Can You Trade Futures on Robinhood?

No, you cannot trade futures on Robinhood, but we’re also providing alternatives below.

The Robinhood platform is a pioneer in commission-free investing and brings exceptional analysis tools to the average investor. Robinhood offers a range of assets, including commodities, cryptocurrencies, and stocks. With the recent offering of futures, you can access a broader range of investment opportunities. FINRA, a top-tier regulator, oversees Robinhood. Can you trade futures on Robinhood? No, but below, you'll find excellent brokerage alternatives.

Alternative Brokers to Robinhood for Futures Trading

The stock brokers and online brokerage firms below offer futures trading in various assets. Many are also known for excellent investor resources and reliable customer service. Read on to find possible futures trading platforms. 

Best for International Markets: Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers is a popular, comprehensive trading platform that allows you to access over 150 global markets. For excellent portfolio diversification, you can buy various stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds and fund trading. Interactive Brokers also allows you to trade commodity futures globally on 30+ market centers for a low commission from $0.25 to $0.85 per contract.

The professional trading platform, order types, advanced futures tools, futures trading courses, and educational resources on IBKR Campus make it a top choice. 

Why We Love It: Interactive Brokers makes trading futures in U.S. markets and abroad easy, with excellent educational resources and various assets offered.   

Best for Diverse Futures: Plus500

Plus500 elevates your trading with the most popular futures like the S&P 500, Bitcoin, oil, gold, agriculture, interest rates, equity indexes, and more. In addition to a wide range of instruments, Plus500 has attractive day margins. Account opening is easy; there are no platform or market data fees, and you can open an account with as little as $100. 

Why We Love It: Plus500 has an easy-to-use app designed explicitly for futures trading. It also includes demo live quotes to build your strategy before trading real money.

Best for Low Margin Minimums: NinjaTrader

NinjaTrader calls itself the #1 futures broker. It is known for its affordable access to futures markets, with $50 day trading margins, which you can trade $50 margins for micros and $500 for E-minis. It also has low commissions. You can trade on integrated desktop, web, and mobile platforms.

Why We Love It: NinjaTrader has no minimum deposit, multiple ways to fund your account, and commissions as low as $0.09 per contract. Its easy-to-use trading platform is great for both beginners and experienced traders. 

Best for Charting Tools: Optimus Futures

Optimus Futures is another futures trading platform with a competitive margin structure. You can choose Optimus Flow for free, which gives you access to Optimus Flow Optimus Futures' signature trading platform. The trading interface uses analytical panels for enhanced visual display, helping traders with better technical analysis and faster order execution. You can also choose Optimus Flow, a paid subscription plan with professional charting, volume analysis tools, order flow surface, TPO profile charts, and more.

Why We Love It: Optimus Futures offers a completely personalized onboarding experience and on-demand support from highly experienced futures trading professionals. It also offers low trading margins, as low as $40 on micros and $400 on e-minis.

Best for Custom Services: EdgeClear

EdgeClear offers excellent trading tools, including cutting-edge trading tools, fast, reliable execution, and custom support. Between competitive commissions, swift execution, and superior support, EdgeClear stands out for its tailored solutions for both new and seasoned traders.

Why We Love It: EdgeClear's Platinum service offers dedicated 1-to-1 broker support and premium customized service. Its direct market pathways and premier benefits make it stand out.

Best for Automated Trading: AvaTrade

AvaTrade has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and over 8,600 reviews. It adheres to nine different regulatory standards and operates in 150 countries. AvaTrade's MT5 platform offers an intuitive user experience, advanced charting, and seamless automated trading. It also includes excellent educational resources, real-time market data, and advanced charting tools. 

Why We Love It: AvaTrade has no inactivity fees and transparent pricing. Pricing starts at $0.75 per micro contract per trade. It also lets you easily diversify across markets and international assets. 

Best for Basic Trading: Tickmill

Tickmill is a no-frills futures trading app with access to five globally regulated Futures exchanges: CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX, and EUREX. There are no monthly minimum trading commission requirements and a low deposit requirement of $1,000 or the equivalent in another currency.

Why We Love It: Tickmill offers fast, reliable execution via robust centralized trading exchanges, with an exceptional trading platform, plus tailored solutions for high-volume traders.

Best for Flat Rates: Generic Trade

Generic Trade is known for security, technology, and value. It also offers 24-hour support and cross-country data centers. Regardless of size or volume, all accounts are 59¢ commission per side, and all fees are fully disclosed. 

Why We Love It: Generic Trade is a low-cost platform that doesn't have many bells or whistles, but it does offer high-value tech, exceptional security, and trading tools.

How to Choose the Right Futures Trading Broker

When choosing the best brokerage for futures trading, consider the following:

• Regulation and reputation: Look for a broker with an excellent reputation for security, reliability, and regulatory compliance. 
• Available markets: Some trading platforms have limited markets, while others offer more than 30. 

• Trading platform: Trading platforms that offer advanced charting tools, technical analysis, real-time market data, and fast trade execution can improve your success rate. 
• Fees and commissions: Look for low commissions to avoid cutting into your profit margins. 
• Minimum deposit and account types: Some brokerages let you trade with as little as $50, while others have a larger minimum deposit or limited account types. 
• Educational resources: Whether you're a new trader or want to improve your skills and get current market insights, look for a trading platform with competitive educational resources.
• Customer support: Check a company's reputation and whether it offers 24/7 customer support. 

Final Tips on Trading Futures

How to trade futures on Robinhood? If you want to trade futures, Robinhood won't allow you to do it, but many other excellent brokerage firms allow you to trade futures. They offer excellent charting tools, market data, access to international markets, and low commissions. Before trading futures, consider getting a demo account to test your analysis strategy. Start small, and don't overleverage to build your technique.

Whether you choose to trade futures or not, making the most of your money depends on understanding investing basics and building your skills with excellent educational resources.

Frequently Asked Questions