Head to head · Oct 2026
Alpha Capital Group vs FTMO
FTMO grades higher overall, 7.6 to 5.3. Across 21 measurable rows, Alpha Capital Group comes out ahead on 4 and FTMO on 10.
Cheap static-drawdown accounts and detailed rules, undercut by a 2026 wave of payout-stage bans
Still the benchmark for getting paid, but read the risk clauses before you size up
Key differences
In short
- A $100K evaluation is cheaper at Alpha Capital Group ($397 vs $567 at FTMO).
- FTMO has the stronger payout record (8.4 vs 5.0).
- Alpha Capital Group carries more hidden-rule risk (7.3 vs 4.8), led by: max risk rule closes funded accounts on a single-asset loss.
- FTMO allows more capital ($2,000,000 vs $400,000).
- Only Alpha Capital Group sells instant programs.
- DXtrade, TradeLocker are only available at Alpha Capital Group.
- MT4, TradingView, NinjaTrader, Tradovate are only available at FTMO.
Alpha Capital Group vs FTMO, side by side
The better value in each row is marked
| Criterion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grade | ||
| Overall score | D5.3 | A7.6 |
| Payouts | 5.0 | 8.4 |
| Rules & transparency | 4.5 | 6.0 |
| Reputation | 4.0 | 8.6 |
| Trading conditions | 7.0 | 6.8 |
| Support | 6.0 | 7.6 |
| Platforms & execution | 7.0 | 7.6 |
| Evidence | ||
| Trustpilot | Hidden (22K) | 4.8 (53K) |
| Pass rate | 20%Third-party | 10%Reported |
| Hidden risk | 7.3 Very highHidden risk 7.3 out of 10, Very high | 4.8 HighHidden risk 4.8 out of 10, High |
| Negative recent reviews | 30.5% | 1.5% |
| Offer | ||
| $100K challenge | $397 | $567 |
| Cheapest account | $27 | $90 |
| Max allocation | $400K | $2M |
| Max profit split | 90% | 90% |
| Payouts | Bi-weekly every 14 days (Alpha Pro only) or on demand (all… | Every 14 days per FTMO Account (immediate for Supreme… |
| Programs | instant, 1-step, 2-step | 1-step, 2-step |
| Current offer | DEAL· 10KFOR40 | 20% OFF |
| Company | ||
| Headquarters | Harpenden, United Kingdom | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Years in business | 5 | 11 |
| Trading | ||
| Platforms | MT5, cTrader, DXtrade, TradeLocker | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, NinjaTrader, Tradovate |
| Assets | Forex, Indices, Metals, Energies | Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Energies, Crypto, Stocks, Futures |
| EAs | Restricted | Restricted |
| News trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Weekend holding | Restricted | Restricted |
| Copy trading | Restricted | Restricted |
| Hedging | Restricted | Restricted |
Harpenden, United Kingdom
Prague, Czech RepublicWhich should you choose?
By trading style
| You are… | Pick | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | FTMO | No time limit, a free trial and clear 2-Step rules help learners, but fees from about $90 to $1,226 and a 10% first target make repeat attempts costly. |
| Experienced traders | FTMO | A static 10% drawdown, scaling to $2M and an 11-year payout record suit disciplined traders who keep risk near 1% per idea. |
| 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 | FTMO | Scalping is allowed, but a simulated delay of up to 200 ms plus frequent complaints about slippage and gold spreads hurt short-term edges. |
| EA & algo traders | FTMO | EAs are allowed within 2,000 server requests a day, but third-party EAs risk the $400K per-strategy cap shared with other users. |
| News traders | FTMO | News trading is free in evaluations and on Swing and futures accounts, but funded Standard accounts block trades 2 minutes either side of major releases. |
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.
FTMO verdict
Still the benchmark for getting paid, but read the risk clauses before you size up
Best for: Disciplined day and swing traders who risk about 1% per trade idea and value an 11-year payout record over the cheapest fee.
Avoid if: You pass challenges with oversized positions, run copy or group setups across accounts, or need rules that cannot be tightened after you pass.
Alpha Capital Group vs FTMO FAQ
Questions traders ask
Is Alpha Capital Group better than FTMO?
On our grading FTMO scores higher overall (7.6 vs 5.3, grade A vs D). Alpha Capital Group still comes out ahead on conditions. The better choice depends on your style: compare the rules rows above before buying.
Which is cheaper, Alpha Capital Group or FTMO?
At list price a $100K evaluation costs $397 at Alpha Capital Group and $567 at FTMO, so Alpha Capital Group is cheaper. The smallest accounts start at $27 and $90. Discounts change often, so check the offers page.
Which pays out more reliably, Alpha Capital Group or FTMO?
FTMO has the stronger payout score (Alpha Capital Group 5.0 vs FTMO 8.4). Alpha Capital Group pays bi-weekly every 14 days (alpha pro only) or on demand (all plans; the default); FTMO pays every 14 days per ftmo account (immediate for supreme premium traders); futures cycles need 4-5 qualifying days.
Which has fewer hidden rules, Alpha Capital Group or FTMO?
FTMO has the lower Hidden Risk score (Alpha Capital Group 7.3, very high; FTMO 4.8, high). Each review lists the specific rules behind the score.
Is it easier to pass Alpha Capital Group or FTMO?
Alpha Capital Group: 20% (third-party). FTMO: 10% (reported). Estimates are a guide to difficulty only; drawdown type and daily loss rules matter as much as the target.
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