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.
TL;DR: Alpha Futures (grade 8.5) offers a 90 profit split; TradeDay (grade 8.9) offers 50/50 below $4,000; 80/20 above $4,000; 90/10 at Funded Live. Full side-by-side below, plus who each is best for. Our higher-rated pick: TradeDay (8.9 vs 8.5).
Quick Facts
| Feature | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
|---|
|  |  |
| Founded | 2024 | — |
| Profit Split | 90 | 50/50 below $4,000; 80/20 above $4,000; 90/10 at Funded Live |
| Maximum Account Size | $150,000 | — |
| Evaluation Phases | 1 | 1 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| Expert Grade | 8.5 | 8.9 |
Program Types
| Program | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
|---|
| Entry Level Program | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Program | Yes | Yes |
| Scaling Options | No | Yes |
| Demo Account | — | Yes |
Rules & Assessment
| Criteria | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
|---|
| Profit Target | 6-8% | $10,000 gross ceiling (Quick Pay) |
| Maximum Drawdown | 3.5-4% | $2,000/$3,000/$4,500 by account size; trailing, freezing at starting balance |
| Minimum Trading Days | — | 5 |
| News Trading | restricted (Standard/Zero), unrestricted (Advanced) | No |
Fees & Pricing
| Option | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
|---|
| $10K Account | — | — |
| $25K Account | $59 | — |
| $50K Account | $79 | — |
| $100K Account | $159 | 115-160/month |
| $200K Account | — | — |
| Refund Policy | — | No refunds after purchase |
| Coupons / Discount | Alpha Futures discount | TradeDay discount |
| Feature | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
|---|
| Trading Platforms | NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, ProjectX | — |
| Forex | No | No |
| Stocks | No | No |
| Indices | Yes | — |
| Commodities | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrencies | No | No |
| Bonds | Yes | — |
| EA/Algo Trading | No | — |
Payout
| Feature | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
|---|
| Payout Terms | Every 5 winning trading days, 48 business hours, $200 minimum | Minimum $250 |
| See all prop firm payouts → |
Verdict
| Key Element | Alpha Futures | TradeDay |
|---|
| Strengths | Single-step evaluation, 90% profit split from day one, No scaling requirement, Zero account unique structure, No daily loss limit on Zero, No minimum trading days | No daily drawdown, earned split, transparent pass rates (36%), trader-friendly consistency rule, Day One payouts |
| Weaknesses | No scaling plan, Complex fee structure for beginners, Limited platform variety, Higher minimum deposit | $10,000 profit ceiling confiscates excess, 50/50 starting split, metals banned, Quick Pay converts to intraday when funded, monthly subscription model |
| Best For | Futures traders seeking single-step evaluation and flexible, volatile strategies | Futures traders avoiding daily loss limits; transparent disclosure valued |
Verdict: Who each is best for: Alpha Futures — Futures traders seeking single-step evaluation and flexible, volatile strategies. TradeDay — Futures traders avoiding daily loss limits; transparent disclosure valued.
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.
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