Rules compared
| Rule | FTMO | Alpha Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Market | Forex / CFD | Forex / CFD |
| Phases | Two-phase | Two-phase |
| Eval cost (mid tier) | $540 | $500 |
| Profit target | 10% + 5% | 8% + 5% |
| Max drawdown | Static · 10% | Static · 10% |
| Daily loss limit | 5% | 5% |
| Consistency rule | None | None |
| Min trading days | 4 | 3 |
| Max days | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Profit split | 80% | 80% |
| Payout buffer | 1% | 1% |
| Trailing on funded | No | No |
| Payout frequency | Every 14 days | Every 14 days |
Simulated outcomes, same trader
Identical balanced archetype (50% win rate, 1.2R average winner, 3 trades a day), 10,000 simulated evaluations against each firm's exact ruleset.
| Metric | FTMO | Alpha Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Pass rate | 20.3% | 25.0% |
| Payout rate (if passed) | 54.4% | 54.4% |
| Joint withdrawal probability | 11.0% | 13.6% |
| Expected P&L over 50 challenges | -$19.3k | -$16k |
| Failures from drawdown breach | 9% | 10% |
| Failures from daily loss | 28% | 30% |
Which should you pick?
FTMO: FTMO is the reference standard in forex prop — two phases, static drawdown, and the most consistent payout track record in the industry. The two-phase structure lowers raw pass rates, but funded traders who pass historically get paid. The 'default' choice; not the cheapest, not the most generous, but the most reliable.
Alpha Capital: Alpha Capital's two-phase model is a close FTMO clone at a lower price point. Generous news-trading and holding rules relative to competitors. Payout reliability is decent but younger than FTMO/FundedNext — factor that into long-run EV.
On the numbers above, Alpha Capital is the better expected-value choice for a balanced profile — but archetypes are not you. A scalper and a swing trader can flip this ranking entirely, because drawdown type punishes lumpy P&L far more than frequent small P&L. Run your own drawdown numbers first, then simulate your real stats.
Frequently asked
Is FTMO or Alpha Capital easier to pass?+
In our simulation of a balanced 50%-win-rate trader, FTMO passes 20.3% of the time and Alpha Capital passes 25.0% — so Alpha Capital is the easier evaluation for that profile. The gap is driven mostly by drawdown type (Static vs Static) and the number of phases.
Which is cheaper, FTMO or Alpha Capital?+
The mid-tier evaluation costs $540 at FTMO and $500 at Alpha Capital. Sticker price is the wrong comparison though: over 50 attempted challenges our simulation nets -$19.3k at FTMO versus -$16k at Alpha Capital, because a cheaper eval you fail more often is not cheaper.
Which pays out more reliably, FTMO or Alpha Capital?+
Conditional on passing, our model gives FTMO a 54.4% chance of reaching a first payout versus 54.4% at Alpha Capital. End to end — pass and withdraw — that is 11.0% vs 13.6%. Profit splits are 80% and 80%.
What is the biggest rule difference between FTMO and Alpha Capital?+
FTMO uses a static drawdown of 10% with a 5% daily loss limit; Alpha Capital uses a static drawdown of 10% with a 5% daily loss limit. FTMO is the stricter ruleset for most trading styles.
Compare both firms using YOUR trading stats
Log your trades in the journal, push your real win rate and R-multiple into the simulator, and see which of these two rulesets you actually clear.
Run my simulationMore FTMO comparisons
Based on publicly listed rules as of 2026-07-15. Independent — not affiliated with FTMO or Alpha Capital. Rules change; verify before paying. Simulations are estimates, not guarantees.