Topstep vs AquaFunded Futures: prop firm rules compared

On Topstep and AquaFunded Futures the drawdown trails at end of day: the floor is recalculated once, from the closing balance, so open profit given back during the session does not raise it — but equity touching the floor during the session still counts. For example, at Topstep and AquaFunded Futures a $50,000 account starts with its floor at $48,000, $2,000 under the start.

On Topstep and AquaFunded Futures' Flex (daily loss) and Flex (no daily loss) plans the trailing floor stops rising once it reaches breakeven and stays there.

A soft daily loss limit pauses the day instead of failing the account: reach it and open positions are flattened, trading stops until the next session, and the account stays open. AquaFunded Futures' Standard, Daily and Flex (daily loss) plans set it at $1,000 on $50,000. Topstep and AquaFunded Futures' Flex (no daily loss) plan have no daily loss limit, so a losing day is bounded only by the max drawdown.

Topstep starts the trading day at 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT); a daily loss limit counts from that reset, not from midnight.

A consistency rule caps how much of the total profit one day may carry. Topstep caps any single day at 55% of total profit, so it takes at least 2 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $1,650 of a $3,000 target. AquaFunded Futures' Daily plan caps any single day at 40% of total profit, so it takes at least 3 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $1,200 of a $3,000 target. AquaFunded Futures' Flex (daily loss) and Flex (no daily loss) plans cap any single day at 50% of total profit, so it takes at least 2 profitable days to finish inside the rule. One day may then carry at most $1,500 of a $3,000 target. AquaFunded Futures' Instant plan caps any single day at 20% of total profit, so it takes at least 5 profitable days to finish inside the rule. AquaFunded Futures' Standard plan applies no consistency rule in the evaluation, so one large day can count in full.

Topstep requires at least 2 trading days before a pass; AquaFunded Futures sets no minimum number of days.

On automated trading — a strategy or bot sending the orders — at Topstep it is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account; AquaFunded Futures has no written answer on record. Written answers: Topstep (read Oct 21, 2026).

Topstep and AquaFunded Futures differ on 3 of the evaluation rules compared here: daily loss limit, consistency rule and minimum trading days. If one or two large days make up most of your profit, the consistency rule sets how fast you can finish: Topstep caps one day at 55% of total profit; AquaFunded Futures caps one day at 20–50% of total profit on some plans and has no cap on others. If you keep trading after a losing morning, look at what the daily loss limit does: Topstep has no daily loss limit; AquaFunded Futures pauses the day at its daily loss limit on some plans and has no limit on others. To finish in as few sessions as possible, compare the minimum days: Topstep needs at least 2 trading days, AquaFunded Futures sets no minimum.

Payout terms once funded — Topstep: Per cycle: 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard) or 3 days at ≤40% consistency; AquaFunded Futures: Standard on demand · Daily daily · Flex every 5 winning days. Topstep sells one evaluation model; AquaFunded Futures sells 4 plans: Standard, Daily, Flex and Instant. Each plan carries its own version of the rules above, which is why they are listed plan by plan. If a strategy or bot will send your orders, Topstep's written answer is allowed in the evaluation and on a funded account, and AquaFunded Futures has no written answer on record.

Read both rule sets against your own average day, then confirm the current terms on Topstep's site and AquaFunded Futures' site. PassTraq tracks challenges at both firms using the same rule presets shown here.