Best Futures Brokers 2025
Through extensive testing, we’ve identified the top brokers for trading futures, featuring a wide range of futures contracts, competitive fees, and first-rate tools.
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1Plus500 is a reputable broker that began operating in the US in 2021. It is accredited by the CFTC and NFA to provide futures trading on forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and interest rates. The creation of an account on Plus500 takes only 10 minutes, and you need a minimum of $100 to start trading. Its user-friendly web platform makes it a strong choice for US traders.
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.5 NinjaTrader is a US-based brokerage regulated for trading futures. It offers three different pricing plans for varied needs and budgets, along with extremely low margins on popular contracts. The company's renowned charting software and trading platform provides extensive customization options and excellent technical analysis features. -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.3 Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a top brokerage firm offering access to 150 markets in 33 countries and a range of investment services. With 40 years in the field, this company listed on Nasdaq strictly follows the rules set by authorities such as the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC. It's recognized as one of the most reliable brokers for global trading. -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.5 Established in 1999, FOREX.com is part of StoneX, a global financial services company that serves over a million customers. It's regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia, and other countries. The broker offers a wide range of markets beyond forex and provides competitive pricing on advanced platforms. -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 3.9 Capitalcore is a foreign trading broker located in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, founded in 2019. It offers four account types (Classic, Silver, Gold, VIP), which provide decreasing spreads and increasing bonuses as traders upgrade. The broker's standout features are its high leverage up to 1:2000 and no swap fees. However, these benefits do not make up for its insufficient monitoring from the IFSA and lackluster educational and research resources.
Top Futures Brokers Comparison
Safety Comparison
Compare how safe the Best Futures Brokers 2025 are.
Mobile Trading Comparison
Compare the mobile trading features of the Best Futures Brokers 2025.
Comparison for Beginners
Compare how suitable the Best Futures Brokers 2025 are for beginners.
Comparison for Advanced Traders
Compare how suitable the Best Futures Brokers 2025 are for advanced or professional traders.
Accounts Comparison
Compare the trading accounts offered by Best Futures Brokers 2025.
Detailed Rating Comparison
Compare how we rated the Best Futures Brokers 2025 in key areas.
Fee and Cost Comparison
Compare the cost of trading with the Best Futures Brokers 2025.
Broker Popularity
See how popular the Best Futures Brokers 2025 are in terms of number of clients.
Broker | Popularity |
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Interactive Brokers |
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NinjaTrader |
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FOREX.com |
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Why Trade With Plus500 US?
Plus500 US is an excellent choice for beginners, offering a user-friendly platform, low trading margins, and access to the Futures Academy to improve trading skills. Its strong tools and reliable service earned it second place in DayTrading.com's 'Best US Broker' award.
Pros
- The Futures Academy is a useful resource for beginner traders due to its captivating videos and simple articles. Its unrestricted demo account is also beneficial for practicing trading strategies.
- The trading app offers an excellent user interface with an updated design, straightforward layout, and charts optimized for mobile use.
- The account setup, pricing structure, and web platform make futures trading simpler than competitors like NinjaTrader.
Cons
- The private trading platform is easy to use, but doesn't have the advanced analysis tools that platforms like MetaTrader 4 do.
- Testing showed fast response times for support, but phone aid is not available.
- Plus500 US doesn't include social trading features, unlike platforms such as eToro US. Including this feature may benefit potential traders.
Why Trade With NinjaTrader?
NinjaTrader consistently satisfies active futures traders with its low-cost service and high-quality analysis tools. It offers superior charting features, including hundreds of indicators and over 10 chart types.
Pros
- Traders can access a free platform and trade simulation capabilities with the unlimited demo.
- Low costs, with $50 trading margins and commissions starting at $.09 per micro contract.
- You can access thousands of applications and add-ons from developers worldwide for trading.
Cons
- Some payment methods require a withdrawal fee.
- You need to register with partner brokers to trade in securities other than forex and futures.
- The advanced trading tools require an additional fee.
Why Trade With Interactive Brokers?
Interactive Brokers is ideal for seasoned traders due to its robust charting platforms, updated data, and adaptability, especially with the IBKR Desktop application. Its exceptional pricing and advanced order features appeal to traders, and its variety of stocks remains unmatched in the market.
Pros
- IBKR is a highly regarded brokerage, regulated by prime authorities. This ensures the safety and reliability of your trading account.
- The new IBKR Desktop platform combines the advantages of TWS and adds unique tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to make trading accessible and impressive for traders of all levels.
- There's a large selection of free or paid research subscriptions available to all traders. If you subscribe to Toggle AI, you will also receive commission refunds from IBKR.
Cons
- Only one active session per account is allowed, which means you can't run the desktop version and mobile app at the same time. This can sometimes lead to a frustrating trading experience.
- IBKR offers many research tools. However, the tools are not uniformly distributed across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page, causing confusion for the users.
- TWS's platform may be difficult for beginners to grasp because of its complexity. Plus500's web platform, on the other hand, is more appropriate for those new to trading.
Why Trade With FOREX.com?
FOREX.com is a top-tier brokerage suitable for forex traders of all skill levels. It offers more than 80 currency pairs, has small spreads starting from 0.0 pips, and features low fees. The platform provides powerful charting tools that include over 100 technical indicators and multiple research aids.
Pros
- Numerous educational materials such as tutorials, webinars, and a comprehensive YouTube channel are available to assist you in learning about the financial markets.
- FOREX.com provides top-tier forex pricing beginning at 0.0 pips. They also offer competitive cashback rebates up to 15% for dedicated traders.
- The Web Trader remains one of the top platforms for budding traders, boasting a sleek design and more than 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
Cons
- FOREX.com's MT4 platform provides around 600 instruments for trading, which is considerably less than the 5,500+ options accessible on its other platforms.
- Demo accounts have a limited time duration of 90 days, which may not be sufficient for thoroughly testing trading strategies.
- US clients do not have negative balance protection, so you can potentially owe more than your original account deposit.
Why Trade With Capitalcore?
Capitalcore offers up to 1:2000 leverage options and does not charge commission or swap fees. However, it lacks strong IFSA regulatory oversight and does not provide educational resources, making it less competitive than leading brokers.
Pros
- Capitalcore, unlike many brokers, provides a quick and limitless demo account for trading.
- As a relatively new player in binary options, its transparent, accessible service earned second place in DayTrading.com's 2025 'Best Binary Broker' award.
- Capitalcore now offers binary options trading for over 30 currency pairs, metals, and cryptocurrencies, featuring one-click trading and payouts up to 95%.
Cons
- The platform only supports its own software and does not integrate with popular trading tools like MetaTrader or cTrader. These tools offer economic news and automatic trading features.
- Capitalcore's limited education and research offerings are inferior to top tier firms such as IG, making it less ideal for new traders.
- During testing, the web platform showed inconsistent performance, with occasional technical issues preventing the trading platform from loading properly.
Filters
Methodology
We tested many platforms to bring you a list of the best futures brokers with outstanding features:
- Low fees and transparent pricing to boost profits.
- Flexible margin options for leverage and risk control.
- Wide market access for diverse futures contracts.
- Trusted regulation for safety and compliance.
- Reliable platforms with advanced tools and real-time data.
- Fast, reliable support to prevent delays.
- Risk tools for smarter, safer trading.
What To Look For in a Futures Broker
Choosing the right futures broker can make or break your trading experience. Here’s what to keep in mind as you evaluate your options:
Fees and Commissions
Futures trading often involves per-contract fees and margin requirements. Look for brokers that offer transparent pricing and competitive rates.
Watch for hidden expenses like platform charges or data feed costs that can eat into your profits.
NinjaTrader really impressed during testing with futures trading from $0.09 per contract.
Margin Requirements
Futures trading involves leverage, so margin requirements are a critical factor.
Lower margin rates might allow you to control larger positions, but make sure the broker maintains reasonable risk management policies to protect your capital.
IC Markets is a terrific option if you want to trade futures with leverage, offering transparent margin requirements with high leverage up to 1:200.
Market Access
Not all brokers offer access to the same futures markets.
Depending on your trading strategy, you may need access to specific commodities, indices, or currency futures. Check if the broker supports the contracts you want to trade.
After putting many brokers through their paces, NinjaTrader stands out with more than 100 futures contracts across indices like the Nasdaq, Dow Jones, and S&P 500, energy commodities such as oil and gold, plus cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Regulation and Trustworthiness
Trading futures with a regulated broker adds a layer of security.
Look for brokers licensed by reputable authorities like the CFTC in the US, FCA in the UK, or ASIC in Australia. This ensures they follow strict compliance standards to safeguard your funds.
I wouldn’t trade futures through an unregulated brokerage – the risks are too high.
That’s why brokers like IG are a sensible choice, earning a near-perfect trust score for its authorization from the FCA, ASIC, NFA, and CFTC, plus others.
Educational Resources
If you’re new to futures trading or want to refine your strategies, a broker with robust educational resources can be invaluable. Look for webinars, tutorials, and market analysis to help you stay informed.
After personally evaluating the educational resources at multiple firms, XM is my go-to for beginners.
Platform Features
A powerful, user-friendly trading platform is essential for futures trading.
Look for features like advanced charting tools, real-time data, and customizable interfaces.
If you’re a frequent trader, ensure the platform is fast and reliable under heavy market activity.
Trade Nation is a terrific option when it comes to platform usability and features, with futures trading on its TN Trader and the popular third-party MetaTrader 4 software.
Customer Support
When trading futures, time is of the essence. A broker with responsive customer support can prevent costly delays or technical issues.
Look for 24/7 support via chat, phone, or email.
After personally testing the quality and speed of support at hundreds of brokers over the years, IC Markets excels for its 24/5 assistance featuring knowledgable and helpful representatives.
Risk Management Tools
Trading futures comes with inherent risks. Brokers that offer risk management tools like stop-loss orders, position sizing calculators, and margin alerts can help you trade smarter and protect your account from significant losses.
I’ve been consistently impressed with IG‘s suite of risk management tools, from calculators to stop-loss orders, helping futures traders manage their risk exposure.
Five Tips For Choosing the Best Broker for Futures
1. Match the Broker to Your Trading Style
Are you a frequent day trader or a long-term hedger? Different brokers cater to other trading styles:
- If you trade frequently, prioritize brokers with low fees and lightning-fast platforms.
- For long-term strategies, focus on those with robust risk management tools and research resources.
2. Consider Your Budget
Futures trading involves costs beyond commissions, such as margin requirements, platform fees, and data subscriptions.
Choose a broker that fits your budget while offering the features you need to succeed.
3. Test with a Demo Account
Over 90% of futures brokers we’ve evaluated offer demo accounts that let you test their platforms and features risk-free.
Use this opportunity to evaluate the broker’s tools, platform stability, and ease of use before committing real money.
4. Start Small
If you’re new to a broker or futures trading, start with a small deposit and minimal trades.
This lets you familiarize yourself with the platform and the broker’s services without exposing too much capital upfront.
5. Think Long-Term
As your trading skills and portfolio grow, your needs may change.
Choose a broker that offers scalability, such as access to advanced features, additional markets, and premium support, as you progress in your trading journey.
FAQ
What Are Futures?
Futures are financial contracts that obligate the buyer to purchase, or the seller to sell, an underlying asset at a predetermined price and date in the future.
These assets can include commodities like oil, gold, or wheat and financial instruments like stock indices or currencies.
Why Should I Trade Futures?
Futures are commonly used for hedging risks or speculating on price movements, offering traders a way to leverage their positions with relatively low capital.
Futures trading can seem complex at first, but with the right broker and tools, it can be a powerful way to diversify your portfolio or capitalize on market trends.
What Is A Futures Broker?
A futures broker acts as a middleman between traders and futures markets, helping to execute trades and offering supportive services.