Lucid Trading vs FuturesElite – Prop Firm Comparison
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Introduction
Lucid Trading and FuturesElite are both futures prop firms built around CME Group markets, which makes them direct competitors for traders who want funded access to contracts like ES, NQ, CL and GC. Lucid Trading funds $25K to $150K accounts on CME futures, keeps 90% (100% on first $10K, early LucidPro), and runs 1-Step (LucidFlex, LucidPro), with 15-minute average (fastest documented), Plaid, ADP, crypto. FuturesElite, founded 2025 (Quantum SRL) funds Multiple sizes; Custom Accounts accounts on CME futures, keeps up to 100% (via custom configuration), and runs standard, Custom and Instant Funded, with bi-weekly, processed within 24 hours. Lucid Trading is best for traders who prioritise payout speed, platform choice and proven scale, while FuturesElite suits futures traders who want customizable rules and instant-funding flexibility.
Quick Facts
Program Types
| Program | Lucid Trading | FuturesElite |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | Yes | Yes |
| Scaling Options | Yes | Not available |
| Demo Account | Not available | Not available |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Lucid Trading | FuturesElite |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 25k: $1250; 50k: $3000; 100k: $6000; 150k: $9000 | Buffer zone system |
| Maximum Drawdown | Pro/Flex EOD trailing: $1,000/$2,000/$3,000/$4,500 by 25K/50K/100K/150K; locks at start + $100. Breaches can occur intraday. Daily funded uses intraday trailing. | 4-4.5% daily |
| Minimum Trading Days | Pro evaluation: 1-day pass; Flex/Daily evaluation: 2-day pass path with 50% consistency; Flex funded payouts require 5 qualifying profitable days | Not available |
| News Trading | Plan-specific: Daily funded must be flat 1 minute before through 1 minute after high-impact USD red-folder events; violation is a hard breach. | Not available |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Lucid Trading | FuturesElite |
|---|---|---|
| Futures $25K Account | Pro Eval / USD 135 / One-time Official Lucid Trading Pro Eval list price before checkout coupon. Source Checked 2026-08-10 | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Futures $50K Account | Pro Eval / USD 185 / One-time Official Lucid Trading Pro Eval list price before checkout coupon. Source Checked 2026-08-10 | Elite / USD 153 / One-time Official one-time list price; reset fee USD 89. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Nitro / USD 138 / One-time Official one-time list price; reset fee USD 99. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Prime / USD 179 / One-time Official one-time list price; reset fee USD 109. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Instant / USD 349 / One-time Official one-time list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $100K Account | Pro Eval / USD 285 / One-time Official Lucid Trading Pro Eval list price before checkout coupon. Source Checked 2026-08-10 | Elite / USD 253 / One-time Official one-time list price; reset fee USD 159. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Nitro / USD 218 / One-time Official one-time list price; reset fee USD 149. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Prime / USD 279 / One-time Official one-time list price; reset fee USD 159. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Instant / USD 469 / One-time Official one-time list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $150K Account | Pro Eval / USD 370 / One-time Official Lucid Trading Pro Eval list price before checkout coupon. Source Checked 2026-08-10 | Elite / USD 353 / One-time Official one-time list price; reset fee USD 229. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Nitro / USD 298 / One-time Official one-time list price; reset fee USD 219. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Prime / USD 369 / One-time Official one-time list price; reset fee USD 209. Source Checked 2026-08-10 Instant / USD 569 / One-time Official one-time list price. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Refund Policy | Not available | Not available |
| Coupons / Discount | Lucid Trading discount | FuturesElite discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Lucid Trading | FuturesElite |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, MotiveWave, Quantower, Tradesea, and 6 more | Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Quantower, ATAS, Volumetrica, WealthCharts, DeepCharts |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | No | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | No |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| EA/Algo Trading | Not available | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | Lucid Trading | FuturesElite |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Plan-specific eligibility. Advertised average is not guaranteed delivery. Pro disburses within 2 business days after approval. Plaid: US; WorkMarket/ADP: US and international, bank or PayPal; crypto: international. | Bi-weekly, ~24 hours average |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Lucid Trading | FuturesElite |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Multiple plan configurations, Pro/Flex DLL on/off options, 10+ supported platforms, regional payout options, no funded consistency on Flex/Daily | 40+ CME futures contracts, 7 professional platforms, Custom account configuration, Up to 100% profit split, Bi-weekly payouts, 4.7/5 Trustpilot |
| Weaknesses | Simulated funded accounts; plan-specific payout caps and buffers; Daily funded intraday drawdown and high-impact USD news restriction; live transition discretionary | No DCA allowed, No scalping/micro-scalping, Newer firm (2025), Buffer zone required for payouts |
| Best For | Futures traders seeking rapid payouts and flexible challenge structures | Futures traders seeking CME market access and platform flexibility |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Lucid Trading if you want a cheaper entry, from USD 135. Choose FuturesElite if a higher profit split, up to 100% and coverage of bonds that the other does not offer matter more to you. Neither firm is better in the abstract. The right choice depends on your strategy, your budget and the instruments you trade, so read both full reviews before you commit. Verify current rules and pricing on each firm’s own site before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I know about Lucid Trading’s programs?
Lucid Trading has different account products. LucidDirect is an instant-funded arrangement with its own payout objectives. Lucid Trading official rules.
What should I know about FuturesElite’s programs?
FuturesElite has multiple program-specific payout rulebooks. Prime and Elite do not have the same profitable-day or buffer requirements. FuturesElite official rules; FuturesElite official program information.
How do payouts differ between Lucid Trading and FuturesElite?
LucidDirect lists a 90% trader share and a $500 minimum request. Requests can be made any day after the profit goal and other conditions are satisfied, subject to account-size and payout-cycle caps. Lucid Trading official rules.
The Prime first-payout guide requires the funded profit target, buffer and account-size minimum, with no minimum payout trading days. The 25K Elite guide instead requires six profitable days of at least $100 each and caps requests at 50% of remaining profit up to $1,000. FuturesElite official rules; FuturesElite official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing Lucid Trading and FuturesElite?
LucidDirect requires the largest winning day to be no more than 20% of the cycle’s profit. The consistency and profit-goal requirements reset after each approved payout. Lucid Trading official rules.
For 25K Elite there is no funded profit goal, consistency rule or buffer, but KYC and the profitable-day conditions still apply. Do not extend those exemptions to Prime or Instant accounts. FuturesElite official rules; FuturesElite official program information.
Is Lucid Trading or FuturesElite automatically the better choice?
No, neither firm is the automatic pick, and the honest answer depends on how you actually trade.
Lucid Trading Strengths: 15-minute average payout speed and Dual plans for different experience levels. Watch-outs: Max account size $150 and 000 smaller than competitors. Best suited to: Futures traders seeking rapid payouts and flexible challenge structures.
FuturesElite Strengths: 40+ CME futures contracts and 7 professional platforms. Watch-outs: No DCA allowed and No scalping/micro-scalping. Best suited to: Futures traders seeking CME market access and platform flexibility.
Which one wins for you depends on how each firm measures drawdown, what the account actually costs once resets and add-ons are included, and the evaluation objectives on the exact size you buy, rather than on the headline numbers. Check both sets of current terms before you fund an account.
Are Lucid Trading and FuturesElite both futures-only?
Yes. Both fund traders on CME Group futures – index, energy, metals and currency contracts. Neither offers forex or CFD funded accounts, so the choice comes down to rules, platforms and payouts rather than markets.
Which firm pays out faster?
Lucid Trading offers 15-minute average (fastest documented), Plaid, ADP, crypto, while FuturesElite offers bi-weekly, processed within 24 hours. Match the payout cadence to how often you plan to withdraw.
Which firm has the better profit split?
Lucid Trading keeps 90% (100% on first $10K, early LucidPro), and FuturesElite keeps up to 100% (via custom configuration). The better deal depends on the account tier and how far you scale.
Does either firm offer instant funding?
Lucid Trading offers a skip-evaluation route (lucidPro can pass in a single trading day), while FuturesElite offers one (instant Funded – skip evaluation).
Which firm gives more platform choice?
Lucid Trading supports NinjaTrader, Tradovate and TradingView via CQG, plus Sierra Chart, Quantower and other applications via Rithmic, while FuturesElite supports Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Quantower, ATAS, Project X.
How We Compared Lucid Trading and FuturesElite
Both firms carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10, scored on the same nine weighted factors, led by payout reliability at 20%, then fee structure, drawdown rules and profit split at 15% each. The scores come from our own firm reviews, built from each firm’s current terms rather than its marketing pages and re-checked at least every 90 days. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold. The tables above are the evidence behind those scores. Read our full ranking methodology.
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