Moneta Markets
Visit brokerBest futures Brokers for beginners in 2026
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Explore our selection of futures brokers highlighted by FXStreet's analyst team. Each broker is available to beginners.
PU Prime
Visit brokerThe FXStreet Team highlights FXTM as a notable futures broker for beginners for 2026. This broker offers clear margin policies, straightforward order types, and educational support that helped new traders understand contract specifications and manage risk in our live tests. XM Group and GMO Trading also stand out in our review for accessible platforms and structured learning paths that can help less experienced traders build confidence step by step. Our list focuses on how accessible and manageable this market is for newer participants, where priority is given to transparent pricing, position sizing tools, platform stability, and the quality of basic educational resources. All listed brokers meet minimum standards of recognized regulation, acceptable trading costs for smaller accounts, and availability of beginner-oriented account settings.
Can I trust these top futures brokers for beginners?
You can trust that the six futures brokers featured here have been vetted for regulatory oversight and basic safeguards, which is especially important if you are just starting out. FXStreet only includes firms that meet clear standards on licensing and client fund protection, so you are not comparing unregulated providers. This gives beginners a more secure starting point before focusing on platforms, costs, or specific markets. The comparison table below breaks down how long each broker has been operating and which regulators supervise them, alongside their names. Use it to gauge both regulatory coverage and track record, keeping in mind that you should always verify the latest licensing details directly with the broker.
Broker name
Years operating
Regulation
Moneta Markets
4
FCA, FSA, FSC, FSCA
PU Prime
11
ASIC, CMA, FSA, FSC, FSCA
The data shows that all six futures brokers in this comparison are regulated, giving beginners a foundation of oversight to work from. Several firms, such as FXTM and XM Group, hold multiple licenses, while others like Dukascopy Bank SA and ICMarkets are overseen by single, well-recognized authorities such as FINMA and ASIC. For new futures traders, this mix of multi-jurisdiction and single-jurisdiction regulation means you can prioritize either broader global coverage or a focused relationship with a specific top-tier regulator.
Can I trust these top futures brokers for beginners?
You can trust that the six futures brokers featured here have all been vetted for regulatory oversight and basic safeguards that matter to beginners. FXStreet only includes firms that are properly supervised by recognized authorities, so new traders are not starting out with unregulated providers. This gives you a foundation of security while you focus on learning how futures markets work. Across this selection of futures brokers, regulation is a key filter our team of analysts applied before inclusion. For a beginner, understanding who supervises a broker and how client funds are protected is just as important as platform features or pricing, since it underpins the safety of your trading environment. Use the table below to compare each broker’s regulatory status side by side, including which authorities supervise them. This overview can help you prioritize brokers that match your comfort level with oversight and legal protections, while you continue to assess other aspects of their overall offering.
Broker name
Regulation
Moneta Markets
FCA, FSA, FSC, FSCA
PU Prime
ASIC, CMA, FSA, FSC, FSCA
The table shows that all six futures brokers are regulated, but they differ in the strength and mix of their oversight. Several brokers, including FXTM and XM Group, combine multiple licenses, while Dukascopy Bank SA stands out with Swiss FINMA regulation and ICMarkets with ASIC oversight. Others are supervised by offshore or regional regulators such as FSC (BVI) and FSB. For beginners in futures, this makes it especially important to prioritize brokers with stronger, well-recognized regulatory frameworks when shortlisting options.
What trading platforms do the top futures brokers for beginners provide?
Across this selection of six futures brokers, platform choice is a major differentiator for beginners. FXStreet's analysts considered how each provider approaches platform access, from widely used third-party terminals to any proprietary interfaces that might simplify order entry and risk management. For new futures traders, the right platform can make it easier to understand margin, monitor positions, and execute trades efficiently. The comparison table below breaks down the trading platforms available at each broker, alongside the broker names. Use it to see at a glance which providers support the tools and interfaces that best match your experience level and trading style.
Broker name
Trading platforms
Moneta Markets
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), MT5 WebTrader, Mobile App, Web Platform, Moneta Markets's ProTrader
PU Prime
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), MT4 WebTerminal, MT5 WebTrader, Mobile App, Web Platform, Mirror Trader, MAM/PAMM, PU Prime App, PU Social, PU Web Trader
Data in the table shows that all six futures brokers support at least one widely used platform, with MetaTrader 4 appearing at most providers and MetaTrader 5 also common among the higher ranked names. XM Group stands out for beginners with an especially broad suite of MT4 and MT5 variants across desktop, web, and mobile, while Dukascopy and ICMarkets differentiate themselves by offering JForex and cTrader respectively. For new futures traders, this variety means you can prioritise a familiar MetaTrader setup or explore more advanced specialist platforms as your skills develop.
Which instruments do the top futures brokers for beginners offer?
Across this selection of six futures brokers, the range of instruments available is a key point of differentiation for beginners. FXStreet's analysts considered how broadly each broker covers major futures markets, from equity indices and commodities to rates and FX contracts, since a varied product list can help new traders experiment and gradually refine their focus. Use the table below to compare each broker's instruments side by side, focusing on how many and which types of futures contracts they offer. As you review the options, think about the markets you are most likely to trade and whether each broker's product range supports your learning path.
Broker name
Instruments
Moneta Markets
Forex (Major & Minor Pairs), Exotic Pairs, Indices, Future Indices, Share CFDs, US Stocks, Regional Stocks, ETFs / ETNs, Commodities, Energy & Oil, Precious Metals, Gold, Silver, Cryptocurrencies, Bonds
PU Prime
Forex (Major & Minor Pairs), Exotic Pairs, Indices, Future Indices, Stocks, Share CFDs, US Stocks, Regional Stocks, ETFs / ETNs, US ETFs, Commodities, Energy & Oil, Precious Metals, Gold, Silver, Cryptocurrencies, Bonds
The data shows that all six brokers provide broad multi-asset access, which is useful for beginners who want to explore beyond a single futures market. FXTM and ICMarkets stand out for particularly diverse lineups that include ETFs alongside metals, commodities, stocks, CFDs, shares, forex and more, while GMO Trading and Forex4you add crypto exposure such as Bitcoin. For new futures traders, this breadth means you can start with core markets, then gradually test related assets like indices, energies or FX within the same account.
Moneta Markets
Moneta Markets
| Regulated by | FCA, FSA, FSC, FSCA |
| Currencies accepted for deposits/withdrawals | BRL, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD |
| Trading platforms allowed | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), MT5 WebTrader, Mobile App, Web Platform, Moneta Markets's ProTrader |
| Customer service languages available | arabic, german, english, spanish, persian, indonesian, italian, japanese, korean, malay, thai, turkish, vietnamese, chinese |
PU Prime
PU Prime
| Regulated by | ASIC, CMA, FSA, FSC, FSCA |
| Currencies accepted for deposits/withdrawals | AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD |
| Trading platforms allowed | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), MT4 WebTerminal, MT5 WebTrader, Mobile App, Web Platform, Mirror Trader, MAM/PAMM, PU Prime App, PU Social, PU Web Trader |
| Customer service languages available | arabic, bulgarian, german, spanish, persian, french, hindi, indonesian, italian, japanese, korean, latvian, malay, dutch, polish, portuguese, romanian, russian, thai, tagalog, vietnamese, chinese |
Forex Brokers FAQs
How do I choose the right futures broker and trading platform for my style?
Focus on regulation, available markets, fee structure, and platform tools that match how you plan to trade—scalpers, swing traders, and hedgers often need different features. Test the platform on a demo, check order types (like stop and limit orders), data speed, and charting quality, and make sure customer support is accessible in case you run into platform or account issues.
Are futures suitable for complete beginners or should I start with something else?
Futures are leveraged, fast-moving instruments that can be challenging for complete beginners, because small price moves can cause large gains or losses. Many new traders start by learning on a demo account, trading very small position sizes, or first understanding cash markets like spot forex or stocks before committing significant capital to futures.
What is margin in futures trading and what happens if I get a margin call?
Margin in futures is a good-faith deposit, not a down payment on the asset, and it allows you to control a much larger contract value than your cash balance. If losses push your equity below the maintenance margin, your broker can issue a margin call requiring you to deposit more funds or reduce positions, and they may close trades automatically if you do not act in time.
Can I start trading futures with a small account and what do I need to open one?
You can open a futures account with relatively modest capital, but margin requirements and volatility mean you should only risk money you can afford to lose. To get started you usually complete an online application, answer questions about your experience and risk tolerance, submit ID documents, and fund the account via bank transfer or other supported payment methods.
How do futures contracts actually work for a beginner?
A futures contract is a standardized agreement to buy or sell an asset at a set price on a future date, traded on an exchange. In practice, most retail traders never hold the contract to delivery—they speculate on price movements and close or roll the position before expiry, while posting margin and dealing with daily profit and loss adjustments (mark-to-market).
What fees do I pay when trading futures and how do they affect my strategy?
With futures you typically pay a commission per contract, plus exchange and clearing fees, and you face a bid-ask spread whenever you open or close a position. Active traders often look for low commissions and tight spreads, because these costs add up quickly and can turn a profitable strategy on paper into a losing one in real trading.
Is trading futures safe and how do I know if a futures broker is trustworthy?
Futures trading itself is high risk, but the safety of your funds depends heavily on using a properly regulated broker and exchange. Look for brokers supervised by well-known regulators, segregated client funds, and clear risk disclosures, and avoid firms that pressure you, promise guaranteed returns, or hide key information in the small print.
Moneta Markets
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Our Editorial Process
Our editorial team personally tests each broker with real accounts. We evaluate spreads, execution speed, customer support, and withdrawal times over a 3-month period. Every broker on this list has been independently verified by at least two members of our research team to ensure accuracy and fairness in our recommendations.