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AquaFunded vs FTMO: which prop firm should you choose? (2026)
We compare AquaFunded and FTMO using exactly the same data: published prices, published rules and Trustpilot ratings. You'll find the full table and our pick below.
Side-by-side comparison
| AquaFunded | FTMO | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.3/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Trustpilot | 3.1 | 4.8 |
| Profit split | 90% | 90% |
| Max leverage | up to 1:100 | up to 1:100 |
| 100K challenge from | $279.20 (Two Step Pro) | €499 (1-Step Standard) |
| Programs | 8 | 3 |
| Platforms | Match-Trader, TradeLocker, MT5, cTrader | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Payouts via | Rise, Crypto, Bank Transfer | Bank Transfer, Crypto |
| News trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Weekend holding | Allowed | Restricted |
| Expert advisors (EAs) | Allowed | Allowed |
| Hedging | Allowed | Allowed |
| Scalping | Allowed | Allowed |
| Copy trading | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Martingale | Allowed | Restricted |
What we think
In our scoring, AquaFunded (7.3) comes out ahead of FTMO (7.0).
AquaFunded has the cheaper 100K challenge ($279.20), while FTMO starts at €499.
Traders rate FTMO higher: 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot compared with 3.1.
AquaFunded gives you more freedom in how you trade, like news, EAs and holding over the weekend.
- You'll probably prefer AquaFunded if you want a cheaper challenge, more programs to choose from, to trade on Match-Trader, TradeLocker.
- You'll probably prefer FTMO if you want better reviews from traders, to trade on MT4, TradingView.
Meet the two firms
AquaFunded
AquaFunded has a little of everything: 1-, 2- and 3-Step challenges, instant accounts and pay-after-pass, from $2,500 to $400,000. You can trade on MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader or TradeLocker.
FTMO
If you've read anything about prop trading, you've probably heard of FTMO. The Prague firm has been around longer than most in Europe and offers a 2-Step or a 1-Step challenge on accounts from $10,000 to $200,000. Pass the 2-Step and your fee comes back with your first payout. A lot of firms model themselves on it.
Questions traders ask us
Should I choose AquaFunded or FTMO?
In our scoring, AquaFunded (7.3) comes out ahead of FTMO (7.0).
Which costs less, AquaFunded or FTMO?
AquaFunded has the cheaper 100K challenge ($279.20), while FTMO starts at €499.
Can I have accounts with AquaFunded and FTMO at the same time?
Absolutely. Many traders buy challenges from more than one firm. Just don't copy trades from someone else's account or hedge one firm against another; nearly every firm bans that.