 minutes before or after high-impact news can result in account termination. AquaFunded allows news trading but caps profits generated during news windows at 0.5% of the balance for newer accounts.
What it takes to get there
To reach that first dollar, you must navigate the evaluation costs and technical limits:
- Investment: For a $100,000 account, AquaFunded's 1-Step Pro costs $459, while Think Capital's 1-Step (Lightning) costs $499. AquaFunded's 2-Step Standard is $469, compared to $499 for Think Capital's Dual Step.
- Platforms: AquaFunded offers MetaTrader 5, MatchTrader, TradeLocker, and cTrader. Think Capital provides MetaTrader 5, ThinkTrader, and TradingView.
- Trading Styles: AquaFunded is more permissive with volume, whereas Think Capital limits "stacking" to a maximum of 2 simultaneous positions. Both allow EAs, but Think Capital forbids certain strategies like grid trading or Martingale more explicitly in their prohibited list.
Which pays out more comfortably
AquaFunded is the better choice for traders seeking the highest possible percentage of their gains (90-100%) and those who prefer cTrader. However, the consistency rules require a very disciplined, steady trading hand. Think Capital is more comfortable for traders who want to use TradingView directly and avoid consistency rules on standard evaluations, provided they don't mind a lower 80% split or paying extra to increase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to start a $100,000 evaluation, AquaFunded or Think Capital?
AquaFunded is slightly more affordable for 1-step evaluations, with its 1-Step Pro priced at $459 compared to $499 for Think Capital's Lightning. For 2-step evaluations, AquaFunded's Standard model costs $469, while Think Capital's Dual Step (Intraday) is priced at $499.
Who offers a higher profit split by default, AquaFunded or Think Capital?
AquaFunded offers a higher default profit split of 90% across its programs. Think Capital starts with an 80% split as standard, although both firms allow traders to increase these percentages (up to 100% at AquaFunded and 90% at Think Capital) by paying for add-ons at checkout.
Between AquaFunded and Think Capital, which firm allows TradingView integration?
Think Capital allows traders to use TradingView directly through their integration with ThinkTrader. AquaFunded does not offer TradingView but provides a wider selection of alternative platforms including cTrader, MatchTrader, and TradeLocker, in addition to MetaTrader 5.
Which firm has stricter consistency rules for payouts, AquaFunded or Think Capital?
AquaFunded has more widespread consistency rules, applying best-day caps (between 15% and 50%) to almost all its funded account types to ensure steady performance. Think Capital only applies a consistency rule (20-25% best-day cap) to its Bolt and Bolt Flex (Instant) programs, leaving its standard evaluations free from this specific restriction.
