Head-to-head comparison
AquaFutures vs Topstep: Which Futures Prop Firm Wins? (2026)
A side-by-side breakdown of the rules that decide which prop firm fits your strategy — drawdown type, profit splits, payout speed, account sizes, and total cost.
AquaFutures
- From
- $20
- Account sizes
- $25K – $150K
- Profit split
- 100%
- Payout
- —
Topstep
Verified payouts
- From
- $95
- Account sizes
- $50K – $150K
- Profit split
- 90%
- Payout
- 3 days
The verdict
AquaFutures has the lower starting price ($20 vs $95 for Topstep). AquaFutures offers a higher max profit split (100% vs 90%). AquaFutures offers a one-time payment option, avoiding recurring monthly fees. Topstep has third-party verified payout history.
Rules side by side
Each value is the best (or full range) across all of the firm's products.
| Rule | AquaFutures | Topstep |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge type | Evaluation + Instant Funding | Evaluation + Instant Funding |
| Drawdown type | EOD / Intraday Trailing | Static |
| Account sizes | $25K – $150K | $50K – $150K |
| Starting price | $20 | $95 |
| Profit split | 100% | 90% |
| Payout speed | — | 3 days |
| Payout frequency | — | On demand |
| Consistency rule | Eval: 0–40% / Funded: 15–40% | Eval: 0–50% |
| Payment model | One-time | Subscription |
| Verified payouts | No | Yes |
| Sage rating | — | 4.5 / 5 |
About each firm
AquaFutures
AquaFutures (Aqua Funds Consulting FZCO) offers multi-step, one-step, and instant-funding paths with EOD or trailing drawdown by tier. Splits run 100% on the first $15,000 then 90%, with weekly or on-demand payouts and a $500 guarantee for delays. Platforms supported are ProjectX and Volumetrica.
Products
- Standard — One-time · 100% split
- Pro — Instant funding · One-time · 100% split
- Instant — Instant funding · One-time · 100% split
- Beginner — One-time · 100% split
Topstep
Topstep is a long-running futures prop firm offering Trading Combine evaluations, Live Funded Accounts, and Express Funded Accounts. Restricted to CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT futures.
Highlights
- Pass Trading Combine in as little as 2 days, no minimum time
- 90% profit split with payouts as fast as next trading day
- CFTC-registered Topstep Brokerage (NFA member)
- Run on proprietary TopstepX platform
Products
- Trading Combine — 90% split · 3 days
- Live Funded Account — 90% split
- Express Funded Account — Instant funding · 90% split
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to start, AquaFutures or Topstep?
AquaFutures has the lower starting price at $20 for its smallest evaluation account, compared to $95 for the other.
Which has the better profit split, AquaFutures or Topstep?
AquaFutures pays out a higher max profit split (100%) compared to 90% on the other side.
Are payouts verified at AquaFutures and Topstep?
AquaFutures does not have third-party verified payout history. Topstep has third-party verified payout history.