Futures trading went from a niche pursuit of suit-wearing pit traders to something you can do from your phone at 2 a.m. while eating cereal, and the broker landscape has expanded to match. The trouble is that "best futures broker" depends almost entirely on what you trade, how often you trade it, and whether you care more about commissions, platforms, or whether the customer service rep actually picks up the phone before market open. This directory breaks down the 13 brokers worth knowing in 2026, ranked, profiled, and stripped of the affiliate-flavored marketing fog you get everywhere else.
How brokers were selected: Each was evaluated on per-contract commissions (with exchange fees disclosed separately), day-trading margin requirements on micro and standard contracts, platform quality, contract breadth across asset classes, regulation, and account minimums. Brokers offering hidden-fee structures, restricted access, or weak regulatory standing were excluded. For a deeper look at why fees matter most, see our
futures trading category hub.
Editorial transparency: Broker links throughout this directory point to each broker's official homepage. Rankings and profiles are based on commissions, platform quality, regulation, and asset coverage — not commercial relationships. If any link becomes an affiliate referral in the future, this notice will be updated to reflect that.
Quick Comparison: Top 13 Futures Brokers
| Broker | Per-Contract Fee | Micro Margin (Day) | Min. Deposit | Platform |
|---|
| NinjaTrader | $0.09 – $1.29 | $50 | $0 | NinjaTrader 8 |
| AMP Futures | $0.25 – $0.50 | $50 | $100 | Multi-platform |
| Interactive Brokers | $0.25 – $0.85 | ~25% of initial | $0 | TWS / IBKR Desktop |
| tastytrade | $1.25 | ~25% of initial | $0 | tastytrade |
| Optimus Futures | $0.25 – $0.50 | $50 | $500 | Multi-platform |
| TradeStation | $0.85 – $1.50 | $50 | $0 | TradeStation 10 |
| Webull | $1.25 | $50 | $0 | Webull Desktop |
| Charles Schwab | $2.25 | ~25% of initial | $0 | thinkorswim |
| E*TRADE | $1.50 | ~25% of initial | $0 | Power E*TRADE |
| Plus500 Futures | $0.49 | $100 | $100 | Plus500 Web |
| AvaFutures | $0.75 | $100 | $100 | AvaFutures Web |
| Tradier | $1.50 | ~25% of initial | $0 | Tradier / TradingView |
| Edge Clear | $0.25 – $0.50 | $50 | $1,000 | Multi-platform |
Per-contract fees shown exclude exchange and NFA pass-through charges, which typically add roughly $1.18 to $2.40 per round turn on micro and mini equity index contracts respectively. Day-trading margins vary by broker policy and contract — figures above reflect typical Micro E-mini intraday requirements. For independently verified benchmark fee data, see BrokerChooser's 2026 futures broker comparison.
The 13 Best Futures Brokers, Ranked
| Per-Contract Commission | $0.09 (lifetime license) – $1.29 (free) |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | $50 |
| Account Minimum | $0 (funded for live trading) |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader 8 (desktop), Web, Mobile |
| Asset Selection | CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX, ICE futures |
Pros
- Lowest per-contract pricing with lifetime license
- Industry-best charting and automation tools
- $50 micro margins enable small-account trading
- Free simulator with live data feed
Cons
- Best fees require a one-time $1,099 license
- Steep learning curve on advanced features
- No equities or options trading
- Market data subscription required for live
Best for: Dedicated futures traders who want the deepest platform, lowest commissions, and don't mind paying once to never pay per-contract markup again.
Visit NinjaTrader →
| Per-Contract Commission | $0.25 – $0.50 (negotiable for volume) |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | $50 |
| Account Minimum | $100 |
| Platforms | 60+ supported including NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart, Quantower, MultiCharts, TradingView |
| Asset Selection | Full CME Group, ICE, Eurex coverage |
Pros
- Among the lowest commissions in the industry
- Will match or beat any competitor's quote
- Massive platform choice — 60+ options
- Strong customer service and 24/5 support
Cons
- Pricing not displayed publicly — requires quote
- Some platforms carry separate license fees
- Inactivity fees on dormant accounts
- Interface dated compared to retail brokers
Best for: Serious traders who already know which platform they want and just need cheap execution behind it.
Visit AMP Futures →
| Per-Contract Commission | $0.25 – $0.85 (volume tiered) |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | ~25% of initial (no aggressive intraday discount) |
| Account Minimum | $0 |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, Mobile, API |
| Asset Selection | Global futures across 30+ exchanges |
Pros
- Widest global futures market access available
- Institutional-grade execution and routing
- Tier 1 regulation and capital strength
- Built-in algo orders and API support
Cons
- No discounted day-trading margins on futures
- TWS has notoriously steep learning curve
- Less suited to scalping micro accounts
- Approval process is stricter than peers
Best for: Multi-asset and global traders who need access to European, Asian, and exotic futures markets in one account.
Visit Interactive Brokers →
| Per-Contract Commission | $1.25 (no closing commission on micros) |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | Roughly 25% of initial |
| Account Minimum | $0 |
| Platforms | tastytrade desktop, web, mobile |
| Asset Selection | Major CME futures, micros, options on futures |
Pros
- Transparent, simple fee structure
- No closing commission on micro contracts
- Excellent options-on-futures workflow
- Strong educational content
Cons
- Limited contract selection vs specialty brokers
- No discounted intraday margin model
- Platform less customizable than NT8
- Service fees for wires and assisted trades
Best for: Options traders adding futures to their workflow without learning a new platform.
Visit tastytrade →
| Per-Contract Commission | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | $50 |
| Account Minimum | $500 |
| Platforms | Optimus Flow, NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart, CQG, Rithmic, Jigsaw, MultiCharts |
| Asset Selection | Full CME, ICE, Eurex futures coverage |
Pros
- Flat-fee pricing with low intraday margins
- Strong proprietary Optimus Flow platform
- Excellent customer service reputation
- Order-flow tools and DOM for active traders
Cons
- $500 minimum higher than competitors
- Some platforms carry additional license fees
- Service fees for wires and inactivity
- Less brand recognition than major peers
Best for: Active scalpers and order-flow traders who want platform variety with low intraday margins.
Visit Optimus Futures →
| Per-Contract Commission | $0.85 – $1.50 (volume tiered) |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | $50 |
| Account Minimum | $0 |
| Platforms | TradeStation 10 desktop, web, mobile |
| Asset Selection | Full CME Group futures and options on futures |
Pros
- Best-in-class backtesting via EasyLanguage
- Strategy automation built into platform
- Multi-asset (stocks, options, futures, crypto)
- $50 intraday micro margin
Cons
- Per-contract fees higher than discount brokers
- Platform interface feels dated in places
- Monthly platform fee unless trade minimums met
- Data fees add up quickly
Best for: Systematic traders building and backtesting automated strategies in a single platform.
Visit TradeStation →
| Per-Contract Commission | $1.25 (flat) |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | $50 |
| Account Minimum | $0 |
| Platforms | Webull Desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Asset Selection | CME futures and major micros |
Pros
- Simple flat-rate pricing newcomers can decode
- Clean, modern interface across devices
- Free Level 2 data with futures account
- Same login spans equities, options, futures
Cons
- Futures contract selection narrower than peers
- Service fees and wire fees higher than ideal
- Limited backtesting and automation tools
- Customer support response times inconsistent
Best for: Retail traders graduating from stocks/options into futures without changing brokers.
Visit Webull →
| Per-Contract Commission | $2.25 (plus exchange fees) |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | Roughly 25% of initial |
| Account Minimum | $0 |
| Platforms | thinkorswim Desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Asset Selection | Full CME, ICE, CFE futures and options on futures |
Pros
- thinkorswim remains a benchmark platform
- Deep research, analytics, and education
- Tier 1 regulation and household name
- Integrated with broader Schwab account suite
Cons
- $2.25 per contract is steep for futures-focused traders
- No deep day-trading margin discounts
- Some platform sluggishness during peak hours
- Overkill if you only trade a couple of contracts
Best for: Multi-asset investors who want futures in the same account as their long-term holdings and value platform polish over rock-bottom fees.
Visit Charles Schwab →
| Per-Contract Commission | $1.50 |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | Roughly 25% of initial |
| Account Minimum | $0 |
| Platforms | Power E*TRADE Desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Asset Selection | CME equity index, energy, metals, currency futures |
Pros
- Strong research and education library
- Backed by Morgan Stanley balance sheet
- Reasonable fee structure for casual traders
- Polished mobile experience
Cons
- Limited futures contract breadth
- No discounted intraday margin
- Less suited to scalping strategies
- Service fees can add up
Best for: Existing E*TRADE customers who want futures without onboarding a new broker.
Visit E*TRADE →
| Per-Contract Commission | $0.49 |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | $100 |
| Account Minimum | $100 |
| Platforms | Plus500 Futures Web and Mobile |
| Asset Selection | CME equity index, metals, energy, agricultural, currency |
Pros
- Among the lowest flat commissions for retail
- Low $100 account minimum
- Clean, simple web interface
- Backed by established Plus500 brand
Cons
- No desktop platform — web/mobile only
- Charting and analytics behind competitors
- No options on futures
- Less customization for active traders
Best for: Newer traders who want cheap commissions and a stripped-down interface without platform bloat.
Visit Plus500 Futures →
| Per-Contract Commission | $0.75 minimum per side |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | $100 |
| Account Minimum | $100 |
| Platforms | AvaFutures Web and Mobile |
| Asset Selection | Seven asset classes across CME Group products |
Pros
- Backed by established AvaTrade brand
- Free CME Group Level 2 data once verified
- Up to 100 commission-free trades for new accounts
- Diverse payment options (cards, PayPal, Skrill)
Cons
- Launched in 2024 — short track record
- No desktop platform yet
- Smaller contract selection than peers
- Limited automation features
Best for: Beginners testing the futures waters with small capital and free trial commissions.
Visit AvaFutures →
| Per-Contract Commission | $1.50 |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | Roughly 25% of initial |
| Account Minimum | $0 |
| Platforms | Tradier Web, TradingView, ThinkOrSwim integration |
| Asset Selection | Major CME futures contracts |
Pros
- Strong API for developers and algorithmic traders
- TradingView integration native
- Reasonable commissions for the integrations offered
- Good for multi-platform workflows
Cons
- No proprietary desktop platform
- Smaller futures lineup than full-service brokers
- Service fees for assisted trades
- Less educational content than competitors
Best for: Algorithmic traders and developers who want TradingView execution with an API-first backend.
Visit Tradier →
| Per-Contract Commission | $0.25 – $0.50 (negotiable) |
| Day-Trading Margin (Micros) | $50 |
| Account Minimum | $1,000 |
| Platforms | Edge Pro, NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart, CQG, R-Trader |
| Asset Selection | Full CME, ICE, Eurex coverage |
Pros
- White-glove service and dedicated broker contact
- Aggressive commission negotiation for volume
- Low intraday margins on micros and minis
- Wide platform variety supported
Cons
- $1,000 minimum higher than retail competitors
- Limited brand visibility and digital presence
- Some platforms carry additional license fees
- Less suited to absolute beginners
Best for: Higher-volume traders who want a relationship-based broker rather than an app-first experience.
Visit Edge Clear →
How to Pick the Right Futures Broker
The decision really comes down to four questions, and the answers eliminate most brokers automatically. First, what's your average daily volume? If you're trading 20+ round turns a day, every $0.25 in commission savings compounds into thousands per year — that pushes you toward NinjaTrader, AMP, Optimus, or Edge Clear. If you're trading two contracts a week, the difference between $0.49 and $1.50 per side is rounding error, and platform quality matters more than pricing. For a primer on building consistent volume responsibly, our day trading resource hub covers the basics.
Second, are you running a small account? Brokers offering $50 intraday micro margins (NinjaTrader, AMP, Optimus, TradeStation, Webull) let a $500–$2,000 account actually function. Brokers requiring full overnight margin treat that same account like a paperweight. Third, do you need automation? If you're backtesting strategies or running an EA, TradeStation, NinjaTrader, and Interactive Brokers are the only realistic choices. Finally, do you trade options on futures? That filter cuts the field to thinkorswim, tastytrade, TradeStation, and Interactive Brokers — everyone else either doesn't offer them or offers them badly. For deeper context on prop accounts versus retail futures accounts, browse our prop firms category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest futures broker in 2026?
NinjaTrader with a lifetime license offers the lowest per-contract commission at $0.09. AMP Futures, Optimus Futures, and Edge Clear all offer $0.25–$0.50 per contract without requiring a license purchase. Plus500 Futures is the cheapest broker with no platform fees at $0.49 per contract.
What is the minimum to open a futures trading account?
Most futures brokers list a $0 account minimum to open, but practical funding requirements run higher. To actually trade micro contracts with $50 day-trading margins, you should fund at least $500–$1,000 to absorb normal drawdowns. Standard E-mini contracts require closer to $5,000 minimum to trade safely.
Are futures commissions the same as exchange fees?
No. Brokers charge per-contract commissions on top of exchange and NFA fees. CME charges roughly $1.18 per round turn on Micro E-mini equity index contracts and $2.40 on standard E-minis. These pass through to your account separately from the broker's commission. Always look at total round-turn cost, not just commission.
Can I day trade futures with a small account?
Yes, but only with brokers offering reduced intraday margins. NinjaTrader, AMP, Optimus, TradeStation, and Webull all offer roughly $50 day-trading margins on Micro E-minis, meaning you can trade one contract with as little as $50 in working margin (though $500+ in account equity is wiser). Brokers without intraday discounts require thousands per contract.
Is NinjaTrader free?
NinjaTrader offers free use of its platform for charting, backtesting, and simulated trading. Live trading is free at $1.29 per contract, or you can pay a one-time lifetime license fee of around $1,099 to drop commissions to $0.09 per contract. The economics favor the license once you trade roughly 850 contracts per year.
Which broker is best for prop firm traders?
Most prop firms (Topstep, Apex, MyFundedFutures) require traders to use specific platforms — typically NinjaTrader, Tradovate, or Rithmic feeds. NinjaTrader is the most universally accepted. Once funded by a prop firm, traders execute through the firm's broker, not their personal one.
