Alpha Futures is a UK-based futures proprietary trading firm founded in 2023 and built around the goal of giving traders access to structured evaluations, modern trading technology, and a pathway toward professional futures trading. The firm is part of the wider Alpha Group, alongside Alpha Capital Group and ACG Markets, and operates under Alpha Futures Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales.
Unlike a traditional futures broker, Alpha Futures provides evaluation and Qualified Accounts in a simulated trading environment, where traders can earn performance fees based on simulated profits. It offers Zero, Standard, Advanced, and Direct accounts, with the first three using a one-step evaluation and Direct allowing traders to skip the evaluation and enter a Qualified Account immediately.
With different account structures, profit splits of up to 90%, defined drawdown and consistency rules, and a one-step evaluation model, Alpha Futures offers several ways for futures traders to pursue a Qualified Account. However, each plan has different costs, risk parameters, payout conditions, and trading restrictions, making it important to understand the rules before choosing an account.
Alpha Futures Pros & Cons
When considering the firm, it’s essential to weigh its advantages and limitations to assess if it aligns with your trading approach and goals. Alpha Futures has several advantages, although traders should also consider its account rules, platform changes, and recent customer feedback.
Pros
- No time limit on evaluations; swing traders can take all the time they need.
- EOD drawdown is calculated using the end-of-day balance rather than intraday equity highs.
- 90% profit split from the start on Zero, Standard, and Advanced accounts.
Cons
- Some recent customer reviews reported platform-transition issues, payout delays and disputes over rule enforcement.
How the Alpha Futures Prop Firm Challenge Works
Joining Alpha Futures begins with one essential step: passing their prop firm challenge. This process evaluates a trader’s consistency, discipline, and risk management before they move to a Qualified Account. What sets this challenge apart is its simplicity. There is only one phase to complete, which makes it both accessible and efficient for traders at all levels.
1. Choose your Account Size and Profit Split
The first decision every trader makes is selecting their evaluation account. Alpha Futures offers several simulated account sizes, depending on the account type. The account size you choose affects your profit target, drawdown limits, and initial contract limits.
Traders also benefit from a generous 90% profit split. Unlike many firms that limit payouts early on, Alpha Futures rewards consistent profitability from the start.
2. Complete the Alpha Futures Prop Firm Challenge
To pass the challenge, traders must reach the predefined profit target for their account size while adhering to strict risk controls.
There are no time limits to pass the evaluation, which reduces stress and allows traders to perform at their natural pace. If you break a rule, resets have fees which can change time to time. You can visit the Alpha Futures official website to know the latest fees.
3. Pass Evaluation and Get Funded
Once a trader passes the evaluation, accounts purchased after July 8, 2026, do not require activation fees, traders are moved to a qualified account. The Qualified Account then follows the rules and payout conditions applicable to the selected plan.
The standard evaluation-to-qualified pathway is simulated; Alpha has a separate pathway for potential live capital that also comes with advanced monitoring tools that provide feedback on risk, performance, and consistency.
Alpha Futures Challenges
Alpha Futures offers four account types: Zero, Standard, Advanced, and Direct. Zero, Standard, and Advanced use a one-step evaluation, while Direct skips the evaluation and starts traders directly in a Qualified Account.
1. Zero Evaluation
Zero is the lowest-cost evaluation and is designed for traders who want no consistency requirement during the evaluation and the option to pass after just one trading day.
| Feature | 25K Zero | 50K Zero | 100K Zero |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $89 | $139 | $279 |
| Profit Target | $1,500 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| Maximum Loss Limit | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Daily Loss Guard | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Max Position | 1 mini / 10 micros | 3 minis / 30 micros | 6 minis / 60 micros |
| Minimum Trading Days | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Evaluation Consistency | None | None | None |
| Activation Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Qualified stage: Zero has a 40% consistency rule, a Daily Loss Guard, and a scaling plan. Qualified traders can request performance fees after meeting the five-winning-day requirement.
2. Standard Evaluation
Standard is currently available again, and the current Standard account does not use the old $149 activation-fee structure. Alpha Futures states that Standard has a 90% performance split from the start and no activation fee.
| Feature | 50K Standard | 100K Standard | 150K Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $129 | $239 | $349 |
| Profit Target | $3,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 |
| Maximum Loss Limit | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,500 |
| Daily Loss Guard | — Evaluation None | None | None |
| Max Position | 5 minis / 50 micros | 10 minis / 100 micros | 15 minis / 150 micros |
| Evaluation Consistency | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Qualified Consistency | 40% | 40% | 40% |
| Activation Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Profit Split | 90% | 90% | 90% |
For Standard Qualified Accounts, traders can withdraw after five winning trading days of at least $200, with withdrawals available up to four times per month. The current withdrawal caps are $3,000 for 50K, $4,000 for 100K, and $5,000 for 150K accounts.
3. Advanced Evaluation
Advanced is aimed at traders who want larger profit targets and full contract limits without a scaling plan. Unlike Zero and Standard, Advanced has no Daily Loss Guard, and its Qualified Accounts do not have a consistency requirement.
| Feature | 50K Advanced | 100K Advanced | 150K Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $209 | $349 | $489 |
| Profit Target | $4,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Maximum Loss Limit | $1,750 | $3,500 | $5,250 |
| Daily Loss Guard | None | None | None |
| Max Position | 5 minis / 50 micros | 10 minis / 100 micros | 15 minis / 150 micros |
| Evaluation Consistency | 40% | 40% | 40% |
| Qualified Consistency | None | None | None |
| Scaling Plan | No | No | No |
| Profit Split | 90% | 90% | 90% |
Advanced Qualified Accounts can request up to $15,000 per performance-fee request, subject to the applicable rules.
4. Direct Qualified
Direct is not an evaluation challenge. Traders pay a one-time fee and enter a Qualified Account immediately. It was introduced in July 2026.
| Feature | 25K Direct | 50K Direct | 100K Direct | 150K Direct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-Time Fee | $349 | $519 | $689 | $859 |
| Evaluation | None | None | None | None |
| Profit Target for First Payout | $1,500 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 |
| Target for Later Payouts | $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Consistency | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
| Scaling Plan | No | No | No | No |
| Profit Split | 90% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
Direct has no five-winning-day requirement. However, traders must meet the applicable withdrawal profit target and 20% consistency requirement before requesting a performance fee.
Alpha Futures Evaluation Rules
Maximum Loss Limit
Alpha Futures confirms that MLL is EOD trailing across its accounts.
Consistency Rules
Zero evaluation has no consistency rule. Advanced evaluations use 40%. Zero Qualified uses 40%, Direct uses 20%, and Advanced Qualified accounts have no consistency rule. Standard evaluation has a 50% consistency rule, and Standard Qualified has 40%.
Daily Loss Guard
The Zero DLL is $500/$1,000/$2,000. Reaching it closes positions and locks the account until the next session rather than permanently failing it.
Minimum Trading Days
Zero requires one evaluation day. Qualified payout cycles on Zero, Standard, and Advanced require five winning days of at least $200.
News trading
Alpha Futures Evaluation accounts have no news trading restrictions. The same is the case with Advanced Qualified accounts. However, the Direct, Standard, and Zero Qualified accounts have restrictions for orders executed within two minutes before or after any relevant high-impact news events. Existing positions may be held through news.
Simulation and Live Capital
Evaluation and Qualified accounts are simulated. The firm separately reviews traders for transition to its real-capital live structure.
Alpha Futures Trading Instruments
Alpha Futures lists CME Group products only, spanning multiple asset classes:
| Asset Class | Examples |
|---|---|
| Equity Indices | ES, MES, NQ, MNQ |
| FX Futures | 6E, 6B, 6A |
| Metals | GC, MGC, SI |
| Energy | CL, MCL, NG |
| Agriculture | ZC, ZW, ZS |
| Interest Rates | ZT, ZF, ZN |
| Crypto | MBT, MET |
Trading hours follow exchange sessions with the firm’s daily cut-off at 4:20 PM ET on simulated accounts. MBT/MET are counted as minis for position-limit purposes. Instrument availability and exchange data entitlements are controlled by account setup and signed market-data agreements.
Alpha Futures Trading Platforms
Alpha Futures offers leading virtual trading platforms tailored to different trading styles. Choose the tools and workflow that fit you best and trade confidently.
1. AlphaTrader
It is the in-house trading platform for futures prop traders. Desk-grade execution and depth of market tools built for prop analysts.
Key Features:
- Tradingview Charts
- Autoloads front contract
- One Click Trading: drag to set stop loss and take profit.
- Commission free trading, only pay regulatory fees on AlphaTrader
- Personal risk, daily loss, daily profit, and manual lock settings
- Built in trade copier
2. WealthCharts
It is a web-based trading platform designed for futures traders.
Key Features:
- Desktop & Mobile Trading App
- Live Support & Trading Community
- Real-Time Alerts & Market Scanners
- Built-In Trade Copier & OmniProp Support
- Multi-Chart Layouts & Trading DOM
3. Quantower
A multi-asset & multi-connect trading platform for any trader and free to start.
Key Features:
- Multi-asset trading platform
- 40+ trading and analysis panels
- Advanced order flow tools
- Multi-broker / multi-connection support
- Free version + paid pro features
4. Deepcharts
Available through web and desktop, with access to the OrderFlow package.
Key Features:
- Orderflow / X-Ray Charts
- 80+ Indicators
- Institutional Activity Tracking
- All-in-One Trading Tools
- Liquidity / DOM Analysis
Trading Rules and Restrictions at Alpha Futures
Trading Rules
Maximum Loss Limit (MLL): EOD trailing from the end-of-day balance high; it never trails below the starting balance. Breaching MLL closes the account.
Trading hours: Firm day runs 6:00 PM to 5:00 PM ET; all positions must be closed by 4:20 PM ET each day on simulated accounts.
News trading: Alpha Futures doesn’t impose any news trading restrictions for Advanced Qualified accounts and any type of Evaluation accounts. However, for Direct, Standard, and Zero Qualified accounts, it permits traders to hold existing positions but doesn’t allow them to executre orders within two minutes before or after any relevant high-impact events.
Alpha Futures uses ForexFactory’s red-folder events to identify high-impact news relevant to the asset that you are trading.
Payout cadence: Up to four payout requests per month after five winning trading days of $200+ each (days need not be consecutive). Payout requests are subject to Alpha Futures’ processing procedures. Profit split is 90% on Advanced, Standard, and Zero. Minimum/maximum per request depend on plan and size.
Trading Restrictions
Automation: Full automation, AI/bots, and HFT patterns (e.g., 100+ trades/day) are prohibited; semi-automation with manual execution is permitted.
Scalping constraints: Patterns of tick or micro scalping (e.g., trades under 10 ticks and under two minutes) designed to exploit the simulated environment are not allowed.
Hedging/cross-account behaviour: Reverse trading or hedging across accounts (e.g., long ES on one account, short MES on another) and coordinated group trading are prohibited. Copy trading is permitted only for a single individual across their own accounts; use the smallest account as leader to avoid leverage mismatches.
Price-limit proximity: Trading is prohibited within 2% of a CME price limit to reduce halt/limit-condition risks.
Connectivity: VPS is allowed; VPNs used to hide or alter IP are prohibited.
Consistency and Scaling Rules
Once you’ve proven consistency and built up profit buffers, Alpha Futures allows you to scale your contract limits. For example:
- Zero 50K starts at 1 mini / 10 micros and increases according to the published profit thresholds.
- Zero Qualified Accounts use a scaling plan that increases contract limits according to the firm’s published profit thresholds.
- Scaling is controlled, not automatic. You must apply for a contract limit increase through the dashboard. This ensures traders don’t increase their risk prematurely.
Following these rules doesn’t just keep you in compliance. It builds good habits, promotes longevity in your trading journey, and demonstrates to Alpha Futures that you’re ready to manage real capital with care.
Leverage Structure
As a futures program, Alpha uses position caps (minis/micros) rather than retail-style leverage ratios. Caps vary by plan and account size, and some plans include scaling rules that expand maximum contracts as profits accrue. For example, scaling allows higher contract counts after specific profit thresholds; Advanced generally has full contract limits without scaling. Crypto micros (MBT, MET) are treated as full minis for position-limit purposes.
Alpha Futures Customer Service and Education
Customer support channels
The firm’s support hours reflect that you can reach their support team through the following channels:
- Email Support: You can submit queries via the contact form or directly to support@alpha-futures.com.
- Operating Hours: The team is available Monday to Friday from 8 AM – 8 PM (GMT). This covers the entire European session and the morning to mid-US session.
Education and resources
Alpha Futures aims to build long-term partnerships with their traders by providing multiple educational resources. Their “Learn” hub is divided into practical categories:
- Analyst interviews: This is a standout feature. You can watch “Meet the Analysts” videos where successful traders share their strategies and review their payout journeys (e.g., “$3,000 Single Payout” case studies).
- Introduction to futures: A dedicated section for beginners, including guides like “How To Trade Futures For Beginners 2025” and “From Zero to Funded.”
- Forex to futures: Specialised content designed to help retail Forex traders transition to the centralised futures market.
- Q&A sessions: Regular videos featuring the COO and market experts answering common questions about signing up and managing trades.
The Analyst Interviews provide excellent social proof and practical insights into what is working right now on their platform.
Commission Fees and Pricing
Trading Commissions
Alpha publishes a product-by-product fee sheet that includes: NFA fees per side, exchange fees per side, and a per-side commission, along with an indicative round-trip total by contract.
Swap/Holding Costs
Futures do not incur overnight “swap” financing in the CFD sense. On simulated accounts, Alpha requires you to close positions by 4:20 PM ET each day; the new session begins at 6:00 PM ET. Market data fees are separate from trading commissions: Level 1 CME Top of Book is included; optional Level 2 DOM data is $41/month per user; EUREX DOM is $26/month.
Refund Policy
The Return Policy states that all sales are final and no refunds are issued. The Terms add that if Alpha suspends services for more than 30 days, users can cancel and receive a refund of any fees paid in advance for services not received. To obtain qualified-account access, activation fees are not required, and contracts must be signed within 30 days of passing.
Alpha Futures’ Payout Policy and Processing Time
For Zero, Standard, and Advanced Qualified Accounts, traders can request withdrawals up to 4 times a month. Additionally, each request can pull up to 50% of the profit sitting in the account (up to the applicable withdrawal limit), with the rest remaining on the account for drawdown or future withdrawals.
The baseline eligibility trigger is 5 winning trading days of at least $200 profit each, and those winning days don’t need to be consecutive; they just need to accumulate between withdrawal requests.
Withdrawal limits differ by account type. Advanced Qualified Accounts have a maximum withdrawal of $15,000 per request, and this applies at all Advanced account sizes. That’s also the plan type that skips the consistency rule entirely once qualified, which is why the firm markets it as its highest-ceiling option. Payout methods on offer include wire transfer, Wise, Rise, ACH, and SWIFT, with Rise requiring a signed agreement before the first payout goes out.
Is Alpha Futures Legit and Safe?
In a market where new prop firms appear regularly, evaluating legitimacy becomes crucial for traders seeking reliable funding partners. Several factors suggest that Alpha Futures is an established operating prop firm, although traders should still review its rules, payout conditions, and terms before purchasing an account.
First, the company is exceptionally transparent in its operations. It has clear and detailed documentation of all policies, the evaluation rules, risk management protocols, pricing structure, profit-sharing model, and trading requirements are openly displayed and consistently enforced.
Second, Alpha Futures implements robust risk management tools. Rather than promising unrealistic returns, the organisation has developed structured scaling plans that reward proven performance. The inclusion of well-defined daily loss guards and maximum loss limits shows a serious approach to capital preservation. Their automated system protections for trading hours compliance reflect a professional understanding of market operations.
Third, the trader-centric features of their business model point to legitimate operations. The company offers multiple evaluation paths through Standard and Advanced options, indicating an understanding that different traders require different approaches. Their proprietary AlphaTrader platform, designed specifically for futures trading, represents a significant investment in trader success. The reasonable reset fees and progressive profit splits encourage long-term relationships rather than quick profits.
Perhaps most telling is their approach to trading environment integrity. The firm maintains strict policies against market manipulation, clearly prohibiting algorithmic trading abuse and exploitative practices like tick scalping. Their prevention of account rolling and group trading, along with protection against simulation environment exploitation, shows a commitment to maintaining a fair trading environment.
While relatively new to the prop trading space, Alpha Futures has established itself through professional operations, transparent policies, and a clear focus on developing sustainable trading practices rather than promoting get-rich-quick schemes. Their structured approach to trader development and emphasis on risk management aligns with legitimate prop firm practices, making them a credible option for serious traders seeking funding opportunities.
Who is Alpha Futures best for?
Who Should Consider Alpha Futures?
- Traders with an established futures trading strategy
- Those who prefer one-step evaluations over multi-phase challenges
- Traders seeking flexibility in funded account conditions
- Individuals comfortable with subscription-based pricing
Who May Want to Look Elsewhere?
- Traders looking for extensive coaching or education resources
- Those who require clearly published static pricing tables
- Traders who prefer firms with long operational histories
- Anyone who dislikes monthly subscription billing
Conclusion
Alpha Futures offers a structured approach to funded futures trading through its one-step evaluation model and trader-focused features. With profit splits of up to 90%, different account structures, and plan-specific risk-management rules, the firm offers several features that may appeal to traders seeking flexibility and defined risk-management tools.
Alpha Futures may be suitable for both experienced futures traders and traders who have developed a consistent strategy and are ready to pursue funded trading. However, traders should carefully review the evaluation requirements, drawdown rules, payout conditions, fees, and other account terms before choosing a plan.
Overall, Alpha Futures is a prop firm worth considering for traders seeking funded futures accounts with a one-step evaluation, competitive profit splits, paid reset options, and built-in risk-management features. The right choice ultimately depends on whether its account rules and trading conditions align with your strategy, experience, and risk tolerance.