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Beginner guide · Futures prop firms

Start with a plan, not a promotion.

A six-step path to understand the model, compare the rules, choose your account and define your risk before any purchase decision.

Start step 1 View the pre-purchase checklist
By Lucas Updated July 14, 2026 Structured six-step guide
6 steps From the business model to checkout verification.
3 account families Express to Live, Fundamental and Premium.
5 platforms Rithmic, DeepCharts and the Tradovate ecosystem.
July 14, 2026 Last review of the referenced Phidias information.
Starting point

Continue from the point that matches your situation.

There is no need to reread what you already understand. Identify your current blocker and go directly to the useful step.

01

I am new to prop firms.

Start by distinguishing the evaluation, the simulated CASH account, the LIVE transition and the role of the rules.

Understand the model
02

I am comparing several accounts.

First compare the drawdown, minimum trading days, overnight positions, payouts and platform.

Compare the criteria
03

I am almost ready to buy.

Use the final checklist to verify the rules, billing, price and effect of the code.

Check before payment
Full path

Six decisions before opening an evaluation.

The right account is not chosen on price alone. It must fit the way you trade and your ability to respect the limits.

Understanding

Understand what you are actually buying.

A futures prop firm provides access to a program governed by targets, limits and rules. At Phidias, the evaluation and CASH phases are simulated. Any subsequent LIVE transition depends on the relevant account family.

Evaluation You must follow the rules and reach the published target without breaching the drawdown.
CASH account A simulated environment subject to payout conditions and the rules of the selected account family.
LIVE transition A defined mechanism for Express to Live and a discretionary decision for Fundamental and Premium.
Your payment It pays for access to the program and the services described, not a promise of results.
Key point: A displayed account size is not an amount paid to you. The loss limits and rules determine the actual trading room available.
Read the beginner guide

Before comparing prices, make sure you understand the terms evaluation, CASH, drawdown and payout.

Comparison

Compare the rules before promotions.

A cheaper account may still be unsuitable if its drawdown, position restrictions or payout cycle do not match your trading.

  • Drawdown: Static or EOD trailing, including the amount and calculation method.
  • Timing: Minimum trading days, time between payouts and any consistency rule.
  • Positions: Maximum contracts, trading during news and holding positions overnight or over the weekend.
  • Billing: Monthly or one-time payment, activation fees and renewal terms.
  • Execution: Available platform, data feed and compatibility with your environment.
Good practice: Record these criteria in a table. A discount never removes a rule that is incompatible with your trading.
Open the comparator

Unconfirmed data must remain marked as “to be checked” rather than being turned into an estimate.

Account

Choose an account family that fits the way you trade.

Phidias 2.0 has three account families. Express to Live replaces the former Static label, Fundamental remains, and Premium replaces the former Swing label.

Data checked on July 14, 2026: Rules may change. Always reread the official version for the selected account family and size.
View the Phidias 2.0 guide

The choice depends in particular on the drawdown, permitted holding times and payout path.

Execution

Choose the platform before choosing the account.

The platform affects your data feed, execution habits, mobility and available tools. Phidias uses five main platform connections.

  • Rithmic
  • DeepCharts
  • Tradovate
  • NinjaTrader
  • TradingView via Tradovate
Desktop workflow Check compatibility with your charts, shortcuts, indicators and order-flow tools.
Multi-device use Check web, mobile and desktop access, together with the expected synchronization.
Data feed Identify the connection used and any separate fees or subscriptions.
Selected account Confirm that the account family and size are available on the chosen platform.
View the free tools

Do not change your environment the day before an evaluation. Test your execution and orders first.

Risk management

Turn the rules into personal limits.

The firm’s drawdown should not become your daily loss target. Set stricter internal limits aligned with your stop and the contract’s volatility.

  • Set a maximum loss per trade before entry.
  • Calculate position size from the stop, not the other way around.
  • Define a daily stop after a loss or a specified sequence.
  • Plan for macro announcements that may increase volatility on ES and NQ.
  • Journal the plan, execution and deviations so you can review them later.
Goal of this step: Know your risk before defining your profit target. No sizing tool replaces a clear personal rule.
Calculate a position size Read the risk management guide
Validation

Check the checkout and archive the rules.

Once your account family, size, platform and risk are defined, reread the official terms one last time before paying.

  • Check the exact account family name and selected size.
  • Check the final price, taxes, billing and any activation fees.
  • Enter the affiliate code LUCAS and verify its actual effect in the cart.
  • Reread the drawdown, minimum trading days, overnight rules, payouts and LIVE transition.
  • Save the version of the rules and order confirmation that apply to your purchase.
Commercial relationship: The Phidias link is an affiliate link. Lucas Prop Firm may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This relationship adds no guarantee.
Check Phidias with LUCAS Reread the official rules
Before payment

The checklist that prevents blind purchases.

If even one answer is missing, return to the official rule or checkout. Do not replace an unknown with an assumption.

  • Exact account family and size confirmed.
  • Drawdown type understood.
  • Minimum trading days identified.
  • Overnight and weekend rules checked.
  • Platform and data feed compatible.
  • Payout cycle and conditions reread.
  • Billing and activation checked.
  • Price, taxes and LUCAS code checked.
Free resources

Prepare your decision with practical tools.

Each resource answers a specific question. You can use them without being forced to register on first load.

Compare

Prop firm comparator

Prices, drawdowns, platforms and rules shown side by side, with unknowns kept visible.

Open the comparator
Calculate

Futures position size calculator

Estimate a position size from the stop, accepted risk and contract value.

Calculate the position
Understand

Prop firm calculator

Review an account’s targets and limits without turning them into a promise of performance.

Open the calculator
Prepare

Risk management guide

Structure your personal limits, sizing and daily stop protocol.

Read the guide

Lucas

Editor of Lucas Prop Firm · ES/NQ futures trader

I use Sierra Chart and publish resources for French-speaking traders who want to understand an offer before paying. I am affiliated with Phidias, and this relationship is disclosed in the relevant content.

My role is not to promise a result. It is to make the rules, limits and checkpoints easier to verify.

Learn more about Lucas Prop Firm
Publishing method

Dated information linked to its sources.

Commercial terms may change. This page separates verified rules, methodology guidance and information that must be checked at the time of payment.

Primary sourceOfficial pages take priority over commercial claims or external reviews.
Visible dateTime-sensitive data includes a verification date when relevant.
Unknown clearly markedUnconfirmed data remains marked for verification rather than being estimated.
Conflict disclosedThe LUCAS code and affiliate relationship are visible before Phidias links.
Frequently asked questions

Answers to verify before you start.

These answers summarize the path. The firm’s official rules and checkout remain the reference at the time of purchase.

Is a prop firm a broker?

No. A prop firm provides a program governed by its own rules. The broker or connection provider is involved in platform access and execution.

Are Phidias evaluation and CASH accounts simulated?

Yes. The evaluation and CASH phases are simulated. Any LIVE transition depends on the selected account family and the rules published by Phidias.

Which Phidias account family should a beginner choose?

There is no account family that suits everyone. The choice depends on the drawdown type, minimum trading days, overnight and weekend holding rules, payout cycle and platform.

What does the LUCAS code do?

LUCAS is Lucas Prop Firm’s affiliate code for Phidias. Because prices and promotions are dynamic, its actual effect must be checked in the official checkout before payment.

Can any method guarantee passing an evaluation?

No. A method can structure preparation and risk, but no result, payout or LIVE transition can be guaranteed.

Which platforms does Phidias use?

Phidias uses Rithmic, DeepCharts, Tradovate, NinjaTrader and TradingView execution through Tradovate. Compatibility and any associated costs must be checked before purchasing.

Final step

Decide only when the rules are clear.

Reread the account family, drawdown, platform, billing and checkout. LUCAS is an affiliate code, and its effect must be checked before payment.

Phidias affiliate code Check the Phidias checkout Affiliate link. Check the price, taxes, discount and terms in the official checkout. No profit, payout or LIVE transition is guaranteed.