Alpha Capital Group
FTMOAlpha Capital Group vs FTMO: Complete 2026 Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of fees, profit splits, trading rules, payouts, and scaling — with cashback on both firms through PropFirmScan.
Alpha Capital Group vs FTMO — At a Glance
Alpha Capital GroupFTMOIn the fiercely competitive landscape of proprietary trading, selecting the right firm can be the difference between accelerated capital growth and frustrated ambition. Today, we turn our analytical lens on two prominent players: Alpha Capital Group and FTMO. Both firms present compelling opportunities for aspiring and experienced traders, offering robust platforms to access significant capital. Alpha Capital Group, a newer entrant founded in 2021 in London, has quickly carved out a notable presence, particularly evidenced by its impressive $70 million in total payouts. This relatively young firm caters to a global audience, embodying a fresh approach to funded trading. On the other hand, FTMO, established in 2015 out of Prague, stands as a venerable titan, having paid out a staggering $500 million. This six-year head start has allowed FTMO to solidify its reputation as an industry leader, setting benchmarks for reliability and trader support. While both firms offer a 2-phase challenge and an attractive maximum allocation of $2 million, the nuances in their operational models and overall market perception warrant a deeper dive. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for traders evaluating which platform best aligns with their risk appetite, trading style, and long-term financial objectives, especially when considering the subtle yet impactful differences in their core offerings.
Overall Verdict
FTMO
FTMO wins with 60 vs 5 points, scoring higher in pricing & value, profit split, trust & reputation and 1 more categories.
Pricing & Value
Profit Split
Trust & Reputation
Payout Speed
Challenge Fairness
Platforms & Instruments
Scaling Potential
Trading Conditions
Alpha Capital Group1 winsAlpha Capital Group vs FTMO At a Glance
A complete side-by-side breakdown of 27+ metrics across trust, cost, earnings, payouts, and trading rules.
| Metric | Alpha Capital Group | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
Trust |
||
| PFS Score |
6.8/10
|
8.2/10
|
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.7/5
|
4.8/5
|
| Trustpilot Reviews |
16,000
|
38,883
|
| Founded |
2021
|
2015
|
| Total Payouts |
$70.0M
|
$500.0M
|
Info |
||
| Headquarters |
London, United Kingdom
|
Prague, Czech Republic
|
Cost |
||
| Lowest Entry Fee |
N/A
|
$170
|
| Cashback |
2%
|
2%
|
| Fee Refundable |
No
|
Yes
|
Earnings |
||
| Profit Split |
80% – 80%
|
80% – 90%
|
Scaling |
||
| Max Allocation |
$2.0M
|
$2.0M
|
Payouts |
||
| First Payout |
14 days
|
14 days
|
| Payout Frequency |
Bi-weekly
|
Bi-weekly (every 14 days)
|
| Min Payout |
$0
|
$20
|
| Payout Processing |
1-2 business days
|
Average 8 hours; max 1-2 business days
|
Rules |
||
| Challenge Phases |
2-Step
|
2-Step
|
| Daily Loss Limit |
5%
|
5%
|
| Total Loss Limit |
10%
|
10%
|
| Time Limit |
Unlimited (30-day inactivity rule)
|
Unlimited
|
| Consistency Rule |
No single trading day's net profit may exceed 40% of total accumulated net profits at withdrawal. Only applies to funded accounts, not during evaluation.
|
Best Day Rule on 1-Step only: best single day cannot exceed 50% of total profit target. 1-Step uses End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing max loss recalculated daily. No consistency rule on 2-Step.
|
| News Trading |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| EA Allowed |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Copy Trading |
No
|
No
|
| Weekend Holding |
Yes
|
No
|
Tools |
||
| Platforms |
MT5, cTrader
|
MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXTrade
|
| Instruments |
~?
|
~?
|
| Leverage |
1:100
|
100
|
In-Depth Analysis: Alpha Capital Group vs FTMO
Key Takeaways
- FTMO wins on 7 out of 8 comparable metrics.
- Lowest entry fee: FTMO from $170.
- Best profit split: FTMO up to 90%.
- Fastest payout: Alpha Capital Group in 14 days.
Delving into the core differentiators, the ‘PFS Score’ and Trustpilot ratings offer an initial snapshot of market sentiment. FTMO leads with an 8.2/10 PFS Score and a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating, reflecting a consistently high level of trader satisfaction and operational excellence. Alpha Capital Group, while respectable, trails slightly with a 6.8/10 PFS Score and a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating. This marginal difference often points to FTMO's longer track record and potentially more refined trader support infrastructure.
A key financial distinction lies in the profit split and fee structure. While both firms start at an 80.00% profit split, FTMO offers an upper tier of 90.00%, providing a more lucrative potential for highly consistent traders. Crucially, FTMO also offers a *refundable* challenge fee, a significant financial advantage that mitigates initial risk for successful participants. Alpha Capital Group, conversely, does not refund the challenge fee. This policy difference directly impacts the cost of entry and the overall financial commitment required before capital expansion. Both firms offer the same daily (5.00%) and total (10.00%) loss limits, indicating similar risk management parameters during their 2-phase challenges.
Payout reliability and frequency are vital for funded traders. Both Alpha Capital Group and FTMO offer attractive terms: a first payout after 14 days, followed by bi-weekly payouts. This consistent access to profits is essential for traders looking to manage their personal finances effectively. Both firms also embrace modern trading practices, allowing news trading and the use of Expert Advisors (EAs), showcasing their flexibility and commitment to diverse trading strategies. The sheer volume of payouts – FTMO's $500 million versus Alpha Capital Group's $70 million – provides a clear indication of their respective market presences and the scale of their operations, with FTMO demonstrating a significantly larger and more established payout history. This extensive track record often translates into greater perceived stability and trust within the trading community.
Program & Pricing Comparison
Compare Alpha Capital Group and FTMO programs side-by-side. Filter by account size to find the best value for your budget.
| Account Size |
Alpha Capital Group |
FTMO |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Split | Fee | Split | |
| $5K |
$50
|
80% |
—
|
— |
| $10K |
Best $97
|
80% |
$170
|
80% |
| $25K |
Best $247
|
80% |
$275
|
80% |
| $50K |
Best $357
|
80% |
$379
|
80% |
| $100K |
$557
|
80% |
Best $483
|
90% |
| $200K |
Best $697
|
80% |
$1188
|
80% |
Trading Rules & Restrictions
Key trading policy differences between Alpha Capital Group and FTMO that affect your strategy flexibility.
Alpha Capital Group
FTMO
Payouts & Scaling Comparison
How Alpha Capital Group and FTMO compare on payout speed, frequency, and long-term scaling potential.
Payout Speed & Terms
| Metric | Alpha Capital Group | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| First Payout Wait |
14 days
|
14 days
|
| Payout Frequency |
Bi-weekly
|
Bi-weekly (every 14 days)
|
| Processing Time |
1-2 business days
|
Average 8 hours; max 1-2 business days
|
| Minimum Payout |
$0
|
$20
|
Scaling Opportunities
| Max Allocation |
$2.0M
|
$2.0M
|
| Scaling Plan |
Account grows by 10% of initial balance each time 10% profit achieved, up to $2M max. Alpha One excluded.
|
25% balance increase every 4 months with 10% net profit and 2 processed rewards required. Profit split upgraded to 90%. Maximum allocation $2,000,000.
|
| Max Profit Split |
80%
|
90%
|
Payout Methods
Alpha Capital Group
FTMO
Trust & Reputation
Trustworthiness indicators, verified payouts, and community standing for both firms.
Alpha Capital Group
Unique Features
- Six evaluation pathways
- Zero commission Standard accounts
- No time limits on evaluations
Red Flags (13)
- FCA regulatory warning
- Non-refundable fees
- Simulated trading environment
FTMO
Unique Features
- Pioneer of Modern Prop Trading Since 2015
- 3.5 Million+ Customers Worldwide
- Acquired OANDA Global Corporation
Red Flags (10)
- Not Regulated by Any Financial Authority
- Simulated Trading Only - No Real Market Execution
- 1-Step Challenge Fee Not Refundable
Which Firm Is Better For You?
Our recommendation based on trading style, budget, and experience level.
Beginners
FTMO
Lower entry costs starting from $170.
Experienced Traders
FTMO
Up to 90% profit split with scaling.
Scalpers & Day Traders
Alpha Capital Group
EA allowed. News trading allowed.
Swing Traders
Alpha Capital Group
Weekend holding allowed. Unlimited (30-day inactivity rule).
Budget-Conscious Traders
FTMO
Lowest fee from $170. Fee refundable on pass.
High-Capital Traders
Alpha Capital Group
Max allocation up to $2.0M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about choosing between Alpha Capital Group and FTMO.
FTMO is generally more accessible for beginners due to lower entry costs. Use our Risk Profile Matcher for personalized advice.
FTMO offers up to 90% maximum profit split. See our profit splits comparison.
Alpha Capital Group processes first payouts in 14 days. Check our payout speed tracker.
Yes! PropFirmScan offers cashback on both Alpha Capital Group (2%) and FTMO (2%). Learn how cashback works.
Alpha Capital Group offers approximately 0 instruments. See our full trading rules comparison.
Alpha Capital Group offers scaling up to $2.0M. Both firms offer scaling plans for consistent traders.
Both firms are vetted by PropFirmScan. Alpha Capital Group has a PFS score of 6.8/10 and FTMO scores 8.2/10. See our vetting methodology.
Alpha Capital Group: News ✅, EA ✅. FTMO: News ✅, EA ✅.
Final Verdict: Alpha Capital Group vs FTMO
FTMO emerges as the stronger contender in this comparison.
FTMO offers a higher potential profit split (up to 90% vs. Alpha Capital Group's 80%) coupled with a refundable challenge fee, significantly reducing financial risk for successful traders. Its vastly superior total payouts of $500 million underscore a decade of proven reliability and industry leadership.
For ambitious traders weighing their proprietary trading options, the choice between Alpha Capital Group and FTMO boils down to a blend of risk tolerance, profit ambitions, and value placed on tenure. Newer traders or those prioritizing a slightly less established but still highly reputable firm might find Alpha Capital Group appealing, particularly its impressive $70 million in payouts for a firm founded in 2021. However, seasoned traders or those seeking the absolute highest potential profit split and the financial assurance of a refunded challenge fee will likely gravitate towards FTMO. Its decade-long track record and half a billion dollars in payouts solidify its position as an industry leader. For a trader prioritizing maximum profit retention and minimal initial capital risk, FTMO's refundable fee and up to 90% profit split are clear advantages. Conversely, if a trader is comfortable with similar challenge parameters but values the opportunity to get funded with a rapidly growing, modern firm, Alpha Capital Group presents a compelling alternative. Ultimately, both platforms offer excellent avenues for capital growth, but FTMO’s established financial perks and extensive history offer a compelling edge for a wider range of serious traders.
Ready to Start Trading?
Get cashback on either firm through PropFirmScan — your built-in discount.