How’s the S&P 500 going to perform over the next quarter? What’s the price of crude oil a month from now?
Nobody knows, that’s the nature of markets. But you can speculate with futures contracts.
Futures trading lets investors speculate on or hedge against price movements across various assets for profit, but it’s highly leveraged and risky.
If you’re a beginner just staring or are experienced and want to compare futures brokers, here are some top futures trading platform choices to get started.
Don't let this new entrant to the futures markets fool you. Blending low commissions and its notoriously user-friendly design, Robinhood's futures trading introduces several distinctive features within the brokerage industry. Its commissions of $0.75 per side for non-Gold members and $0.50 for Gold members sound pretty good compared to the $2.25 per contract you'll find with some traditional brokers. Its available futures span energy, metals, indexes, currencies and crypto. Plus, Robinhood is a multi-asset platform, so you can trade more than futures in one place. You just won't find the advanced trading tools available with some of the competition.
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get a free stock
Don't let this new entrant to the futures markets fool you. Blending low commissions and its notoriously user-friendly design, Robinhood's futures trading introduces several distinctive features within the brokerage industry. Its commissions of $0.75 per side for non-Gold members and $0.50 for Gold members sound pretty good compared to the $2.25 per contract you'll find with some traditional brokers. Its available futures span energy, metals, indexes, currencies and crypto. Plus, Robinhood is a multi-asset platform, so you can trade more than futures in one place. You just won't find the advanced trading tools available with some of the competition.
Pros
Low commissions
User-friendly interface
Multi-asset platform for comprehensive trading
Cons
Limited futures market access
Basic trading tools, with no futures trading on Robinhood Legend
Trade futures worldwide. That's what you get with an Interactive Brokers account. Oh, and some of the lowest futures commissions on the market, educational courses and advanced trading tools across its different trading platforms. Trade standard futures at $0.85 per contract, per side and micro futures at $0.25 per contract, per side. Trade commodity futures globally on 30+ market centers and leverage advanced tools, like the ComboTrader for seamless futures trading and the Index Arbitrage Meter for advanced strategies. But prepare for a steep learning curve if you're a beginner looking to tackle futures on the Trader Workstation platform.
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
N/A
Trade futures worldwide. That's what you get with an Interactive Brokers account. Oh, and some of the lowest futures commissions on the market, educational courses and advanced trading tools across its different trading platforms. Trade standard futures at $0.85 per contract, per side and micro futures at $0.25 per contract, per side. Trade commodity futures globally on 30+ market centers and leverage advanced tools, like the ComboTrader for seamless futures trading and the Index Arbitrage Meter for advanced strategies. But prepare for a steep learning curve if you're a beginner looking to tackle futures on the Trader Workstation platform.
Pros
Access to 10 futures markets
Low standard and micro commissions
Trade commodity futures globally on 30+ market centers
Multi-asset platform for comprehensive trading
Advanced trading tools
Available in brokerage and IRAs
Cons
High bitcoin futures at $5 per contract
Inconsistent live chat availability
Steep learning curve for the Trader Workstation platform
You needn't look further than Webull if you want a low-cost futures trading platform that prioritizes accessibility and efficiency. Practice trading with Webull's paperTrade feature and take advantage of its real-time data, dynamic charting and robust analysis tools across Webull's web, mobile and desktop platforms. Futures commissions are low, with micro futures starting at $0.25 per contract and standard futures around $1.25 per contract. Upgrade to Webull Premium for $3.99 per month to unlock $0.25 off futures commissions. But Webull's futures market access is limited compared to more comprehensive brokers.
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get 20 free fractional shares
You needn't look further than Webull if you want a low-cost futures trading platform that prioritizes accessibility and efficiency. Practice trading with Webull's paperTrade feature and take advantage of its real-time data, dynamic charting and robust analysis tools across Webull's web, mobile and desktop platforms. Futures commissions are low, with micro futures starting at $0.25 per contract and standard futures around $1.25 per contract. Upgrade to Webull Premium for $3.99 per month to unlock $0.25 off futures commissions. But Webull's futures market access is limited compared to more comprehensive brokers.
Who wouldn't want a robust platform with advanced charting, backtesting and real-time analytics to help you navigate the futures markets? Available on desktop, web and mobile, with APIs for building custom trading solutions, TradeStation's packed full of advanced tools and features that can help you develop the powerful futures trading strategy you've been after. Standard futures are on the higher end at $1.50 per contract, per side, with micro futures at $0.50 per contract, per side. And there's a pesky $10 monthly inactivity fee if you don't meet minimum activity requirements.
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
$0.25 per contract
Who wouldn't want a robust platform with advanced charting, backtesting and real-time analytics to help you navigate the futures markets? Available on desktop, web and mobile, with APIs for building custom trading solutions, TradeStation's packed full of advanced tools and features that can help you develop the powerful futures trading strategy you've been after. Standard futures are on the higher end at $1.50 per contract, per side, with micro futures at $0.50 per contract, per side. And there's a pesky $10 monthly inactivity fee if you don't meet minimum activity requirements.
Pros
Multi-asset platform for comprehensive trading
Access to 9 futures markets
Simulated trading to practice
Available in brokerage and IRAs
Cons
Higher fees at $1.50 per contract, per side for standard futures
Plus500 specializes in low-cost futures trading. Trade indices, commodities, forex, cryptocurrencies and more, with competitive, flat-rate commissions: $0.89 per side for standard contracts and $0.49 per side for micro contracts. Notably, there are no fees for account maintenance, deposits, withdrawals, routing or platform usage. With a low minimum deposit requirement of $100 and 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, Plus500 is accessible to a broad range of traders. But its research and analysis tools are lacking.
Minimum deposit
$100
Signup bonus
N/A
Plus500 specializes in low-cost futures trading. Trade indices, commodities, forex, cryptocurrencies and more, with competitive, flat-rate commissions: $0.89 per side for standard contracts and $0.49 per side for micro contracts. Notably, there are no fees for account maintenance, deposits, withdrawals, routing or platform usage. With a low minimum deposit requirement of $100 and 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, Plus500 is accessible to a broad range of traders. But its research and analysis tools are lacking.
NinjaTrader offers competitive futures trading fees and low margins. Its commissions for its free plan are competitive, $1.29 per side for standard contracts and $0.35 for micro contracts, with even lower commissions for its paid plans. Meanwhile, NinjaTrader's cloud-based futures trading infrastructure offers seamless trading across its desktop, web and mobile platforms, and its unlimited simulated trading lets you test new trading ideas before putting money at risk. There are no minimum deposit requirements to use NinjaTrader, but you must pay for real-time market data before trading.
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
NinjaTrader offers competitive futures trading fees and low margins. Its commissions for its free plan are competitive, $1.29 per side for standard contracts and $0.35 for micro contracts, with even lower commissions for its paid plans. Meanwhile, NinjaTrader's cloud-based futures trading infrastructure offers seamless trading across its desktop, web and mobile platforms, and its unlimited simulated trading lets you test new trading ideas before putting money at risk. There are no minimum deposit requirements to use NinjaTrader, but you must pay for real-time market data before trading.
Pros
Competitive commissions and low margins
Powerful trading tools
Unlimited simulated trading to practice with all funded accounts
Trade 15 crypto futures contracts, including bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH) and XRP (XRP), with advanced trading tools, 24/7 customer support and competitive commissions. Coinbase offers volume incentives based on your futures trading activity in the previous 30 days, and you'll need at least $1,000 or more in trading volume to drop below the 0.60% Maker / 1.20% Taker fee. An introductory promotion of 0.05% Maker / 0.05% Taker fees is also available. But Coinbase is limited to the crypto market, so there are some market limitations.
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get up to $200 in crypto
Trade 15 crypto futures contracts, including bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH) and XRP (XRP), with advanced trading tools, 24/7 customer support and competitive commissions. Coinbase offers volume incentives based on your futures trading activity in the previous 30 days, and you'll need at least $1,000 or more in trading volume to drop below the 0.60% Maker / 1.20% Taker fee. An introductory promotion of 0.05% Maker / 0.05% Taker fees is also available. But Coinbase is limited to the crypto market, so there are some market limitations.
Pros
Advanced trading tools
Trade spot crypto and crypto futures from one platform
Designed primarily for derivatives trading, Tastytrade boasts competitive pricing on futures with $1.25 to open and close a standard contract and $0.85 to open and close a micro futures contract. Its asset variety is expansive, and its trading tools are powerful — think customizable platforms, advanced charting tools and backtesting. Web, browser and desktop trading is available, as are trading courses, live demos and the ability to trade futures in an IRA. But no live demo account to practice trading.
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
N/A
Designed primarily for derivatives trading, Tastytrade boasts competitive pricing on futures with $1.25 to open and close a standard contract and $0.85 to open and close a micro futures contract. Its asset variety is expansive, and its trading tools are powerful — think customizable platforms, advanced charting tools and backtesting. Web, browser and desktop trading is available, as are trading courses, live demos and the ability to trade futures in an IRA. But no live demo account to practice trading.
Available in brokerage and IRAs, E*TRADE's futures trading includes an expansive list of available markets, pro-level tools — available via web and mobile app — and a dedicated futures research center. Trade standard, micro and E-mini contracts on E*TRADE's powerful Power E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE app, but futures commissions are on the higher end — $1.50 per contract, per side or $2.50 per contract, per side for crypto futures.
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get up to $1,000 terms apply
Available in brokerage and IRAs, E*TRADE's futures trading includes an expansive list of available markets, pro-level tools — available via web and mobile app — and a dedicated futures research center. Trade standard, micro and E-mini contracts on E*TRADE's powerful Power E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE app, but futures commissions are on the higher end — $1.50 per contract, per side or $2.50 per contract, per side for crypto futures.
Pros
Access to 10 futures markets
Advanced trading tools via the Power E*TRADE platform
Kick off your trading session with daily futures commentary from Schwab's futures specialist, level up with Schwab's library of futures educational material or practice trading with the paperMoney simulated trader. When you're ready to go live, Schwab's suite of thinkorswim trading platforms is available with its wide range of advanced tools and functions. Trade various futures markets, but commissions are high at $2.25 per contract.
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Get a $101 bonus
Kick off your trading session with daily futures commentary from Schwab's futures specialist, level up with Schwab's library of futures educational material or practice trading with the paperMoney simulated trader. When you're ready to go live, Schwab's suite of thinkorswim trading platforms is available with its wide range of advanced tools and functions. Trade various futures markets, but commissions are high at $2.25 per contract.
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Finder is not an advisor or brokerage service. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and not a recommendation to invest with any one company, trade specific stocks or fund specific investments. All editorial opinions are our own.
Methodology: How we choose the best brokerage accounts
Finder’s investment experts reviewed 11 brokers and cryptocurrency exchanges available on the market to narrow down the best platforms for trading futures.
We analyzed each platform based on 21 key metrics collected directly from brokers. Then we assessed each provider’s performance based on five different categories, weighing each metric according to the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts.
We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive available.
What to look for when choosing a futures trading platform
Finder’s picks for the best platforms for futures trading are meant to provide a starting point for finding the right broker for your investing style and goals.
Consider the following factors when comparing your options:
Fees and commissions. Look for transparent and competitive pricing.
Execution speed. Ensure fast and reliable order execution for optimal trading.
Trading tools. Check for advanced charting, risk management and technical analysis features.
Market access. Ensure the platform supports the futures markets you want to trade.
Regulation and security. Verify that the platform is regulated and has strong security protocols.
User interface. Choose a platform with an intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface.
Leverage and margin requirements. Understand available leverage and margin rules.
Customer support. Ensure prompt and helpful customer service availability.
Order types. Look for a variety of order types (e.g., limit, stop-loss, market orders).
Mobile access. Check if the platform offers mobile trading for flexibility.
Educational Resources. Look for tools or materials to support your learning, especially if you’re new.
Matt Miczulski is an investments editor at Finder. With over 450 bylines, Matt dissects and reviews brokers and investing platforms to expose perks and pain points, explores investment products and concepts and covers market news, making investing more accessible and helping readers to make informed financial decisions.
Before joining Finder in 2021, Matt covered everything from finance news and banking to debt and travel for FinanceBuzz. His expertise and analysis on investing and other financial topics has been featured on CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University. See full bio
Matt's expertise
Matt has written 193 Finder guides across topics including:
A deep dive into the highlights and limitations of Yieldstreet.
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Finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Finder receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. Finder compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
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