Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026

If you're just starting out, the CME Group's education hub is one of the best places to learn about futures trading. As the largest futures exchange in the U.S., CME offers free, high-quality content that covers everything from contract basics to advanced topics like spreads and fundamental analysis.

For platform-specific learning, Interactive Brokers is the best option. Its educational resources, Trader Workstation tutorials, and paper trading tools help you understand how futures work in real market conditions, making it easier to connect concepts to execution.

I also recommend checking out our guide on how to trade futures, which walks through the process from account setup to risk management.

No, the $25,000 Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rule only applies to stocks and options. Futures trading is regulated under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), not FINRA, which means there’s no minimum balance requirement to day trade. This is one of the biggest advantages to futures trading.

You can trade futures with much less capital, as long as you meet your broker’s margin requirements. Some brokers allow intraday trading with margins as low as 5% to 10% of the contract value. Just remember, leverage works both ways and small price moves can lead to big gains or steep losses.

Yes, and it’s one of the smartest ways to learn. Paper trading lets you place simulated futures trades using virtual money in live market conditions. It’s ideal for learning how leverage, contract sizing, and margin work, all without risking real capital.

Charles Schwab offers one of the best paper trading platforms through thinkorswim’s paperMoney, where you can test strategies using the full suite of futures tools, including ladder trading, charts, and order types.

Practicing before going live is valuable for both new and experienced traders. It helps you refine your approach and reduce the chance of emotional or margin-related mistakes.

For new futures traders, the best platform for beginners is one that teaches as you go, and Interactive Brokers stands out for exactly that reason. Its extensive educational library, platform walkthroughs, and paper trading tools help beginners learn futures trading step by step while practicing in real market conditions.

Interactive Brokers also offers powerful platforms like Trader Workstation, which may feel advanced at first but rewards beginners who want to grow into more sophisticated trading over time. Clear risk controls, detailed margin information, and broad market access make it easier to understand how futures trading actually works.

Start with a platform that supports learning, risk management, and long-term growth, and Interactive Brokers provides a strong foundation for building confidence as a new futures trader.

Contango is when a futures contract is priced higher than the current spot price of the underlying asset. It’s common in markets like oil or natural gas, where storage, insurance, and time add cost to future delivery. For example, if oil trades at $70 today but the three-month futures contract is priced at $73, that market is in contango.

This setup usually reflects the market's expectation that prices will rise over time. Most futures markets, especially commodities, spend more time in contango than not.

For traders, contango matters because it can erode returns in futures-based ETFs or long-term positions. As contracts roll forward, you're often selling lower and buying higher, which creates negative carry.

Backwardation is the opposite. It occurs when futures are priced below the current spot price. A good example is the VIX (Volatility Index), where spot prices spike in volatility events, but futures trade lower as markets expect calm to return. The VIX spot price might be 45 today, while next-month futures trade closer to 21 or 20. In backwardation, rolling contracts can actually benefit long positions by capturing that positive price difference.

Mark to market is a daily accounting method used in futures trading to reflect the current value of open positions. At the end of each trading day, your futures account is adjusted based on the day’s price movement. If your position gained value, your account balance increases. If it lost value, the loss is subtracted from your balance.

This process helps ensure that gains and losses are recognized in real time, and it also determines whether your account meets the margin requirements set by your broker. If your balance falls below the required maintenance margin, you may receive a margin call and need to deposit additional funds.

Mark-to-market accounting is one of the key differences between trading futures and other types of securities like stocks, where gains and losses are usually only realized when a position is closed.

Futures trade nearly around the clock, but hours vary by exchange and product. For most contracts on the CME Group, trading opens at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday (the “open”) and continues through 5 p.m. Friday (the “close”), with a short daily pause between sessions.

That means you can trade futures overnight or in pre-market hours, making them useful for reacting to global events and macro news. I recommend bookmarking the CME’s trading calendar, which includes holiday schedules and contract-specific trading times.

Beyond futures, many brokers are now offering after hours or overnight trading on stocks and ETFs on alternative exchanges. To learn more about this new era of trading, check out our complete guide to after hours trading.

Costs vary by broker, but you'll typically pay a per-contract commission, which can range from $0.25 to $2.50 per side. You’ll also pay exchange and clearing fees, which are passed through from the futures exchange.

Some brokers offer bundled pricing that includes all fees in one number, while others break them out separately. Market data subscriptions are often an additional monthly cost, unless waived for meeting trading minimums.

Don’t forget margin — it’s not a fee, but it does represent the capital needed to hold a position. Intraday margin requirements can be as low as 5% to 10% of the contract’s notional value, while overnight requirements are higher.

Power E*TRADE Mobile is one of the most feature-rich mobile apps for trading futures. It supports ladder trading, custom charting with over 100 indicators, and advanced tools like bracket orders, which are all designed for active traders who want full control from their phone.

The app also includes predefined screeners for volatility and unusual activity, making it easier to spot trading opportunities in real time. Whether you're monitoring multiple contracts or executing trades on the go, Power E*TRADE combines functionality with intuitive design.

No, Fidelity does not currently offer futures trading. The platform supports stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, mutual funds, and crypto. But futures and forex are not available.

If you're looking for a broker that supports futures, check out our full list of recommended platforms above.