Introduction
Futures trading has come a long way since its inception. It has evolved from a complex and manual process to a digitalized, user-friendly activity accessible to anyone willing to learn and invest. With different futures trading platforms out there, how do you choose the best platform for your needs? In this article, we will look at the top user-friendly futures trading platforms available, their features, and what makes them stand out.
1. TradingView
TradingView is a cloud-based charting platform designed for traders who want to get a good grasp of the stock market. It’s an ideal platform for beginners and experts alike. TradingView’s web-based charting and analytics tools enable traders to research stocks, futures, currency, and cryptocurrency markets thoroughly. Users can create and share charts, alerts, and trading ideas with peers.
Key features:
– Intuitive user interface
– Real-time data feeds with access to 100+ exchanges in over 50 countries
– Advanced charting tools: over 90 optional studies, drawing tools, and chart types
– Social trading capabilities, where traders can share ideas and collaborate with peers
– Economic calendars, reports, and news that provide market insights
– Broker integration that enables users to trade directly from the platform using their brokers
– Mobile app available on Android and IOS devices.
2. NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader is a powerful trading platform designed for active traders and commodity trading advisors. It is an entirely customizable platform that provides advanced charting and market analysis tools, order entry, and automation. It enables users to trade in futures, forex, options, and stocks.
Key features:
– Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
– Advanced charting tools such as over 100 technical indicators, 33 drawing tools and 14 chart types
– Simulated trading (paper trading) for practicing strategies without risking capital
– Automatic trading and execution of trades
– Market replay, where traders can watch market events to analyze market behavior
– Real-time market data feeds from over 50 providers
– Mobile app available on Android and IOS devices
3. E*TRADE
E*TRADE is a robust all-in-one trading platform that offers a wide selection of trading and investing tools. The platform is designed for both experienced and novice traders in stocks, options, and futures markets.
Key features:
– User-friendly interface
– Robust trading tools such as advanced charting, technical analysis, and screeners
– High-quality research and market insights from Morningstar, Credit Suisse, and Market Edge
– Broker integration that enables users to trade directly from the platform using their brokers
– Low commission rates
– Mobile app available on Android and IOS devices.
4. TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade is an online brokerage that provides a wide array of stock, ETF, mutual fund, option, and futures trading options. It offers a variety of trading platforms, such as the web platform, mobile app, and thinkorswim, its flagship trading platform.
Key features:
– Advanced trading capability, including an array of order types for futures trading.
– Access to over 70 futures contracts
– Research and market data from Morningstar, Thompson Reuters, and CNBC
– News and analysis from the TD Ameritrade Network, live programming offered via streaming video, and a live market commentary service.
– A minimum deposit of $2,500 is a requirement before trading any futures contracts.
5. Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a technology-focused trading platform that offers over 125 different markets in 31 countries. The platform provides a vast array of products, including futures, options, stocks, and forex.
Key features:
– User-friendly interface
– Advanced order types and algorithms for futures trading
– Real-time market data feeds from global exchanges
– Deep, real-time analytics and portfolio analysis tools
– Extensive research offerings from over 20 independent research providers
– Low trading costs
– Mobile app available on Android and IOS devices.
6. Tastyworks
Tastyworks is an exceptional user-friendly trading platform with a focus on options and futures trading. It provides a wide range of trading features aimed at experienced traders who seek aggressive trading.
Key features:
– Intuitive user interface
– Advanced charting capabilities with over 100 technical indicators
– Powerful analysis tools, including Probability Analysis, Volatility Charts, and more
– Real-time market data feeds from CBOE Futures Exchange and several other industry leaders
– Advanced order types and risk-management features, including trailing stops and limit orders
– Low commission rates and per-contract fees for futures and options contracts
– Mobile app available on Android and IOS devices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right futures trading platform can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. The platforms we’ve reviewed are some of the best user-friendly futures trading platforms available and are ideal for traders ranging from beginners to experienced traders. We hope that this guide has provided some insight into what you should look for in a futures trading platform, and has given you a good starting point in finding the best futures trading platform for you.
HTML Headings
– Introduction
– TradingView
– Key features of TradingView
– NinjaTrader
– Key features of NinjaTrader
– E*TRADE
– Key features of E*TRADE
– TD Ameritrade
– Key features of TD Ameritrade
– Interactive Brokers
– Key features of Interactive Brokers
– Tastyworks
– Key features of Tastyworks
– Conclusion.
