At $100K, AquaFunded is the better pick if you want the lower price and the bigger split: its 1-Step Standard costs $316 with code AUTUMN, about $215 less than the FundedNext Stellar 1-Step at $531, and it pays 90% instead of 80%. FundedNext is the better pick if you want a drawdown that never moves and weekly payouts: its 6% max loss is static, while AquaFunded’s 6% trails your equity.
Both are one-phase challenges with a 3% daily loss limit and no consistency rule during the evaluation. We compare the AquaFunded 1-Step Standard with the FundedNext Stellar 1-Step, both at $100,000, and point out where AquaFunded’s 1-Step Flex changes the picture.
- Cheaper: AquaFunded, $316 vs $531 for $100K (25% off vs 7% off).
- Easier rules: split. AquaFunded has the lower target (9% vs 10%); FundedNext has the friendlier drawdown (6% Static vs 6% Trailing).
- Faster payouts: FundedNext, every 7 days vs every 14 days at AquaFunded, but AquaFunded pays a higher 90% split.
Side-by-Side Comparison: $100K 1-Step
| Feature | AquaFunded | FundedNext |
|---|---|---|
| Plan compared | 1-Step Standard | Stellar 1-Step |
| Price after code | $316 (code AUTUMN, 25% off) | $531 (code INSIDE, 7% off) |
| Regular price | $421 | $570 |
| Profit target | 9% | 10% |
| Max drawdown | 6% Trailing | 6% Static |
| Daily loss limit | 3% | 3% |
| Minimum trading days | Not stated (check the firm’s site) | 2 days |
| Consistency rule | None | None |
| Profit split | 90% (up to 100% with add-on) | 80% |
| Payout frequency | Every 14 days (7 days or on demand with add-on) | Every 7 days |
| Payout limits | First two payouts capped at $10,000 each; $100 minimum | Processing fee up to 3.5%; $20 minimum (USDT) |
| Fee refund | 100% refundable | Refunded with your first payout |
| News trading | Unrestricted in the challenge; funded profit within 5 min of high-impact news capped at 0.5% per cycle | Unrestricted in the challenge; funded profit within 5 min of high-impact news paid at a 40% split |
| Forex leverage | 1:100 | 1:30 |
| EAs | Allowed if part of your own strategy | Paid add-on, accounts under $50K only |
| Inactivity limit | 30 days | 60 days |
| Platforms | MT5, cTrader, Match Trader, TradeLocker | MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match Trader |
Price: AquaFunded Is About $215 Cheaper
With code AUTUMN, the AquaFunded $100K 1-Step Standard drops from $421 to $316. With code INSIDE, the FundedNext $100K Stellar 1-Step drops from $570 to $531. AquaFunded’s 25% sale is the main reason for the gap; FundedNext’s discount is only 7%.
Both firms give the fee back if you get funded. AquaFunded lists the fee as 100% refundable, and FundedNext’s current offer advertises a 120% refundable fee, returned with your first performance reward. The refund only matters once you pass, so the upfront price is what decides how many attempts your budget covers: two AquaFunded attempts ($632) cost only about $101 more than one FundedNext attempt.
Alternative: AquaFunded’s 1-Step Flex costs $335 at $100K (was $447), with a 10% target and a 12% Static max loss. That is still about $196 cheaper than FundedNext, with twice the drawdown room.
Rules & Drawdown: Trailing vs Static
This is the biggest difference. Both plans allow a 6% max loss, but AquaFunded’s trails: as your account makes new highs, the floor rises with it. FundedNext’s is static, so on $100K the floor stays at $94,000 no matter how much you make. With a trailing limit, giving back open profit can stop you out even while you are up overall.
The target favours AquaFunded. You need 9% ($9,000) at AquaFunded vs 10% ($10,000) at FundedNext. With a 6% drawdown at both, AquaFunded’s target-to-drawdown ratio is 1.5:1 against FundedNext’s 1.67:1.
Daily loss is 3% ($3,000) at both firms, so position sizing works the same way. FundedNext requires at least 2 trading days; AquaFunded does not list a minimum for this plan, so check its site before you plan a one-day pass.
Other rules to know. AquaFunded uses a “wave stop”: if your open trades reach a 2% loss they are usually closed automatically, but this is a soft breach and you can keep trading. FundedNext has a Quick Strike rule (trades closed in under 30 seconds must be less than 30% of total profit) and, once funded, a 3% risk-at-a-time guideline measured against the starting balance. Repeat breaches lower that limit to 1%.
Payouts
AquaFunded pays 90% every 14 days, with a $100 minimum. You can buy add-ons for a 100% split and for 7-day or on-demand payouts. On $100K accounts, the first two payouts are capped at $10,000 each; after that there is no cap. Payouts go out by Crypto or Rise Works.
FundedNext pays 80% every 7 days on the Stellar 1-Step, which is the fastest standard schedule of the two. The minimum is $20 via USDT or $50 via Rise Works, and a processing fee of up to 3.5% applies. It also offers more payout methods: Bank Transfer, Card Payout, Crypto, FN Market Deposit, Rise Works, TC Pay.
On a $5,000 profit, AquaFunded’s 90% split pays $4,500 and FundedNext’s 80% split pays $4,000 before any fees. That $500 gap per payout soon outweighs the weekly schedule if you plan to trade the account for months.
Platforms & Trading Conditions
AquaFunded offers MT5, cTrader, Match Trader, TradeLocker. FundedNext offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, Match Trader. Only FundedNext has MT4; only AquaFunded has TradeLocker.
Leverage is a real difference on one-phase accounts: forex is 1:100 on AquaFunded’s 1-Step vs 1:30 on FundedNext’s Stellar 1-Step, and indices are 1:20 vs 1:10. Commissions are $5 per lot on forex at both, and indices are commission-free at both.
EA traders should lean towards AquaFunded, which allows EAs that are part of your own strategy. FundedNext sells EAs as a paid add-on for MT4/MT5 accounts under $50K only, so it is not an option at $100K.
Pros & Cons
AquaFunded
- Pro: about $215 cheaper at $316 for $100K with AUTUMN.
- Pro: lower 9% target and a 90% split (100% with add-on).
- Pro: 1:100 forex leverage, EAs allowed and a 100% refundable fee.
- Con: the 6% max loss trails your equity on the Standard plan.
- Con: payouts every 14 days as standard, and the first two are capped at $10,000.
- Con: 30-day inactivity limit; no MT4.
FundedNext
- Pro: static 6% max loss, so your $94,000 floor never moves.
- Pro: weekly payouts and a wide choice of payout methods, including bank transfer.
- Pro: fee refunded with your first payout; MT4 available.
- Con: costs $531, with only 7% off.
- Con: 80% split, a 10% target and 1:30 forex leverage.
- Con: funded profits within 5 minutes of high-impact news are paid at just 40%; up to 3.5% processing fee.
Which Should You Choose?
AquaFunded — you want the cheapest $100K one-phase challenge here ($316), the higher 90% split, 1:100 leverage or EA support. Accept the trade-offs: the 6% max loss trails on the Standard plan (switch to the 1-Step Flex at $335 for a 12% Static limit), payouts are every 14 days unless you buy the add-on, and your first two withdrawals are capped at $10,000.
FundedNext — you want a static drawdown you can plan around, weekly payouts, MT4 or bank-transfer withdrawals. You pay $531, need 10% instead of 9%, keep 80% of profits, and should stay out of trades around high-impact news once funded.
Want more detail? Read our full AquaFunded review and FundedNext review, browse all forex prop firms, see more prop firm comparisons such as E8 Markets vs BrightFunded $100K 1-Step, or grab every current code on our prop firm discount codes page. Always confirm the latest rules on the AquaFunded website and the FundedNext website before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AquaFunded or FundedNext cheaper for a $100K 1-Step?
AquaFunded. The $100K 1-Step Standard costs $316 with code AUTUMN (25% off), vs $531 for the FundedNext $100K Stellar 1-Step with code INSIDE.
Which 1-Step has easier rules?
AquaFunded has the lower target (9% vs 10%), but its 6% max loss trails. FundedNext’s 6% max loss is static. Both have a 3% daily loss limit and no consistency rule in the challenge.
Which pays a higher profit split?
AquaFunded pays 90% on all accounts, with up to 100% as an add-on. The FundedNext Stellar 1-Step pays 80%.
How often do AquaFunded and FundedNext pay out?
FundedNext pays every 7 days on the Stellar 1-Step. AquaFunded pays every 14 days, or every 7 days or on demand with an add-on, and caps the first two payouts on $100K accounts at $10,000 each.
What discount codes work for AquaFunded and FundedNext?
Use AUTUMN for 25% off AquaFunded and INSIDE for 7% off FundedNext. Open the firm through our link, pick the plan and paste the code at checkout.
Ready to start your $100K challenge?
Get AquaFunded for $316 with AUTUMN or FundedNext for $531 with INSIDE.
This article is for information and education only and is not financial advice. Trading futures, forex and CFDs carries a high risk of loss. InsidePropFirm may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.
