What Are Simulated Futures Funds? (2026)
Quick answer: Simulated futures funds are the simulated account balance you trade during an Alpha Futures evaluation and on a Qualified Account — sometimes called a simulated futures account or demo balance. You are not depositing personal margin; performance fees paid on eligible results are real money.
Part of our futures prop guide series. Start with What is a Futures Prop Firm? (2026 guide), then explore: futures prop evaluation, qualified futures trader, performance fee, maximum loss limit (MLL), how funded futures accounts work, are futures prop firms legit.
What are simulated futures funds?
Simulated futures funds are the simulated balance a prop firm provides so you can trade futures contracts (ES, NQ, CL, GC and micros) inside published risk rules without depositing live margin. At Alpha Futures, both the futures prop evaluation and the Qualified Account run on simulated funds in an environment that mirrors live futures pricing. For the wider model, start with our What is a Futures Prop Firm? (2026 guide).
Many traders call this a simulated futures account or demo balance. The key point: the account label (for example "$150K") is a risk parameter, not cash in your bank. Your maximum financial exposure is the fees you pay, not the nominal account size.
Simulated funds vs a live brokerage account
- Capital source — the firm provides simulated funds; a broker requires your deposited margin.
- Risk to you — capped at the evaluation or subscription fee, versus full account loss at a broker.
- Rules — enforced digitally (MLL, consistency, contract limits) rather than by margin calls.
- Payouts — you earn performance fee on eligible simulated profits rather than withdrawing trading profit from your own balance.
Are the performance fees real?
Yes. Trading happens on simulated funds, but performance fee paid to a qualified futures trader are real money transferred under the firm's published policy. Do not confuse the simulated account balance with cash you can spend — only requested and approved performance fees are paid out.
How Alpha Futures uses simulated funds
Alpha Futures runs every plan — Zero, Advanced, and Premium — on simulated funds, with end-of-day trailing maximum loss limit (MLL) and a published 90% performance split. See how funded futures accounts work for the full activation-to-payout journey, and verify current rules on the help centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are simulated futures funds?
The simulated account balance a prop firm provides so you can trade futures inside published risk rules without depositing live margin. At Alpha Futures, evaluations and Qualified Accounts both run on simulated funds.
Are prop firm futures accounts simulated?
Yes. Alpha Futures evaluations and Qualified Accounts use simulated funds in an environment that mirrors live futures pricing. Performance fees paid on eligible results are real money.
Is the account size real money?
No. A label like $50K or $150K is a risk parameter, not cash in your account. Your maximum financial exposure is the fees you pay, not the nominal account size.
Do simulated funds mean the payouts are fake?
No. The trading balance is simulated, but performance fees paid to Qualified Traders are real money transferred under the firm's published payout policy.
Why do prop firms use simulated funds?
Simulated funds let firms assess trading discipline and cap a trader's downside at the evaluation fee, while enforcing risk rules digitally rather than through live margin calls.
Ready to Start Your Evaluation?
Compare Alpha Futures evaluation plans — simulated accounts from $25K to $150K with a published 90% performance split. Confirm live sizes and rules on the help centre.
View Alpha Futures evaluation plans
Author: Alpha Futures Research Team · Updated: June 17, 2026 · Related: Futures prop guide · simulated futures funds · Evaluations
General information only, not financial advice. Simulated futures trading. Performance fees are performance-based; outcomes not guaranteed. Verify live rules on the Alpha Futures help centre before purchasing.
