Some are better suited for long-term investments, while others are excellent for watching your expenditure and investing what you would have otherwise spent. When it comes to trading, there are a variety of platforms that cater to different sorts of traders.
As forex trading has become one of the most popular kinds of trading in recent years, an increasing number of platforms have been established to facilitate the buying and selling of currencies. Some of the most successful traders in the world continue to utilize some of the top futures trading platforms.
In recent years, however, there has been a growing emphasis on AI investment software and platforms.
By evaluating data and anticipating future market moves, these tools help traders make better judgments. When it comes to futures trading, a few platforms stand out, systems that are best suited for certain sorts of investors. In this post, I will evaluate the top futures trading platforms available so that you may make an educated choice.
What Are The Best Futures Trading Platforms?
The following are the top futures trading platforms to consider.
1. Interactive Brokers
Image Source: Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers provides pricing at a set rate, allowing you to assess your prospective earnings with ease. The platform is intended for aggressive traders that want all of the necessary tools and functionality.
In addition, they provide varying fee rates dependent on whether you are trading on U.S. or non-U.S. futures markets, which is ideal for international traders. This platform is highly enticing to high-volume traders due to its variable fee structure.
Using this platform, you may trade Futures and Options on Futures in over 35 global market centers.
Key Features:
- Energy, currency, agricultural, stock index, and other industries may be traded on the platform.
- It is incredibly easy since stocks, ETFs, and options may all be traded on the same platform.
- Futures Arbitrage and Interest Rates Tables are useful for acquiring the necessary information prior to trading.
- Traders’ University provides the necessary educational materials for success.
- The US Futures market scanner is an excellent instrument for locating profitable chances.
Pricing:
Interactive Brokers typically charge around $0.85 per transaction.
2. NinjaTrader
Image Source: NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader provides personalized assistance throughout the onboarding process and has a vast array of features that make it an effective futures trading platforms.
With $50 margins for micro trades and $500 margins for E-Minis, NinjaTrader is accessible to novice traders. Additionally, the platform provides a variety of features that make it ideal for more experienced users.
There are several alternatives for depositing money, including ACH, which is not usually accessible with other brokers. If you want to make live trading a bit simpler, this platform has all the necessary tools.
Key Features:
- Unlimited futures trading simulation enables risk-free practice and evaluation of trading strategies.
- Having access to unfiltered, expert market data allows for the best educated decisions.
- Extensive historical tick, minimum, and daily data offer a comprehensive insight of market action over a given time frame.
- In times of crisis, the free, 24-hour emergency trade desk is a useful option for seeking aid and support.
- Due to the award-winning charting and analytical tools, you can make the most educated decisions imaginable.
Pricing:
The pricing starts from $50 Margins for Micro Futures.
3. Optimus Futures
Image Source: Optimus Futures
Among the top futures trading platforms for day traders is Optimus Futures. With an emphasis on people, the organization is committed to providing its customers with superior trading tools, technology, and education. The platform provides an integrated trading solution with everything required for a straightforward installation.
Optimus Flow, their custom-built software for automatic journaling and transaction monitoring, making this platform one of the most effective and user-friendly available. They also provide an easy-to-understand, straightforward pricing system with minimal commissions.
In addition, they allow you to trade micro futures contracts, a feature not given by other futures trading platforms.
Key Features:
- With real-time data, extensive analytical tools, and sophisticated order types, free professional-grade trading tools offer you an advantage in the market.
- Deeply discounted trading fees allow you to save money on each and every deal.
- Micro futures allow you to trade contracts with little exposure to risk.
- Low day trading margins increase your purchasing power per unit of money.
Pricing:
A trade can cost as little as $0.50 / side. With higher volumes, you can get this down to as little as $0.10 / side, so bulk trading has its benefits.
4. Discount Trading
Image Source: Discount Trading
In the futures sector, Discount Trading has more than two decades of expertise. Their trading rates make them one of the most cost-effective suppliers.
With a variety of features and tools, the platform is appropriate for both novice and expert traders. For those that want it, they also provide futures broker support, management, and colocation services.
With safety and security features that a leading platform can provide, Discount Trading is a wonderful option for people in need of trustworthy service. You may also trade on a variety of devices, such as a Mac, PC, smartphone, tablet, or phone, allowing you to remain connected wherever you are.
Key Features:
- Customized solutions for professional traders guarantee that you have access to the necessary resources for success.
- There are no monthly inactivity costs, so you may take a break without being penalized.
- Free futures news and research are useful for staying abreast of the most recent events.
- The trading site is also free and includes live streaming quotations, a feature not offered by many other brokers.
Pricing:
The pricing depends on the monthly volume of futures contracts traded. However, one can have commission rates as low as $0.19 per side when trading at high volumes.
5. Tastyworks
Image Source: TastyWorks
Through a single account, Tastyworks enables trading in indices, FX, interest rates, and commodities. This makes it a great option for individuals who want everything in a one location.
With commissions as low as $0.25 per contract, Tastyworks is often fairly cost-effective. In addition, they provide a variety of items that assist you in selecting the ideal chances.
The Small Exchange, for instance, provides more typical and clear options for individuals just beginning out. The network also has a strong emphasis on education, with tools such as the Follow Feed and video feed that may aid in skill development.
Key Features:
- Flexible Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and the opportunity to go long or short make Tastyworks a good alternative for people wishing to begin futures trading platforms.
- The diversity of accessible marketplaces enables you to locate the ideal option for your requirements.
- The distinctive technology is an excellent means of staying ahead of the competition.
Pricing:
With opening and closing commissions, the fees depend on the future you’re trading.
What Are Futures Trading Platforms?
A futures trading platform is a system that provides several functions, including news and analysis, charts and price quotations, order input and execution, and account administration.
Some platforms also provide paper trading or demo accounts, which may be an excellent method to practice futures trading without risking real money.
Due to the abundance of futures contracts and futures trading brokers, it may be difficult to choose which platform is best for you; thus, research is essential.
What Is Futures Trading?
Futures trading is the purchase and sale of future delivery contracts for commodities, securities, and other assets. Each agreement reflects a fixed amount of the underlying asset, since each contract is standardized. Futures contracts are generated and exchanged on a number of different markets. This also indicates that the price of a futures contract is decided by the demand and supply of buyers and sellers.
Some futures contracts may still be traded on the floor of an exchange despite the fact that the vast majority are traded electronically on specialized platforms. Futures trading is a common method of speculating on the price fluctuations of commodities, securities, and currencies. It may also be used to hedge against portfolio risk or to profit from price fluctuations if they occur.
If the price goes against the trader, active trading in futures contracts may provide big profits, but it can also result in losses. Futures brokers assist novice and seasoned traders in speculating and profiting from the direction of underlying asset values. Although there are various methods to trade futures, futures brokerage accounts are the most common.A futures trading platform is an internet program that links a trader to a broker in order to purchase or sell futures contracts.
