Head to head
TopstepvsLucid Trading
The two firms on the same lines, from the same data, checked the same day.
In short Cheaper to start: Topstep, $49 per month against $65.30 one-time. Topstep bills its cheapest account monthly, Lucid Trading charges it once: over two months of evaluation the gap changes. Same maximum split: 90%. Both sell accounts with an end-of-day drawdown. DeepChartsOFF: neither lists it today. First payout: Lucid Trading publishes 5 days, Topstep does not state it. Instant funding: Lucid Trading. Data checked October 14, 2026.
Line by line,
the better side lit.
Like an imbalance on a footprint, the stronger side of each line is lit. No light: a tie, or a matter of taste.
Pick Topstep if
- you want the lower entry price: $49 per month.
Pick Lucid Trading if
- you want to ask for your first payout sooner: 5 days.
- you would rather skip the evaluation: it sells instant funding.
- you would rather pay once than every month.
- you already trade on ATAS, Bookmap, Jigsaw Daytradr, MotiveWave, NinjaTrader, R|Trader Pro, Sierra Chart, TradingView and Tradovate.
Every rule,
line by line.
| Topstep | Lucid Trading | |
|---|---|---|
| Price and accounts | ||
| Reference account | Trading Combine 50K | LucidFlex Evaluation 25K |
| Cheapest account | $49 per month | $65.30 one-time |
| Accounts sold | 6 | 21 |
| Profit target | $3,000 | $1,250 |
| Reset | $49 | $50 |
| Drawdown | ||
| Drawdown types | End of day | End of day, Trader's choice |
| Max drawdown | $2,000 | $1,000 |
| Daily loss limit | $1,000 | $600 |
| Payout | ||
| Split | 90 % | 90 % |
| First payout | Not stated | Not stated |
| Minimum days | 2 days | 5 days |
| Consistency rule | Not stated in evaluation, 55 % funded | 50 % in evaluation, Not stated funded |
| Payout threshold | $125 | $500 |
| First payout cap | $2,000 | Not stated |
| Scaling | Not stated | Not stated |
| Trading rules | ||
| News trading | Restricted | Allowed |
| Overnight | Forbidden | Forbidden |
| Platforms and payment | ||
| Platforms | Quantower | ATAS, Bookmap, Jigsaw Daytradr, MotiveWave, NinjaTrader, Quantower, R|Trader Pro, Sierra Chart, TradingView, Tradovate |
| Payment methods | Not stated | Card |
| The firm | ||
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2012 | Not stated |
| Data checked | October 14, 2026 | October 14, 2026 |
Reference account for each firm: the cheapest that pays a split. Every other account is on the firm page.
Questions traders ask
Is Topstep cheaper than Lucid Trading?
Topstep: cheapest account $49 per month (Trading Combine 50K). Lucid Trading: $65.30 one-time (LucidFlex Evaluation 25K). Cheaper to start: Topstep, $49 per month against $65.30 one-time.
Which pays more, Topstep or Lucid Trading?
Topstep pays up to 90%, Lucid Trading up to 90%. Same maximum split: 90%.
What is the drawdown difference between Topstep and Lucid Trading?
Topstep uses End of day; on its reference account the maximum drawdown is $2,000. Lucid Trading uses End of day and Trader's choice; maximum drawdown $1,000.
Can you use DeepCharts at Topstep or Lucid Trading?
DeepChartsOFF: neither lists it today. DeepCharts is licensed separately, with code OFF through fillprint's partner link.
Are there discount codes for Topstep and Lucid Trading?
Topstep: no affiliate program with fillprint. Lucid Trading: no affiliate program with fillprint.