Which Evaluation Should You Choose? (2026)
We run four evaluation paths on alphacapitalgroup.uk/product. Alpha One is 1-step (10% target, 6% trailing drawdown, 1 minimum trading day, on-demand performance fees only). Alpha Pro is 2-step in 6% / 8% / 10% variants with up to 1:100 FX leverage but no weekend holds on the Qualified Analyst Account. Alpha Swing is 2-step with 10% static drawdown, weekend holds at every stage, and on-demand only. Alpha Three is 3-step (8% / 4% / 4%) with 6% static drawdown and your choice of bi-weekly or on-demand performance fees. Maximum allocation across all four plans: $400,000 (shared).
Related: Rules explained · Product page
Last updated: June 2026
General information only, not financial advice. Simulated accounts, simulated funds. Performance fees are performance-based; outcomes not guaranteed.
We use evaluation for the assessment stage, many traders still say prop firm challenge. Pass and you become a Qualified Analyst on a Qualified Account (often called a funded account elsewhere). Eligible simulated profits pay performance fees (commonly called payouts) at up to 80%.
Side-by-side overview
Alpha One | Alpha Pro | Alpha Swing | Alpha Three | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Steps | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Phase targets | P1 10% | 6/6, 8/5, or 10/5% by variant | P1 10%, P2 5% | P1 8%, P2 4%, P3 4% |
Max drawdown | 6% trailing (high-water mark) | 6% / 8% / 10% static | 10% static | 6% static |
Max daily drawdown | 4% (higher of EOD balance or equity) | Pro 6%: 3% · Pro 8%: 4% · Pro 10%: 5% | 5% (balance-based) | 4% (higher of EOD balance or equity) |
Min trading days | 1 (evaluation) | 3 per phase | 3 per phase | 3 per phase |
Max FX leverage | 1:30 | 1:100 | 1:30 | 1:50 |
Weekend hold (Qualified) | Allowed | Not allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
Performance fee schedule | On-demand only | Bi-weekly or on-demand (choice) | On-demand only | Bi-weekly or on-demand (choice) |
Alpha One (1-step)
Best fit if you want: one phase, one minimum trading day, and on-demand performance fees.
Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
Phase 1 profit target | 10% |
Max drawdown | 6% trailing from high-water mark; locks at initial balance once account reaches +6% profit |
Max daily drawdown | 4% (higher of end-of-day balance or equity) |
Minimum trading days | 1 |
Leverage | FX 1:30 · Metals 1:9 · Indices 1:10 · Oil 1:10 |
News window | 5 minutes before and after release (no new/close on targeted instrument) |
Weekend hold - evaluation | Allowed |
Weekend hold - Qualified Analyst Account | Allowed |
Performance fees | On-demand only (on-demand rules) |
Trailing drawdown example ($100K): initial floor $94,000; at $102,000 balance floor becomes $96,000; once balance hits $106,000, floor locks at $100,000 and does not trail further.
Important notice (help centre): if trailing max drawdown has locked at initial balance and you request all profits, the account closes after payment. With under 6% profit, you may request all profits but trailing threshold unchanged (example: $102K balance, $2K profit paid → trade at $100K with $96K floor remains).
Alpha Pro (2-step, three variants)
Best fit if you want: highest FX leverage (1:100), static drawdown, and bi-weekly or on-demand performance fee choice.
Variant | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Max drawdown | Max daily loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pro 6% | 6% | 6% | 6% static | 3% (higher of EOD balance or equity) |
Pro 8% | 8% | 5% | 8% static | 4% (balance-based) |
Pro 10% | 10% | 5% | 10% static | 5% (balance-based) |
Shared Pro rules:
- Minimum trading days: 3 per phase
- Leverage: FX 1:100 · Metals 1:30 · Indices 1:20 · Oil 1:10
- Weekend hold - Phase 1/2: Allowed
- Weekend hold - Qualified Analyst Account: Not allowed
- Performance fees: choose bi-weekly (rules) or on-demand (rules) at signup; methods are mutually exclusive
News windows:
- Pro 6%: 5-minute window (same as One/Three)
- Pro 8% / 10%: 2-minute window
Alpha Swing (2-step)
Best fit if you want: longer-term holds, weekend holds on Qualified Analyst Account, relaxed news rules, 10% static drawdown.
Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
Phase 1 / Phase 2 targets | 10% / 5% |
Max drawdown | 10% static |
Max daily drawdown | 5% (balance-based) |
Minimum trading days | 3 per phase |
Leverage | FX 1:30 · Metals 1:9 · Indices 1:10 · Oil 1:10 |
News | If trade opened within 2 minutes before or after release (4-minute window), duration must exceed 2 minutes |
Weekend hold - all stages | Allowed (evaluation + Qualified Analyst Account) |
Performance fees | On-demand only |
Other | Subject to gambling policy and Risk Management Group (Swing) |
→ Alpha Swing account explained
Alpha Three (3-step)
Best fit if you want: smaller per-phase targets spread across three phases, weekend holds on Qualified Analyst Account, and bi-weekly or on-demand choice.
Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
Phase targets | 8% · 4% · 4% |
Max drawdown | 6% static |
Max daily drawdown | 4% (higher of EOD balance or equity) |
Minimum trading days | 3 per phase |
Leverage | FX 1:50 · Metals 1:9 · Indices 1:10 · Oil 1:10 |
News window | 5 minutes before and after |
Weekend hold - all stages | Allowed |
Performance fees | Bi-weekly or on-demand (choice at signup) |
Max lot exposure (all plans)
Lot caps scale by account size and differ on Swing vs other plans. Example $100K accounts:
Plan | Max lots ($100K) |
|---|---|
Alpha One | 40 |
Alpha Pro | 40 |
Alpha Three | 40 |
Alpha Swing | 20 |
Full table by size ($5K–$300K) is on each plan help page. Violations are assessed per position; second violation can deactivate the Qualified Analyst Account (Alpha One example).
Decision guide (match rules to your style)
Your priority | Start here |
|---|---|
Fastest path (1 step, 1 min day) | Alpha One |
Highest FX leverage + static drawdown | Alpha Pro (pick 6/8/10% variant) |
Hold through weekends after qualification | Alpha One, Alpha Three, or Alpha Swing - not Alpha Pro Qualified |
Swing / multi-day holds + on-demand only | Alpha Swing |
Lower per-phase targets, 3 steps | Alpha Three |
Bi-weekly performance fee schedule | Alpha Pro or Alpha Three (if chosen at signup) |
On-demand only at signup | Alpha One or Alpha Swing |
This is a rules match, not a guarantee of pass or performance fees.
Shared limits (all four plans)
- Maximum allocation: $400,000 shared across Pro, Swing, One, and Three (each plan article)
- Performance split on qualified accounts: 80% (help centre)
- Daily drawdown mechanics: Daily risk limits
- 2-minute average trade duration rule and prohibited strategies apply to all programmes
Article FAQs
Can I switch from Alpha Pro to Alpha Swing after purchase?
Programme choice is made at checkout. Confirm upgrade or change policy with support before buying.
Does Alpha Pro allow weekend holds at all?
Yes on Phase 1 and Phase 2. No on the Qualified Analyst Account (Pro 6%, Pro 8/10%).
Which plan has the fewest trading days to pass?
Alpha One: 1 minimum trading day on the evaluation (Alpha One).
Which plans offer bi-weekly performance fees?
Bi-weekly is available on Alpha Pro and Alpha Three accounts that choose that method at signup (bi-weekly rules). On-demand and bi-weekly cannot both apply to the same account.
Related reading
Simulated evaluations, simulated funds. Performance fees are performance-based; outcomes not guaranteed. Confirm live rules on help.alphacapitalgroup.uk before purchase.
