
Are you ready to take your trading skills to the next level? With so many futures trading platforms available, knowing which one is best for your needs can be difficult. This guide will help you find the ideal platform for your investing style and future financial goals.
We’ve done the research and gathered a list of the 9 best futures trading platforms of 2023 for your perusal. Each platform has unique features and benefits, so you can pick the one right for you. We’ll go over each platform’s key features and other considerations you should make before making your decision. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Our Top Picks:
Toggle1) Tastytrade

Tastytrade is a great choice for serious futures traders. With cutting-edge technology and a user-friendly trading platform, it has many tools to help you succeed in your trading journey. It provides feature-packed browser and app-based solutions and the ability to follow other traders’ moves in real-time. Plus, its comprehensive educational resources are perfect for those seeking new knowledge.
Pros
- High-tech and user-friendly trading platform
- Low commissions for futures and options
- Availability of IRAs and trusts
- No minimum balance required
Cons
- Not suitable for long-term investing
- No Mutual Funds offered
- Margin rates on the higher end
- Limited customer support options.
2) Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers are another great option for futures traders. With its sophisticated technology and low trading fees, it’s well suited to both beginner and experienced investors. Its customizable trading tools allow you to easily adjust your strategies according to market conditions. And with AccessAccess to over 125 exchanges worldwide, you can expand your portfolio of investments in no time.
Pros
- Low commissions for futures and options High-tech trading platform
- Low margin rates AccessAccess to over 125 exchanges worldwide
Cons
- Minimum balance of $10,000 required
- Limited educational resources compared to other platforms
3 ) TradeStation

TradeStation is a powerful and sophisticated online platform for active traders looking to trade stocks, options, futures, and forex markets. It provides advanced charting capabilities with price data from over 50 exchanges worldwide. TradeStation also supports backtesting strategies on historical market data, real-time strategy scanning, and automated execution.
TradeStation offers a wealth of resources to help active traders of all levels make informed decisions. The platform includes educational content, trading strategies, live-trading webinars, and analysis tools. Additionally, it provides AccessAccess to research from independent third-party providers such as Morningstar, MarketGrader, and Dow Jones Newswires.
Pros
- Wide variety of advanced trading tools and analytics.
- Comprehensive educational resources.
- Backtesting capability with historical data.
- Automated trade execution capabilities.
Cons:
- Relatively expensive for beginning traders.
- Limited customer service options outside of business hours.
- Complex platform interface with a steep learning curve.
- Limited Access to international markets.
- Research data is limited compared to other brokers.
4) TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade is an online broker that trades stocks, options, ETFs, futures, mutual funds, and forex. It offers a full suite of research tools and educational resources for traders. TD Ameritrade also allows automated trading through its think or swim platform, designed to suit active traders.
Pros:
- A comprehensive range of products and research tools.
- User-friendly interface.
- Access to advanced charting and trading tools.
- A wide variety of order types is supported.
Cons:
- Limited Access to international markets.
- High commissions for beginners who trade frequently.
- Limited customer service options outside of business hours.
- No direct access to futures markets.
5) Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab is an American-based investment and financial services company that offers a broad range of investment options, services, and banking products. Through its extensive network of offices in nearly every state and more than 10,000 employees nationwide, the company provides brokerage accounts with stocks, bonds, ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), mutual funds, and options trading. Charles Schwab also offers banking services such as checking, savings, credit cards, mortgage loans, and home equity lines of credit.
Charles Schwab’s intuitive user interface allows investors to easily manage their portfolios on its website or through its mobile app. The platform has several helpful features, such as tax loss harvesting, automated portfolio rebalancing, and investment advice. In addition, the company offers low trading commissions for investors with large account balances or those who trade frequently.
Pros
- Low trading commissions for investors who meet certain requirements.
- A comprehensive selection of investment options and services.
- Intuitive user interface and mobile app.
- Automated portfolio rebalancing and tax loss harvesting tools are available.
Cons:
- Trading commissions are relatively high when compared to other online brokerages.
- Limited banking features compared to other financial services companies.
- Not the most comprehensive customer service department.
6) E-Trade

E-Trade is a financial services company that provides investing and trading services to its customers. It is one of the leading online brokerages, offering a wide selection of products and services at competitive prices to meet the needs of individual traders, investors, and institutions.
E-Trade offers a variety of products and services, such as stocks, options, mutual funds, futures contracts, ETFs, bonds, and more. They also provide AccessAccess with real-time market data, charts, news, and analysis. Customers can manage their accounts online or through the mobile app.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface with a variety of products and services available
- Low-cost commissions and fees on trades compared to other brokerages
- Access to real-time market data, charts, news, and analysis
- Variety of account types, including cash management accounts and margin accounts
- Mobile app available for on-the-go AccessAccess to your portfolio
- Dedicated customer support team available via phone and online chat
Cons:
- Inactivity fees may apply if accounts are not regularly used
- Limited research tools compared to other brokerages
- Fees and commissions can still be high compared to discount brokers
- No physical locations or branch offices available for customers
- Not available in all countries worldwide.
7) Optimus Futures

Optimus Futures is an online futures trading broker offering its clients a comprehensive suite of services and tools. Optimus Futures provides direct AccessAccess to the futures markets, making it one of the leading online brokers in the industry.
It offers competitive pricing, with commission rates starting at $2 per round turn for equities and other products. The broker also provides tools to help its clients take advantage of market opportunities, including advanced charting and technical analysis.
In addition, Optimus Futures offers an intuitive platform for trading futures contracts with real-time data feeds and the ability to place orders quickly and efficiently.
Pros:
- Highly competitive commission rates
- Advanced charting and technical analysis tools
- Real-time data feeds for trading futures contracts
- Intuitive platform for placing orders quickly and efficiently.
Cons:
- Limited educational resources;
- Minimal customer service support;
- The minimum deposit requirement is $2,000.
8. AMP Futures

AMP Futures is an online trading platform providing AccessAccess to global markets. It offers a variety of services, including futures and options trading. With AMP Futures, traders can easily access futures and options contracts on commodities such as energy, metals, agriculture, financials, indices, and currencies.
The platform facilitates direct-access routing for the best pricing and provides a low-latency environment for faster trades.
AMP Futures also offers AccessAccess to research tools, market data, margin optimization services, and account management. Additionally, there are powerful charting capabilities that allow traders to analyze the markets in real time and make educated trading decisions. The platform is complete with an integrated back office that facilitates real-time account management and reporting.
Pros
- Access to global markets with direct-access routing
- Low-latency environment for faster trades
- Research tools, market data, and margin optimization services
- Powerful charting capabilities
- Integrated back office for real-time account management and reporting
Cons
- There are fees and commissions associated with the platform
- Some features of the platform may not be available in certain states
- Traders may find the platform to be too complex and difficult to use.
- There is no demo version available.
- The platform is not suitable for beginners or those with limited knowledge of the futures market.
9 Ninjatrader Brokerage

Ninjatrader Brokerage is an online discount broker that provides AccessAccess to the futures and equities markets. Ninjatrader Brokerage offers a range of trading platforms, including its popular NinjaTrader 8 platform.
This platform is designed for active traders who are looking for tools to help them manage their investments. NinjaTrader 8 includes a wide range of features, such as automated trading, charting and analysis tools, advanced order types, and strategy backtesting. In addition, Ninjatrader Brokerage offers a low commission structure with no additional fees or costs for traders who use their platforms.
Pros:
- Low Commission rates.
- No additional fees or charges. –
- Extensive charting and analysis tools.
- Automated trading functions.
- Variety of advanced order types and backtesting strategy features.
Cons:
- A limited selection of markets (futures and equities only).
- Platform interface may be overwhelming for novice traders.
- Higher minimum account balance requirement than some other brokers.
Conclusion
When it comes to futures trading platforms, there are many options available. Each broker offers different features and benefits that can help traders optimize their investments and take advantage of market opportunities. It is important to research the brokers thoroughly so that you can find one that best fits your needs and goals.
Whether you are looking for AccessAccess to futures and options contracts, low commissions, automated trading capabilities, or educational resources, there is a broker out there that can meet your needs. Do your research, compare the different futures trading brokers and platforms, and choose the one that best suits your trading style and goals.
FAQ’s
What is a futures trading platform?
A futures trading platform is an online brokerage service that provides AccessAccess to the global futures market. It enables traders to buy and sell futures contracts of various commodities, currencies, and indices in real time with the help of advanced charting and technical analysis tools, real-time data feeds, and intuitive order placement capabilities.
What do futures brokers do?
Futures brokers are intermediaries that provide AccessAccess to the futures market by connecting traders with various exchanges and liquidity providers. They enable traders to execute their futures trades with the help of advanced trading platforms and offer services such as research, market data, margin optimization, and account management.
How do I trade futures contracts?
To trade futures contracts, you need to open an account with a futures broker and fund it with the required amount of capital. Once you have an account, you can log in to the broker’s trading platform, select the market you want to trade, and place your orders. You can also access research tools, market data, margin optimization services, and account management features to help you make informed trading decisions.
What are the advantages of using a futures broker?
Using a futures broker provides AccessAccess to global markets with direct-access routing, a low latency environment for faster trades, research tools, market data and margin optimization services, and powerful charting capabilities. Furthermore, brokers typically offer integrated back-office services for real-time account management and reporting.
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