Alpha Capital vs FTMO: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
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 4.2/5 rating, while FTMO boasts an impressive 4.7/5 from over 4,000 reviews, reflecting its established position in the prop firm market.
Quick Comparison
|
| Feature |
Alpha Capital |
FTMO |
|
 |
|
| Founded |
2020 |
2018 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.2/5 (650+ reviews) |
4.7/5 (4,000+ reviews) |
| Max Account Size |
$400,000 |
$600,000 |
| Profit Split |
Up to 80% |
Up to 90% |
| Challenge Fee (Starting) |
$99 |
$155 |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals?
|
| Program |
Alpha Capital |
FTMO |
| Standard Challenge |
Two-phase evaluation; 8% profit target in Phase 1, 5% in Phase 2 |
Two-phase Challenge; 10% profit target in Phase 1, 5% in Verification |
| Express Challenge |
One-phase evaluation with 12% profit target; quicker funding |
Not offered |
| Free Trial |
7-day demo challenge available |
Free FTMO Demo available for 14 days |
| Instant Funding |
Available with higher fee; no evaluation needed |
Not offered |
| Account Reset |
Available for additional fee |
Available once per Challenge phase |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test?
|
| Criteria |
Alpha Capital |
FTMO |
| Profit Target (Standard) |
8% in Phase 1, 5% in Phase 2 |
10% in Challenge, 5% in Verification |
| Minimum Trading Days |
5 days per phase |
10 days in Challenge, 5 days in Verification |
| Maximum Daily Loss |
5% of account balance |
5% of initial account balance |
| Maximum Overall Loss |
10% of account balance |
10% of initial account balance |
| Time Limit |
30 days per phase |
30 days for Challenge, 60 days for Verification |
| Trading Hours |
24/5 with weekend gap protection |
24/5 with weekend gap protection |
| Scaling Plan |
Up to 25% account growth after consistent performance |
Up to 100% account growth after consistent performance |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay?
|
| Option |
Alpha Capital |
FTMO |
| $10,000 Account |
$99 |
$155 |
| $25,000 Account |
$199 |
$250 |
| $50,000 Account |
$299 |
$345 |
| $100,000 Account |
$499 |
$540 |
| $200,000 Account |
$799 |
$1,080 |
| Express Challenge (Additional) |
+50% of standard fee |
Not available |
| Refund Policy |
Full refund if pass challenge |
Full refund if pass challenge |
| Coupons |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use?
|
| Feature |
Alpha Capital |
FTMO |
| Supported Platforms |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
| Performance Dashboard |
Basic statistics and account metrics |
Advanced analytics with psychological profile |
| Educational Resources |
Limited webinars and blog posts |
Extensive library, mentorship, webinars |
| Mobile Access |
Available through MT apps |
Available through MT and cTrader apps |
| API Integration |
Not offered |
Available for advanced traders |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Available Markets – What can you trade?
|
| Market |
Alpha Capital |
FTMO |
| Forex |
50+ currency pairs |
70+ currency pairs |
| Commodities |
Gold, Silver, Oil, Natural Gas |
All major commodities |
| Indices |
Major global indices |
All major global indices |
| Crypto |
Limited selection |
30+ cryptocurrencies |
| Stocks/Equities |
Not available |
Available (US market focus) |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Technical Capabilities – How’s the performance?
|
| Feature |
Alpha Capital |
FTMO |
| Execution Speed |
Average (30-50ms) |
Fast (10-30ms) |
| Spreads |
Standard market spreads |
Low spreads (institutional grade) |
| Server Reliability |
Good (99.5% uptime) |
Excellent (99.9% uptime) |
| Backtesting Capabilities |
Not provided |
Available through partner tools |
| News Feed Integration |
Basic economic calendar |
Comprehensive market news and analysis |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Funding & Payouts – How will you get paid?
|
| Feature |
Alpha Capital |
FTMO |
| Profit Split |
Starting at 70%, up to 80% |
Starting at 80%, up to 90% |
| Payout Frequency |
Biweekly |
Monthly |
| Minimum Payout |
$100 |
No minimum |
| Payout Methods |
Bank Transfer, Crypto, Skrill |
Bank Transfer, Crypto, Skrill, Neteller, Revolut |
| Payout Speed |
Within 5 business days |
Within 24 hours after approval |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
|
| Key Element |
Alpha Capital |
FTMO |
| Strengths |
Lower entry fees, more flexible trading parameters, Express Challenge option, good for newer traders |
Established reputation, higher profit splits, advanced analytics, wider range of tradable assets, superior educational resources |
| Weaknesses |
Limited educational resources, fewer tradable assets, newer company with less track record |
Higher entry fees, stricter evaluation criteria, longer evaluation process |
| Best For |
Newer traders, those on limited budgets, traders wanting faster funding, less experienced traders needing more flexibility |
Serious professional traders, experienced traders looking for larger accounts, traders valuing educational resources and analytics |
| Final Grade |
4.1/5 |
4.6/5 |
| Discount Codes |
Coupon Code |
Coupon Code |
| Review |
Read full review |
Read full review |
FAQ
What makes Alpha Capital popular among users?
Alpha Capital has gained popularity primarily due to its lower entry costs and more flexible trading parameters. Their Express Challenge option is particularly attractive to traders looking for faster funding, and their less stringent profit targets (8% compared to FTMO’s 10%) make the evaluation more accessible. Many users also appreciate their more affordable scaling options for newer traders who aren’t ready for larger account sizes.
How does FTMO differ from other similar organizations?
FTMO stands out through its established reputation and comprehensive trader support ecosystem. Unlike many competitors, FTMO offers advanced trading analytics with psychological profiling, an extensive educational platform, and higher maximum account sizes (up to $600,000). Their partnership with major liquidity providers ensures institutional-grade execution, and their scaling program is among the most generous in the industry, allowing traders to potentially double their account size after proven performance.
Can I trade the same strategy with both Alpha Capital and FTMO?
Yes, you can use the same trading strategy with both firms, but you’ll need to adapt to their different evaluation parameters. FTMO has stricter requirements regarding minimum trading days (10 vs. Alpha’s 5) and higher profit targets for the first phase. If your strategy involves holding positions for very short periods or focuses on specific market conditions, verify it meets both firms’ minimum trading day requirements and works within their respective maximum daily loss limits.
Which firm is better for beginner traders?
Alpha Capital is generally more suitable for beginner traders due to its lower entry costs, less stringent evaluation criteria, and more forgiving trading parameters. Their 8% profit target (versus FTMO’s 10%) and fewer required trading days make the challenge more accessible. Additionally, Alpha Capital’s Express Challenge provides a faster route to funding for those who can demonstrate proficiency quickly. However, FTMO offers superior educational resources that can be valuable for beginners willing to invest in the learning process.
Are the profits from these prop firms considered real income?
Yes, the profits you receive from both Alpha Capital and FTMO constitute real income that you can withdraw and use however you wish. Both firms operate legitimate profit-sharing models where traders receive their agreed percentage of trading profits (70-90% depending on the program and experience level). However, it’s important to note that you are not trading your own capital, and these earnings should be reported as income according to your local tax regulations. Neither firm offers employment status—you operate as an independent contractor.
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
Our team gathered comprehensive data directly from Alpha Capital and FTMO’s official websites, terms of service documents, and public announcements. We supplemented this with hundreds of verified user reviews from Trustpilot, trading forums, and social media communities. Additionally, we consulted with professional traders who have experience with both platforms to understand nuances that aren’t apparent from marketing materials alone.
2. We Examine
Our team of experienced financial analysts and professional traders tested both platforms’ demo environments and evaluated real account performance data. We verified all claims about execution speeds, available markets, and platform features through hands-on testing. We cross-referenced trader experiences with company policies to identify any discrepancies and ensure accuracy in our reporting of both firms’ offerings.
3. We Score
Our proprietary scoring system evaluates each prop firm across 15 weighted categories, including reliability (25%), value (20%), trader support (15%), execution quality (15%), platform capabilities (10%), and additional features (15%). We assign numerical ratings based on objective performance metrics where possible and calibrated subjective assessments where necessary. Final scores reflect the relative strengths of each provider within the current prop trading marketplace.
4. You Choose
Use this comparison as a starting point for your research. Consider your trading style, experience level, and financial goals when making your decision. Alpha Capital offers more accessible entry and flexibility for developing traders, while FTMO provides a more robust infrastructure for serious professionals. We recommend testing both platforms’ demo environments before committing to either program. Remember that success in prop trading requires discipline and a proven strategy regardless of which firm you choose.
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