Trading Futures at Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers much more than stocks and options. In addition to products like warrants, spot currencies, and (in eligible regions) contracts for difference (CFDs), the firm also supports futures trading. And it’s not limited to commodities—IBKR offers access to index and interest-rate futures, too. Below is a look at futures trading at IBKR and how it compares with a few competitors.
Buying and Selling Futures on IB’s Desktop Program
Trader Workstation (TWS) is Interactive Brokers’ flagship desktop platform. It is free to download, and IBKR also provides paper trading for practice after enabling it in your account. Because TWS is feature-rich, it can take time to learn, but simulated trading can help you get comfortable before risking real money.
To start trading futures in TWS, one approach is to create a dedicated futures watchlist. In many default layouts, you can click a plus sign to add a new watchlist and then name it something like “Futures” so it’s easy to identify later.
After that, you can add contracts by typing symbols into the watchlist. For example, ‘LC’ is commonly used for live cattle futures. When entering symbols, make sure you select the correct instrument type (futures) because the platform may also return stocks or other products that share similar tickers. You may also be prompted to choose an exchange and an expiration month.
Once a contract is selected in the watchlist, TWS can display a chart in the charting area. From there, you can review price action and, depending on your layout and tools enabled, apply technical indicators and studies.
When you are ready to place an order, TWS order-entry tools can auto-populate based on the contract you select. You can then choose buy or sell, set order type, quantity, and other order details, and transmit the order when you’re ready.
Client Portal
Futures can also be traded on IBKR’s web-based platform, Client Portal. It is simpler than TWS and is designed for browser access, with streamlined order entry and account management.
To pull up a contract, you can use the search/add function (often shown with a plus icon) to look up symbols and choose the correct futures contract and expiration. Client Portal can display a chart for the selected contract, although charting and analysis tools are generally more limited than what you get in TWS.
Order entry in Client Portal is straightforward, but you may need to confirm the correct expiration month and exchange for the contract you want. This can feel different from TWS, which can link contract selection and expirations more tightly depending on how you load the instrument.
In Client Portal, supported order types can include market and limit orders, and time-in-force settings may be available depending on the product and exchange. Advanced order features, including attached orders, can vary by configuration and the tools you use, so it’s worth checking your order ticket settings and available order types for the specific contract you’re trading.
Futures Research
A good starting point for futures research at Interactive Brokers is the broker’s website. IBKR provides product listings and tools that can help you identify futures contracts by criteria such as exchange, country, currency, and symbol. The firm also has educational content that explains how to trade futures on Trader Workstation.
IBKR’s futures product listings also show where futures are available and can include details such as exchange availability, trading hours, and the contracts offered on each marketplace.
Options on Futures
Interactive Brokers also supports options on futures. The basic workflow is similar to futures trading, but you’ll want to make sure you select the correct instrument type. In TWS, for example, you typically choose “Futures Options” (rather than “Futures”) when pulling up an options-on-futures chain or contract.
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IBKR Futures Pricing
Interactive Brokers offers futures pricing under fixed and tiered schedules. In general, exchange, regulatory, and other pass-through fees are added on top of the broker’s commission (and can vary by exchange and product).
Under IBKR’s fixed schedule for U.S. futures and futures options, the listed commission is $0.85 per contract. Some contracts (including certain cryptocurrency futures) are priced differently.
IBKR also offers a tiered schedule. On the U.S. tiered plan, commissions start at $0.85 per contract for lower monthly volumes and can drop as volume increases, reaching as low as $0.25 per contract at higher volume tiers.
Because Interactive Brokers provides global market access, clients can also trade futures on many non-U.S. exchanges. Pricing varies widely by exchange and region, so it’s best to reference IBKR’s current futures commission tables for the specific markets you plan to trade.
Comparison
A few of Interactive Brokers’ rivals also offer futures trading. E*TRADE is one example. The broker-dealer lists a $1.50 commission per contract, per side on futures and options on futures, while cryptocurrency futures are priced higher. Compared to E*TRADE, IBKR can be less expensive on commissions for many futures products, and IBKR also offers broader access to international futures exchanges.
One area where some traders may prefer E*TRADE is usability and beginner-focused guidance. E*TRADE’s futures experience can feel more approachable, and its education materials may be easier for new traders to digest, while IBKR’s advanced platforms can have a steeper learning curve.
Robinhood is a discount broker that
has advertised futures commissions of $0.50 or $0.75 per contract, depending on subscription status, with additional exchange and regulatory fees passed through.
IBKR Futures Trading Recommendation
Interactive Brokers can be a strong fit for experienced traders who want advanced tools and access to futures markets around the world. Because its platforms can feel complex at first, many beginners may prefer starting with a broker that offers a simpler interface and more guided education before moving up to IBKR’s professional-grade tools.
Updated on 4/7/2026.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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