Lucid Trading vs Apex Trader - Prop Firm Comparison
Introduction
Lucid Trading and Apex Trader are both CME futures specialists with loyal followings, and choosing between them often comes down to payout speed versus account size. Lucid Trading has built one of the largest communities in the space, with more than 50,000 funded traders and over $60M paid out, and it markets the fastest average payout in the industry at around 15 minutes, with Plaid, ADP and cryptocurrency withdrawals. Apex Trader, founded in Austin in 2021, is the larger and longer-established operation by raw volume, with more than 19,000 Trustpilot reviews and over $378M paid out, and it funds accounts up to $300K against Lucid’s $150K ceiling. Their evaluations take different shapes. Apex runs a single one-step challenge with a 6% target, a 7-day minimum and a trailing drawdown that locks at your starting balance. Lucid splits into two plans: LucidFlex, which needs five qualifying days and applies a 50% consistency rule, and LucidPro, which can be passed in a single trading day with no minimum. On profit split, Apex’s headline is higher, paying up to 100% (100% of the first $25,000, then 90/10), while Lucid pays a flat 90%, with early LucidPro accounts keeping 100% of the first $10,000. Lucid also wins on platform choice, supporting 10+ platforms including NinjaTrader, Tradovate, CQG, Rithmic and Sierra Chart, while Apex runs Tradovate, Rithmic, NinjaTrader and WealthCharts. A trader who prioritises payout speed and platform breadth will lean toward Lucid Trading; one who wants the largest accounts and the deepest track record will prefer Apex Trader.
Quick Comparison |
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| Feature | Lucid Trading | Apex Trader |
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|  |  |
| Founded | Specialist futures firm (year not publicly stated) | 2021 (Austin, TX) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.7/5 (3,298 reviews) | 4.3/5 (19,525 reviews) |
| Trading Focus | CME futures | CME futures |
| Profit Split | 90% (100% on first $10K, early LucidPro) | Up to 100% (100% of first $25K, then 90/10) |
| Evaluation | 1-Step (LucidFlex, LucidPro) | 1-Step |
| Account Sizes | $25K – $150K | $25K – $300K |
| Payout Speed | 15-minute average (fastest in industry) | Bi-weekly, within 24 hours |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Key Differences Between Lucid Trading and Apex Trader
- Payout speed: Lucid documents ~15-minute payouts with Plaid, ADP and crypto; Apex pays bi-weekly within 24 hours.
- Track record: Apex has 19,000+ reviews and $378M+ paid since 2021; Lucid has 50,000+ traders and $60M+ paid, at 4.7/5 from 3,298 reviews.
- Account sizes: Apex funds up to $300K; Lucid tops out at $150K.
- Profit split: Apex pays up to 100% (100% of first $25K, then 90/10); Lucid pays 90%, with 100% on the first $10K for early LucidPro.
- Evaluation: Apex is a single one-step with a 7-day minimum; Lucid’s LucidPro passes in a single day while LucidFlex needs five qualifying days.
- Platforms: Lucid supports 10+ platforms; Apex runs Tradovate, Rithmic, NinjaTrader and WealthCharts.
- Drawdown: Apex uses a trailing drawdown locking at the starting balance; Lucid uses static max-loss limits.
- Consistency rules: Lucid applies 50% (LucidFlex) and 40% on payouts (LucidPro); Apex has no fixed consistency percentage.
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals? |
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| Program | Lucid Trading | Apex Trader |
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| Evaluation Format | Single-step (LucidFlex, LucidPro) | Single-step (one phase) |
| Fast Pass | LucidPro can pass in a single trading day | Not offered |
| Account Variants | LucidFlex, LucidPro | One track, multiple sizes |
| Static-Drawdown Option | Static max-loss limits | Not offered; trailing drawdown |
| Consistency Rule | 50% (LucidFlex), 40% on payouts (LucidPro) | No fixed percentage |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test? |
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| Criteria | Lucid Trading | Apex Trader |
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| Profit Target | About 6% (LucidFlex); 5-6% (LucidPro) | 6% |
| Daily Loss Limit | None (LucidFlex); scaled by size (LucidPro) | None (trailing drawdown only) |
| Maximum Loss | Static max loss (about 3-4% by size) | Trailing; locks at starting balance |
| Minimum Trading Days | 5 qualifying days (LucidFlex); none (LucidPro) | 7 trading days |
| Time Limit | None | None |
| News Trading | Permitted within plan rules | Permitted |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay? |
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| Option | Lucid Trading | Apex Trader |
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| Pricing Model | Plan-based evaluation fee | Monthly subscription (often discounted) |
| Activation Fee | See firm site | Activation fee on funded account |
| Profit Split | 90% (100% on first $10K, early LucidPro) | Up to 100% (100% of first $25K, then 90/10) |
| Payout Speed | 15-minute average | Bi-weekly, within 24 hours |
| Payout Methods | Plaid, ADP and crypto (BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC) | Standard processing |
| Coupons | See discounts | See discounts |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use? |
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| Platform | Lucid Trading | Apex Trader |
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| Trading Platforms | CQG, Rithmic, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Sierra Chart, Quantower and more (10+) | Tradovate, Rithmic, NinjaTrader, WealthCharts |
| Data Feeds | CQG and Rithmic | Rithmic and Tradovate |
| Mobile Trading | Via supported platform apps | Tradovate and NinjaTrader apps |
| Automated Trading | Permitted within rules | Permitted within rules |
| Order-Flow Tools | Bookmap, ATAS, Jigsaw, Quantower | Third-party platform tools |
Available Markets/Products |
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| Market | Lucid Trading | Apex Trader |
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| Index Futures | ES, NQ, YM, RTY plus micros (MES, MNQ) and NKD | ES, NQ, YM, RTY and CME index futures |
| Energy Futures | CL, NG and CME energy | CL, NG and CME energy |
| Metals Futures | GC, SI and CME metals | GC, SI and CME metals |
| Micro Futures | CME micro contracts | CME micro contracts |
| Forex / Crypto | Not offered (futures only) | Not offered (futures only) |
| Weekend Holding | Per CME session rules | Not permitted; intraday only |
Technical Capabilities/Performance |
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| Feature | Lucid Trading | Apex Trader |
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| Execution | CQG and Rithmic execution | Third-party platform execution (Tradovate/Rithmic) |
| Platform Breadth | 10+ platforms, among the broadest in futures | Established futures platforms |
| Payout Speed | 15-minute average, fastest documented | Bi-weekly within 24 hours |
| Payout Record | $60M+ paid to 50,000+ traders | $378M+ paid out |
| Automated Trading | Permitted within rules | Permitted within rules |
Support and Community |
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| Support Feature | Lucid Trading | Apex Trader |
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| Customer Support | Email and active community support | Email and live chat support |
| Trading Community | 50,000+ registered traders | Large Apex community and Discord |
| Educational Resources | Guides, tutorials and market resources | Guides and onboarding resources |
| Track Record | 4.7/5 from 3,298 reviews; $60M+ paid | 19,525 reviews; $378M+ paid |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation |
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| Key Element | Lucid Trading | Apex Trader |
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| Strengths | Fastest payouts (15 min), 10+ platforms, 90% split, crypto payouts, single-day LucidPro pass, 50,000+ traders | Account sizes to $300K, up to 100% split, no daily loss limit, huge track record, $378M+ paid, frequent discounts |
| Weaknesses | $150K account ceiling, consistency rules on both plans, LucidFlex needs 5 qualifying days | Intraday only (no overnight/weekend), 7-day minimum, trailing drawdown can be tight, activation fee |
| Best For | Traders who prioritise payout speed and platform choice | Active intraday traders who want the largest accounts and up-to-100% splits |
Final Grade
How we rank firms ↗ | 8.4 | 8.8 |
| Discount Codes | See discounts | See discounts |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
FAQ
Which firm pays out faster, Lucid Trading or Apex Trader?
Lucid Trading. It documents an average payout of around 15 minutes, among the fastest in the industry, with Plaid, ADP and cryptocurrency options. Apex Trader pays bi-weekly and processes requests within 24 hours, which is reliable but on a fixed schedule rather than on demand.
Which firm offers larger accounts and a higher split, Lucid or Apex?
Apex Trader. It funds accounts up to $300K and pays up to 100% (100% of the first $25,000, then 90/10), while Lucid Trading tops out at $150K and pays a flat 90%, with early LucidPro accounts keeping 100% of the first $10,000.
How do the evaluations differ between Lucid Trading and Apex Trader?
Apex runs a single one-step challenge with a 6% target and a 7-day minimum. Lucid offers two routes: LucidPro can be passed in a single trading day, while LucidFlex requires five qualifying days and a 50% consistency rule. Lucid’s LucidPro is the faster path to funding.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
This comparison was compiled using the published review data on JoinProp for each firm, along with each firm’s stated evaluation rules, account structures, platforms and payout terms as of 2026. Where a detail is not publicly disclosed, the cell notes this. Verify current terms directly with Lucid Trading and Apex Trader before purchasing a challenge.
