Futures trading allows investors to speculate on or hedge against price movements across various assets—from commodities to indices—using leveraged contracts. While profitable, it carries significant risk due to high leverage. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced trader comparing platforms, here’s a curated list of the top futures trading platforms to consider.
Top 10 Futures Trading Platforms
Robinhood
- Commissions: $0.75 per side (non-Gold), $0.50 (Gold members).
- Markets: Energy, metals, indices, currencies, crypto.
- Pros: User-friendly, multi-asset platform.
- Cons: Lacks advanced trading tools.
Interactive Brokers
- Commissions: $0.85 (standard futures), $0.25 (micro futures).
- Markets: 30+ global commodity futures.
- Pros: Advanced tools like ComboTrader, low fees.
- Cons: Steep learning curve for beginners.
Webull
- Commissions: $1.25 (standard), $0.25 (micro).
- Pros: Real-time data, paper trading feature.
- Cons: Limited futures market access.
TradeStation
- Commissions: $1.50 (standard), $0.50 (micro).
- Pros: Advanced charting, backtesting tools.
- Cons: $10 inactivity fee.
Plus500
- Commissions: $0.89 (standard), $0.49 (micro).
- Pros: No hidden fees, 24/7 support.
- Cons: Limited research tools.
NinjaTrader
- Commissions: $1.29 (standard), $0.35 (micro).
- Pros: Cloud-based, unlimited simulated trading.
- Cons: Paywall for real-time data.
Coinbase
- Markets: Crypto futures only (BTC, ETH, XRP).
- Pros: Volume-based fee discounts.
- Cons: Restricted asset class.
Charles Schwab
- Commissions: $2.25 per contract.
- Pros: Robust educational resources.
- Cons: High fees.
Tastytrade
- Commissions: $1.25 (standard), $0.85 (micro).
- Pros: IRA futures trading, powerful tools.
- Cons: No live demo account.
E*TRADE
- Commissions: $1.50 (standard), $2.50 (crypto).
- Pros: Expansive market access.
- Cons: Higher crypto futures fees.
👉 Compare fees and features side-by-side
How to Choose a Futures Trading Platform
Consider these key factors:
- Fees: Transparent, competitive pricing.
- Execution Speed: Critical for high-frequency trading.
- Tools: Advanced charting, risk management.
- Market Access: Ensure coverage of desired assets.
- Regulation: Verify platform security and compliance.
👉 Discover low-margin platforms
FAQs
Q: What’s the minimum deposit for futures trading?
A: Varies by platform—e.g., Plus500 requires $100, while NinjaTrader has no minimum.
Q: Can I trade futures in an IRA?
A: Yes, platforms like Tastytrade support IRA futures trading.
Q: Are micro futures less risky?
A: Yes, they require less capital but still involve leverage.
Methodology
Finder’s experts evaluated 11 brokers using 21 metrics, focusing on:
- Fees
- Execution speed
- Trading tools
- Market access
- User experience
Updates are made quarterly to reflect market changes.
Final Thoughts
Select a platform aligned with your experience and goals. Beginners may prefer Robinhood or Webull for simplicity, while advanced traders might opt for Interactive Brokers or TradeStation.
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