Futures trading lets investors speculate on the price of stocks, commodities and other financial products. To execute a trade, one must purchase futures contracts, which legally bind individuals to buy or sell the asset at a predetermined point in the future. Buying futures contracts can be done on various platforms; however, features vary from one to the next, with some typical offerings including API access for algorithmic trading and mobile trading capabilities. Below are some of the future platforms to learn about.
Futures Trading Platforms
- Charles Schwab
- Interactive Brokers
- NinjaTrader
- tastytrade
- TradeStation
- Robinhood
- E*Trade
Futures Trading Platforms to Know
Tradovate is a cloud-based futures trading platform that offers commission-free trading. Since it’s a cloud-based product, investors can switch between devices while maintaing full access to their investments, dashboards and tools. Tradovate also supplies real-time equity data and third-party charting integrations.
Chicago-based EdgeClear offers advanced trading tech platforms to help investors make more informed futures and options trades. Its various platforms offer features like algorithmic trading, market-by-order, or MBO, data and advanced heatmaps to determine liquidity areas.
Ironbeam is a financial services company that focuses on futures trading. Its platform enables investors to trade micro and nano futures contracts and features tools for custom charts and order creation. Ironbeam also provides a simulation tool to help investors plan their orders in a risk-free environment.
Sierra Chart is a desktop trading platform that connects investments with multiple exchanges and back-end trading services. One of its biggest attractors is its speed and customizable design, which enables individuals to integrate external data sources. Sierra Chart’s platform supports stocks, futures, currencies and options.
Interactive Brokers is an online investment platform offering advanced charting tools and free stock trading. The company also says it offers affordable options and futures contracts commissions. The company provides approved investors access to its futures API, enabling them to execute trades in over 150 markets. With the API, advanced investors can create automation features to enhance their trading abilities.
Trade Navigator is an investment platform that supports stock, forex, futures and options trading. It is a popular futures platform that provides live data and custom alerts that signal when investors meet specific criteria to buy or sell an asset. Trade Navigator also provides access to global commodity markets through its futures platform.
Charles Schwab is a popular financial services company that has helped popularize low-cost investment products like ETFs and mutual funds. It offers flat rates for futures contracts and enables investors to trade stocks, currencies, crypto and commodities. Through its thinkorswim platform, investors can create custom charts and precise buying and selling points.
Tradestation’s futures platform provides access to desktop, web and mobile platforms, as well as an API for seasoned investors. With API access, traders can develop custom platforms and access some of the most advanced trading strategies, like direct order routing. According to the company, the platform works for individual traders and large institutions alike.
Robinhood is a popular investing platform known for its usability. It allows individuals to execute trades with a few clicks. Although it is known primarily for its brokerage and Roth IRA offerings, it also provides a futures platform where investors can trade stocks, commodities and crypto. According to Robinhood, its futures trading platform provides one-tap trading and competitive fees and commissions.
Cannon Trading is a financial services company that offers discount future brokerage accounts. Its platform runs as a desktop application and allows access to stock and currency markets. Other features include intraday price quotes and one-click order execution.
AMP Futures’ platform provides institutional technology to retail investors. For example, it gives futures investors direct access to markets, which fulfills orders faster and is the preferred fulfillment method for many day traders. AMP Futures also says it provides auto trading capabilities and low commission pricing.
IG is a futures trading platform that provides access to global markets and 24/7 trading for select indices. Founded in 1974, the platform has unique features, such as no overnight funding fees and leveraged contracts, which help investors increase their market exposure with minimal risk.
Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank that offers various online investment platforms. Through its futures platform, traders can access 25 global exchanges and trade at all hours of the day. SAXO also develops tools for spreading tracking and order management.
Optimus Futures understands that speed and low latency are essential for future investors and has designed a platform to address those issues. Its platform features stable data feeds that can be augmented with indicators and chart overlays for more detailed analyses. Most importantly, it includes an intuitive order management system to facilitate asset purchasing.
Tastytrade is a financial technology company that provides platforms for various types of investors, including one dedicated to futures. The company says its futures platform features low commissions for standard and micro contracts. Tastytrade's platform is available on desktop, web and mobile platforms and has a large assortment of liquid trading options.
Ava Trade is an online investment platform that provides a sleek and intuitive futures platform. According to the company, it offers greater liquidity options by providing low-cost contracts. Additionally, Ava Trade also offers leveraged contracts to hedge volatile investments.
Webull provides investment accounts and features an intuitive mobile app and digital platform that aggregates financial news and company financials. Through its desktop platform, the company gives investors access to more advanced features, including futures investing and custom chart creation.
London-based Plus500 is a fintech company that offers advanced investing platforms and access to stock, currency and commodity markets. In addition to offering low fee and commission trading, the company also provides professional-grade investing accounts reserved for individuals who meet funding requirements and have work experience in the financial services sector.
E*Trade is a brokerage that offers a wide range of investing and retirement products. It incorporates futures trading capabilities through several eligible brokerage and IRA products and offers market access 24 hours a day, six days a week. E*Trade’s other futures features include micro and e-mini contracts, as well as custom trading rules.
NinjaTrader is a fintech platform that specializes in futures investing. The company builds software and tools that help active traders analyze market data and respond accordingly. For example, it provides advanced charting features and order flow visualization tools. NinjaTrader’s platform is available on desktop, web and mobile platforms.
