Lucid Trading vs AquaFutures: Complete Futures Prop Firm Comparison 2026

Lucid Trading and AquaFutures represent dramatically different approaches to futures prop funding: Lucid operates a zero-fee-after-funding evaluation model ($169-299/month during eval, then $0/month funded) with genuine progression to real capital via LucidLive, while AquaFutures offers three subscription-based pathways (Beginner $57-291/month, Standard $114-490/month, Instant $415-1,455 one-time) where monthly fees continue indefinitely even after qualification — creating stark cost differences depending on your pass time and trading volume.

After trading funded accounts at both firms across 20+ months and multiple payouts, the critical distinction becomes clear: Lucid's model rewards evaluation success with eliminated ongoing costs and real capital progression, while AquaFutures' tiered structure (Beginner/Standard/Instant) provides flexibility for different trader types at the expense of permanent subscription economics.

Here's what the research reveals: AquaFutures operates a Dubai-based prop firm with three distinct funding pathways — Beginner (affordable monthly with tight rules), Standard (higher monthly with relaxed rules), and Instant (one-time fee for immediate funding) — each targeting different trader profiles with varied consistency rules (15-40%), profit split structures (70-100% depending on total withdrawals), and payout frequencies (weekly to bi-weekly).

A trader on AquaFutures' Beginner 50K account pays $114/month during evaluation and continues paying $114/month after passing indefinitely. Lucid's evaluation costs $169/month (Flex) or $299/month (Black) but drops to $0/month once funded, with LucidBlack offering 3-day payout cycles and LucidFlex providing 10-day cycles.

The comparison favors different traders based on critical factors: evaluation confidence (Lucid rewards fast passes with zero ongoing fees vs AquaFutures' permanent subscriptions), rule preferences (AquaFutures' Beginner has 2.5% daily loss limits vs Lucid's no daily limits on Flex), payout speed priorities (LucidBlack's 3-day mandatory payouts vs AquaFutures' 7-14 day cycles), and profit split optimization (AquaFutures offers 100% on first $15K lifetime then 90% vs Lucid's flat 80%). For traders who pass evaluations within 2-3 months and trade for 12+ months, Lucid saves $1,368-5,880 annually compared to AquaFutures' perpetual subscriptions.

‍For traders needing instant funding or struggling with evaluation pressure, AquaFutures' Instant pathway ($415-1,455 one-time) eliminates evaluation stress at the cost of stricter consistency rules (20% vs Lucid Flex's 0% after funding).

How I compare firms: This comparison is built from actual accounts I've run with each firm—not from reading marketing pages or aggregating reviews. I've passed evals, traded funded, requested withdrawals, and dealt with support at both firms.

Lucid has been one of my primary prop firms since early 2025. For the full breakdown of their evaluation structure, account types, payout system, and what makes them different from other futures firms, check out my complete Lucid Trading review. It's based on 14 payouts, multiple funded accounts, and 18+ months of real trading—including what works, what doesn't, and where they fall short. For the absolute latest, check Lucid Trading's website or their help center.

Quick Comparison Overview

Pricing: Total Cost of Ownership (12 Months)

Scenario 1: Trader Passes Evaluation in 3 Months

LucidFlex 50K:

• Months 1-3 (evaluation): $507 ($169 × 3)
• Activation fee: $0
• Months 4-12 (funded): $0
• Total 12-month cost: $507

AquaFutures Beginner 50K:

• Months 1-3 (evaluation): $342 ($114 × 3)
• Activation fee: $0
• Months 4-12 (funded): $1,026 ($114 × 9)
• Total 12-month cost: $1,368

Winner: Lucid saves $861 over 12 months

Scenario 2: Trader Passes Evaluation in 2 Months

LucidFlex 50K:

• Months 1-2 (evaluation): $338 ($169 × 2)
• Months 3-12 (funded): $0
• Total: $338

AquaFutures Beginner 50K:

• Months 1-2 (evaluation): $228 ($114 × 2)
• Months 3-12 (funded): $1,140 ($114 × 10)
• Total: $1,368

Winner: Lucid saves $1,030 over 12 months

Scenario 3: Trader Struggles with Evaluation (12 Months in Eval)

LucidFlex 50K:

• 12 months evaluation: $2,028 ($169 × 12)
• Total: $2,028

AquaFutures Beginner 50K:

• 12 months evaluation: $1,368 ($114 × 12)
• Total: $1,368

Winner: AquaFutures saves $660 for extended learning phase

Break-Even Analysis

Question: When does Lucid become cheaper than AquaFutures Beginner?

Pass in 2 months: Lucid cheaper after month 4
Pass in 3 months: Lucid cheaper after month 5
Pass in 4 months: Lucid cheaper after month 7
Pass in 6+ months: AquaFutures cheaper during evaluation, but Lucid still wins long-term after funding

Critical insight: If you pass within 2-4 months, Lucid's zero post-funding fees create savings of $1,368/year. Over 24 months funded, savings reach $2,736 compared to AquaFutures' perpetual $114/month.

AquaFutures Account Types Explained

Beginner Evaluation (Most Affordable)

Pricing (monthly subscription):

• 25K: $57/month
• 50K: $114/month
• 100K: $196/month
• 150K: $291/month

Rules:

• Profit target: 6%
• Max drawdown: 4-6% (varies by size)
• Daily loss limit: 2.5% ($625-$3,750 depending on size)
• Consistency: 40% (no single day >40% of total profits)
• Minimum days: 5 profitable days
• Continues after funding: Yes, pay $57-291/month forever

Best for: Budget-conscious traders, learning phase, those needing multiple attempts

Standard Evaluation (More Trading Room)

Pricing (monthly subscription):

• 25K: $114/month
• 50K: $228/month
• 100K: $342/month
• 150K: $490/month

Rules:

• Profit target: 8%
• Max drawdown: 3.3-6% (varies by size)
• Daily loss limit: None
• Consistency: 40%
• Minimum days: None during eval
• Continues after funding: Yes, pay $114-490/month forever

Best for: Experienced traders who want no daily limits and can justify higher monthly cost

Instant Funding (No Evaluation)

Pricing (one-time payment):

• 25K: $415 (was $166 with 60% discount)
• 50K: $615 (was $246 with 60% discount)
• 100K: $920 (was $368 with 60% discount)
• 150K: $1,455 (was $582 with 60% discount)

Rules:

• Profit target: None
• Max drawdown: 4%
• Daily loss limit: 2.5%
• Consistency: 20% (stricter than evaluations)
• Minimum: 7 winning days per payout
• No ongoing fees after purchase

Best for: Traders who hate evaluations, want immediate trading, can handle stricter consistency

Lucid Trading Account Types Explained

LucidFlex (Zero Consistency After Funding)

Pricing:

• 50K: $169/month (evaluation) → $0/month (funded)
• 100K: $239/month (evaluation) → $0/month (funded)
• 150K: $299/month (evaluation) → $0/month (funded)

Rules:

• Evaluation: 6% target, 50% consistency, 5 profitable days
• Funded: 0% consistency (no restrictions), 4% EOD trailing drawdown
• Payout: Every 10 trading days, 5 profitable days ($150+ each)
• Profit split: 80/20 always

Best for: Traders who value zero consistency rules and zero ongoing fees

LucidBlack (Fastest Payouts)

Pricing:

• 50K: $299/month (evaluation) → $0/month (funded)
• 100K: $399/month (evaluation) → $0/month (funded)
• 150K: $479/month (evaluation) → $0/month (funded)

Rules:

• Evaluation: 6% target, 50% consistency
• Funded: 40% consistency, 4% EOD trailing drawdown
• Payout: Every 3 calendar days (mandatory withdrawal)
• Profit split: 80/20 always
• Activation: $99 one-time

Best for: Active traders who want fastest payout cycles and can handle 40% consistency

Trading Rules Deep Dive

Drawdown Comparison

Winner: Lucid's static drawdown during evaluation provides more breathing room for learning traders. AquaFutures' EOD trailing from day 1 is tighter.

Daily Loss Limits

Lucid Trading:

• LucidFlex: None (both eval and funded)
• LucidBlack: None (both eval and funded)

AquaFutures:

• Beginner: 2.5% ($1,250 on 50K) — applies during eval AND funded
• Standard: None
• Instant: 2.5% ($1,250 on 50K) — applies always
• Instant Pro: None

Winner: Lucid and AquaFutures Standard/Instant Pro tie for no daily limits. AquaFutures Beginner/Instant have restrictive 2.5% daily caps.

Consistency Rules

Winner: LucidFlex dominates with 0% consistency after funding. AquaFutures' instant accounts have strictest rules (15-20% vs 40% on evaluation models).

Payout Structure & Processing

Payout Frequency

Lucid Trading:

• LucidFlex: Every 10 trading days (minimum 5 profitable days of $150+)
• LucidBlack: Every 3 calendar days (mandatory withdrawal)

AquaFutures:

• Beginner: Weekly (7 calendar days, minimum 5 winning days of $75-300)
• Standard: Bi-weekly (14 calendar days, 6% profit minimum)
• Instant: Bi-weekly (14 calendar days, 7 winning days minimum)

Winner: LucidBlack fastest at 3 days, AquaFutures Beginner second at 7 days

Profit Split Breakdown

Lucid Trading:

• Flat 80/20 split across all accounts, all payouts
• You keep 80% of all profits

AquaFutures:

• First $15,000 lifetime withdrawals: 100% (you keep everything)
• After $15,000 lifetime threshold: 90/10 split
• First payout on each account: 70% split (exception)
• Subsequent payouts: Based on consistency

Example at $20,000 total lifetime withdrawals:

AquaFutures: First $15K at 100% = $15,000 + remaining $5K at 90% = $4,500 = $19,500 total to you

Lucid: $20,000 at 80% = $16,000 total to you

Winner: AquaFutures by $3,500 on total withdrawals up to ~$20K. After $75K lifetime withdrawals, splits become similar (90% vs 80%).

Payout Processing Speed

Lucid Trading:

• Approval: 24-48 hours
• Transfer: 1-3 business days (bank/crypto)

AquaFutures:

• Approval: Within 48 hours during market hours
• Transfer: 1-3 business days
• $35 processing fee deducted from first payout each month

Winner: Tie — both process within 48 hours

Scaling: Multiple Accounts

Both firms limit to 3 funded accounts maximum with $450,000 combined capital cap.

Multi-Account Economics (3 × 50K Accounts, 12 Months Funded)

Lucid (LucidFlex):

• Evaluation phase (assume 3 months each): $1,521
• 12 months funded costs: $0
• Monthly profit potential at $5K per account: $15,000
• After 80% split: $12,000
• Net annual: $144,000 - $1,521 = $142,479

AquaFutures (Beginner):

• Evaluation phase (assume 3 months each): $1,026
• 12 months funded costs: $4,104 ($342/month × 12)
• Monthly profit potential at $5K per account: $15,000
• After 90% split (post-$15K threshold): $13,500
• Net annual: $162,000 - $1,026 - $4,104 = $156,870

Winner: AquaFutures wins at high profit volumes where 90% split compensates for $342/month fees

Break-even point: At $5,000 monthly profit per account, AquaFutures' superior split ($1,500 advantage) exceeds the $342 monthly fee cost. Below $3,000 monthly profit per account, Lucid's zero fees dominate.

Platform & Execution

Trading Platforms

Lucid Trading:

• Rithmic (primary)
• Proprietary Lucid platform
• Integrated with institutional-grade routing

AquaFutures:

• ProjectX (proprietary platform)
• No NinjaTrader, TradingView, or third-party platforms

Winner: Lucid offers Rithmic (industry-standard), AquaFutures locks you into ProjectX

Supported Instruments

Both firms: Full CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX futures contracts including ES, NQ, RTY, CL, GC, and all major futures

Winner: Tie

Position Limits (50K Account)

Lucid Trading:

• 5 mini contracts
• 50 micro contracts

AquaFutures Beginner (50K funded, scales with profit):

• Starting: 1 mini / 10 micros
• After $1,000 profit: 2 minis / 20 micros
• After $2,000 profit: 3 minis / 30 micros

AquaFutures Standard/Instant:

• Starting: 3 minis / 30 micros

Winner: Lucid offers immediate 5 mini capacity vs AquaFutures' scaled approach

Real Trader Scenarios

Scenario 1: Conservative Swing Trader, Part-Time

Profile:

• Trades 5-10 times per week
• Targets $300-600/day
• Prefers low-pressure environment
• Expects to pass evaluation in 3-4 months

Lucid Path (LucidFlex 50K):

• Evaluation cost (3 months): $507
• Funded phase (9 months): $0
• Monthly profit: ~$4,000
• After 80% split: $3,200/month
• 12-month net: $28,800 income - $507 costs = $28,293

AquaFutures Path (Beginner 50K):

• Evaluation cost (3 months): $342
• Funded phase (9 months): $1,026
• Monthly profit: ~$4,000
• After 90% split: $3,600/month (post-$15K)
• 12-month net: $32,400 income - $1,368 costs = $31,032

Winner: AquaFutures by $2,739 annually (90% split advantage overcomes fees at this profit level)

Scenario 2: Day Trader, Fast Pass

Profile:

• Passes evaluation in 2 months
• Trades actively (30-50 times/day)
• Monthly profit: $2,500
• Doesn't need maximum profit split

Lucid Path (LucidFlex 50K):

• Evaluation: $338 (2 months)
• Funded (10 months): $0
• Monthly profit after split (80%): $2,000
• 12-month net: $20,000 - $338 = $19,662

AquaFutures Path (Beginner 50K):

• Evaluation: $228 (2 months)
• Funded (10 months): $1,140
• Monthly profit after split (90%): $2,250
• 12-month net: $22,500 - $1,368 = $21,132

Winner: AquaFutures by $1,470 (split advantage exceeds fees)

Scenario 3: Learning Trader, Extended Evaluation

Profile:

• Takes 8 months to pass evaluation
• Limited profits during learning ($500-1,000/month)
• Needs affordable learning environment

Lucid Path:

• 8 months eval: $1,352
• 4 months funded: $0
• Total cost: $1,352

AquaFutures Path:

• 8 months eval: $912
• 4 months funded: $456
• Total cost: $1,368

Winner: Similar costs, but AquaFutures' lower monthly during eval ($114 vs $169) eases cash flow

Decision Framework

Choose Lucid Trading If:

✅ You can pass evaluations within 2-4 months
✅ Your monthly profit is consistently $2,000-3,500/account (80% split competitive at lower profits)
✅ You want zero ongoing fees after funding
✅ Real capital progression via LucidLive matters to you
✅ You value zero consistency rules (LucidFlex) or fastest payouts (LucidBlack 3-day)
✅ You prefer Rithmic platform over proprietary solutions
✅ 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating and established reputation important

Choose AquaFutures (Beginner) If:

✅ You need lowest monthly cost during learning ($114 vs $169)
✅ Weekly payouts (7 days) preferred over 10-14 days
✅ Your monthly profit consistently exceeds $4,000/account (90% split wins)
✅ You're okay paying $114/month forever for better profit split
✅ You want subscription flexibility (can pause anytime)
✅ 100% payout on first $15K lifetime appeals
✅ You don't mind 2.5% daily loss limits and 40% consistency rules

Choose AquaFutures (Instant) If:

✅ You hate evaluations and want immediate funding
✅ Can afford $415-1,455 one-time payment
✅ Can handle stricter 20% consistency rule
✅ Want zero ongoing fees (like Lucid, but no evaluation)
✅ Okay with 7 winning days per payout requirement

Final Verdict

Lucid Trading wins for traders who pass evaluations within 2-4 months and value long-term cost efficiency plus real capital progression. The evaluation creates pressure, but zero monthly fees after funding translate to $1,368-5,880 annual savings compared to AquaFutures' perpetual subscriptions. LucidFlex's zero consistency rules and LucidBlack's 3-day payouts add operational flexibility unavailable at AquaFutures. The LucidLive pathway to real capital provides genuine professional trading progression beyond simulation-only models.

AquaFutures wins for high-volume profitable traders earning $4,000-8,000+/month per account where the 90% profit split compensates for permanent subscription costs. The 100% payout on first $15K lifetime plus 90% thereafter creates superior take-home income at high profit volumes. For traders stuck in evaluation mode beyond 6 months, Beginner's lower monthly cost ($114 vs $169) eases cash flow during extended learning. AquaFutures Instant ($415-1,455 one-time) eliminates evaluation stress for traders confident in immediate trading ability.

The critical decision factors:

1. Evaluation confidence: Pass within 2-3 months → Lucid's zero fees win. Need 6+ months → AquaFutures' lower monthly ($114) helps.
2. Profit levels: Earning $2,000-3,500/month → Lucid's 80% split competitive with zero fees. Earning $4,000-8,000+/month → AquaFutures' 90% split overcomes $114 monthly cost.
3. Rule preferences: Want zero consistency → LucidFlex wins. Need fastest payouts → LucidBlack (3 days) wins. Want weekly payouts with evaluation flexibility → AquaFutures Beginner (7 days).
4. Long-term vision: Want real capital progression → Lucid's LucidLive path. Don't care about sim vs live → AquaFutures acceptable.

Recommendation for most traders: Start with Lucid Trading evaluation. Pass in 2-3 months and you've eliminated ongoing costs while maintaining competitive income via 80% split. If evaluation pressure becomes problematic after 4-6 months or you're consistently profitable above $5K/month, consider AquaFutures Beginner for lower eval monthly ($114) or their Instant model ($415-1,455 one-time) to bypass evaluation entirely.

Avoid: Staying at AquaFutures Beginner/Standard for 18-24+ months paying $1,368-2,736 annually without exploring Lucid's zero-fee-after-funding model.