Best Futures Brokers 2026

Here is the exact weighting behind every score on this page. Nothing is rounded up to flatter a partner.

• 🏛️ Regulation and safety, 30%. Tier-1 licence with compensation scheme scores highest. Exchange clearing (CME, ICE, Eurex) and segregated client money are required for the top band. Offshore-only entities are capped.
• 💰 Running cost, 25%. All-in cost per contract or per lot, measured live. For CFDs that means spread plus commission. For exchange futures that means commission plus exchange and clearing fees.
• ⚡ Withdrawals and funding, 20%. Payout speed and reliability across card, e-wallet, and bank rails, tested over multiple cycles, plus local funding options by region.
• 🖥️ Platforms and range, 15%. Depth of the futures or futures-CFD menu, plus platform quality for order routing, charting, and automation.
• 🎧 Support and transparency, 10%. Response times, complaint infrastructure the regulator mandates, and how openly the broker publishes its contract specs and fees.

A broker cannot buy a higher score. Scores are set from testing before any commercial terms are reviewed, which is why a partner at the top of the list can honestly show a lower number than a non-partner further down.

I tested Exness with a live account in 2026 and it came out on top for the single thing that matters most across a year of trading: cost. It carries the popular futures-style contracts, the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, gold, and crude oil, as CFDs rather than exchange-listed futures. For a retail trader who wants that exposure cheaply and with fast payouts, nothing here beat it.

Regulation and safety detail

• ✅ CySEC, Exness (Cy) Ltd, licence 178/12 (2012), EU retail, ICF up to €20,000/client
• ✅ FCA, Exness (UK) Ltd, licence 730729 (2016), professional clients only, FSCS up to £85,000
• ✅ FSCA, Exness ZA (Pty) Ltd, FSP 51024 (2018), South Africa retail
• ⚠️ Offshore entity: Exness (SC) Ltd, FSA Seychelles SD025, no compensation scheme

All three regulated entities returned active status with no enforcement action on file. Most non-EU retail clients route to the Seychelles book, so the protection you actually get depends on which entity is named on your agreement. The full entity-by-entity breakdown is in is Exness safe.

Platforms and who it suits

Exness runs MT4 and MT5 plus its own Exness Terminal and mobile app. MT5 is the better pick for index and commodity CFDs, because it carries depth-of-market and more order types. Withdrawals were the standout in testing: Skrill and Neteller cleared in 2 to 4 minutes across 12 cycles, and local bank rails in the UAE, Vietnam, Thailand, and South Africa settled same business day with no broker fee.

Exness suits the trader in MENA, Southeast Asia, or Africa who wants the lowest running cost on index and commodity contracts plus fast payouts. It is not the pick if you specifically need exchange-listed futures or ASIC retail cover. Full detail in my Exness review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

There is no inactivity fee across all accounts, which matters if you trade seasonally. EU clients on the CySEC entity face the 1:30 retail cap on major forex and lower caps on index and commodity CFDs. Exness publishes monthly volume audited by Deloitte, with recent reports showing trillions in turnover and hundreds of thousands of active clients.

If Exness wins on cost, XM wins on the on-ramp. I opened a live account for a fraction of the price of a coffee and found the best beginner path into index and commodity trading on this list. It carries the contracts most new traders actually want, gold, oil, the US 500, and the US Tech 100, as CFDs, with education that explains contract sizing and margin in plain language.

Regulation and safety detail

• ✅ CySEC, licence 120/10, EU retail, ICF up to €20,000/client
• ✅ ASIC, Australian retail cover with segregated client money
• ✅ FCA, UK entity, FSCS up to £85,000
• ✅ DFSA, Dubai entity serving the Gulf

All four regulated entities returned active status in 2026 with no enforcement action on file. Segregated client funds and negative balance protection apply across the retail books. Read the deeper safety check in is XM safe.

Platforms and who it suits

XM runs MT4 and MT5 plus its own app and WebTrader. For a beginner, MT5 plus the XM education library is the right combination, because you learn on the same platform you trade. Withdrawals cleared in 1 to 2 business days on bank rails and faster on e-wallets in most regions.

XM suits the first-time futures-CFD trader who wants a tiny minimum, four tier-1 licences, and hand-holding on how contracts work. It is not the pick for a scalper chasing the last fraction of a pip. Full detail in my XM review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

XM applies a small inactivity fee after 12 months dormant, which an active trader never triggers. Islamic swap-free accounts are available on application, useful if you hold index or commodity positions overnight.

AvaTrade is the one partner on this list that gives you more than CFDs. Alongside index and commodity CFDs, it lists genuine futures contracts on MT5 and, uniquely for a retail broker, options on FX and commodities through AvaOptions. For a trader who wants futures plus an options overlay in one regulated account, it is the standout here.

Regulation and safety detail

• ✅ Central Bank of Ireland, EU entity, ICF cover, verified active 2026
• ✅ ASIC, licence 406684, Australian retail cover
• ✅ CySEC, EU retail with ICF up to €20,000/client
• ✅ CIRO Canada, one of the few brokers here with a local Canadian licence and CIPF cover up to CAD 1 million
• ⚠️ Offshore entity: FSC BVI, higher leverage, no compensation scheme

AvaTrade holds nine licences across major jurisdictions, one of the broadest regulatory footprints on this list. Segregated client funds and negative balance protection apply on the regulated books. Deeper safety detail in is AvaTrade safe.

Platforms and who it suits

AvaTrade runs MT4, MT5, its own AvaTradeGO app, AvaOptions, and AvaSocial for copy trading. The genuine futures and the options desk are what set it apart. Withdrawals cleared in 4 to 8 hours on e-wallets in my testing.

AvaTrade suits the trader who wants real futures and options exposure, a Canadian resident who needs a local licence, or anyone who values copy trading built into the platform. It is not the cheapest for high-frequency index trading. Full detail in my AvaTrade review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

Budget for the $50 inactivity fee after three months dormant if you trade seasonally. A $20 SWIFT fee applies on withdrawals to non-EU banks. Islamic swap-free accounts are available on application.

FP Markets is the value pick for a trader who wants raw index and commodity CFD pricing under proper regulation. In testing it paired near-zero raw spreads with a low commission and clean cTrader execution, which is the combination active traders look for.

Regulation and safety detail

• ✅ ASIC, Raw Trading Ltd style entity, licence 286354, Australian retail cover
• ✅ CySEC, licence 371/18, EU retail, ICF up to €20,000/client
• ✅ FSCA, South Africa
• ⚠️ Offshore entity carries higher leverage and no compensation scheme

Both the ASIC and CySEC entities returned active status in 2026 with segregated client money and negative balance protection. Deeper safety detail in is FP Markets safe.

Platforms and who it suits

FP Markets runs MT4, MT5, cTrader, and IRESS. For index and commodity CFDs, the cTrader plus Raw account combination gave the cleanest scalping execution in testing, with no dealing-desk rejection on fast orders. Withdrawals cleared same business day on card and e-wallet.

FP Markets suits the active trader who wants raw pricing, cTrader, and ASIC or CySEC cover on futures-style CFDs. It is not the pick if you want exchange-listed futures. Full detail in my FP Markets review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

No inactivity fee applies. Islamic swap-free accounts are available on application for traders who hold index or commodity positions overnight.

Vantage pairs raw ECN pricing with copy trading, so you can follow another trader’s index and commodity positions without giving up tight execution. That combination is why it earns a spot here for traders who want both.

Regulation and safety detail

• ✅ ASIC, Vantage Global Prime Pty Ltd, licence 428901, Australian retail cover
• ✅ FCA, UK entity, licence 590299, FSCS up to £85,000
• ⚠️ Offshore entities: VFSC Vanuatu and CIMA Cayman, higher leverage, no compensation scheme

The ASIC and FCA entities returned active status in 2026 with segregated client money and negative balance protection. Confirm which entity your account sits on before funding. Deeper detail in is Vantage safe.

Platforms and who it suits

Vantage runs MT4, MT5, its own ProTrader web platform, and the Vantage app with copy trading. The Raw ECN account gave clean execution on index CFDs in testing. E-wallet withdrawals cleared same business day.

Vantage suits the trader who wants raw pricing on futures-style CFDs plus copy trading in one account. It is not the pick if you specifically need exchange futures or you want to avoid offshore entities entirely. Full detail in my Vantage review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

No inactivity fee applies. Islamic swap-free accounts are available on application.

Fusion Markets built its reputation on price, and it holds up. The Zero account carried the lowest commission I measured on this list, which matters most to scalpers and high-volume traders on index and commodity CFDs.

Regulation and safety detail

• ✅ ASIC, licence 385620, Australian retail cover with segregated client money
• ⚠️ Offshore entities: VFSC Vanuatu and FSA Seychelles, no compensation scheme

The ASIC entity returned active status in 2026. Fusion is transparent about which entity serves which region, which I value. Deeper detail in is Fusion Markets safe.

Platforms and who it suits

Fusion runs cTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradingView integration, plus DupliTrade for copy trading. For cost-sensitive index trading, the cTrader plus Zero account combination is the sweet spot. E-wallet withdrawals cleared same business day.

Fusion suits the scalper or high-volume trader who wants the lowest per-lot cost on futures-style CFDs. It is not the pick if you need a wide multi-asset range or exchange-listed futures. Full detail in my Fusion Markets review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

No minimum deposit and no inactivity fee keep the cost structure clean. Islamic swap-free accounts are available on application.

If you want real futures rather than CFDs, Interactive Brokers is the specialist on this list. It is the credibility anchor for genuine exchange-traded futures, and it is the pick for US residents, who cannot legally trade CFDs. Note that we do not have a commercial relationship with Interactive Brokers, so there is no money link in this section, only a review link.

Regulation and safety detail

• ✅ CFTC and NFA, US futures oversight with central clearing through regulated exchanges
• ✅ SEC and FINRA, US securities oversight
• ✅ FCA UK and ASIC Australia, plus MAS Singapore and CIRO Canada entities
• ✅ Exchange-cleared futures carry central counterparty protection, structurally different from a CFD

Interactive Brokers has operated since 1978 and is one of the most heavily regulated brokers in the world. Client assets are segregated and, in the US, futures accounts fall under CFTC segregation rules. Deeper detail in is Interactive Brokers safe.

Platforms and who it suits

Interactive Brokers runs Trader Workstation, the IBKR Desktop and web platforms, and the GlobalTrader mobile app. TWS is the professional standard for futures, with a full options and futures chain, though it takes time to learn. The Micro E-mini contracts are the way in for a smaller account.

Interactive Brokers suits the US trader, the experienced hand who wants genuine exchange futures, or anyone trading global markets from one account. It is not the gentlest first platform. Full detail in my Interactive Brokers review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

Futures price the cost of carry into the contract, so there is no nightly CFD-style swap. Exchange and clearing fees apply on top of the commission. One free withdrawal per month, then a small fee.

Saxo Bank gives you genuine exchange futures alongside stocks, bonds, and options in a single multi-asset account, backed by a banking licence. For the trader who wants real futures plus everything else in one place, it is the standout.

Saxo is not a partner of ours either. There is no money link below, only a link to the full review.

Regulation and safety detail

• ✅ FSA Denmark (Finanstilsynet), supervised as a bank with banking-level capital rules
• ✅ FCA UK entity with FSCS cover, plus FINMA Switzerland
• ✅ ASIC, MAS, JFSA, and SFC entities across major markets
• ✅ Banking-level protections exceed a typical CFD or futures brokerage

Saxo has operated since 1992 and returned active status across its entities in 2026. Deeper detail in is Saxo Bank safe.

Platforms and who it suits

Saxo runs SaxoTraderGO for web and mobile and SaxoTraderPRO for the desktop, plus an OpenAPI. SaxoTraderPRO is a genuinely professional futures platform with deep charting and order types. Withdrawals settle in 1 to 2 business days through the bank.

Saxo suits the multi-asset trader, the larger account, or anyone who wants exchange futures with banking-grade safety. It is not built for a tiny first deposit. Full detail in my Saxo Bank review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

Pricing tiers reward larger balances and higher activity, so a small account pays relatively more than at a raw-account CFD broker. A custody fee may apply to held securities in some regions.

IG Markets is the breadth pick. It offers futures and forwards on indices and commodities alongside one of the widest CFD menus in the industry, all under a half-century track record.

IG is not a partner of ours. The link below points to the full review, not to a sign-up page.

Regulation and safety detail

• ✅ FCA, IG Markets Limited, firm reference 195355, authorised since 1974, FSCS up to £85,000
• ✅ ASIC Australia and BaFin Germany, plus DFSA, MAS, and JFSA entities
• ✅ Parent listed on the London Stock Exchange with continuous-disclosure obligations
• ✅ Segregated client money and negative balance protection on retail accounts

IG holds eleven regulators across major markets and returned active status in 2026. Deeper detail in is IG safe.

Platforms and who it suits

IG runs its own web platform, ProRealTime, MT4, L2 Dealer for DMA, TradingView, and a REST and streaming API. ProRealTime is the pick for serious charting on futures and forwards. GBP withdrawals cleared same business day via Faster Payments.

IG suits the UK trader, the breadth-seeker, or anyone who wants futures and forwards plus a huge CFD range under a heavyweight licence. It is not the cheapest for pure index scalping. Full detail in my IG Markets review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

IG charges a small inactivity fee after two years dormant. Spread betting is available to UK residents on some products, with profits currently exempt from CGT under HMRC rules, though you should verify that with an adviser.

RoboForex is strong on cost and range, and I rank it last for one clear reason: it is offshore-only. It carries a wide index, commodity, and stock CFD menu at a very low cost, but the protection behind it is far weaker than any tier-1 broker above. Choose it knowingly, never as a first account.

Regulation and safety detail

• ⚠️ FSC Belize, the only licence, an offshore regulator with light oversight
• ⚠️ No statutory compensation scheme, unlike the FCA’s FSCS or the EU’s ICF
• ✅ TFC membership provides voluntary compensation up to €20,000/client
• ⚠️ No tier-1 licence, so retail protections are weaker across the board

RoboForex is honest about being offshore, which is better than a broker that flashes tier-1 logos while quietly routing you offshore. The trade-off is real, though. Deeper detail in is RoboForex safe.

Platforms and who it suits

RoboForex runs MT4, MT5, its own R StocksTrader, and a mobile app. R StocksTrader is genuinely good for the thousands of stock CFDs it carries. E-wallet withdrawals cleared in 22 to 28 minutes in testing.

RoboForex suits the experienced trader who wants a wide CFD range and low cost and who knowingly accepts offshore risk. It is not a beginner’s first account, and it is not the pick if compensation cover matters to you. Full detail in my RoboForex review.

Execution and Cost in Detail

Cent accounts let you trade micro sizes for practice. The offshore licence is the constant caveat: the low cost comes with weaker protection, so size positions with that in mind.