Alpha Capital vs FTMO: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Published: Β· Last updated:
By JoinProp
FTMO product scope: FTMO runs two product lines. The rules and reward terms discussed on this page are its CFD 1-Step and 2-Step programs, while the pricing table also lists its Futures Growth and Pro plans, which are sold on a monthly subscription and carry their own risk limits and payout terms. Both lines are covered in full in our FTMO review.
Introduction
Alpha Capital and FTMO are two leading proprietary trading firms that provide funded trading accounts to qualified traders. Alpha Capital stands out for its more flexible trading parameters and lower entry barriers, making it appealing to developing traders. FTMO, established longer in the industry, offers higher account sizes and has built a strong reputation for reliability and transparency. On Trustpilot, Alpha Capital holds a solid 4.7/5 rating from over 19,000 reviews, while FTMOβs Trustpilot snapshot is 4.8/5 from 53,102 reviews (checked September 27, 2026).
Quick Facts
| Feature | Alpha Capital | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| 
| |
| Founded | 2021 | 2015 |
| Profit Split | 80% standard; 90% eligible add-on / Direct | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: 80%, rising to 90% The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: 90% from day one |
| Maximum Account Size | $200,000 | CFD: up to $2,000,000 through scaling. Futures: up to $450,000 across 3 Sim-Funded accounts |
| Evaluation Phases | The Product Line β Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: 1 The Product Line β Alpha Pro 6%: 2 The Product Line β Alpha Pro 8%: 2 The Product Line β Alpha Pro 10%: 2 The Product Line β Alpha Swing: 2 The Product Line β Alpha Three: 3 The Product Line β Alpha Direct: None: instant qualified | CFD: 1 phase (1-Step), 2 phases (2-Step). Futures: Evaluation, then Sim-Funded, then invitation-only Live Funded |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.7 | Public Track Record and Ratings: 4.8/5 from 53,102 reviews |
| Expert Grade | 8.9 | 9.1 |
Program Types
| Program | Alpha Capital | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Alpha One | Yes. CFD 2-Step from EUR 89 one-time; Futures Growth from $119 per month |
| Advanced Program | Alpha Prime | FTMO Challenge and Verification (CFD 2-Step); Futures Pro path with hard daily loss and 100% withdrawals |
| Scaling Options | Yes | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: Subject to eligibility The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: Subject to eligibility; see Scaling Plan |
| Demo Account | Yes | Free Trials for 1-Step and 2-Step; practice only, not qualification. No free trial on Futures |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Alpha Capital | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | The Product Line β Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: 6% / 10% / 12% The Product Line β Alpha Pro 6%: 6% / 6% The Product Line β Alpha Pro 8%: 8% / 5% The Product Line β Alpha Pro 10%: 10% / 5% The Product Line β Alpha Swing: 10% / 5% The Product Line β Alpha Three: 8% / 4% / 4% The Product Line β Alpha Direct: No evaluation target | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: 10% then 5% The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: 10% Evaluation objectives β Growth $50K: $3,000 Evaluation objectives β Growth $100K: $6,000 Evaluation objectives β Growth $150K: $9,000 Evaluation objectives β Pro $50K: $3,000 Evaluation objectives β Pro $100K: $6,000 Evaluation objectives β Pro $150K: $9,000 |
| Maximum Drawdown | The Product Line β Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: 4% / 6% / 8% The Product Line β Alpha Pro 6%: 6% The Product Line β Alpha Pro 8%: 8% The Product Line β Alpha Pro 10%: 10% The Product Line β Alpha Swing: 10% The Product Line β Alpha Three: 6% The Product Line β Alpha Direct: 5% | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: 10% The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: 10% Evaluation objectives β Growth $50K: $2,000 Evaluation objectives β Growth $100K: $3,500 Evaluation objectives β Growth $150K: $5,000 Evaluation objectives β Pro $50K: $3,000 Evaluation objectives β Pro $100K: $4,500 Evaluation objectives β Pro $150K: $6,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $50K: $2,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $100K: $3,500 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $150K: $5,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $50K: $3,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $100K: $4,500 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $150K: $6,000 |
| Minimum Trading Days | β | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: 4 per phase The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: None |
| News Trading | Evaluation allowed; qualified Pro/One/Three/Direct: +/-5-minute restrictions; Swing duration conditions | Evaluation: allowed within trading rules. Standard FTMO Account: affected instruments restricted 2 minutes before/after selected releases; Swing exempt. Futures: news trading allowed |
| Daily Loss Limit | The Product Line β Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: 3% / 4% / 5% in evaluation; One 6% becomes 4% qualified The Product Line β Alpha Pro 6%: 3% The Product Line β Alpha Pro 8%: 4% The Product Line β Alpha Pro 10%: 5% The Product Line β Alpha Swing: 5% The Product Line β Alpha Three: 4% The Product Line β Alpha Direct: 3% | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: 5% The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: 3% Evaluation objectives β Growth $50K: None Evaluation objectives β Growth $100K: None Evaluation objectives β Growth $150K: None Evaluation objectives β Pro $50K: $1,000 hard Evaluation objectives β Pro $100K: $1,500 hard Evaluation objectives β Pro $150K: $2,000 hard Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $50K: $1,000 soft Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $100K: $2,000 soft Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $150K: $3,000 soft Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $50K: $1,000 hard Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $100K: $1,500 hard Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $150K: $2,000 hard |
| Drawdown Type | The Product Line β Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: Trailing highest balance The Product Line β Alpha Pro 6%: Static The Product Line β Alpha Pro 8%: Static The Product Line β Alpha Pro 10%: Static The Product Line β Alpha Swing: Static The Product Line β Alpha Three: Static The Product Line β Alpha Direct: Trailing highest balance | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: STATIC - the floor never moves The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: END-OF-DAY TRAILING |
| Time Limit | β | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: Unlimited The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: Unlimited |
| Consistency / Best Day Rule | Payouts: On-demand: best day no more than 40% for Pro/Swing/One/Three; 15% for Direct | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: - The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: 50% Evaluation objectives β Growth $50K: 40% Evaluation objectives β Growth $100K: 40% Evaluation objectives β Growth $150K: 40% Evaluation objectives β Pro $50K: 50% Evaluation objectives β Pro $100K: 50% Evaluation objectives β Pro $150K: 50% |
| Maximum Contracts | β | Evaluation objectives β Growth $50K: 5 Evaluation objectives β Growth $100K: 10 Evaluation objectives β Growth $150K: 15 Evaluation objectives β Pro $50K: 5 Evaluation objectives β Pro $100K: 10 Evaluation objectives β Pro $150K: 15 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $50K: 2 to 5 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $100K: 4 to 10 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $150K: 6 to 15 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $50K: 2 to 5 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $100K: 4 to 10 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $150K: 6 to 15 |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Alpha Capital | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $10K Account | Listed challenge / USD 97 / One-time | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 89 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 79 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 |
| CFD $25K Account | Listed challenge / USD 197 / One-time | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 250 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 199 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 |
| CFD $50K Account | Listed challenge / USD 257 / One-time | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 345 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 319 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 |
| CFD $100K Account | Listed challenge / USD 457 / One-time | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 540 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Regular fee shown. Offer observed September 26, 2026: EUR 439 only if you do not already have that Challenge active; confirm current eligibility. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 499 / One-time Fee not refunded. Regular fee shown. Offer observed September 26, 2026: EUR 399 only if you do not already have that Challenge active; confirm current eligibility. Source Checked 2026-09-28 |
| CFD $200K Account | Listed challenge / USD 897 / One-time | FTMO 2-Step (regular fee) / EUR 1080 / One-time Fee refundable 100% with first payout. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO 1-Step (regular fee) / EUR 999 / One-time Fee not refunded. Source Checked 2026-09-28 |
| Futures $50K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FTMO Futures Growth / USD 119 / Monthly Soft daily loss, Sim-Funded only. Payout cap from $2,500. Payout eligibility 4 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO Futures Pro / USD 139 / Monthly Hard daily loss. Payout caps $5,000 to $8,000. Payout eligibility 5 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 |
| Futures $100K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FTMO Futures Growth / USD 169 / Monthly Soft daily loss, Sim-Funded only. Payout cap from $2,500. Payout eligibility 4 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO Futures Pro / USD 199 / Monthly Hard daily loss. Payout caps $5,000 to $8,000. Payout eligibility 5 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 |
| Futures $150K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | FTMO Futures Growth / USD 229 / Monthly Soft daily loss, Sim-Funded only. Payout cap from $2,500. Payout eligibility 4 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 FTMO Futures Pro / USD 269 / Monthly Hard daily loss. Payout caps $5,000 to $8,000. Payout eligibility 5 days. No activation fee. Source Checked 2026-09-28 |
| Refund Policy | Non-refundable; all sales final | The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 2-Step: 100% The Two CFD Challenges Compared β 1-Step: None |
| Coupons / Discount | Alpha Capital discount | FTMO discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Alpha Capital | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade, TradeLocker | CFD: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView. Futures: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | β | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | β | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | β | Yes |
| Bonds | β | Not verified for CFD accounts; check current Symbols |
| EA/Algo Trading | Pre-approved MT5 assistance only; no autonomous EAs; unavailable on Direct, Swap-Free and Focused Trader Group | Allowed subject to trading rules, allocation and platform limits; third-party EAs can create allocation conflicts. |
Payout
| Feature | Alpha Capital | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Terms | Bi-weekly Pro/Three: 14 days, $100 gross, first request 5 strategy days; On-demand Pro/Swing/One/Three: 2% gross, 40% best day; Direct: 3% buffer + 1% gross, 15% best day; processing 2 business days | CFD: request from day 14 after the first trade on the specific account, subject to eligibility; close all positions and pending orders. Review usually 1-2 business days; payment usually 1-2 business days after invoice approval. Futures Sim-Funded: every 4 days on Growth (50% withdrawable, cap $2,500 to $4,000), every 5 days on Pro (100% withdrawable, cap $5,000 to $8,000). Live Funded: daily, no cap |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
| Payout Frequency | β | Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $50K: Every 4 days Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $100K: Every 4 days Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $150K: Every 4 days Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $50K: Every 5 days Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $100K: Every 5 days Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $150K: Every 5 days |
| Payout Cap | β | Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $50K: $2,500 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $100K: $3,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $150K: $4,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $50K: $5,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $100K: $6,000 Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $150K: $8,000 |
| Payout Eligibility | β | Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $50K: 4 days at $150+ Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $100K: 4 days at $250+ Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $150K: 4 days at $300+ Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $50K: 5 days at $200+ Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $100K: 5 days at $300+ Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $150K: 5 days at $500+ |
| Withdrawable Amount | β | Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $50K: 50% Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $100K: 50% Sim-Funded account and payouts β Growth $150K: 50% Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $50K: 100% Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $100K: 100% Sim-Funded account and payouts β Pro $150K: 100% |
Verdict
| Key Element | Alpha Capital | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Static maximum drawdown on Pro/Swing/Three; four platforms; eligible 90% split options; Direct skips evaluation | Full fee refund on 2-Step; static drawdown; no consistency rules on CFD; zero withdrawal commission; scaling to $2M; futures line with no minimum trading days and no activation fee |
| Weaknesses | Non-refundable fee; duration tests; applicable per-asset Max Risk limits; Focused Trader Group restrictions; no qualified Pro/Direct weekend holds; 30-day inactivity rule | 1-Step fee non-refundable; 50% Best Day condition for passing/rewards; new 1-Step account after reward starts with a 90%-of-initial-capital loss floor; futures is a recurring monthly subscription, Growth pays out only 50% per request, and the Live Funded step is by invitation only |
| Best For | Swing and position traders seeking static drawdowns and permissive evaluation rules | CFD: 2-Step for most, 1-Step only if the 90% split outweighs other concerns. Futures: Pro if you want 100% withdrawals, Growth if you want the cheapest entry |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Alpha Capital if you want news trading allowed and a demo account to test the platform first (FTMO also offers Free Trials). Consider FTMO if you want a choice of 1-Step or 2-Step evaluations and MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView. Its Free Trials let you practise before buying. Neither firm is better in the abstract. The right choice depends on your strategy, your budget and the instruments you trade, so read both full reviews before you commit. Verify current rules and pricing on each firmβs own site before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I know about Alpha Capital’s programs?
Alpha Capital Group offers several plans and separate biweekly and on-demand performance-fee options. These should not be merged into one firm-wide payout schedule. Alpha Capital official rules; Alpha Capital official program information.
What should I know about FTMO’s programs?
FTMO offers a one-phase 1-Step and a two-phase 2-Step evaluation. The 2-Step has targets of 10% then 5%, a 5% daily loss limit and four minimum trading days per phase. The 1-Step has a 10% target, a 3% daily loss limit, no minimum trading days and a 50% Best Day Rule. Both have unlimited completion time. FTMO program comparison.
FTMO offers Free Trials for both evaluation models; they are practice accounts, not a qualification route. Supported platforms are MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, selected in the Challenge configurator.
How do payouts differ between Alpha Capital and FTMO?
Qualified Analysts generally receive 80%, with an optional 90% add-on. The biweekly option on Alpha Pro/Three has a $100 gross minimum and requires five trading days for the first request. Alpha Capital official rules; Alpha Capital official program information.
FTMO pays a 90% reward share on 1-Step and 80% on 2-Step, rising to 90% under applicable scaling or premium conditions. Requests can be made from day 14 after the first trade on the specific account, subject to eligibility, with all positions and pending orders closed. Review usually takes 1β2 business days; payment usually follows within 1β2 business days after invoice approval. FTMO reward terms.
Which account rules matter when comparing Alpha Capital and FTMO?
On-demand Alpha Pro, Swing, One and Three require 2% gross profit and a 40% Best Day limit. Alpha Direct instead uses a 3% buffer, additional 1% profit and a 15% Best Day limit. Alpha Capital official rules; Alpha Capital official program information.
Do not apply the 2-Step objectives to 1-Step: drawdown and consistency requirements differ. Both routes have no maximum evaluation completion period. FTMO official rules; FTMO official program information.
Is Alpha Capital or FTMO automatically the better choice?
No. Each firm wins on a different axis. Alpha Capital has unrestricted news trading and a demo account to test first (FTMO also offers Free Trials). FTMO has the higher profit split at 90% and the larger funded ceiling at $2M. Which of those matters more depends on how you actually trade, so compare how each firm measures drawdown, the total fee once add-ons and resets are included and platform availability, rather than the headline numbers. If you fail an evaluation, do not assume either firm offers a fixed reset discount: check the reset terms for the specific account you bought.
How We Compared Alpha Capital and FTMO
Both firms carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10, scored on the same nine weighted factors, led by payout reliability at 20%, then fee structure, drawdown rules and profit split at 15% each. The scores come from our own firm reviews, built from each firmβs current terms rather than its marketing pages and re-checked at least every 90 days. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold. The tables above are the evidence behind those scores. Read our full ranking methodology.
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