What you are signing up for
A prop firm evaluation is a test where you trade with simulated money to prove you can be profitable while following strict risk rules. If you pass, the firm shares a percentage of future profits with you.
Alpha Futures offers several paths. Their "Zero," "Standard," and "Advanced" plans require a monthly subscription fee while you are in the evaluation phase. For example, a 50K Advanced account costs $209 per month. They also have a "Direct" plan, which is an instant funding option where you pay a one-time fee (like $519 for 50K) to skip the test entirely.
The5ers Futures uses a more traditional one-time fee model. You pay once for the evaluation and have no time limit to finish it. Their 50K "Day Trade" challenge costs $100 as a single payment. Neither firm offers a free trial, so your first attempt will require an upfront investment.
How hard each one is
Both firms use a profit target, which is the specific amount of money you must earn to pass the test. For a 50K account, Alpha Futures asks for $3,000 to $4,000 depending on the plan, while The5ers asks for 6% ($3,000).
The main hurdle is the drawdown, which is the maximum amount you are allowed to lose before the firm closes your account. Both firms use an "End of Day (EOD) Trailing Drawdown."
- "Trailing" means the loss limit moves up as your account balance grows.
- "End of Day" means this limit only updates when the markets close, which is friendlier for beginners because it doesn't penalize you for profits that disappear during the middle of a trade.
Alpha Futures sets this limit at $2,000 for a 50K account. The5ers sets it at 4% ($2,000). Alpha has an advantage here: once your drawdown reaches your starting balance, it "locks" and stops moving up, giving you more breathing room as you grow the account.
How long it takes
You cannot pass these evaluations in a few minutes. Prop firms require "minimum trading days" to ensure your success wasn't just a lucky gamble.
- Alpha Futures requires 1 to 3 days of trading depending on the plan you choose.
- The5ers Futures allows you to pass in just 1 day.
Neither firm has a maximum time limit. You can take as many months as you need, provided you keep your account active. At The5ers, you must place at least one trade every 14 days to avoid inactivity. Alpha Futures gives you 10 trading days before marking an account as inactive.
Where beginners fail
Most beginners fail because of the consistency rule. This rule mandates that no single trading day or position can account for too much of your total profit. It prevents "gambling" on a single news event to pass the test.
- Alpha Futures has a 40% to 50% consistency rule. If you aim for a $3,000 profit, no single day can contribute more than $1,200 to $1,500 of that goal.
- The5ers Futures has a 40% consistency rule per position.
Another trap is news trading. Alpha Futures prohibits trading during high-impact news on most of their funded accounts. The5ers is more flexible, allowing news trading across their programs.
What happens if you make it
If you pass, you become a "Qualified" or "Funded" trader. Now, the focus shifts to how you get paid.
- Profit Split: This is the percentage of the money you keep. Alpha Futures offers a very high 90% split. The5ers offers 80%.
- Payout Frequency: Alpha Futures allows you to request money up to 4 times per month, and they guarantee same-day processing. The5ers requires you to wait 14 days for your first payout, and processing takes up to 3 business days.
- Platforms: You need software to trade. Alpha Futures offers TradingView, which is very popular and easy for beginners. The5ers uses BlackArrow.
If it is your first time
For a total beginner, The5ers Futures is the more balanced choice. The one-time fee of $100 for a 50K account is much cheaper than Alpha’s monthly subscriptions or high instant-funding fees. It removes the pressure of a recurring "ticking clock" payment.
However, if you are confident and want the best possible tools, Alpha Futures is superior because it offers TradingView and a higher 90% profit share. Just be aware that Alpha has more complex rules regarding daily loss limits on their cheaper plans.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper for a 50K evaluation, Alpha Futures or The5ers?
The5ers is significantly cheaper for a first attempt. Their 50K "Day Trade" evaluation costs a one-time fee of $100. Alpha Futures charges a monthly subscription of $139 for their "Zero" 50K plan or $209 for their "Advanced" 50K plan. This means if you take more than one month to pass at Alpha, you will have to pay the fee again.
Who pays out faster to their traders, Alpha Futures or The5ers?
Alpha Futures is faster. They offer a "same day" payout guarantee and allow traders to request withdrawals up to 4 times per month. In contrast, The5ers requires you to wait 14 days after your first trade in the funded account before requesting a payout, and the processing takes an additional 1 to 3 business days.
Which firm has a better profit share for the trader, Alpha Futures or The5ers?
Alpha Futures offers a higher profit split of 90% for the trader across all their plans. The5ers Futures provides an 80% profit split. This means that for every $1,000 of profit generated, you would keep $900 at Alpha Futures compared to $800 at The5ers.
Does Alpha Futures or The5ers offer better platform options for beginners?
Alpha Futures offers a wider and more beginner-friendly selection, including TradingView, which is widely considered the most intuitive platform for new traders. They also support AlphaTrader, Quantower, and others. The5ers Futures is more restricted, as they currently only offer the BlackArrow platform for their futures program.
