Before paying for an Alpha Capital evaluation, you need the firm's published limits: profit targets, daily loss, max drawdown, leverage, weekend holds, and the programme-specific rules for Alpha One, Pro, Swing, and Three. This guide lays them out exactly as they appear in the help centre.
Alpha Capital evaluations run on simulated accounts with simulated funds. You pay an assessment fee, trade through one or more evaluation phases, and if you meet the profit targets without breaking a rule, you advance to a Qualified Account where you can earn performance fees on your simulated profits.
General information only. Simulated accounts, simulated funds. Performance fees are performance-based and outcomes are not guaranteed. Always confirm live rules on help.alphacapitalgroup.uk before trading.
Quick answer
Alpha Capital publishes separate rules for each programme. Here are the verified figures:
Plan | Steps | Phase targets | Max drawdown | Daily loss | Min trading days | Max leverage (FX) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha One | 1 | P1 10% | 6% trailing (high-water mark) | 4% | 1 | 1:30 |
Alpha Pro 6% | 2 | P1 6%, P2 6% | 6% static | 3% | 3 per phase | 1:100 |
Alpha Pro 8% | 2 | P1 8%, P2 5% | 8% static | 4% | 3 per phase | 1:100 |
Alpha Pro 10% | 2 | P1 10%, P2 see help centre* | 10% static | 5% | 3 per phase | 1:100 |
Alpha Three | 3 | P1 8%, P2 4%, P3 4% | 6% static | 4% | 3 per phase | 1:50 |
Alpha Swing | 2 | P1 10%, P2 5% | 10% static | 5% | 3 per phase | 1:30 |
*The Alpha Pro 10% Phase 2 target is not listed separately on the plan page. Confirm it at checkout or on the help centre before trading.
Maximum allocation across all four plans combined is $400,000. Performance split is up to 80% of simulated profits.
Alpha One (1-step evaluation)
Alpha One is the fastest path: one phase, no Phase 2. The trade-off is a 6% trailing drawdown based on the high-water mark.
Here is how the trailing actually works, because this is where most traders get confused:
- The starting floor on a $100,000 account is $94,000 (6% below the start).
- As your balance climbs, the floor trails up by the same $6,000. At $102,000 the floor moves to $96,000.
- The floor keeps trailing only until your balance reaches +6% ($106,000). At that point the floor locks at your initial balance ($100,000) and never moves again.
So once you are up 6% or more, your risk floor is simply your starting balance. It does not keep tightening as you grow further.
Weekend holds on Alpha One are allowed at every stage, including the Qualified Account.
Leverage: FX 1:30, Metals 1:9, Indices 1:10, Oil 1:10. Minimum trading days: 1.
Alpha Pro (2-step evaluation)
Alpha Pro comes in three variants. You choose your risk profile at purchase. A lower variant (Pro 6%) has a lower profit target but a tighter drawdown and daily loss. A higher variant (Pro 10%) gives more drawdown room in exchange for a higher target.
Pro variant | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Max drawdown (static) | Daily loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pro 6% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 3% |
Pro 8% | 8% | 5% | 8% | 4% |
Pro 10% | 10% | see help centre | 10% | 5% |
Leverage on all Pro variants: FX 1:100, Metals 1:30, Indices 1:20, Oil 1:10. Minimum trading days: 3 per phase.
Weekend holds on Alpha Pro are allowed during the evaluation phases (Phase 1 and Phase 2) but are not permitted on the Qualified Account stage. If holding through weekends is core to your strategy on an ongoing basis, Alpha One, Alpha Three, or Alpha Swing are the better fit (all allow weekend holds at every stage).
Alpha Three (3-step evaluation)
Alpha Three spreads qualification across three phases with smaller per-phase targets: 8%, then 4%, then 4%. Max drawdown is 6% static, daily loss is 4%, and you need 3 minimum trading days per phase. Leverage: FX 1:50, Metals 1:9, Indices 1:10, Oil 1:10.
Weekend holds on Alpha Three are allowed at every stage, including the Qualified Account.
Alpha Swing (2-step evaluation)
Alpha Swing carries the largest drawdown allowance at 10% static and the widest daily loss at 5%, built for the wider stops and longer holds that swing trading needs. Phase targets are 10% then 5%, with 3 minimum trading days per phase. Leverage: FX 1:30, Metals 1:9, Indices 1:10, Oil 1:10.
Weekend holds are allowed at every stage, including the Qualified Account. The news rule is a duration rule: a trade opened within 2 minutes before or after a high-impact release (a 4-minute window) must stay open longer than 2 minutes to be valid. Alpha Swing performance fees are on-demand only.
Leverage and margin by plan
Leverage changes by plan and asset class, and it directly sets the margin you need per position. These figures apply to both the Assessment and the Qualified Account stage.
Plan | FX | Indices | Metals | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha One | 1:30 | 1:10 | 1:9 | 1:10 |
Alpha Three | 1:50 | 1:10 | 1:9 | 1:10 |
Alpha Pro (6%, 8%, 10%) | 1:100 | 1:20 | 1:30 | 1:10 |
Alpha Swing | 1:30 | 1:10 | 1:9 | 1:10 |
Higher leverage means less margin to hold the same position. On FX, a $100,000 position needs roughly $1,000 of margin at 1:100 (Alpha Pro), about $2,000 at 1:50 (Alpha Three), and about $3,333 at 1:30 (Alpha One and Swing).
Weekend holds and overnight positions
This is one of the most misunderstood areas, so here is exactly what the help centre says.
There is no separate "overnight hold" rule. You can hold positions overnight, you simply pay or receive swap (also called rollover or overnight interest) on any position carried into the next trading day. The rule that actually governs holding is the weekend hold rule, which depends on your plan and stage:
Plan | Evaluation phases | Qualified Account |
|---|---|---|
Alpha One | Allowed | Allowed |
Alpha Three | Allowed | Allowed |
Alpha Swing | Allowed | Allowed |
Alpha Pro (6%, 8%, 10%) | Allowed | Not allowed |
On Alpha Pro, holding over the weekend on a Qualified Account is a soft breach (profits from those trades are removed, the account stays active as long as it does not fall below the maximum drawdown). For the full news and weekend breakdown, see Alpha Capital news and weekend hold rules.
The Qualified Account stage
Once you pass all evaluation phases, you advance to a Qualified Account with a 0% profit target. This is the funded stage in simulated terms, where you can request performance fees.
- Performance split: up to 80% of simulated profits.
- Schedule: bi-weekly or on-demand depending on programme. Alpha Swing is on-demand only. Bi-weekly is available on Alpha Pro and Alpha Three.
- On-demand requirements: a minimum of 2% gross profit on the account, plus the 40% Best Day Rule.
- Bi-weekly requirements: a minimum of $100 profit, and at least 5 trading days for your first request.
- Max allocation: up to $400,000 total across all Alpha Capital simulated accounts.
Key rules that close accounts
Maximum drawdown
If your balance falls below the drawdown floor, the account closes. Static drawdown is fixed from your initial balance and never moves. Trailing drawdown (Alpha One) follows your high-water mark and then locks at the initial balance once you are up 6%, as explained above. See trailing vs static drawdown.
Daily loss limit
The maximum you can lose in one trading day, measured from the start of the daily candle (00:00 GMT+3). On Alpha One, Alpha Three, and Alpha Pro 6%, it is based on the higher of that day's starting balance or equity. On Alpha Pro 8%, Alpha Pro 10%, and Alpha Swing, it is balance-based. Either way, a breach is judged on your live equity, so open (unrealised) losses count, not just closed trades.
Minimum trading days
Alpha One requires 1 trading day. Alpha Pro, Alpha Swing, and Alpha Three require 3 per phase. A trading day counts when you open and close at least one position.
30-day inactivity
If no trade is placed for 30 consecutive days, the account is deactivated. This applies to all accounts in all stages, so keep the account active even while waiting for a setup.
Minimum trade duration (anti-HFT)
Alpha Capital expects a genuine trading style, not latency or high-frequency exploitation of the simulated feed. Your average trade duration must be above 2 minutes, and at least 50% of your profit (targeted profit during evaluations, gross profit on a Qualified Account) must come from trades held longer than 2 minutes. Occasional individual trades under 2 minutes are fine. This rule applies to all accounts. See prohibited trading strategies for the full compliance list.
The 40% Best Day Rule
If you request performance fees on-demand, no single trading day can represent more than 40% of your total cumulative profit. Example: if you have $10,000 cumulative profit and your best day produced $4,500 (45%), you cannot request on-demand yet. It does not apply to bi-weekly schedules.
Common mistakes that breach accounts
- Misreading Alpha One trailing. Once you are up 6%, the floor is your starting balance, not a moving 6% below your peak. Plan your buffer around that.
- Forgetting unrealised losses. Open drawdown counts toward your daily limit. Watch equity, not just closed P&L.
- Stacking size into news. One bad release can erase a daily limit in seconds. Treat news as volatility, not opportunity to size up.
- Not counting trading days correctly. Count days where you completed at least one round trip, not calendar days.
- Leaving the account dormant. 30 days without a trade closes it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum drawdown on Alpha Capital?
Alpha One uses 6% trailing (high-water mark, which locks at the starting balance once you are up 6%). Alpha Pro is static at 6%, 8%, or 10% depending on variant. Alpha Three is 6% static. Alpha Swing is 10% static.
What is the daily loss limit on Alpha Capital?
Alpha One 4%, Alpha Three 4%, Alpha Swing 5%, Alpha Pro 6% is 3%, Pro 8% is 4%, Pro 10% is 5%. Alpha One, Alpha Three, and Pro 6% use the higher of the day's starting balance or equity; Pro 8%, Pro 10%, and Swing are balance-based. Open losses always count.
How many trading days do I need to pass Alpha Capital?
Alpha One requires 1 minimum trading day. Alpha Pro, Alpha Swing, and Alpha Three require 3 per phase. A trading day counts when at least one position is opened and closed.
Can I hold trades overnight or over the weekend on Alpha Capital?
There is no separate overnight rule, you simply pay or receive swap on positions held overnight. For weekends: Alpha One, Alpha Three, and Alpha Swing allow weekend holds at every stage, including the Qualified Account. Alpha Pro allows them during the evaluation phases but not on the Qualified Account stage.
What is the difference between static and trailing drawdown?
Static drawdown is fixed from your initial balance and never moves. Trailing drawdown follows your high-water mark; on Alpha One it trails up until you are 6% in profit, then locks permanently at your starting balance.
What is the 40% Best Day Rule?
On on-demand performance fees, no single trading day can represent more than 40% of your total cumulative profit before you can request a withdrawal. It does not apply to bi-weekly schedules.
Related Alpha Capital pages
- Alpha Capital news and weekend hold rules
- Alpha Swing account explained
- Trailing vs static drawdown
- Prohibited trading strategies on Alpha Capital
Alpha Capital Group is a proprietary trading firm based in the United Kingdom. Accounts operate in a simulated environment with simulated funds. Performance fees are performance-based and outcomes are not guaranteed. Rules can change, so always confirm the live version for your specific programme on alphacapitalgroup.uk and help.alphacapitalgroup.uk before purchasing an evaluation.
