Head to head
AquaFunded vs Blue Guardian
Blue Guardian grades higher overall, 4.7 to 3.5. Across 21 measurable rows, AquaFunded comes out ahead on 3 and Blue Guardian on 12.
Cheap challenges wrapped in a dense, shifting rulebook and a damaged reputation
Cheap and fast until Guardian Shield or a device match flags your payout
Key differences
In short
- A $100K evaluation is cheaper at Blue Guardian ($239 vs $279.20 at AquaFunded).
- Blue Guardian has the stronger payout record (3.2 vs 0.8).
- AquaFunded carries more hidden-rule risk (8.2 vs 6.3), led by: floating-loss caps close accounts instantly.
- cTrader, NinjaTrader, TradingView are only available at AquaFunded.
- Proprietary is only available at Blue Guardian.
AquaFunded vs Blue Guardian, side by side
The better value in each row is marked
| Criterion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grade | ||
| Overall score | E3.5 | D4.7 |
| Payouts | 0.8 | 3.2 |
| Transparency | 1.9 | 3.8 |
| Rules & trading conditions | 8.4 | 8.5 |
| Reputation | 2.2 | 3.1 |
| Platforms & execution | 5.6 | 5.2 |
| Support | 3.8 | 4.6 |
| Evidence | ||
| Trustpilot | ≈3.2(estimate; Trustpilot hides this firm's score) (1.2K) | ≈3.9(estimate; Trustpilot hides this firm's score) (2.1K) |
| Pass rate | 8%Estimate | 7%Estimate |
| Hidden risk | 8.2 Very highHidden risk 8.2 out of 10, Very high | 6.3 Very highHidden risk 6.3 out of 10, Very high |
| Negative recent reviews | 80.5% | 35% |
| Offer | ||
| $100K challenge | $279.20 | $239 |
| Cheapest account | $20 | $26.66 |
| Max allocation | $400K | $400K |
| Max profit split | 100% | 100% |
| Payouts | Every 14 days by default… | Every 14 days per funded account on most programs (every 7… |
| Programs | instant, 1-step, 2-step | instant, 1-step, 2-step |
| Current offer | — | — |
| Company | ||
| Headquarters | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Years in business | 3 | 4 |
| Trading | ||
| Platforms | MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader, TradeLocker, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView | MT5, Match-Trader, TradeLocker, Tradovate, Proprietary |
| Assets | Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, Crypto, Futures | Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Crypto, Futures |
| EAs | Restricted | Allowed |
| News trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Weekend holding | Restricted | Allowed |
| Copy trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Hedging | Restricted | Restricted |
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesWhich should you choose?
By trading style
| You are… | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | Blue Guardian | Cheap entry prices, no time limits and a $10 Buy Now Pay Later start make it accessible, but Guardian Shield's 1-2% soft-breach threshold punishes the oversized, undisciplined position sizing beginners tend to use. |
| Experienced traders | Blue Guardian | Static or trailing drawdowns up to 10% and splits up to 100% reward disciplined, small-size trading, provided you size every trade around Guardian Shield's 1-2% threshold rather than the advertised limit. |
| Swing traders | AquaFunded | Overnight and weekend holding is allowed on CFDs and 2-Step Standard or Elite have static drawdowns, but -1% to -2% floating-loss limits rule out wide stops on funded and instant accounts. |
| Scalpers | Either | AquaFunded: Trades under two minutes can be reclassified as tick scalping with profits removed, and $5 per lot commission plus spread complaints add cost. |
| EA & algo traders | Blue Guardian | EAs are allowed and copy trading is permitted between a trader's own accounts, but CID/device-matching has denied payouts on shared VPS setups, so running several accounts needs separate devices and infrastructure. |
| News traders | Either | AquaFunded: Funded profit from trades within 5 minutes of any red-folder event is capped at 0.5% of the starting balance per cycle. |
Verdicts
AquaFunded verdict
Cheap challenges wrapped in a dense, shifting rulebook and a damaged reputation
Best for: Disciplined traders with small, steady risk per trade who want cheap 2-step pricing, no time limits and a choice of four CFD platforms, and who will read every rule for their model.
Avoid if: You scalp, trade news, run EAs on a VPS, share a network with other traders, or need a firm with a clean, verifiable payout reputation.
Blue Guardian verdict
Cheap and fast until Guardian Shield or a device match flags your payout
Best for: Traders who want the cheapest possible entry price or instant funding, keep risk well inside 1% of the account, and plan to withdraw early and often rather than compound one account for a year.
Avoid if: You want to run real drawdown near the advertised 3-10% limit, share a household device or VPS with another trader, or need a payout record with a long, dispute-free track history.
AquaFunded vs Blue Guardian FAQ
Questions traders ask
Is AquaFunded better than Blue Guardian?
On our grading Blue Guardian scores higher overall (4.7 vs 3.5, grade D vs E). AquaFunded still comes out ahead on platforms. The better choice depends on your style: compare the rules rows above before buying.
Which is cheaper, AquaFunded or Blue Guardian?
At list price a $100K evaluation costs $279.20 at AquaFunded and $239 at Blue Guardian, so Blue Guardian is cheaper. The smallest accounts start at $20 and $26.66. Discounts change often, so check the offers page.
Which pays out more reliably, AquaFunded or Blue Guardian?
Blue Guardian has the stronger payout score (AquaFunded 0.8 vs Blue Guardian 3.2). AquaFunded pays every 14 days by default; 7-day cycles (evaluations) or on-demand requests (instant) as paid add-ons; futures models pay on demand, daily or every 5-6 winning days; Blue Guardian pays every 14 days per funded account on most programs (every 7 days with a paid add-on or on nano programs); on-demand for instant and instant starter accounts.
Which has fewer hidden rules, AquaFunded or Blue Guardian?
Blue Guardian has the lower Hidden Risk score (AquaFunded 8.2, very high; Blue Guardian 6.3, very high). Each review lists the specific rules behind the score.
Is it easier to pass AquaFunded or Blue Guardian?
AquaFunded: 8% (estimate). Blue Guardian: 7% (estimate). Estimates are a guide to difficulty only; drawdown type and daily loss rules matter as much as the target.
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