Head to head · Oct 2026
Alpha Capital Group vs AquaFunded
Alpha Capital Group grades higher overall, 5.3 to 4.7. Across 21 measurable rows, Alpha Capital Group comes out ahead on 9 and AquaFunded on 4.
Cheap static-drawdown accounts and detailed rules, undercut by a 2026 wave of payout-stage bans
Cheap challenges wrapped in a dense, shifting rulebook and a damaged reputation
Key differences
In short
- A $100K evaluation is cheaper at AquaFunded ($279.20 vs $397 at Alpha Capital Group).
- Alpha Capital Group carries more hidden-rule risk (7.3 vs 7.0), led by: max risk rule closes funded accounts on a single-asset loss.
- DXtrade is only available at Alpha Capital Group.
- Match-Trader, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView are only available at AquaFunded.
Alpha Capital Group vs AquaFunded, side by side
The better value in each row is marked
| Criterion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grade | ||
| Overall score | D5.3 | D4.7 |
| Payouts | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rules & transparency | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Reputation | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Trading conditions | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| Support | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| Platforms & execution | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Evidence | ||
| Trustpilot | Hidden (22K) | Hidden (1.2K) |
| Pass rate | 20%Third-party | 8%Estimate |
| Hidden risk | 7.3 Very highHidden risk 7.3 out of 10, Very high | 7.0 Very highHidden risk 7.0 out of 10, Very high |
| Negative recent reviews | 30.5% | 80.5% |
| Offer | ||
| $100K challenge | $397 | $279.20 |
| Cheapest account | $27 | $20 |
| Max allocation | $400K | $400K |
| Max profit split | 90% | 100% |
| Payouts | Bi-weekly every 14 days (Alpha Pro only) or on demand (all… | Every 14 days by default… |
| Programs | instant, 1-step, 2-step | instant, 1-step, 2-step |
| Current offer | DEAL· 10KFOR40 | 25% OFF· AUTUMN |
| Company | ||
| Headquarters | Harpenden, United Kingdom | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Years in business | 5 | 3 |
| Trading | ||
| Platforms | MT5, cTrader, DXtrade, TradeLocker | MT5, cTrader, Match-Trader, TradeLocker, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView |
| Assets | Forex, Indices, Metals, Energies | Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, Crypto, Futures |
| EAs | Restricted | Restricted |
| News trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Weekend holding | Restricted | Restricted |
| Copy trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Hedging | Restricted | Restricted |
Harpenden, United Kingdom
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesWhich should you choose?
By trading style
| You are… | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | Either | Alpha Capital Group: Entry is cheap ($27-$47 for $5K), but the funded stage adds a per-asset loss cap, lot caps, a news blackout and possible 1% risk-group placement that punish typical beginner mistakes. |
| Experienced traders | Either | Alpha Capital Group: Static-drawdown Pro accounts at $397-$527 per $100K are good value, but consistently profitable traders are the ones reporting payout-stage terminations in 2026. |
| Swing traders | Either | Alpha Capital Group: Alpha Swing allows weekend holds and news with a 10% static floor, but it costs $577 per $100K, runs at 1:30, and the funded Max Risk Rule (2% open loss per asset on $50K and up) limits holding through drawdowns. |
| Scalpers | Either | Alpha Capital Group: The 2-minute average-duration rule, the 50% profit test and the position-spamming ban target scalping directly, and extreme scalping is a trigger for the Focused Trader Group. |
| EA & algo traders | Either | Alpha Capital Group: Only pre-approved trade-management EAs on MT5 are allowed; fully automated strategies are banned outright. |
| News traders | Either | Alpha Capital Group: Funded Pro, One and Direct accounts cannot open or close trades within 5 minutes of a long list of releases, and Swing news trades are watched under the gambling rules. |
Verdicts
Alpha Capital Group verdict
Cheap static-drawdown accounts and detailed rules, undercut by a 2026 wave of payout-stage bans
Best for: Disciplined intraday or swing traders who want static drawdown at a low price, trade a few instruments with small per-trade risk, and will declare every device and IP to support.
Avoid if: You scalp, trade news, run EAs, share a household or network with another Alpha trader, or need a firm whose payout record and reviews you can verify independently.
AquaFunded verdict
Cheap challenges wrapped in a dense, shifting rulebook and a damaged reputation
Best for: Disciplined traders with small, steady risk per trade who want cheap 2-step pricing, no time limits and a choice of four CFD platforms, and who will read every rule for their model.
Avoid if: You scalp, trade news, run EAs on a VPS, share a network with other traders, or need a firm with a clean, verifiable payout reputation.
Alpha Capital Group vs AquaFunded FAQ
Questions traders ask
Is Alpha Capital Group better than AquaFunded?
On our grading Alpha Capital Group scores higher overall (5.3 vs 4.7, grade D vs D). The better choice depends on your style: compare the rules rows above before buying.
Which is cheaper, Alpha Capital Group or AquaFunded?
At list price a $100K evaluation costs $397 at Alpha Capital Group and $279.20 at AquaFunded, so AquaFunded is cheaper. The smallest accounts start at $27 and $20. Discounts change often, so check the offers page.
Which pays out more reliably, Alpha Capital Group or AquaFunded?
Alpha Capital Group has the stronger payout score (Alpha Capital Group 5.0 vs AquaFunded 5.0). Alpha Capital Group pays bi-weekly every 14 days (alpha pro only) or on demand (all plans; the default); AquaFunded pays every 14 days by default; 7-day cycles (evaluations) or on-demand requests (instant) as paid add-ons; futures models pay on demand, daily or every 5-6 winning days.
Which has fewer hidden rules, Alpha Capital Group or AquaFunded?
AquaFunded has the lower Hidden Risk score (Alpha Capital Group 7.3, very high; AquaFunded 7.0, very high). Each review lists the specific rules behind the score.
Is it easier to pass Alpha Capital Group or AquaFunded?
Alpha Capital Group: 20% (third-party). AquaFunded: 8% (estimate). Estimates are a guide to difficulty only; drawdown type and daily loss rules matter as much as the target.
Compare Alpha Capital Group or AquaFunded with another firm
More head-to-heads
- Alpha Capital Group vs FTMO
- Alpha Capital Group vs FundedNext
- Alpha Capital Group vs BrightFunded
- Alpha Capital Group vs The5ers
- Alpha Capital Group vs FundingPips
- Alpha Capital Group vs Top One Trader
- Alpha Capital Group vs For Traders
- Alpha Capital Group vs Goat Funded Trader
- AquaFunded vs FTMO
- AquaFunded vs FundedNext
- AquaFunded vs BrightFunded
- AquaFunded vs The5ers
- AquaFunded vs FundingPips
- AquaFunded vs Top One Trader
- AquaFunded vs For Traders
- AquaFunded vs Goat Funded Trader