Alpha Futures and The 5%ers are two prop trading firms catering to different types of traders with unique evaluation processes, trading rules, and market specializations. This in-depth comparison explores their features, rules, trading platforms, payout systems, and more to help traders determine the best fit for their goals.
1. Company Overview
Alpha Futures
- Founded: 2024
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Specialization: Futures trading
- Leadership: CEO Ben Chaffee, who also leads Alpha Capital Group, focused on forex trading.
- Mission: To expand access to futures trading, catering to international markets outside the U.S.
The 5%ers
- Founded: 2016
- Headquarters: Israel
- Specialization: Forex and CFDs
- Leadership: Founded by Gil Ben Our and Snir Achiel, experienced traders with a mission to empower global traders.
- Mission: To offer scalable growth opportunities to traders with diverse programs tailored to different skill levels.
2. Evaluation Programs
Alpha Futures
- Evaluation Type: One-step evaluation.
- Profit Target: Achieve a 6% profit target during the evaluation.
- Drawdown Limits:
- Maximum Drawdown: 4% of the account balance, based on daily balance (not equity highs).
- Daily Drawdown: None, allowing greater flexibility for traders.
- Consistency Rule: 50% of profits must come from consistent trading, ensuring steady performance.
- Minimum Trading Days: None, allowing traders to complete the evaluation at their own pace.
- Maximum Trading Days: Unlimited.
- Account Sizes and Fees:
- $50,000 account: $79/month.
- $100,000 account: $159/month.
- $150,000 account: $239/month.
The 5%ers
- Evaluation Types:
- Bootcamp Program:
- Three-step evaluation, requiring a 6% profit target at each step.
- Maximum Loss: 5%.
- Leverage: 1:10.
- Account Sizes: $5,000 to $250,000.
- Time to Complete: Unlimited.
- High Stakes Program:
- Two-step evaluation:
- Phase 1: Profit target of 8% with a maximum loss of 10%.
- Phase 2: Profit target of 5% with a maximum loss of 10%.
- Leverage: 1:100.
- Account Sizes: $10,000 to $100,000.
- Time to Complete: Flexible.
- Two-step evaluation:
- Hyper Growth Program:
- Instant funding without evaluation.
- Profit Target: 10%.
- Maximum Loss: 6%.
- Account Sizes: $10,000 to $40,000.
- Scaling: Up to $4 million.
- Bootcamp Program:
- Profit Split: Starts at 50% and scales up to 100%.
Key Differences:
- Alpha Futures has a simpler one-step evaluation process with no time limits but stricter profit and drawdown rules.
- The 5%ers offer multiple evaluation options, including instant funding, making them more accessible to traders with different goals.
3. Trading Platforms
Alpha Futures
- Proprietary Platform: AlphaTicks
- Integrated with TradingView for advanced charting and analysis.
- User-friendly interface, supporting up to 8 chart windows.
- Built-in technical indicators and drawing tools.
- Platform Restrictions: Does not allow external platforms like NinjaTrader or MetaTrader.
The 5%ers
- Platforms:
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5): A widely used platform for forex and CFD trading.
- Match-Trader: Advanced features for high-frequency and professional traders.
- Proprietary dashboard for account monitoring and performance analytics.
Key Differences:
- Alpha Futures’ AlphaTicks is tailored specifically for futures trading, while The 5%ers provide MT5 and Match-Trader, which are preferred for forex and CFD traders.
4. Tradable Instruments
Alpha Futures
- Specialization: Futures trading.
- Available Instruments:
- Equity Futures
- Forex Futures
- Agricultural Futures
- Energy Futures
- Metals Futures
- Interest Rate Futures
The 5%ers
- Specialization: Forex and CFDs.
- Available Instruments:
- Forex pairs
- Indices
- Commodities
- Metals
- Cryptocurrencies
- Stocks (through a partner platform)
Key Differences:
- Alpha Futures is ideal for traders exclusively focused on futures markets, while The 5%ers provide broader access to forex, indices, and stocks, appealing to multi-asset traders.
5. Profit Splits and Payouts
Alpha Futures
- Profit Split: Up to 90%.
- Payout Frequency: Bi-weekly payouts.
- Conditions: Traders must meet profit thresholds before requesting withdrawals.
The 5%ers
- Profit Split: Ranges from 50% to 100%, depending on performance and the chosen program.
- Payout Frequency: Flexible, depending on the program.
- Conditions: No minimum thresholds; payouts are performance-based.
Key Differences:
- Alpha Futures’ profit split is fixed at 90%, whereas The 5%ers offer scalability to 100%, providing higher long-term earning potential for consistent traders.
6. Red Flags and Concerns
Alpha Futures:
- Limited Track Record:
- As a newly established firm, Alpha Futures lacks an extensive reputation for payouts and transparency.
- Platform Limitations:
- Traders are restricted to using AlphaTicks, which may not suit those accustomed to more widely used platforms.
- Subscription Fees:
- Monthly fees continue even if traders fail the evaluation, adding ongoing costs.
- Consistency Rule:
- The 50% consistency rule may penalize traders who rely on high-profit trades for success.
The 5%ers:
- High Initial Costs:
- Bootcamp and High Stakes programs can be expensive, especially for smaller accounts.
- Scaling Challenges:
- While scaling opportunities are extensive, meeting the required milestones may be difficult for some traders.
- Strict Risk Management Rules:
- Drawdown limits and leverage constraints may be restrictive for high-risk strategies.
7. Scaling Opportunities
Alpha Futures
- Scaling Plan: Limited details on scaling beyond initial account sizes ($150,000 cap).
The 5%ers
- Scaling Plan: Structured growth to $4 million through consistent performance.
Key Differences:
- The 5%ers provide a well-defined scaling plan, making them ideal for traders seeking long-term growth.
Conclusion
Alpha Futures
- Best For: Futures traders who value simplicity and want a firm focused solely on their niche.
- Strengths: Straightforward evaluation, competitive profit split, and no daily drawdown limits.
- Weaknesses: Limited track record, proprietary platform restrictions, and monthly subscription fees.
The 5%ers
- Best For: Multi-asset traders looking for flexible evaluation options, extensive scaling opportunities, and access to forex and CFDs.
- Strengths: Multiple evaluation paths, high potential profit splits, and a well-established reputation.
- Weaknesses: Higher costs for advanced programs and stricter drawdown limits.
Recommendation:
Choose Alpha Futures if you specialize in futures trading and want a streamlined evaluation process.
Opt for The 5%ers if you value flexibility, access to multiple asset classes, and long-term scaling potential.