This comparison breaks down two highly competitive proprietary trading firms, highlighting their unique strengths to help you choose the best partner for your trading journey.
Executive Summary: At a Glance
| Feature | Alpha Capital Group (ACG) | The Trading Pit (TTP) |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Traders seeking maximum speed, flexibility, and zero commissions. | Traders who prefer structured scaling plans and a focus on long-term growth. |
| Key Strength | Program Variety & Speed. Four unique challenges, including the fastest one-step path. | Clear Scaling Tiers & Educational Focus. Well-defined growth paths to multi-million dollar accounts. |
| Funding Speed | Fastest via Alpha One-step (Single phase, no min. days). | Standard one-step and two-step processes with a 5-day minimum trading requirement. |
| Profit Split | 80% across all programs. | 80% (Prime), 50%-80% (Classic – increases with scaling). |
| Trust & Reputation | Very Good (4.6/5 on Trustpilot, established in 2021). | Very Good (4.3/5 on Trustpilot, established in 2022). |
| Commission Fees | Zero Commission on all instruments. | Commissions apply (Varies by broker). |
Detailed Comparison Breakdown
1. Funding Program Options & Flexibility
- Alpha Capital Group (ACG): ACG wins on sheer variety and flexibility.
- Alpha Pro Challenge: Standard two-step (8%/5% targets).
- Alpha Swing Challenge: Two-step for longer-term holders (10%/5% targets, allows weekend holding).
- Alpha One-step Challenge: The standout option. No minimum trading days. Fastest path to funding.
- Alpha Three-step Challenge: A more gradual, lower-pressure three-phase path.
- The Trading Pit (TTP): Offers clear, structured programs.
- Prime Two-phase Evaluation: Standard two-step (8%/5% targets).
- Prime One-phase Evaluation: One-step challenge (10% target).
- Classic One-phase Evaluation: One-step with a trailing drawdown and a lower starting profit split that scales with account growth.
Winner: Alpha Capital Group. Its four distinct programs, especially the One-step Challenge with no minimum trading days, provide unmatched flexibility and speed.
2. Trading Objectives & Rules
| Trading Rule | Alpha Capital Group | The Trading Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Profit Target (Phase 1) | Varies: 8% (Pro), 10% (Swing, One-step), 8% (Three-step) | 8% (Prime Two-phase), 10% (Prime & Classic One-phase) |
| Profit Target (Phase 2) | Varies: 5% (Pro, Swing), 4% (Three-step) | 5% (Prime Two-phase) |
| Max Daily Loss | 5% (Pro, Swing), 4% (One-step, Three-step) | 5% (Prime Two-phase), 4% (Prime & Classic One-phase) |
| Max Overall Loss | 10% (Pro, Swing), 6% (One-step, Three-step) | 10% (Prime Two-phase), 7% (Prime One-phase), 7% Trailing (Classic One-phase) |
| Min. Trading Days | 3 Days (Most), 0 Days (One-step) | 5 Days (All Programs) |
| News Trading | Restricted on funded accounts (Pro & One-step) | Prohibited on all accounts |
| Weekend Holding | Allowed (Except on Pro Challenge) | Allowed on all accounts |
| Avg. Trade Duration | 2-minute minimum on all programs. | No official rule mentioned. |
Analysis: ACG offers more lenient rules regarding minimum trading days and uses a balance-based drawdown on most programs, which is generally considered more trader-friendly than TTP’s trailing drawdown on its Classic program. TTP’s 5-day minimum across all challenges is stricter.
Winner: Alpha Capital Group for more flexible rules, especially the absence of minimum days on its One-step challenge.
3. Payouts & Profit Splits
- Profit Split:
- ACG: A consistent 80% across all programs from the start.
- TTP: 80% on Prime programs. The Classic program starts at 50%-60% but can scale up to 70%-80% as your account grows. This is a significant difference.
- Payout Schedule:
- Both firms offer the first payout after 14 calendar days, then bi-weekly.
- ACG has an advantage with on-demand payouts for its One-step Challenge.
Winner: Alpha Capital Group for its higher, consistent starting profit split and more flexible payout options.
4. Scaling Plans
- Alpha Capital Group: The scaling plan is consistent across challenges: generate 10% profit, request a payout, and the firm adds the profit back to increase your account size. It’s straightforward and performance-based.
- The Trading Pit: TTP has a very structured and ambitious scaling plan, especially for its Classic program, which outlines a clear path from $10,000 to $5,000,000. It requires a longer-term commitment (2+ months and multiple payouts) to qualify for scaling.
Winner: The Trading Pit for its exceptionally clear, transparent, and ambitious long-term scaling vision.
5. Costs, Fees & Brokers
- Trading Commissions: This is a major differentiator.
- ACG: Charges Zero Commission on all trades through its own ACG Markets broker.
- TTP: Charges Commissions through its partnered brokers (FXFlat and GBE Brokers).
- Broker Choice: ACG uses its in-house broker, while TTP offers a choice between two established third-party brokers.
Winner: Alpha Capital Group for its zero-commission structure, which is a huge advantage for scalpers and high-volume traders.
Conclusion: Which Firm Should You Choose?
Your choice depends entirely on your trading style, goals, and what you value most.
Choose Alpha Capital Group if:
- Speed to funding is your top priority. The Alpha One-step Challenge is arguably one of the fastest paths to a funded account in the industry, with no minimum trading days.
- You are a scalper or high-volume trader who would benefit immensely from a zero-commission structure.
- You want a high, consistent profit split (80%) from your very first payout.
- You prefer balance-based drawdowns over trailing drawdowns.
- You value having multiple program types to perfectly match your strategy.
Choose The Trading Pit if:
- You have a long-term focus and are drawn by a very clear and ambitious scaling plan to potentially manage a multi-million dollar account.
- You don’t mind a 5-day minimum trading period and are comfortable with a more traditional evaluation structure.
- You prefer trading with established third-party brokers (FXFlat, GBE Brokers).
- You are okay with a lower starting profit split (on the Classic program) in exchange for a potentially higher ceiling through scaling.
- Weekend holding is important for your strategy across all account types.
Final Verdict:
- For Speed, Lower Costs, and Immediate High Earnings: Alpha Capital Group is the superior choice. It is built for traders who want to get funded quickly and keep more of their profits from day one.
- For Long-Term Growth and a Structured Career Path: The Trading Pit is an excellent option. Its detailed scaling plans and educational resources are designed for traders looking at prop trading as a long-term career with a clear growth trajectory.
Disclaimer: Trading conditions, fees, and rules are subject to change. Always review the latest terms and conditions on the official websites of Alpha Capital Group and The Trading Pit before making a decision.
Your Next Steps: Choosing Between Alpha Capital Group & The Trading Pit
Follow this step-by-step guide to move from analysis to selecting and successfully starting with your chosen firm.
Step 1: The Strategic Fit Analysis (The Most Important Step)
Before investing any money, conduct an honest audit of your trading style against the firms’ strengths. Ask yourself these critical questions:
- “How quickly do I want to get funded?”
- If your answer is “As fast as possible”: Your clear winner is Alpha Capital Group’s Alpha One-step Challenge. The lack of minimum trading days means you could theoretically pass the challenge in a single day if you hit the 10% target.
- If you are patient and systematic: Both firms are viable, but The Trading Pit’s 5-day minimum across all programs requires a more measured approach.
- “What is my typical trade duration and strategy?”
- Scalper / High-Frequency Trader: ACG is strongly favored due to its zero-commission structure. The 2-minute minimum trade duration is the only rule to watch.
- Swing Trader / Position Holder: Both are good, but check the specifics. ACG’s Swing Challenge explicitly allows weekend holding. The Trading Pit allows weekend holding on all its programs, giving it a slight edge for pure swing traders.
- “Am I focused on my first payout or building a long-term career?”
- Maximizing Immediate Income: ACG offers an 80% split from your very first payout.
- Building a Legacy Account: The Trading Pit’s structured scaling plan, especially the Classic program’s path to $5,000,000, is incredibly compelling for long-term planners.
Step 2: The Practical “Test Drive”
Do not skip this step. Both firms offer ways to test their systems.
- Analyze the Rules in Detail: Go back to the comparison table. Write down the specific rules for the one or two challenges that interest you most. For example: *”ACG One-step: 10% Target, 4% Daily Loss, 6% Max Loss, No Min Days.”*
- Take a Free Trial/Demo: If available, use the free trial accounts. This isn’t about making profit; it’s about:
- Testing the trading platform (MT5, cTrader, etc.) for execution speed and stability.
- Practicing trading within the specific drawdown limits.
- Getting a feel for the trader dashboard and how it tracks your progress.
Step 3: Make Your Final Choice & Purchase
Based on your audit, select your firm and challenge.
- If you choose Alpha Capital Group:
- Select your challenge: Let your trading style from Step 1 be your guide.
- If you choose The Trading Pit:
- Select your challenge: Prime for a consistent 80% split, Classic for the long-term scaling vision.
