Alpha Futures vs TradeDay - Prop Firm Comparison
Introduction
Alpha Futures and TradeDay are both single-step CME futures firms that reward disciplined day traders, but TradeDay’s longer track record and trader-friendly extras set the two apart. TradeDay, based in Chicago and operating since 2020, is a futures-only firm spanning 6+ asset classes, and it leans hard into trader perks: day-one payouts with no consistency requirement, up to six simultaneous accounts, no activation fee, and a profit split that starts at 80% from day one and can climb to 95%. Alpha Futures, launched in 2024 as the futures arm of Alpha Capital Group, competes on account structure, offering three types, Standard, Zero and Advanced, across the CQG ecosystem, with the Zero account replacing the usual trailing drawdown with a single static maximum loss. Both fund CME index, energy and metals contracts on a one-step evaluation with no hard time limit. The differences show in the funding economics. TradeDay charges no activation fee and lets you run up to six accounts at once, while Alpha applies a $149 activation on its Standard and Advanced accounts and per-account withdrawal caps. On profit split, Alpha’s flat 90% beats TradeDay’s 80% starting point but trails its 95% ceiling. Account sizes start lower at Alpha, from $25K versus $50K. A trader who wants day-one payouts, multiple accounts and a path to a 95% split will lean toward TradeDay; one who wants a lower entry, a static-drawdown option and a flat 90% split will prefer Alpha Futures.
Quick Comparison |
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| Feature | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
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|  |  |
| Founded | 2024 (Alpha Capital Group) | 2020 (Chicago) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 2,600+ reviews (strong futures rating) | 4.6/5 (1,354 reviews) |
| Trading Focus | CME futures | CME futures (6+ asset classes) |
| Profit Split | 90% (flat across accounts) | 80% from day one, up to 95% |
| Evaluation | 1-Step (Standard, Zero, Advanced) | Single-step (sim evaluation) |
| Account Sizes | $25K – $150K | $50K – $150K |
| Payout Speed | Per-account withdrawal caps | Day-one payouts, no consistency rule |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
Key Differences Between Alpha Futures and TradeDay
- Payouts: TradeDay offers day-one payouts with no consistency requirement; Alpha uses per-account caps and a 50%-of-target daily profit rule.
- Profit split: Alpha pays a flat 90%; TradeDay starts at 80% from day one and scales to 95%.
- Activation fee: TradeDay charges none; Alpha charges $149 on Standard and Advanced ($0 on Zero).
- Multiple accounts: TradeDay allows up to six simultaneous accounts; Alpha funds per account.
- Drawdown: Alpha’s Zero account uses a static maximum loss; TradeDay uses its standard trailing model.
- Account sizes: Alpha starts lower at $25K; TradeDay starts at $50K.
- Track record: TradeDay has operated since 2020; Alpha launched in 2024.
- Platforms: Alpha is built around CQG; TradeDay supports major futures platforms across 6+ asset classes.
Program Types – Which experience fits your goals? |
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| Program | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
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| Evaluation Format | Single-step (Standard, Zero, Advanced) | Single-step (sim evaluation) |
| Instant / Skip-Evaluation | Not offered | Not offered |
| Static-Drawdown Option | Zero account uses a static maximum loss | Not offered; trailing model |
| Account Variants | Standard, Zero, Advanced | Single track, up to 6 accounts |
| Day-One Payouts | Not offered; per-account caps | Yes, no consistency requirement |
Assessment Criteria – How can you pass the test? |
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| Criteria | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
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| Profit Target | 6% (Standard/Zero), 8% (Advanced) | Single-step target (see firm site) |
| Daily Loss Limit | 4% EOD (Standard), none (Zero), 3.5% EOD (Advanced) | Trailing-based limits |
| Maximum Drawdown | 4% trailing EOD (Standard), static (Zero), 3.5% trailing (Advanced) | Trailing drawdown |
| Consistency Rule | Daily profit capped at 50% of target | None |
| Time Limit | None | None |
| News Trading | 2-min buffer (Standard/Zero); unrestricted (Advanced) | Permitted within rules |
Fees and Pricing – How much will you pay? |
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| Option | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
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| Pricing Model | Monthly evaluation fee plus activation | Monthly subscription |
| Activation Fee | $149 (Standard/Advanced); $0 (Zero) | None |
| Profit Split | 90% | 80% from day one, up to 95% |
| Payout | Per-account caps ($1,000-$2,500 per withdrawal) | Day-one payouts |
| Simultaneous Accounts | Funded per account | Up to 6 at once |
| Coupons | See discounts | Coupon Code |
Platforms/Tools – What can you use? |
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| Platform | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
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| Trading Platforms | CQG ecosystem | Major futures platforms (6+ asset classes) |
| Data Feeds | CQG | Multiple data feeds |
| Mobile Trading | Via CQG platforms | Via supported platform apps |
| Automated Trading | Permitted within rules | Permitted within rules |
| Charting Tools | CQG charting suite | Multiple platform tools |
Available Markets/Products |
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| Market | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
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| Index Futures | ES, NQ, YM, RTY plus micros | ES, NQ, YM, RTY and CME index futures |
| Energy / Metals | CL, NG, GC, SI (CME) | CL, NG, GC, SI (CME) |
| Forex | CME FX futures | CME FX futures |
| Crypto | Not offered | Not offered |
| Micro Futures | CME micro contracts | CME micro contracts |
| Weekend Holding | Per CME session rules | Per CME session rules |
Technical Capabilities/Performance |
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| Feature | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
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| Execution | CQG institutional-grade execution | Established platform execution |
| Platform Breadth | CQG-focused | 6+ asset classes |
| Payout Speed | Per-account caps | Day-one payouts |
| Payout Record | Growing futures firm | Established since 2020 |
| Automated Trading | Permitted within rules | Permitted within rules |
Support and Community |
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| Support Feature | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
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| Customer Support | Email and futures-focused support | Email and responsive support |
| Trading Community | Growing non-US trader base | Established US community |
| Educational Resources | Guides and CQG onboarding | Beginner-friendly resources |
| Track Record | 2,600+ Trustpilot reviews | 4.6/5 (1,354); since 2020 |
Conclusion and Final Recommendation |
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| Key Element | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
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| Strengths | 90% split, Zero static-drawdown account, lower $25K entry, no time limit, CQG ecosystem | Day-one payouts, no consistency rule, up to 6 accounts, no activation fee, 80-95% split, since 2020 |
| Weaknesses | Newer firm (2024), CQG-only platforms, per-account caps, $149 activation on Standard/Advanced | 80% starting split, $50K minimum entry, futures-only |
| Best For | Traders who want a lower entry, a static-drawdown option and a flat 90% split | Traders who want day-one payouts, multiple accounts and a 95% split ceiling |
Final Grade
How we rank firms ↗ | 8.5 | 8.9 |
| Discount Codes | See discounts | Coupon Code |
| Review | Read full review | Read full review |
FAQ
Which firm offers faster or more flexible payouts?
TradeDay. It offers day-one payouts with no consistency requirement, so funded traders can withdraw quickly. Alpha Futures uses per-account withdrawal caps and applies a rule that no single day’s profit can exceed 50% of the target, which is more restrictive than TradeDay’s model.
Which firm has the higher profit split?
It depends on scaling. Alpha Futures pays a flat 90% from the start, which beats TradeDay’s 80% starting split. However, TradeDay scales up to 95%, so a scaled TradeDay trader ends up ahead of Alpha’s flat rate.
Can I run multiple accounts with either firm?
TradeDay explicitly allows up to six simultaneous accounts with no activation fee, which suits traders who want to diversify. Alpha Futures funds accounts individually and charges a $149 activation on its Standard and Advanced accounts (none on Zero).
How was this 2 companies Comparison Created?
This comparison was compiled using the published review data on JoinProp for each firm, along with each firm’s stated evaluation rules, account structures, platforms and payout terms as of 2026. Where a detail is not publicly disclosed, the cell notes this. Verify current terms directly with Alpha Futures and TradeDay before purchasing a challenge.
