Futures are a highly leveraged asset class, offering the potential to produce large gains and los෴ses compared to the amount of capitꦅal required to establish and maintain a position. The associated risks, when combined with the wide range of markets accessible through futures trading, make it imperative for traders to choose the right futures platform to meet their risk management and educational needs.
The best futures platforms offer competitive margin rates, robust trading technology, powerful research amenities, and more. Based on Investopedia’s proprietary analysis of the data we collected from eight online brokers and trading platforms, the best brokerage platform for professional futures traders is Interactive Brokers. NinjaTrader stands out as the best platform for dedicated futures traders, while E*TRADE provides the best education for those who are new to futures trading. For traders seeking the best desktop futures trading experience, look no further than TradeStatꦅion.
Best Futures Trading Platforms for June 2025
- Best for Professional Futures Traders: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: Interactive Brokers
- Best for Dedicated Futures Traders: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: NinjaTrader
- Best for Futures Education: E*TRADE
- Best for Desktop Futures Trading: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: TradeStation
Best for Professional Futures Traders : Interactive Brokers
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Interactive Brokers
- Account Minimum: $0
- Commission: Ranges from $0.25 to $2.50 per contract ($5 for crypto futures). IBKR Pro customers pay on a tiered scale based on volume, while IBKR Lite customers pay a fixed rate. For standard futures IBKR Lite customers pay $0.85 per contract, $0.25 per mini contract. Cryptocurrency futures are $0.10 to $5 per contract. E-mini FX futures are $0.50 per contract. IBKR Pro customers pay $0.85 to $0.25 per contract (depending on volume). Mini contracts are $0.25 to $0.10 per contract. Cryptocurrency futures are $0.10 to $5 per contract. E-mini FX futures are $0.50 to $0.05 per contract. IBKR Pro customers also pay an overnight position fee. The minimum margin for intraday positions is $50. The standard exchange and regulatory fees apply.
Interactive Brokers (IBKR), Investopedia's 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:top-rated broker for professional, advanced, and international traders, is al♒so our top choice for professional futures traders. IBKR’s range of tradable markets is unmatched in the industry, and the firm’s trading technology is among the best of all online brokers.
Industry-best selection of tradable markets
Low commissions and volume-based discounts
Automation of complex trading strategies
Strong backtesting capabilities
Trader Workstation (TWS)ꦆ can be intimidating to new users
Interactive Brokers is one of the top choices for futures trading, especially for experienced traders. Founded in 1978, IBKR quickly established itself as a trading technology pioneer, being the first to introduce a hand-held computing device to the trading floor. Through the years, the compan⛄y has remained committed to its mission of providing cutting edge-technology at competitive rates.
Historically, IBKR has been a go-to platform for international trade🎉rs who need a single system capable of handling complex trades across global markets. In recent years, however, they’ve expanded their offerings to also cater to more casual investors with features like IBKR Lite, a simplified commission tier that offers no-fee stock trading. Still, their bread and butter remains the advanced tools designed for professional traders.
What makes IBKR shine for futures trading? First, their platform is packed with advanced features like backtesting tools for trying out trading strategies, sophisticated options analysis capabilities, and an impressive range of order types, including one-cancels-other (OCO) and various 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:conditional orders. Plus, if you’re into custom strategies, you can create your own trading algo🎃rithms using a mix of fundamental and technical indicators. These algorithms can automate trade entry and management across all asset types, including futures.
The platform’s execution capabilities are also top-notch. IBKR’s Adaptive Algo helps find the best price for market orders, even for futures trades. It is worth noting that IBKR is built with big traders in mind, and their volume discounts only kick in after you hit 1,000 contracts. IBKR also has stricter margin requirements than top competitors. This might sound intimidating, but it’s a way to help traders handle market swings of 1-2%, making it ideal for professionals managing large po൩rtfolios.
If y🗹ou’re serious about futures trading and seek powerful tools, access to global markets, and excellent execution, Interactive Brokers might be the platform for you!
Read Our Full 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Interactive Brokers Review.
Best for Dedicated Futures Traders : NinjaTrader
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NinjaTrader
- Account Minimum: $0 to open an account; $50 is the minimum margin for trading
- Commission: Option 1 - Free: No monthly fee, with per side commissions of $0.35 for micro futures contracts and $1.29 for standard contracts. Option 2 - Monthly: $99 monthly fee, with per side commissions of $0.25 for micro contracts and $0.99 for standard contracts. Option 3 - Lifetime: $1,499 one-time payment, and per side commissions of $0.09 for micro contracts and $0.59 for standard contracts. Exchange, clearing, and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:National Futures Association (NFA) fees apply for all plans.
With a highly capable desktop, web, and mobile platforms that allow traders to trade directly from customizable charts, a variety of low-cost pricing options, and available low margin rates, NinjaTrader stands out as the best platform for dedicated futures traders.
Excellent fee structure
Available simulated trading account
Strong charting capabilities
24-hour support
Integrated desktop, web, and mobile platforms
No direct options or equity trading
Market data requires purchase
NinjaTrader is a platf🌺orm built specifically for dedicated futures traders. Launched in 2003, NinjaTrader is all about empowering active, self-directed futures traders with the tools they need. In a recent an⛎d noteworthy update, in 2023 the company introduced cloud-based mobile and web platforms. Customers can now trade seamlessly across devices and stay connected to the markets whenever and wherever they need. That same year, NinjaTrader also unveiled a custom trading tool to support event-based futures. NinjaTrader platforms are free to use, and you can practice with simulated trading before ever funding an account. In a market as complex as futures, this is a great opportunity to learn the ropes without risk.
NinjaTrader excels with its customizable charting and r🅷eal-time analysis. Customers can even tra﷽de directly from the charts, which is especially convenient in fast-moving markets. In addition, the platform also supports multiple apps and third-party add-ons, so you can tailor your experience to fit your needs.
For futures traders, margin requirements are a big deal, and NinjaTrader delivers. NinjaTrader offers competitive intraday margins, like $50 for equity index 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:E-mini futures and $500 for standard futures contracts. Although the platform will bump up margins slightly around major economic events, 𓃲for positions held during regular hours the low margin requirements make it a standout choice. Also, while overnight positions do require higher margins, that’s typical in the industry.
A couple of things to keep in mind: NinjaTrader doesn’t support direct equity or options trading, but allows you to connec🅰t with other brokers like Interactive Brokers for that. Forex trading is also possible through partnerships like FXCM. One extra c🎐ost to consider is the live futures trading data subscription—it’s not expensive, but it’s something to factor in. NinjaTrader also offers 24-hour support during the trading week, so you’re never left in the dark if something is amiss.
If you’re all about futures trading, NinjaTrader has the tools, fle🅠xibility, and cost-effectiveness to keep you ahead of the game.
Read Our 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Full NinjaTrader Review.
Best for Futures Education : E*TRADE
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ETrade logo
- Account Minimum: $0
- Commission: $1.50 per contract, per side (cryptocurrency futures $2.50 per contract per side); exchange, clearing, and NFA fees also apply.
E*TRADE is Investopedia’s choice 𒐪as the best futures platform for education because it provides extensive content and training resources to help investors navigate the complexities and nuances of futures trading. Beginner traders will also appreciate E*TRADE’s award-winning desktop and mobile platforms, which shine for their🗹 ease of use.
Supports multiple U.S. asset classes
User-friendly trading platforms
Top-tier educational materials
Simulated account for practice trading
Free CME Group🌳 and CFE data for non-professionals
No trading of international assets
Relatively high margin rates for IRA accounts
E*TRADE is one of the pioneers of the online brokerage industry, dating bac꧃k to 1982. Acquired by Morgan Stanley in 2020, E*TRADE has a well-deserved reputation of an innovator, offering robust platforms that cater to both beg♉inners and seasoned investors.
While E*TRADE is better known for its self-directed investment options, it also offers a solid futures trading experience. It might not have all the bells and whistles that professional futures traders demand, but its platform is user-friendly and integrates multiple U.S. asset classes in one place. That’s a big plus if you’re looking for simplicity and flexibility. W⭕ith great desktop, web, and mobile apps, E*TRADE makes trading easy, no matter where you are.
For futures trading, E*TRADE has some specific margin requirements. Day trades need a 50% margin, while overnight positions require 100%. If you’re trading futures in an 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:in♏dividual retirement account (IRA), you’ll need to keep 200% of the init꧙ial requirements and maintain at least $25,000 in the account. The company’s futures commission rates are a bit higher than brokers focused solely on futures, but if you’re already using E*TRADE for other investments, adding futures trading is a convenient option.🔜
Where E*TRADE truly stands out is its educational content. The platform’s futures page isn’t just about markets and commissions—it’s packed with helpful articles like “Five Reasons Why Traders Use Futures” and “How Can I Diversify My Portfolio with Futures?” Plus, customers get access to an educational portal where they can learn about many important subjects such as managing risk, and understanding expiration and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:settlement. It’꧑s a great resource for anyone n✱ew to futures trading.
E*TRADE is a great o🐲ption if you want a straightforward, all-in-one platform with solid futures functionality and excellent learning resources.
Read our Full 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:E*TRADE Review.
Best for Desktop Futures Trading : TradeStation
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TradeStation Logo
- Account Minimum: $0
- Commission: $1.50 per trade per side, plus NFA, exchange, and overnight position fees; for micro futures, the fee is only $0.50 per trade.
If you𒁃 are looking for a best-in-class desktop futures trading experience, look no further than TradeStation. TradeStation is Investopedia’s top choice because of its robust platform that boasts sophisticated tools for charting, order entry, and position management, all with reasonable margin rates.
Top-tier execution speeds
Supports trading in multiple asset classes
Offers demo account trading
Advanced order𝄹 types and꧋ trade automation capabilities
Non-professional users enjoy free data
Steep learning curve
Subpar customer service
TradeStation is built for advanced traders who seek solid tools. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Plantation, Florida, TradeStation has grown into a powerhouse for charting, analytics, and trade management. If you’re someone who likes control, you’ll appreciate features lik♌e order routing and advanced order capabilities.
Similar to IBKR’s Trader Workstation, the TradeStation platform does take some time to master, but experienced users will find it intuitive and packed with features to enhance their strategies. When it comes to futures trading, TradeStation keeps things competitive with commission rates of $1.50 per side and lower margin rates for intraday trades. Plus, users can practice with 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:simulated trading before risking any real money,൩ which is a great way to get comfortable with the platform.
One of TradeStation’s strengths is its versatility—it supports trading in a variety of asset classes, including stocks, options, futures, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and even 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:options on futures. If you’re a non-professional trader, you’ll also get free marke🌺t𓆉 data for all these asset classes, which is a nice perk.
While their customer service doesn’t rank as high as some competitors, the power of TradeStation’s desktop platform mor🅷e than makes up for it. With robust backtesting tools and a wealth of data at your fingertips, TradeStation has earned its spot as the best desktop platform for futures trading.
If you’re an experienced trader looking for a platform that delivers꧃ advanced features and plenty of flexibility, TradeStation might just b🔯e the perfect fit!
Read Our Full 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:TradeStation Review.
Why You Should Trust Us
Investopedia has been helping readers find the best tools and platforms for managing their finances since 1999. Investopedia’s team of editors and research analysts evaluated eight online brokerage platforms based ✤on 30 criteria that are critical to helping futures tr𒅌aders improve their skills. We used this data to review each platform for costs, trading technology, account amenities, and other key features to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews to ensure our readers make the right decision for their investing needs.
Our research and ratings are entirely independent, with no influence from advertising partnerships, and our full-time team of expert writers and editors aims to be unbiased to ensure you’re getting the best r🦂ecommendations when looking for an online futures trading platform. Investopedia’s staff editors, research analysts, and compliance managers work hard every business day to keep this article up to date and accurate by monitoring product changes on online brokerage websites and making changes to our content as needed.
What Are Futures Trading Platforms?
Futures trading platforms are brokerages that make an emphasis on offering features that faci🌱litate futures trading—like low margin rates, trading across multiple asset classes, educational content, data, and more.
Futures are a type of legal contract that requires an investor to buy or sell an asset on a set (expiration) date and at a set price. Futures can be used to speculate on future price moves, or to hedge risks. There are many types of underlying assets in futures contracts, such as 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:commodities, stock indices, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:precious metals, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:currencies, and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:cryptocurrencies.
Who Should Consider Futures Trading?
Futures can be useful instruments for experienced, knowledgeable investors seeking to hedge their portfolios, or make a leveraged directional bet on the underlying asset. Futures trading generally ꧙entails high use of margin and can lead to both outsized returns, and significant losses.
To be a successf𝕴ul futures trader you need to have a good understanding of the underlying asset, the political and macro dynamics around⛄ it, and the specifics of the actual contract you’d like to trade. You also need to keep your emotions under control and your risk parameters in check.
Pros & Cons of Futures Trading
Leveraged returns
Hedging
Diversification
Liquidity
Risks grow with leverage
Margin requirements
Futures have many moving parts
Pros Explained
- Leveraged returns: With futures trading, investors are required to put down an initial margin to establish their position. A relatively low initial margin can allow you to establish a relatively big position. This can magnify potential gains, but also balloon potential losses. Margin requirements for contracts may change over time, and the broker may require you to post additional funds to maintain your position.
- Hedging: A hedge is an investment that’s meant to reduce the risk of another asset/transaction, typically by moving in the opposite direction. For example, someone may take a short position on a S&P 500 future to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:offset the risk of a decline in the S&P 500 ETF they hold.
- Diversification: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Diversification involves spreading investments across different types of assets to reduce the overall risk of your portfolio. By including futures in your portfolio, you can offset the risk of other investments, especially if those investments are not correlated (ie. they move independently of each other). Investors with futures positions may also be able to capitalize in times of economic uncertainty.
- Liquidity: Futures contracts are known for being highly liquid, meaning investors can enter and exit positions easily and at low costs.
Cons Explained
- Risks grow with leverage: While leverage can magnify your gains, it amplifies your losses, too. With highly-leveraged instruments like futures you can lose more than you initially invested.
- Margin requirements: Typically, you’ll need to pay between 3% to 12% of the value of the contract for the initial margin. Once you’ve put down the initial margin, you’ll also have to meet the maintenance margin requirement—if your balance falls below that amount, the brokerage will issue a ‘margin call’ where you’ll be required to provide additional funds or risk having your position liquidated.
- Futures have many moving parts: For everyday investors, futures can be complicated—you’ll need to know about margin requirements, keep track of contract expiration dates, and understand what’s happening in the broader market and economy. It’s important you have a full understanding of the risks and have a strategy for trading.
How We Chose the Best Futures Trading Platforms
Investopedia is dedicated to providing investors with unbiased, comprehensive reviews and ratings of online futures trading platforms. Our ratings of the best online futures trading platforms are based on our own propr✤ietary research of four categories and 30 criteria that are critical to readers choosing the right platform for trading futures. The following category weights were used to rate each platform:
- Cost: 40.00%
- Features: 35.00%
- Accessibility: 15.00%
- Customer Experience: 10.00%
We used this data to develop a comprehensive rubric for evaluating a combination of 8 online brokerage and trading platforms based on their research amenities, tradable markets, fees and commissions, and other features, to help our readers choose the right futures trading platform. For each company, Investopedia's team of researchers and full-time editorial staff analyzed data obtained directly from company websites and representatives. Our data collection process ran from Feb. 14 to Feb. 23, 2023.
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Investopedia / Michela Buttignol
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