Prop Firm Comparison

2026 Prop Firm $25k Account Showdown: Tradeify vs Lucid vs MFF vs TPT

Updated April 1, 2026 45 min read

"Every rule. Every fee. Every catch. This is the definitive, no-spin breakdown of $25,000 prop firm accounts from Tradeify, Lucid Trading, My Funded Futures, and Take Profit Trader—sourced directly from each firm's official help center and pricing pages as of April 2026."

The $25,000 account is the most popular entry point in the prop firm world. It's affordable, usually under $100 for an evaluation, and promises a path to real payouts. But the rules governing each firm's evaluation and funded stages are wildly different—and those differences determine whether you'll ever see a dollar. If you're considering a larger account, see our breakdowns for $50K accounts, $100K accounts, and $150K accounts.

This guide breaks down every single parameter: evaluation rules, funded account rules, drawdown mechanics, payout structures, consistency requirements, contract limits, and the hidden catches that most comparison articles skip.

Quick Comparison Table: $25k Accounts

All data sourced from each firm's official help center and pricing pages. Prices shown are base/full price. Coupon codes may reduce costs further.

Feature Tradeify (Select) Lucid (LucidPro) MFF (Flex) MFF (Rapid) TPT
Eval Cost$65 one-time$135 one-time$84/month$87/month$150/month
Reset Fee$75$90Included in subIncluded in subIncluded in sub
Activation FeeNoneNoneNoneNone$130 one-time
Profit Target$1,500$1,250$1,500$1,500$1,500
Max Drawdown (Eval)$1,000 EOD$1,000 EOD$1,000 EOD$1,000 EOD$1,500 EOD
Daily Loss Limit (Eval)NoneNoneNoneNoneNone
Consistency (Eval)40%None50%50%50%
Min Days to Pass3 days1 day2 days2 days5 days
Max Contracts (Eval)1 mini / 10 micro2 mini / 20 micro3 mini / 30 micro3 mini / 30 micro3 mini / 30 micro
Funded Account Rules
Drawdown (Funded)$1,000 EOD$1,000 EOD$1,000 EOD$1,000 Intraday$1,500 Intraday
Drawdown LockLocks at $25,100Locks at $25,100Locks at $100 after 1st payoutLocks at $100Locks at $25,000
Daily Loss Limit (Funded)None (Flex) / $500 (Daily)NoneNoneNoneNone
Consistency (Funded)None40%NoneNoneNone
Profit Split90 / 1090 / 1080 / 2090 / 1080 / 20
Payout FrequencyEvery 5 winning days (Flex) / DailyAnytime (criteria met)Every 5 winning daysDailyDaily (above buffer)
Max Payout/Cycle$1,250 (Flex) / $600 (Daily)$1,000 (1st) / $1,500 (2nd+)$3,000 (50% of profits)No cap listedNo cap
Buffer RequirementNone (Flex) / $1,100 (Daily)$1,100 ($26,100 balance)None$1,100$1,500
News Trading (Funded)Yes (T1)Not restrictedYes (T1)No T1 newsNo (FOMC, NFP, CPI)
Max Funded Accounts5Not specified5 (25k/50k plans)5 (25k/50k plans)5
Path to Live3+ payouts on 1 acct6 payouts → LucidLive5 payouts or $100k sim capVia Rapid Live transitionPRO+ upgrade (EOD, 90/10)

Evaluation Rules: The Full Breakdown

The evaluation is the gateway. Each firm has different hurdles, and understanding these saves you from wasting money on an account that doesn't fit your style.

Eval Parameter Tradeify (Select) Lucid (LucidPro) MFF (Flex & Rapid) TPT
Eval Price$65 one-time$135 one-time ($94.50 w/ coupon)Flex $84/mo · Rapid $87/mo$150/month
Reset Fee$75 (up to 10 resets per 30 days)$90Included in subscriptionIncluded in subscription
Billing TypeOne-time purchaseOne-time purchaseMonthly subscriptionMonthly subscription
Profit Target$1,500$1,250$1,500$1,500
Max Drawdown$1,000 (EOD trailing)$1,000 (EOD trailing)$1,000 (EOD trailing)$1,500 (EOD trailing)
Daily Loss LimitNoneNoneNoneNone
Consistency Rule40% (no single day > 40% of total)None50% (no single day > 50% of total)50% (no single day > 50% of total)
Minimum Trading Days3 days1 day (can pass same day)2 days5 days
Max Contracts1 mini / 10 micro2 mini / 20 micro3 mini / 30 micro3 mini / 30 micro
News TradingT1 news allowedNot restrictedT1 news allowedNot restricted in test
Activation Fee$0$0$0$130 one-time

Key Takeaway: Evaluation Phase

Lucid LucidPro is the only firm that lets you pass in a single day with no consistency rule, making it the fastest to pass. MFF requires just 2 days. Tradeify needs 3 days due to the 40% rule. TPT is the strictest at 5 days with a 50% consistency requirement, but offers the most generous drawdown at $1,500. Every firm uses EOD drawdown in evaluation—no intraday traps during the test phase.

Funded Account Rules: Where It Really Matters

Passing the eval is the easy part. The funded stage is where firms make their money back—through tighter rules, drawdown resets, and payout limitations. Here's exactly what changes when you go funded.

Funded Parameter Tradeify (Select Flex) Lucid (LucidPro) MFF (Flex) MFF (Rapid) TPT (PRO)
Starting Balance$25,000$25,000$0 (build from zero)$0 (build from zero)$25,000
Max Drawdown$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,500
Drawdown TypeEOD trailingEOD trailingEOD trailingIntraday trailingIntraday trailing
Drawdown Locks At$25,100 (permanent floor)$25,100 (permanent floor)$100 (after 1st payout)$100 (once trail reaches it)$25,000 (starting balance)
Daily Loss LimitNoneNoneNoneNoneNone
Consistency RuleNone40% per payout cycleNoneNoneNone
Scaling PlanYes: Start 1/10 → scale to 2/20No: Full 2/20 immediatelyYes: $0–$749 = 1/10, $750–$999 = 2/20, $1k+ = 3/30No: Full 3/30 immediatelyNo: Full 3/30 immediately
News TradingT1 allowedNot restrictedT1 allowedNo T1 newsNo (FOMC, NFP, CPI restricted)
Inactivity RuleNot specifiedNot specified7 calendar days7 calendar days1 trade per calendar week
Monthly Fee$0$0$0$0$0

Payout Structure & Caps

This is where the rubber meets the road. Passing is meaningless if the payout structure prevents you from extracting profits.

Payout Parameter Tradeify (Flex) Tradeify (Daily) Lucid MFF Flex MFF Rapid TPT
Profit Split90/1090/1090/1080/2090/1080/20
Payout FrequencyEvery 5 winning daysDailyAnytime (all criteria met)Every 5 winning days ($100 each)Daily (24hrs after first trade)Day 1 (above buffer)
Winning Day Threshold$100 per dayN/AN/A (min profit goal: $250/cycle)$100 per dayN/AN/A
Buffer RequirementNone$1,100$1,100 (bal. must exceed $26,100)None$1,100$1,500 (bal. must exceed $26,500)
Max Per Payout (1st)$1,250 (50% of profit)$600 (2× profit, capped)$1,000$3,000 (50% of profit)$500 min / no cap listedNo max cap
Max Per Payout (2nd+)$1,250$600$1,500$3,000No cap listedNo max cap
Min Payout AmountN/A$250$500$250$500None listed
Net Profit Between PayoutsMust be net positiveMust be net positive$250 minimum$250 minimumMust meet bufferMust be above buffer

Drawdown Mechanics: The Most Important Detail

The drawdown type is the single most important rule in prop trading. It determines how quickly you can blow an account and how much "breathing room" you have during a trade. Here's exactly how each firm handles it.

EOD Trailing Drawdown

Used by: Tradeify (eval + funded), Lucid (eval + funded), MFF Flex (eval + funded), MFF Rapid (eval only), TPT (eval only)

Your drawdown is calculated only at the end of each trading session based on your closing balance. If you're up $800 intraday but close flat, your drawdown limit doesn't move. This gives traders room to manage intraday volatility without the trailing mechanism eating into their cushion on unrealized gains.

Intraday Trailing Drawdown

Used by: MFF Rapid (funded), TPT PRO (funded)

Your drawdown trails your peak equity in real-time, including unrealized gains. If your account peaks at +$800 unrealized and then you close at +$200, your drawdown has already moved up $800. This is significantly harder to manage and requires rigid execution discipline. One large unrealized winner that retraces can dramatically reduce your remaining drawdown cushion.

Critical Detail: When Drawdown Locks

  • Tradeify: Drawdown locks at $25,100 once your EOD balance exceeds $26,100 (Flex) or $26,100 (Daily). It becomes a permanent floor and never moves again.
  • Lucid: Same mechanic—locks at $25,100 once your highest closing balance exceeds $26,100.
  • MFF Flex: After your first payout, the Max Loss Limit resets to a static $100. Your account is terminated if balance drops below $100. This is the harshest lock in the industry.
  • MFF Rapid: The intraday trailing drawdown locks at $100 once it reaches that level. Same $100 danger zone as Flex.
  • TPT: The drawdown trails until it reaches your starting balance ($25,000), then it stops and becomes a permanent floor. Relatively generous compared to MFF's $100 lock.

Tradeify (Select Plan): The Budget-Friendly All-Rounder

Tradeify has quickly become one of the most popular choices in 2026 thanks to transparent rules, no activation fees, and the lowest evaluation cost in this comparison.

Evaluation Rules (Select $25K)

  • Cost: $65 one-time payment (no monthly subscription)
  • Reset Fee: $75 (up to 10 resets per 30-day period)
  • Profit Target: $1,500
  • Max Drawdown: $1,000 (End of Day trailing)
  • Daily Loss Limit: None
  • Consistency Rule: 40% — no single trading day can represent more than 40% of your total profit
  • Minimum Trading Days: 3 (due to 40% consistency rule)
  • Max Contracts: 1 mini / 10 micro
  • Activation Fee: $0
  • News Trading: T1 news events allowed

Funded Rules: Two Payout Policies

After passing, you must choose between Select Flex (5-Day) or Select Daily. This choice is permanent for that account.

Select Flex (5-Day Payouts)

  • Max Drawdown: $1,000 (EOD)
  • Daily Loss Limit: None
  • Consistency Rule: None
  • Buffer: None
  • Starting Contracts: 1 mini / 10 micro
  • Max Contracts (scaled): 2 mini / 20 micro
  • Scaling Trigger: $1,500 equity → 2/20
  • Payout: Every 5 winning days ($100 min/day)
  • Max Payout/Cycle: $1,250 (50% of total profit)
  • Profit Split: 90/10
  • Drawdown Locks at: $25,100

Select Daily Payouts

  • Max Drawdown: $1,000 (EOD)
  • Daily Loss Limit: $500
  • Consistency Rule: None
  • Buffer: $1,100
  • Starting Contracts: 1 mini / 10 micro
  • Max Contracts (scaled): 2 mini / 20 micro
  • Daily Payout Cap: $600 (2× daily profit, capped)
  • Min Payout: $250
  • Profit Split: 90/10
  • Drawdown Locks at: $25,100

Path to Live: After 3 successful payouts on a single account (or 10 total payouts across all accounts), you become eligible for Tradeify Elite Live consideration. This is not automatic—Tradeify evaluates traders holistically based on consistency and risk management.

Lucid Trading (LucidPro): The Consistency Specialist

Lucid is known for its clean rule structure and the clearest path to a live brokerage account. The LucidPro plan is a one-time purchase with no monthly fees.

Evaluation Rules (LucidPro $25K)

  • Cost: $135 one-time ($94.50 with coupon code)
  • Reset Fee: $90
  • Profit Target: $1,250
  • Max Loss Limit: $1,000 (End of Day trailing)
  • Daily Loss Limit: None (25K accounts have no DLL)
  • Consistency Rule: None in evaluation
  • Minimum Trading Days: 1 (can pass same day)
  • Max Contracts: 2 mini / 20 micro
  • Activation Fee: $0 (real-time activation within 5–30 minutes)

Funded Account Rules (LucidPro $25K)

  • Max Loss Limit: $1,000 (EOD trailing)
  • Daily Loss Limit: None
  • Max Contracts: 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling plan, full access immediately)
  • Consistency Rule: 40% — your largest single-day profit must be no more than 40% of your total profit during each payout cycle
  • Drawdown Lock: Once your highest closing balance exceeds $26,100, the MLL locks permanently at $25,100

Payout Structure (LucidPro $25K)

  • Profit Split: 90% to trader / 10% to Lucid
  • Minimum Profit Goal Per Cycle: $250
  • Buffer Balance: $26,100 (you cannot take payouts from the buffer)
  • Max Payout (1st cycle): $1,000
  • Max Payout (2nd+ cycle): $1,500
  • Min Payout Request: $500
  • Payout Window: No fixed window—request anytime after meeting all criteria
  • Processing Time: Within 2 business days
  • No payout caps on simulated profits: The limits above are per-cycle, not lifetime

Path to Live: After 6 successful payouts, traders transition to LucidLive, which provides a real live brokerage account with custom risk settings and daily withdrawals.

My Funded Futures: Two $25K Plans (Flex & Rapid)

MFF offers two distinct $25K plans with very different funded-stage mechanics. The Flex plan is the budget option; the Rapid plan offers daily payouts with a higher split but intraday drawdown. Both share the same evaluation rules.

Evaluation Rules (Both Plans $25K)

  • Cost: Flex $84/month · Rapid $87/month
  • Profit Target: $1,500
  • Max Loss Limit: $1,000 (End of Day trailing)
  • Daily Loss Limit: None
  • Consistency Rule: 50% (evaluation only — removed upon funded)
  • Minimum Trading Days: 2
  • Max Contracts: 3 mini / 30 micro
  • Activation Fee: $0
  • News Trading: T1 news allowed in evaluation
  • Max Loss Lock: Once trailing max loss reaches $25,100, it locks there for the remainder of the evaluation

MFF Flex $25K — Funded Rules

ParameterValue
Initial Balance$0 (build from zero)
Max Loss Limit$1,000 (EOD trailing)
After 1st Payout MLLResets to $100 (static, never moves)
Daily Loss LimitNone
Consistency RuleNone
Buffer RequirementNone
Scaling Plan$0–$749: 1 mini/10 micro · $750–$999: 2 mini/20 micro · $1,000+: 3 mini/30 micro
Payout Qualification5 winning days of $100+ each
Max Per Payout50% of net profits, up to $3,000
Min Payout$250
Min Net Profit Between Payouts$250
Profit Split80/20
News TradingT1 allowed
Inactivity Rule7 calendar days

The $100 Drawdown Trap (Flex & Rapid)

This is the single biggest catch in the MFF model. After your first payout on the Flex plan, your Max Loss Limit resets to a static $100. On the Rapid plan, the intraday trailing drawdown eventually locks at $100 as well. This means if your account balance drops below $100, the account is terminated. After taking any significant profit, you are essentially trading on a razor's edge. One bad trade or a small losing streak will end the account. Plan your payout strategy accordingly—don't drain all withdrawable profit and leave yourself with no cushion.

MFF Rapid $25K — Funded Rules

ParameterValue
Initial Balance$0 (build from zero)
Max Loss Distance$1,000 from equity high-water mark
Drawdown TypeIntraday trailing (trails unrealized P&L)
Drawdown LockLocks at $100 (static once reached)
Daily Loss LimitNone
Consistency RuleNone
Max Contracts3 mini / 30 micro (no scaling)
Buffer Requirement$1,100
Payout FrequencyDaily (24hrs after first trade)
Min Payout$500
Profit Split90/10
News TradingNo T1 news (restricted)
Inactivity Rule7 calendar days

Path to Live (Both MFF Plans): After 5 consecutive payouts on the same account, or reaching the $100K total sim cap, traders are eligible for a live account transition. Live accounts start with $1,000 balance, $156 minimum balance, EOD drawdown, and max 2 mini / 20 micro contracts. A 21-day cooldown applies after any live account breach.

Take Profit Trader: The Day-One Withdrawal Model

TPT is a subscription-based model with the most generous drawdown in evaluation ($1,500) and no payout caps in the PRO stage. The trade-off is a $1,500 buffer requirement and the highest total upfront cost.

Evaluation Rules (Test $25K)

  • Cost: $150/month (subscription)
  • Profit Target: $1,500
  • Max Trailing Drawdown: $1,500 (End of Day)
  • Daily Loss Limit: None
  • Consistency Rule: 50% — no single trading day may exceed 50% of total net profits
  • Minimum Trading Days: 5
  • Max Contracts: 3 contracts / 30 micros
  • Activation Fee: $130 one-time to activate PRO account
  • No scaling plan in test or PRO

PRO Account Rules (Funded $25K)

  • Drawdown: $1,500 — Intraday trailing (trails peak equity including unrealized gains)
  • Drawdown Lock: Stops trailing once minimum balance reaches $25,000 (your starting balance). It then becomes a permanent floor.
  • Daily Loss Limit: None
  • Consistency Rule: None in PRO
  • Buffer Requirement: $1,500 — you must build $1,500 above your starting balance before you can withdraw anything
  • Profit Split: 80/20
  • Max Withdrawal: No cap — withdraw any amount above the buffer
  • Payout Timing: Day-one eligible (above buffer)
  • Monthly Fee: $0 (no recurring costs on PRO)
  • Max PRO Accounts: 5
  • PRO Account Resets: Up to 3 resets available
  • Weekly Activity: Must trade at least 1 day per calendar week
  • No Trading Bots/Algos: All trades must be manual
  • No Counter Positions: No hedging within the same product
  • News Restrictions: Must be flat 1 minute before/during/after FOMC, NFP, and CPI releases. Crude Oil Inventories restricted for CL, Bond Auctions restricted for ZN/ZB.

PRO+ Upgrade

After proving yourself in PRO, traders can upgrade to PRO+, which is a live market account with significant improvements:

  • Drawdown Type: End of Day (no more intraday trailing)
  • Profit Split: 90/10
  • Buffer Requirement: None
  • Daily Loss Rule: None
  • Consistency Rule: None
  • Commissions: Broker rates (reduced from $5/$0.50 RT)

Hidden Catches & Warnings

MFF: The $100 Max Loss After First Payout

On both MFF Flex and Rapid plans, your drawdown eventually locks at $100. On Flex, this happens explicitly after the first payout. On Rapid, the intraday trailing drawdown naturally moves up until it locks at $100. Either way, once you've taken profits, your account can be terminated by a loss of just $100. This is the most aggressive drawdown reset in the industry and should be your primary consideration when choosing MFF.

TPT: Intraday Trailing on PRO & $130 Activation Fee

While TPT's evaluation uses EOD drawdown, the PRO account switches to intraday trailing. This is a significant change that catches many traders off guard. Your drawdown now follows your unrealized P&L in real-time. Additionally, TPT is the only firm in this comparison that charges an activation fee ($130). When combined with the $150/month eval subscription, TPT has the highest upfront cost to reach funded.

Tradeify: Scaling Plan Reduces Starting Contracts

During the Tradeify Select evaluation, you have access to the full contract limit (1 mini / 10 micro for 25K). But once funded, you start at 1 mini / 10 micro and must scale up to 2/20. This means your funded account starts with fewer contracts than you may be used to. Plan your position sizing accordingly.

MFF: $0 Starting Balance on Funded Accounts

Both MFF Flex and Rapid funded accounts start at $0, not $25,000. Your account can go into negative balance until the Max Loss Limit trails up to $0 or above. This is fundamentally different from Tradeify, Lucid, and TPT where your funded balance starts at $25,000.

Lucid: 40% Consistency Applies to Every Payout Cycle

Lucid is the only firm that enforces a consistency rule on funded accounts. Your largest single-day profit must not exceed 40% of your total profits during each payout cycle. The percentage resets after each payout. This rewards steady, smaller daily gains over large single-day wins. See our payout cycle and multi-account rotation guide for strategies to work within these constraints.

Which Firm Is Best For You?

Best Overall Value

Tradeify Select (Flex) — $65 one-time with no activation fee, 90/10 split, EOD drawdown on funded, no buffer (Flex option), and a clean path to live trading. The 40% eval consistency rule forces at least 3 days, but that's a feature, not a bug.

Fastest to Pass

Lucid LucidPro — The only firm that lets you pass in a single day with no consistency rule. At $135 (or ~$95 with coupon), it's more expensive than Tradeify but the lowest profit target ($1,250) and 1-day pass make it the speed king.

Best for Daily Cash Flow

MFF Rapid — Daily payouts with a 90/10 split. But the intraday trailing drawdown and $100 lock make this a high-risk, high-reward play. Best for disciplined traders who can extract profits quickly and manage the razor-thin margins.

Best for Uncapped Payouts

Take Profit Trader — No payout caps, day-one withdrawals, and a generous $1,500 drawdown. The trade-offs are the highest cost ($150/mo + $130 activation), intraday trailing on PRO, and news restrictions. Best for experienced traders who want maximum freedom once funded.

Best for Consistency-Focused Traders

Lucid LucidPro — The 40% funded consistency rule and structured payout caps ($1,000 first, $1,500 after) reward steady, disciplined trading. If you're already a consistent trader, Lucid's rules won't bother you and the 90/10 split with a clear live account path is compelling.

Best Budget Option

Tradeify Select ($65) or MFF Flex ($84/mo) — Tradeify wins on pure cost since it's one-time. MFF Flex offers more contracts (3 mini vs 1 mini) and 2-day pass, but the $100 post-payout MLL reset is a major risk. Choose based on your risk tolerance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which $25k prop firm has the cheapest evaluation?

Tradeify Select at $65 one-time. No monthly subscription, no activation fee. MFF Flex is $84/month, Lucid LucidPro is $135 one-time, and TPT is $150/month plus a $130 activation fee.

Which firm pays out the fastest?

MFF Rapid and Tradeify Select Daily both offer daily payout eligibility. Take Profit Trader also allows day-one withdrawals from PRO accounts once the $1,500 buffer is met. Lucid has no fixed payout window—you can request anytime after meeting criteria.

Which $25k account has the highest profit split?

Lucid LucidPro, Tradeify Select, and MFF Rapid all offer 90/10. MFF Flex and TPT PRO are 80/20. TPT PRO+ upgrades to 90/10.

What is the MFF $100 drawdown trap?

On MFF Flex, after your first payout the Max Loss Limit resets to a static $100. On MFF Rapid, the intraday trailing drawdown eventually locks at $100 as your equity grows. In both cases, dropping below $100 in account balance terminates the account—making long-term survival extremely difficult after taking profits.

Do any firms have no consistency rule on funded accounts?

Yes. Tradeify Select (both Flex and Daily), MFF Flex, MFF Rapid, and TPT PRO all have no consistency rule on funded accounts. Lucid LucidPro is the only firm with a 40% consistency rule that applies during each funded payout cycle.

Which firm is best for beginners?

Tradeify Select is the most beginner-friendly option. It has the lowest cost ($65), no activation fee, EOD drawdown in both eval and funded stages, no daily loss limit during eval, and the 3-day minimum encourages discipline over gambling. The Flex funded option also has no buffer requirement. For a step-by-step strategy to pass your first evaluation, see our Prop Firm Challenge Playbook.

Can I trade during news events?

It depends on the firm and stage. Tradeify and MFF Flex allow T1 news trading. Lucid has no restrictions. MFF Rapid prohibits T1 news on funded accounts. TPT requires you to be completely flat 1 minute before, during, and 1 minute after FOMC, NFP, and CPI releases, with additional restrictions for specific instruments (Crude Oil Inventories for CL, Bond Auctions for ZN/ZB). Read our News Event Survival Guide for detailed strategies around news releases.

Which firm has the most generous drawdown?

Take Profit Trader offers the largest drawdown at $1,500 for $25K accounts (both eval and PRO). All other firms offer $1,000. However, TPT's PRO drawdown is intraday trailing (the strictest type), while Tradeify and Lucid maintain EOD drawdown even on funded accounts.

Sources & Disclaimer

All data in this article was compiled from each firm's official help center, knowledge base, and pricing pages as of April 2026. Rules, pricing, and policies change frequently. Always verify current rules directly with each firm before purchasing. Links: Tradeify Help · Lucid Help · MFF Help · TPT Help

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Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Lead Quantitative Developer • Nexus Indicator

Marcus specializes in developing high-precision tools for NinjaTrader 8. He has helped thousands of prop firm traders professionalize their execution workflows through technical discipline.