Alpha Capital vs The5ers: Elite Prop Firms Comparison
Published: · Last updated:
By JoinProp
Introduction
The5ers has been funding traders since 2016, making it one of the longer-running names in the funded-trading space, while Alpha Capital arrived in 2021 with a more aggressive, multi-platform pitch. Both now sit at an identical 4.7/5 on Trustpilot, and both cap risk the same way, with a 5% daily and 10% maximum drawdown, so the real separation is in how they fund you, how you scale, and what you are allowed to trade. Alpha Capital leans on choice: three evaluation paths (1-Step, 2-Step and 3-Step) plus an Express route to funding, accounts from $5K to $200K that can scale to $2M, and a broad platform menu of MT5, cTrader, DXtrade and TradeLocker. It also permits crypto alongside forex, indices and commodities, though its profit split tops out at 80%. The5ers answers with a higher 100% profit ceiling and a scaling model that doubles your account at each level, reaching as high as $4M, but it runs solely on MetaTrader 5 and sticks to forex, indices and commodities with no crypto. Its three branded programs, Hyper Growth, High Stakes and Bootcamp, map to 1, 2 and 3-step structures with targets from 6% to 10%. Cost also separates them: The5ers starts as low as $35 with a 3-day money-back guarantee, whereas Alpha Capital begins near $99 and offers no refund after purchase. A crypto-focused trader who wants platform options will gravitate to Alpha Capital; a forex specialist chasing a 100% split and long-term account growth will prefer The5ers.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Alpha Capital | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
|  | |
| Founded | 2021 | 2016 |
| Profit Split | 80% standard; 90% eligible add-on / Direct | The Four Programmes - High Stakes (2-step): 80% The Four Programmes - Pro Growth (1-step): 75% The Four Programmes - Hyper Growth (instant): 50% The Four Programmes - Bootcamp (3-step): 50% |
| Maximum Account Size | $200,000 | Up to $4M on applicable Growth/Bootcamp scaling plans; High Stakes has its own lower ceiling |
| Evaluation Phases | The Product Line - Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: 1 The Product Line - Alpha Pro 6%: 2 The Product Line - Alpha Pro 8%: 2 The Product Line - Alpha Pro 10%: 2 The Product Line - Alpha Swing: 2 The Product Line - Alpha Three: 3 The Product Line - Alpha Direct: None: instant qualified | High Stakes: 2 steps; Growth: 1 step; Bootcamp: 3 steps. Separate Futures programs. |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.7 | 4.8 |
| Expert Grade | 8.9 | 9 |
Program Types
| Program | Alpha Capital | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Program | Alpha One | High Stakes (2-Step) |
| Advanced Program | Alpha Prime | Hyper Growth (1-Step) |
| Scaling Options | Yes | Bootcamp (3-Step) |
| Demo Account | Yes | Available |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Alpha Capital | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | The Product Line - Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: 6% / 10% / 12% The Product Line - Alpha Pro 6%: 6% / 6% The Product Line - Alpha Pro 8%: 8% / 5% The Product Line - Alpha Pro 10%: 10% / 5% The Product Line - Alpha Swing: 10% / 5% The Product Line - Alpha Three: 8% / 4% / 4% The Product Line - Alpha Direct: No evaluation target | The Four Programmes - High Stakes (2-step): 10% then 5% (New) / 8% then 5% (Classic) The Four Programmes - Pro Growth (1-step): 10% The Four Programmes - Hyper Growth (instant): 10% per milestone The Four Programmes - Bootcamp (3-step): 6% / 6% / 6% |
| Maximum Drawdown | The Product Line - Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: 4% / 6% / 8% The Product Line - Alpha Pro 6%: 6% The Product Line - Alpha Pro 8%: 8% The Product Line - Alpha Pro 10%: 10% The Product Line - Alpha Swing: 10% The Product Line - Alpha Three: 6% The Product Line - Alpha Direct: 5% | The Four Programmes - High Stakes (2-step): 10% The Four Programmes - Pro Growth (1-step): 6% The Four Programmes - Hyper Growth (instant): 6% The Four Programmes - Bootcamp (3-step): 5% eval / 4% funded |
| Minimum Trading Days | Not available | High Stakes: 3 profitable days per evaluation phase, each meeting the 0.5% threshold; other plans have their own requirements. |
| News Trading | Evaluation allowed; qualified Pro/One/Three/Direct: +/-5-minute restrictions; Swing duration conditions | High Stakes: holding allowed, but order execution prohibited 2 minutes before/after high-impact news. Growth permits news subject to prohibited-strategy rules. Separate Futures rules. |
| Daily Loss Limit | The Product Line - Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: 3% / 4% / 5% in evaluation; One 6% becomes 4% qualified The Product Line - Alpha Pro 6%: 3% The Product Line - Alpha Pro 8%: 4% The Product Line - Alpha Pro 10%: 5% The Product Line - Alpha Swing: 5% The Product Line - Alpha Three: 4% The Product Line - Alpha Direct: 3% | The Four Programmes - High Stakes (2-step): 5% (breach) The Four Programmes - Pro Growth (1-step): 3% (breach) The Four Programmes - Hyper Growth (instant): 3% - a pause, not a breach The Four Programmes - Bootcamp (3-step): None in evaluation |
| Drawdown Type | The Product Line - Alpha One 6% / 10% / 12%: Trailing highest balance The Product Line - Alpha Pro 6%: Static The Product Line - Alpha Pro 8%: Static The Product Line - Alpha Pro 10%: Static The Product Line - Alpha Swing: Static The Product Line - Alpha Three: Static The Product Line - Alpha Direct: Trailing highest balance | Not available |
| Consistency / Best Day Rule | Payouts: On-demand: best day no more than 40% for Pro/Swing/One/Three; 15% for Direct | Not available |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Alpha Capital | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| CFD $2.5K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | High Stakes New / USD 19 / One-time Official rendered page default, 2-step High Stakes New. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| CFD $5K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | High Stakes New / USD 35 / One-time Official rendered page default, 2-step High Stakes New. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| CFD $10K Account | Listed challenge / USD 97 / One-time | High Stakes New / USD 69 / One-time Official rendered page default, 2-step High Stakes New. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| CFD $25K Account | Listed challenge / USD 197 / One-time | High Stakes New / USD 176 / One-time Official rendered page default, 2-step High Stakes New. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| CFD $50K Account | Listed challenge / USD 257 / One-time | High Stakes New / USD 278 / One-time Official rendered page default, 2-step High Stakes New. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| CFD $100K Account | Listed challenge / USD 457 / One-time | High Stakes New / USD 491 / One-time Official rendered page default, 2-step High Stakes New. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| CFD $200K Account | Listed challenge / USD 897 / One-time | Not listed in review pricing source |
| Futures $25K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Day Trade / USD 59 / One-time Official rendered page default; price refunded on 3rd payout. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $50K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Day Trade / USD 100 / One-time Official rendered page default; price refunded on 3rd payout. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $100K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Day Trade / USD 170 / One-time Official rendered page default; price refunded on 3rd payout. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Futures $150K Account | Not listed in review pricing source | Day Trade / USD 199 / One-time Official rendered page default; price refunded on 3rd payout. Source Checked 2026-08-10 |
| Refund Policy | Non-refundable; all sales final | No |
| Coupons / Discount | Alpha Capital discount | The5ers discount |
Platforms & Markets
| Feature | Alpha Capital | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade, TradeLocker | CFDs: MT5, cTrader and TradingView for non-US traders; TradingView only for US traders |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Stocks | Not available | No |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Not available | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | Not available | Yes on applicable CFD programs, including High Stakes; symbol and leverage limits vary. |
| Bonds | Not available | Not available |
| EA/Algo Trading | Pre-approved MT5 assistance only; no autonomous EAs; unavailable on Direct, Swap-Free and Focused Trader Group | Yes |
Payout
| Feature | Alpha Capital | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | First withdrawal 14 days after funded activation, then every 2 weeks from the last approved withdrawal; minimum and caps vary by plan. Approved requests typically processed within 3 business days. Rise, crypto and bank transfer: 3.5%; bank fees may also apply. Hub Credits: 0%, non-cash. |
| See all prop firm payouts → | ||
Verdict
| Key Element | Alpha Capital | The5ers |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Static maximum drawdown on Pro/Swing/Three; four platforms; eligible 90% split options; Direct skips evaluation | Multiple evaluation routes; eligible scaling can increase profit share to 100%; no maximum completion deadline on core CFD evaluations, subject to inactivity limits |
| 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 | Plan-specific drawdown, news and profitable-day rules; cash withdrawal fees; US platform choice restricted; fee reimbursement depends on the program and eligibility |
| Best For | Swing and position traders seeking static drawdowns and permissive evaluation rules | Structured traders seeking established firm with clear scaling path |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation
Choose Alpha Capital if you are swing and position traders seeking static drawdowns and permissive evaluation rules. Choose The5ers if a higher profit split, up to 100%, a larger funded ceiling at $4M and a cheaper entry, from USD 19 matter more to you. 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 firm’s 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 The5ers’s programs?
The5ers High Stakes is a two-step program with a scaling ladder. Its advertised maximum profit share is reached through scaling rather than being the standard starting share. The5ers official rules; The5ers official program information.
How do payouts differ between Alpha Capital and The5ers?
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.
High Stakes starts at 80% and the published ladder reaches 100% at advanced levels. Its payout guide allows funded-stage requests on a biweekly basis and specifies a $150 minimum after the split. The5ers official rules; The5ers official program information.
Which account rules matter when comparing Alpha Capital and The5ers?
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.
High Stakes fee benefits are divided into 10% and 20% non-withdrawable Hub credits after the evaluation steps and a conditional 70% refund at the funded stage. Passing alone does not return the whole fee as cash. The5ers official rules; The5ers official program information.
Is Alpha Capital or The5ers automatically the better choice?
No. Each firm wins on a different axis. Alpha Capital is built for swing and position traders seeking static drawdowns and permissive evaluation rules. The5ers has the higher profit split at 100% and the larger funded ceiling at $4M. 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 The5ers
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 firm’s 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.
View More Elite Prop Firms Compared: Crypto Fund Trader vs E8 Markets
