Alpaca VS FTMO
Cross-category comparison: each provider serves a different trader workflow.
UPDATED 2026-05-27 · 3 axes scored
Quick Decision
▶ PICK ALPACA IF DATA-API
- Retail algo traders
- Python quants
- Paper trading bots
- US equity automation
▶ PICK FTMO IF PROP-FIRM
- Disciplined traders seeking funded accounts
- Forex/CFD scalpers with sub-5% drawdown control
- Traders wanting refundable evaluation
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | ALPACA | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Affiliate Program | No | Yes |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 3 classes | 5 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · US Options · Crypto | Forex · Indices · Commodities · Cryptocurrencies · Stocks (CFDs) |
| Category | data api | prop firm |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | ALPACA | FTMO |
|---|---|---|
| Commodities | — | ✓ Covered |
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | — |
| Cryptocurrencies | — | ✓ Covered |
| Forex | — | ✓ Covered |
| Indices | — | ✓ Covered |
| Stocks (CFDs) | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | — |
| US Options | ✓ Covered | — |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 3 | 5 |
Only Alpaca
US Equities · US Options · Crypto
Only FTMO
Forex · Indices · Commodities · Cryptocurrencies · Stocks (CFDs)
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 2 vs 6 tiers.
ALPACA · 2 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Free $0/mo
Real-time IEX data + paper trading
02
Algo Trader Plus $99/mo
SIP real-time data + unlimited API calls
▲ Free Tier · Free tier: real-time IEX feed, unlimited historical (15-min delay on SIP)
FTMO · 6 TIERS
01
2-Step $10K €89
10%/5% profit targets, 5% daily / 10% max loss, refunded with first split
02
2-Step $25K €189
Same rules as $10K, refunded with first split
03
2-Step $50K €289
Same rules, refunded with first split
04
2-Step $100K €539
Same rules, refunded with first split
05
2-Step $200K €1,080
Same rules, refunded with first split
06
1-Step $10K €79
10% profit target, 3% daily / 10% trailing loss, 90% split from day 1
Fit Profile
ALPACA · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- Retail algo traders
- Python quants
- Paper trading bots
- US equity automation
Not Ideal For
- International markets
- Deep historical tick data
- Options analytics
Full Alpaca Review
FTMO · PROFILE PROP-FIRM
Best For
- Disciplined traders seeking funded accounts
- Forex/CFD scalpers with sub-5% drawdown control
- Traders wanting refundable evaluation
Not Ideal For
- High-frequency strategies (overnight/weekend rules)
- Traders who can't tolerate trailing drawdown (1-step)
- US residents under tighter regulation
Full FTMO Review
Adjacent Comparisons
Related matchups — same category first, then cross-category for context.
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