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| BROKERS - LOWEST RATES | LARGEST FCMs | FUTURES TRADING SYSTEMS | FUTURES RESEARCH | |
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Online Discount Futures Broker Comparison
High Volume Traders: Futures Traders who trade a high volume online certainly can get further breaks
on trading commissions. All you have to do is ask. Provided you are a good client who trades futures and options regularly and responsibly,
you should be able to get a lower commission. Some of the better Online Futures Brokers will publish a breakdown of rates on
their websites by frequency of trades. In this case, you may not have much leverage beyond those stated commissions. However,
it cannot hurt to ask.
Below is a listing of Online Discount Futures Brokers for trading Futures, Commodities and Options. We tried to
make an accurate commparison among the Futures Brokers stated rates and fees. Some are not very straightforward about their actual
rates. We based our comparison on the "average trader" who trades less that 100 futures contracts and options a month and opens
an account with the minimum amount. Obviously rates will be cheaper than stated below for active traders. However, you
will be able to find the lowest rates among Online Futures Brokers and what they have to offer. (Updated July 7, 2006)
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| Futures Broker | Notes | Commissions | Minimum Account | Services |
| TradeStation 800-808-9336 tradestation.com |
One of the best Online Brokers, Famous for low rates and software. | Average about $5 per R/T. Much cheaper if active trader. | $5,000 | Platform and Data Fee of $99.95 is free if you trade over 10 R/T per month. Excellent back-testing software for system trading. |
| Interactive Brokers Group 877-442-2757 interactivebrokers.com |
Probably the best Commission Rates you'll find. One of the top places to look for an Online Discount Futures Broker. | $3.46 - $4.80 Minis $8 Pit Traded |
$4,000 | Very Low Commissions, Trading Platforms, Geared for the Active Discount Trader. |
| Anco Discount Futures 800-795-2626 ancofutures.com |
Good rates , broker assisted accounts, Commissions based on $10,000 account. | $6 for Mini Contracts $12 +/- others |
$5,000 | Extra Research Services, Good Charts / Quotes |
| XPRESSTRADE 800-947-6228 xpresstrade.com |
NOT very competitive on rates among discount futures broker. | $12 +/- Elec. Mkts. $22 +/- Floor |
No Minimum | Good Variety of Futures Research, Charts, Quotes |
| ExpressFutures.com 888-769-9499 expressfutures.com |
Division of Orion Futures. They stress service and good rates. | $9 - $15 | $5,000 | Market Research, Trading Tools, Multiple Platforms |
| ProActive Futures 866-570-0735 proactivefutures.com |
One of the newer Online Futures Broker, but they provide good rates. | $4.50 +/- for Minis $7 - $12 Pit Traded Check Platform Fees |
? | Great Rates, Some Platforms charge fees, many resorces for Futures Trading. |
| Lind Waldock 800-445-2000 lind-waldock.com |
One of oldest brokers, acquired by Man Financial. Rates are a bit high. | $10 - $30 | $5,000 | Research, Simulated Trading, Portfolio Analyzer |
| Apex Futures 800-634-9466 apexfutures.com |
J-Trader Trading Platform, can speak with Broker or IM for service. | $9.90 for electronic mkts $17.90 other markets |
$4,000 | Resonable commissions for electronic, good service, could use more research |
| 5 Per Side 800-347-2499 5perside.com |
Good Commission Rates for the average trader. | $5 +/- for electronic $10 for pit trading |
Not Listed | Not many services listed, other brokers certainly provide more. |
| Advanced Futures 800-888-3999 advancedfutures.com |
They focus on trading the e-mini. | $7.90 for $2,000 account $5.90 for $10,000 account |
$2,000 | If you only trade the e-mini they may be OK. If you trade many markets, look elsewhere. |
| Farr Financial 800-676-1562 farrdirect.com |
They are an FCM, normally FCMs don't advertise lower rates to help thei IBs. | $18 with $5,000 account | $2,000 but commissions are higher | They offer alot of services, but their commissions are high for an discount online futures broker. |
| eFutures 800-446-3887 efutures.com |
Futures Broker that has been around a while, good rates and services. | $10 +/- for online trading | $10,000 for online rates | All around features of a discount futures broker - rates, research, service. |
| Sonic Futures 800-341-7350 sonicfutures.com |
They have some good features and platforms. | $8 +/- for eminis $14 +/- other markets *check on fees |
$2,000 - higher rates $5,000 for rates listed here |
Clear through Farr Financial, good support, quotes, charts, platforms. |
| Insignia Futures and Options 866-892-2030 insigniafutures.com |
Low account minimum, service and research. | $10 +/- Emini $16 +/- Other Markets *Check on Fees |
$2,000 | Good amount of services, trading platforms |
| Active Futures 800-964-5885 activefutures.com |
One of the lowest rates for futures trading. Mostly for trading electronic markets. | $5.15 + | $3,000 $25,000 for professional trader account |
Low rates, no platform fee with J Trades, only with Professional Trader |
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