Head-to-head comparison · 2026
Apex Trader Funding vs Lucid Trading
Side-by-side on the metrics that actually matter: true cost to funded, drawdown type, profit split and payout speed.
Market
Futures
Futures
Founded
2021
2025
Total cost to funded
$328
Best$192
Eval cost
$249
$192
Activation fee
$79
-
Pricing model
Monthly sub
One-time
Challenge type
1-Step
1-Step
Drawdown type
Trailing
EOD
Max profit split
90%
90%
First profit
First $25K is 100%
90/10 on all accounts (upgraded Mar 2026)
Payout speed
Weekly
15 minutes avg
Max account
Best$300K
$150K
Consistency rule
30% rule
50% eval only (Flex)
News trading
Restricted
Allowed
Platforms
RithmicNinjaTraderTradingViewTradovate
MotiveWaveTradingViewTradovateQuantowerSierra ChartNinjaTraderTradesea
Strengths & watch-outs
Apex Trader Funding
Strengths
- Keep 100% of first $25K
- Run up to 20 accounts
- Huge review volume
Watch-outs
- Monthly sub + activation = double cost
- Intraday trailing drawdown
- Slower payouts
Lucid Trading
Strengths
- Fastest payouts in the industry, 15 min average
- No DLL on LucidFlex, trade through volatility freely
- 90/10 split on all accounts since Mar 2026
Watch-outs
- Founded 2025, shorter track record than established firms
- Product rules have changed frequently since launch
- No overnight holds on standard accounts
🐨 PropKoala verdict
Lucid Trading is cheaper to get funded at $192 total. Apex Trader Funding offers a higher max split at 90%. Lucid Trading has the more forgiving EOD drawdown, giving you more room to trade.
This verdict is generated from our verified data. Always check each firm's current terms before purchasing.
Figures are list prices for the 50K account, last updated Sep 2026. Verify all details directly with each firm before purchasing. PropKoala may earn affiliate commissions. Trading involves substantial risk.