Apex vs Topstep vs Lucid
Apex, Topstep and Lucid are all futures prop firms, and the biggest practical differences are the drawdown type, the daily loss limit and the consistency rule rather than the profit target. The table below shows each program's verified evaluation rules at the closest size to $50,000, with the official source for each row.
Updated · Elave editorial
Programs and platforms
| Firm | Type | Platforms | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Trader Funding | Futures | Tradovate, Rithmic, WealthCharts | Apex EOD, Apex Intraday Trailing, Apex Legacy (bought before 1 Mar 2026) |
| Topstep | Futures | TopstepX, Tradovate, NinjaTrader | Trading Combine, XFA Standard, XFA Consistency |
| Lucid Trading | Futures | Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Rithmic | LucidFlex, LucidPro, LucidDirect, LucidDaily, LucidMaxx (invitation only) |
Verified evaluation rules (closest size to $50,000)
| Firm | Program | Size | Profit target | Max loss | Drawdown | Daily loss limit | Min days | Consistency | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Trader Funding | Apex EOD | $50,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | End-of-day trailing | $1,000 (soft) | 0 | None | Official2026-10-02 |
| Apex Trader Funding | Apex Intraday Trailing | $50,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | Intraday trailing | None | 0 | None | Official2026-10-02 |
| Apex Trader Funding | Apex Legacy (bought before 1 Mar 2026) | $50,000 | $3,000 | $2,500 | Intraday trailing | None | 7 | None | Official2026-10-02 |
| Topstep | Trading Combine | $50,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | End-of-day trailing | $1,000 (soft) | Check official site | 55% | Official2026-10-02 |
| Lucid Trading | LucidFlex | $50,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | End-of-day trailing | $1,200 (soft) | Check official site | 50% | Official2026-10-02 |
| Lucid Trading | LucidPro | $50,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | End-of-day trailing | $1,200 (soft) | Check official site | None | Official2026-10-02 |
| Lucid Trading | LucidDaily | $50,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | End-of-day trailing | $1,200 (soft) | Check official site | 50% | Official2026-10-02 |
| Lucid Trading | LucidMaxx (invitation only) | $50,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | Check official site | Check official site | 5 | 40% | Official2026-10-02 |
Prop-firm rules change often. Always confirm the current rules on the firm's official site before you buy an evaluation.
How to choose
Pick the drawdown type that matches how you trade first: intraday trailing punishes giving back open profit, end-of-day trailing does not. Then compare the daily loss limit to your normal losing day and check whether a consistency rule applies at evaluation or payout. Price and payout terms come last and change often.
Sources
Firm pages
About Elave
Elave (elavefx.com) is a free trading platform for retail and prop-firm traders: a broker-synced trading journal with an AI coach, a prop-firm rules tracker, risk tools, a Telegram trading desk and application-only coaching. The platform is free with no subscription; Elave is funded by partner-broker (introducing-broker) relationships.
Educational content, not investment advice. Elave makes no performance, win-rate, pass-rate or income claims. Trading leveraged products carries a high risk of loss.