AquaFutures ProjectX vs Quantower: Which Platform Should You Use?

Both ProjectX and Quantower are professional futures trading platforms that connect to AquaFutures accounts through Rithmic or CQG data feeds. Quantower is more established with extensive customization options, advanced charting (footprint charts, volume profile), and a steeper learning curve. ProjectX is newer, cleaner, and simpler—better for beginners who want fast order entry without overwhelming features.

Choose Quantower if you're an experienced trader who needs professional-grade tools and custom workspaces. Choose ProjectX if you want a streamlined platform with less complexity. Both are free to use with your AquaFutures subscription—the "cost" is your time learning the interface.

I'm breaking down feature comparisons, ease of setup, execution speed, charting capabilities, which platform suits beginners vs advanced traders, and how to decide based on your trading style.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with Aquafutures and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check Aquafutures´s website or their faq page.

Platform Overview: What Each Offers

Quantower:

• Multi-asset platform (futures, stocks, crypto, forex)
• Professional-grade charting and analysis tools
• Highly customizable workspaces
• Footprint charts, volume profile, cluster analysis
• Steep learning curve (2-4 weeks to master)
• Free to download, no platform fees

ProjectX:

• Futures-focused platform
• Clean, modern interface
• Simplified order entry and DOM (depth of market)
• Essential charting tools without overwhelming options
• Fast learning curve (2-3 days to get comfortable)
• Free to download, no platform fees

Both connect to AquaFutures accounts via Rithmic/CQG and offer commission-free trading.

For Quantower setup details, see the Quantower configuration guide.

Feature Comparison Table

Key insight: Quantower offers more power and flexibility. ProjectX offers simplicity and ease of use. Neither is objectively "better"—it depends on your needs.

Setup Difficulty: Which Is Easier?

Quantower setup time: 30-45 minutes

• Download and install (10 minutes)
• Configure connection to Rithmic/CQG (10 minutes)
• Set up workspace (charts, DOM, panels) (20 minutes)
• Learn interface basics (another 2-4 weeks)

ProjectX setup time: 15-20 minutes

• Download and install (10 minutes)
• Configure connection to Rithmic/CQG (5 minutes)
• Start trading (default layout works immediately)
• Learn interface basics (2-3 days)

Winner: ProjectX for faster setup and onboarding.

If you're starting your AquaFutures evaluation tomorrow and you need a platform today, ProjectX gets you trading faster.

Charting: Advanced vs Simple

Quantower charting:

✅ 100+ technical indicators (moving averages, RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, custom indicators)

✅ Footprint charts (show buy/sell volume at each price level—powerful for order flow analysis)

✅ Volume profile (identify high-volume price zones for support/resistance)

✅ Cluster charts (visualize bid/ask aggression tick-by-tick)

✅ Multiple timeframes on one screen (1-min, 5-min, 1-hour all visible)

✅ Drawing tools (trendlines, Fibonacci, support/resistance zones)

Best for: Traders who use volume analysis, order flow, or complex technical strategies.

ProjectX charting:

✅ Essential indicators (moving averages, RSI, MACD, volume)

✅ Clean candlestick charts (no clutter, easy to read)

✅ Basic drawing tools (trendlines, horizontal lines)

✅ Standard timeframes (1-min through daily)

❌ No footprint charts or advanced volume tools

❌ Limited customization (can't add exotic indicators)

Best for: Traders who use simple strategies (moving average crossovers, support/resistance, price action).

Verdict: If you rely on footprint charts or volume profile, use Quantower. If you just need price and a few indicators, ProjectX is cleaner.

Order Entry and Execution

Quantower DOM (Depth of Market):

• Full order book visualization
• One-click order placement at specific prices
• Bracket orders (entry + stop + target in one click)
• Hotkey support (F1 = buy, F2 = sell, etc.)
• Trade from chart (click on chart to place orders)
• Ladder DOM (see all pending orders vertically)

Best for: Scalpers who need precise tick-level entries and exits.

ProjectX DOM:

• Simplified order book
• One-click buy/sell at market or limit
• Basic stop-loss and take-profit orders
• Fewer hotkey options (simpler setup)
• Clean interface with less visual noise

Best for: Swing traders or beginners who don't need tick-perfect precision.

Execution speed: Both platforms connect to the same Rithmic/CQG servers, so execution speed is identical (10-50ms). The difference is in the interface—not the actual order routing.

For contract limit details, see the contract limits guide.

Workspace Customization

Quantower:

You can create multiple workspaces for different trading styles:

• Scalping workspace: 1-min chart + tight DOM + positions panel
• Swing trading workspace: 1-hour chart + order entry + larger P&L tracker
• Multi-instrument workspace: ES chart + NQ chart + CL chart all visible

Save each workspace with one click. Switch between them instantly.

ProjectX:

Limited workspace customization. You get preset layouts:

• Layout 1: Chart + DOM side-by-side
• Layout 2: Chart only (larger)
• Layout 3: DOM only (for order flow traders)

You can't create complex multi-screen setups like Quantower.

Verdict: Quantower wins if you trade multiple styles or instruments. ProjectX works fine if you stick to one strategy.

Which Platform for Beginners?

For your first AquaFutures evaluation: ProjectX

Reasons:

• Faster to learn (2-3 days vs 2-4 weeks)
• Less overwhelming (fewer buttons and panels)
• Clean interface reduces mistakes (easier to see your positions and P&L)
• Good enough for passing evaluations (you don't need footprint charts to hit profit targets)

Most beginners overcomplicate trading by using too many indicators and tools. ProjectX forces simplicity—which is actually better when you're learning evaluation rules.

When to switch to Quantower:

Once you're funded and you want to:

• Analyze order flow with footprint charts
• Use volume profile for better entries
• Trade multiple instruments simultaneously
• Customize complex workspaces

But for your first eval? ProjectX is the smarter choice.

Which Platform for Advanced Traders?

If you're already profitable: Quantower

Reasons:

• Professional-grade tools match institutional platforms
• Footprint charts and volume profile give you edge
• Hotkeys and custom workspaces speed up execution
• You're comfortable with complexity (you're past the learning curve)

Advanced traders benefit from Quantower's depth. Features like:

• Cluster analysis (see where big orders hit the market)
• Cumulative volume delta (net buying/selling pressure)
• Custom indicator scripts (build your own tools)

These tools don't guarantee profitability, but they provide information that ProjectX doesn't.

Exception: If your strategy is simple (e.g., you trade ES off 50 EMA bounces), you don't need Quantower's complexity. Stick with ProjectX even as an advanced trader.

For trading strategy principles, see the values guide.

Platform Stability and Reliability

Quantower:

• Mature platform (several years of development)
• Well-tested across thousands of users
• Occasional bugs, but rare crashes
• Regular updates and bug fixes

ProjectX:

• Newer platform (less field-tested)
• Generally stable, but fewer users means fewer edge-case bugs discovered
• Updates may be slower (smaller development team)

Verdict: Quantower has a slight edge in reliability due to its maturity. But both platforms are stable enough for prop trading.

Critical for prop traders: Test your chosen platform thoroughly before starting your evaluation. Place small test orders, verify execution, check that your drawdown tracking works, and confirm P&L calculations are accurate.

System Requirements and Performance

Quantower:

• RAM: 4-8GB recommended
• CPU: Intel i5 or equivalent (mid-range)
• GPU: Not required (integrated graphics fine)
• Storage: 500MB for installation
• OS: Windows 10/11 (best performance), macOS via Wine, Linux (advanced)

ProjectX:

• RAM: 2-4GB sufficient
• CPU: Intel i3 or equivalent (basic)
• GPU: Not required
• Storage: 200MB for installation
• OS: Windows 10/11, macOS support varies

Verdict: ProjectX runs on lower-end hardware. If you're trading on a 5-year-old laptop, ProjectX is more reliable.

Can You Use Both Platforms?

Yes. You can:

1. Install both Quantower and ProjectX
2. Connect both to your AquaFutures account (same credentials)
3. Switch between them based on your needs

Use case:

• Trade evaluations on ProjectX (simpler, less stressful)
• Trade funded accounts on Quantower (access to advanced tools)

Important: You can only be logged into one platform at a time. If you log into ProjectX, your Quantower connection disconnects.

Mobile Trading: Neither Platform Is Ideal

Quantower mobile: No dedicated mobile app. You'd need to use Rithmic Mobile or CQG Mobile separately.

ProjectX mobile: No dedicated mobile app.

For mobile trading, you'll use your data provider's mobile app (Rithmic Mobile, CQG Mobile) rather than Quantower or ProjectX.

For mobile trading details, see the mobile trading guide.

Cost: Both Are Free

Neither platform charges fees:

• Quantower: Free to download, free to use
• ProjectX: Free to download, free to use

Your AquaFutures subscription ($114-$291) covers platform access, data feeds, and trading. There are no additional costs.

Paid upgrades:

Quantower offers paid add-ons ($50-$200) for:

• Additional indicator packs
• Algorithmic trading tools
• API access for custom development

These aren't necessary for prop trading. The free version is sufficient.

For pricing details, see the pricing guide 2026.

Switching Platforms Mid-Evaluation

Can you start on ProjectX, then switch to Quantower (or vice versa) mid-evaluation?

Yes, but not recommended.

Why:

• You'll waste time re-learning the interface
• Muscle memory resets (hotkeys, order entry flow)
• Risk of mistakes during adjustment period

If you must switch:

• Do it at the start of a new trading week (not mid-week)
• Place small test orders first
• Verify all settings (stops, limits, position sizes) work correctly

Better approach: Choose one platform, stick with it through the entire evaluation.

Decision Framework: Which Should You Choose?

Choose ProjectX if:

✅ You're starting your first AquaFutures evaluation

✅ Your strategy uses basic indicators (moving averages, support/resistance)

✅ You want to start trading within 2-3 days

✅ You have a lower-end computer (2-4GB RAM)

✅ You prefer simplicity over customization

Choose Quantower if:

✅ You're an experienced trader comfortable with complex platforms

✅ You use order flow analysis, footprint charts, or volume profile

✅ You trade multiple instruments simultaneously

✅ You want professional-grade tools matching institutional platforms

✅ You're willing to invest 2-4 weeks learning the interface

Can't decide? Start with ProjectX for your first evaluation. If you pass and get funded, try Quantower on your funded account to see if the advanced tools improve your results.

Final Thoughts: Platform Doesn't Make You Profitable

Quantower's footprint charts won't save you if you overtrade. ProjectX's simplicity won't fix poor risk management.

Platform choice is 5% of success. The other 95% is:

• Position sizing (using 3-4 contracts instead of 6)
• Consistency (daily $300-$500 gains vs lottery-style trading)
• Risk management (10-point stops, not hoping losers recover)
• Discipline (stopping after losses, not revenge trading)

Pick the platform that gets out of your way. If you're a beginner, that's ProjectX. If you're advanced, that's Quantower. Then focus on trading—not the tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for beginners: Quantower or ProjectX?

ProjectX. It's simpler to learn (2-3 days vs 2-4 weeks), has a cleaner interface with less overwhelming options, and is good enough for passing evaluations. Beginners don't need Quantower's advanced tools like footprint charts or volume profile—they need simplicity to focus on execution and risk management.

Does Quantower offer features ProjectX doesn't have?

Yes. Quantower has footprint charts (order flow analysis), volume profile (high-volume price zones), cluster charts (tick-by-tick bid/ask aggression), 100+ technical indicators, and highly customizable workspaces. ProjectX has essential charting with standard indicators and simplified order entry. Quantower is more powerful; ProjectX is cleaner.

Are both platforms free?

Yes. Both Quantower and ProjectX are free to download and use. Your AquaFutures subscription ($114-$291) covers platform access, data feeds, and unlimited trading. There are no additional platform fees. Quantower offers paid upgrades ($50-$200) for exotic tools, but they're not necessary.

Which platform is faster for order execution?

Both platforms connect to the same Rithmic/CQG servers, so execution speed is identical (10-50ms). The difference is in the interface—Quantower's DOM offers more precision and hotkey options, while ProjectX's DOM is simpler and cleaner. Speed is the same; workflow is different.

Can I use both platforms at the same time?

Yes, you can install both, but you can only log into one at a time. If you log into ProjectX, your Quantower connection disconnects. Use case: Trade evaluations on ProjectX (simpler), then switch to Quantower once funded (advanced tools). You'll need to log out of one before using the other.

Which platform is better for scalping?

Quantower. It offers precise tick-level order entry through the DOM ladder, extensive hotkey support, trade-from-chart functionality, and footprint charts for order flow analysis. ProjectX works for scalping but lacks the precision tools experienced scalpers rely on. Swing traders can use either platform comfortably.

Do I need a powerful computer for Quantower?

Moderate specs: 4-8GB RAM, Intel i5 CPU, integrated graphics is fine. Quantower runs on mid-range hardware. ProjectX requires less (2-4GB RAM, Intel i3). If you have a 5-year-old laptop, ProjectX is more reliable. If you have a modern desktop, either platform works fine.

Should I switch platforms mid-evaluation?

Not recommended. Switching mid-evaluation wastes time re-learning the interface, resets muscle memory (hotkeys, order flow), and increases mistake risk during adjustment. Choose one platform and stick with it through the entire evaluation. If you must switch, do it at the start of a new trading week—not mid-week.

Your Next Steps

‍👉 Start Trading at Aquafutures Today

‍👉 Read My Full Aquafutures Review

‍👉 Check out Aquafutures´s Payout Rules

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