AquaFutures vs Apex Trader Funding: Which Futures Prop Firm Is Better in 2026?

AquaFutures and Apex Trader Funding both offer futures prop trading, but they serve different niches. AquaFutures is evaluation-based (subscription model, prove yourself first), while Apex focuses on instant funding (one-time payment, start trading immediately). Apex is cheaper upfront ($147 vs $291 for instant funding) but has stricter rules. AquaFutures offers more account flexibility but requires monthly payments if you don't pass quickly.

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.

Neither is universally "better"—your choice depends on whether you want to grind an evaluation or pay once and trade immediately.

I'm comparing costs, profit targets, drawdown rules, contract limits, payout structures, and which firm fits different trader profiles.

Business Model: Evaluation vs Instant Funding

AquaFutures:

• Primary offering: Evaluation-based accounts (Beginner $114/month, Standard $196/month)
• Alternative: Instant funded ($291 one-time)
• You prove profitability over weeks, then get funded
• Lower upfront cost but ongoing monthly fees

Apex Trader Funding:

• Primary offering: Instant funded accounts (one-time $147-$307 depending on size)
• No evaluation option—you're funded from Day 1
• Higher upfront cost but no monthly fees
• You start withdrawing after hitting milestones

This is the core difference. AquaFutures is designed for traders who want to prove themselves first (and can't afford $291 upfront). Apex is designed for traders who want to start trading real capital immediately (and can afford the upfront fee).

Cost Comparison

Apex is cheaper upfront for all account sizes. A $50K Apex account costs $167 one-time vs AquaFutures' $291 for instant funding.

But if you choose AquaFutures' evaluation path and pass in 2 months, you only pay $228 ($114 × 2)—cheaper than AquaFutures Instant but still more expensive than Apex's $167.

Cost over time:

• Apex: Fixed one-time cost, no monthly fees
• AquaFutures (eval): Costs accumulate monthly until you pass or breach
• AquaFutures (instant): One-time $291, similar to Apex

For AquaFutures pricing details, see the pricing guide.

Profit Targets & Evaluation Requirements

AquaFutures (Evaluation):

• Beginner: 6% profit target ($3,000 on $50K)
• Standard: 8% profit target ($4,000 on $50K)
• 5 win days required before funding request
• 40% consistency rule

AquaFutures (Instant):

• No profit target—funded from Day 1
• 7 win days before first payout
• 20% consistency rule (stricter than evaluation)

Apex:

• No profit target—funded from Day 1
• $1,500 minimum profit before first payout (3% of $50K)
• No consistency rule
• 10 "winning days" before first withdrawal (any size profit counts)

Apex's $1,500 minimum profit before withdrawal is effectively a milestone target—but it's lower than AquaFutures' $3,000 evaluation target. And Apex has no consistency rule, so you can make all $1,500 in one day if you want.

For AquaFutures profit target details, see the profit targets guide.

Drawdown Rules

AquaFutures (Beginner Eval):

• 5% max trailing drawdown (EOD tracking)
• 2.5% daily loss limit (intraday)
• Example: $50K account → $2,500 max drawdown, $1,250 daily limit

AquaFutures (Instant/Funded):

• 5% max trailing drawdown (EOD tracking)
• 2% wave stop (intraday floating limit)
• Example: $50K account → $2,500 max drawdown, $1,000 wave stop

Apex:

• 3% static max loss (does not trail)
• No daily loss limit
• Example: $50K account → $1,500 max loss from starting balance, never moves

Apex's 3% static drawdown is stricter than AquaFutures' 5% trailing drawdown—but Apex's drawdown never moves up, which can be easier to manage.

Key difference: Static vs Trailing

AquaFutures (Trailing): Your threshold moves up as you make profits. If you start at $50K (threshold $47,500) and make $5K (new balance $55K), your new threshold is $52,250. You can never relax—the threshold follows you.

Apex (Static): Your threshold never moves. If you start at $50K (threshold $48,500), even if you make $20K (new balance $70K), your threshold stays at $48,500 forever. You can lose up to $21,500 without breaching.

Apex's static drawdown is psychologically easier once you're profitable. AquaFutures' trailing drawdown protects your profits but requires constant vigilance.

For drawdown details, see the maximum drawdown rules guide.

Daily Loss Limits

AquaFutures:

• Beginner eval: 2.5% daily loss limit ($1,250 on $50K), enforced intraday
• Instant/funded: 2% wave stop ($1,000 on $50K), resets daily

Apex:

• No daily loss limit
• Only the 3% static max loss applies

Apex gives you more room to lose in a single session—you could lose $1,400 in one day and still be within your $1,500 total drawdown. AquaFutures would breach you at $1,250 (Beginner) or $1,000 (Instant/funded) in a single day.

This makes Apex more forgiving for traders who occasionally have big losing days but recover over multiple sessions.

For daily loss limit details, see the daily loss limit guide.

Consistency Rule

AquaFutures:

• Evaluation: 40% max single-day profit
• Instant: 20% max single-day profit
• Strictly enforced

Apex:

• No consistency rule
• You can make 100% of your profits in one day

If you're a trader who makes 50%+ of your monthly profits in 2-3 big days, Apex is massively easier. You're not forced to spread profits across multiple days.

AquaFutures' consistency rule rewards daily grinders. Apex rewards big-win traders.

For consistency rule details, see the consistency rule guide.

Contract Limits

AquaFutures:

• Beginner: 6 contracts ($25K/$50K), 9 contracts ($100K/$150K)
• Standard: 15 contracts (all sizes)
• Instant: Same as Beginner

Apex:

• $25K: 5 contracts
• $50K: 10 contracts
• $100K: 15 contracts
• $150K: 20 contracts

Apex gives you more contracts on larger account sizes. On a $50K account, Apex gives you 10 contracts vs AquaFutures Beginner's 6. On a $150K account, Apex gives you 20 vs AquaFutures' 9 (Beginner) or 15 (Standard).

If you regularly trade 8+ contracts, Apex gives you more room.

For contract limit details, see the contract limits guide.

Payout Structure & Profit Splits

AquaFutures:

• 100% profit split on first $15,000
• 90% profit split after $15,000
• 40% buffer holdback (increases account balance)
• Weekly payouts after first withdrawal
• 5-7 business days processing

Apex:

• 100% profit split on first $25,000
• 90% profit split after $25,000
• No buffer holdback
• Bi-weekly payouts (every 14 days)
• 1-3 business days processing (faster than AquaFutures)

Apex has a more generous profit split structure (100% on first $25K vs AquaFutures' $15K) and faster payout processing (1-3 days vs 5-7 days).

Example: You make $30,000 total profit.

AquaFutures: $15K (100%) + $13.5K (90% of $15K) = $28,500 gross, minus 40% buffer holdback

Apex: $25K (100%) + $4.5K (90% of $5K) = $29,500 gross, no holdback

Apex pays out more at higher profit levels and processes withdrawals faster.

For AquaFutures payout details, see the payout process guide.

Scaling Options

AquaFutures:

• 3 funded accounts max
• Manual scaling—you pass separate evals for each account
• Can mix account types (1 Beginner + 1 Standard + 1 Instant)

Apex:

• 3 funded accounts max initially
• Can scale to 15+ accounts based on performance
• Automatic account upgrades based on profit milestones

Apex has better scaling. You can start with $50K and grow to $250K+ by hitting milestones. AquaFutures requires you to pass separate evaluations for each new account.

If you want structured scaling, Apex is better. If you want flexibility to choose account sizes/types, AquaFutures is better.

Win Days & Withdrawal Requirements

AquaFutures:

• 5 win days (eval accounts) or 7 win days (Instant) before first payout
• Losing days don't reset counter
• Any profit size counts as a win day

Apex:

• 10 "winning days" before first withdrawal
• Winning days = days where you close positive (any amount)
• More win days required than AquaFutures

Apex requires 10 winning days vs AquaFutures' 5 (eval) or 7 (Instant). But Apex has no consistency rule, so you can make $1,400 on Day 1 and $10 on Days 2-10—still counts as 10 win days.

For win days details, see the minimum trading days guide.

Which Is Easier to Get Paid?

Apex is faster to first payout if you're already profitable:

• Pay $167 one-time → start trading immediately
• Make $1,500+ over 10 winning days
• Request withdrawal → paid in 1-3 days

AquaFutures is slower but potentially cheaper:

• Pay $114/month → start evaluation
• Make $3,000 over 5 winning days (6-8 weeks)
• Get funded → trade 5 more win days
• Request withdrawal → paid in 5-7 days

Total time to first payout: Apex 3-5 weeks, AquaFutures 8-12 weeks.

If you're already consistently profitable and you want to get paid quickly, Apex is faster. If you're still building consistency and can't afford $167-$291 upfront, AquaFutures' monthly subscription is easier on cash flow.

Side-by-Side Summary

Choose AquaFutures If...

• You want to prove consistency before getting funded (evaluation path)
• You can't afford $167-$291 upfront (monthly $114 is easier)
• You make consistent daily gains and can handle 40% consistency rule
• You prefer EOD drawdown tracking (more forgiving than static 3%)
• You want 5% drawdown cushion (vs Apex's 3%)

Choose Apex If...

• You're already profitable and want to start trading real capital immediately
• You can afford $167 upfront (no monthly fees after)
• You rely on big winning days (no consistency rule)
• You want faster payouts (1-3 days vs 5-7 days)
• You prefer static drawdown (threshold never moves)
• You want automatic scaling (grow from $50K to $250K+ based on performance)

Final Verdict: Different Tools for Different Stages

AquaFutures and Apex both work—but they serve different trader profiles.

If you're still building consistency: AquaFutures' evaluation path ($114/month) lets you prove yourself before getting real capital. The $3K profit target and 5 win days force you to develop discipline.

If you're already profitable: Apex's instant funding ($167 one-time) gets you trading real capital immediately. No grinding evaluations, no monthly fees, and faster payouts once you hit $1,500.

Most traders start with AquaFutures (cheaper upfront, forces consistency), then add Apex accounts once they're funded and profitable. You can hold accounts with both firms simultaneously—diversification reduces single-firm risk.

For AquaFutures account options, see the Beginner account guide and Instant account comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper: AquaFutures or Apex?

Apex is cheaper upfront: $167 one-time for a $50K account vs AquaFutures' $114/month (evaluation) or $291 (instant). But if you pass AquaFutures eval in 2 months ($228 total), it's more expensive than Apex. Long-term, Apex's one-time cost is cheaper.

Does Apex have a consistency rule?

No. Apex has no consistency rule—you can make 100% of your profits in one day. AquaFutures limits single-day profits to 40% (evaluation) or 20% (instant funded).

Which has stricter drawdown rules?

Apex has a tighter 3% static max loss vs AquaFutures' 5% trailing drawdown. But Apex's static drawdown never moves—once you're profitable, you have massive cushion. AquaFutures' trailing drawdown follows you up, requiring constant vigilance.

Can I trade more contracts on Apex?

Yes. Apex gives you 10 contracts on a $50K account vs AquaFutures Beginner's 6 contracts. If you need 8-10 contracts, Apex gives you more room (or choose AquaFutures Standard with 15 contracts for $196/month).

Which pays out faster?

Apex processes payouts in 1-3 business days vs AquaFutures' 5-7 days. Apex is significantly faster once you're approved for withdrawal.

Does AquaFutures have instant funding like Apex?

Yes. AquaFutures offers Instant funded accounts ($291 one-time) that work similarly to Apex—but with stricter rules (20% consistency, 7 win days, only 6 contracts). Apex's instant funding is cheaper ($167) and has looser rules.

Which is easier to pass?

Apex is easier if you have big winning days (no consistency rule, static drawdown). AquaFutures Beginner is easier if you make consistent daily gains (lower profit target, 5% trailing drawdown, EOD tracking). Both require discipline—neither is a shortcut.

Can I have accounts with both AquaFutures and Apex?

Yes. Many traders hold funded accounts with multiple firms to diversify risk. Pass one firm first, get profitable, then add a second firm. Don't try to pass both simultaneously—focus on one at a time.

Your Next Steps

‍👉 Start Trading at Aquafutures Today

‍👉 Read My Full Aquafutures Review

‍👉 Check out Aquafutures´s Payout Rules

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