Broker Accounts · Futures

Futures Brokers

A clear, independent overview of futures brokers — what they do, how they differ, and what to look for before you open or move an account.

This page is written from the point of view of an active trader, not a marketing team. It is educational only. Always read the official disclosures and fee schedules on each broker’s website before you fund an account.

Futures & Micros Margins · Commissions · Platforms Risk & Regulation

Who This Page Is For

  • Futures day-traders using ES, NQ, YM, RTY, CL, GC, 6E and other CME products.
  • Prop-firm traders who also want at least one traditional futures broker account.
  • Spot-FX or CFD traders thinking about moving part of their trading to regulated futures.
  • Investors who want index, rate or commodity exposure via futures rather than CFDs.

What a Futures Broker Actually Does

  • Provides regulated access to futures exchanges (CME Group, Eurex, ICE, etc.).
  • Holds your cash and positions with a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) or clearing firm.
  • Enforces margin rules, risk limits and exchange regulations.
  • Routes your orders through a trading platform (their own or third-party platforms).
  • Charges commissions, exchange fees and sometimes platform / data fees.

Important: Futures are leveraged products. Losses can exceed your initial deposit if risk is not controlled. This page is not personal advice.

How to Choose a Futures Broker

Instead of chasing the lowest advertised commission, think in terms of a checklist. A “good fit” broker is usually the one that matches your markets, size and style without surprising you later with platform issues or fee traps.

1. Regulation & Safety of Funds

  • Prefer brokers that clear through well-known FCMs regulated by bodies like the CFTC / NFA (US) or equivalent overseas regulators.
  • Confirm how client funds are held (segregated accounts, protections, and what happens if the FCM fails).
  • Check whether you’re opening the account in your own name or via an introducing broker (IB) that routes through an FCM.

2. Markets & Products You Actually Trade

  • US index futures and micros (ES / MES, NQ / MNQ, RTY / M2K, YM / MYM).
  • Rates and bond futures (ZT, ZN, ZB, Eurodollars, SOFR), if you trade macro or spreads.
  • Energy, metals, grains and softs if you run commodity or seasonal strategies.
  • Crypto, volatility and “event” contracts if you specialise in those products.

3. Margin, Risk Controls & Overnight Rules

  • Intraday margin level versus exchange initial margin.
  • At what time your account switches to higher “overnight” margin and how forced liquidation works.
  • Whether you can hold micros or small positions overnight without huge margin requirements.
  • Any special rules around news events, holidays and limit-up / limit-down sessions.

4. Commissions, Fees & All-In Cost

  • Per-side commission per contract, plus exchange, NFA and routing fees.
  • Platform and market-data charges — some brokers offer their own platform free, others charge monthly.
  • Inactivity charges, withdrawal fees and data fees if you trade very lightly.

5. Platforms, Data & Tools

  • DOM / ladder, footprint, volume profile, algo / strategy support if you need them.
  • Support for platforms you already know: NinjaTrader, TradingView, Sierra Chart, Quantower, MotiveWave, etc.
  • Stability, server location and the quality of market data (tick data, depth, historical series).

6. Service & Support

  • Is there live chat or a phone desk during the futures session, or only email?
  • Do they understand active futures trading, or are they mainly a stock broker that “also offers futures”?
  • How good is their onboarding and help when you connect third-party platforms or prop-style risk rules?

Examples of Well-Known Futures Brokers

The brokers below are widely used by active futures traders around the world. This list is not a recommendation and is not exhaustive — it is a starting point for your own research. Always confirm current fees, products and regulations on each broker’s official website.

NinjaTrader Brokerage

Futures-first · Advanced platform

Popular with active futures traders for its dedicated platform, advanced charting, strategy back-testing and automation. Offers access to a broad set of CME products with low commissions and micro contracts that suit smaller accounts.

Active day trading Micros Advanced charts

Tradovate

Cloud platform · Flexible pricing

Cloud-based futures broker with web, desktop and mobile platforms. Traders can choose between pay-per-trade pricing or subscription-style plans aimed at high-volume traders. Integrates with TradingView and other tools for chart-driven execution.

Web + desktop Subscription plans TradingView support

Interactive Brokers

Multi-asset · Global exchanges

Large electronic broker offering futures alongside stocks, options, FX and bonds on more than 100 markets worldwide. Known for its professional-grade platforms, algorithmic order types and relatively low commissions for active traders.

Global markets Pro tools Multi-asset

Optimus Futures

Introducing broker · Multiple FCMs

An introducing broker that connects retail traders to several clearing firms and platforms. Focuses on low-margin access, TradingView integration and one-to-one support for active day-traders and system traders.

Multiple platforms Low day margins Education & support

AMP Futures / AMP Global

Discount FCM · Many platforms

Chicago-based FCM offering low-cost access to CME and other futures markets, with a large choice of third-party platforms and data feeds. Often used by cost-sensitive day-traders who want direct FCM access.

Discount pricing Direct FCM access 50+ platforms

EdgeClear

Active traders · Service focus

Futures brokerage built specifically for active traders, combining modern tools, TradingView integration and a strong emphasis on fast, personalised client support. Offers access to multiple platforms and data options.

Service-driven TradingView Active intraday

Ironbeam

Clearing firm · Cloud platform

CME-clearing futures broker with its own cloud-based trading platform for desktop, web and mobile. Provides access to CME Group products with an emphasis on low margins, integrated tools and TradingView connectivity.

Clearing member Cloud platform TradingView

tastytrade

Options & futures · Education heavy

Broker that combines options, stocks and futures on a single platform, backed by a large library of video education. Often chosen by traders who mix options on futures with index or commodity futures strategies.

Options on futures Education Single platform

Reminder: none of these brokers are affiliated with MRSLM Group. We do not guarantee accuracy of third-party information, fees or policies. Always verify details directly with the broker and consider independent advice if needed.

Next Steps for Your Own Research

  1. Pick 2–3 brokers that match your markets, account size and platform needs.
  2. Download their platforms or open demo/sim accounts and test order entry, DOM, charts and basic execution.
  3. Read the full risk disclosure, day-trading margin policies and overnight rules for each broker.
  4. Compare all-in cost (commissions + fees + data) for your average trading volume.
  5. Run a small live size at each broker before committing significant capital.

If you are coming from prop firms, pair this page with the guides under Trading & Prop Firms → Futures Prop Firms in the main menu so you can see how traditional brokerage accounts compare with funded accounts.

Risk & Legal Notice

MRSLM Group LLC provides educational content only. We do not provide investment, tax or legal advice, and we do not recommend or guarantee any broker, platform or product listed on this page. Futures, options and leveraged products involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. Only trade with money you can afford to lose, and always consult the official documentation of each broker and exchange before placing live trades.