Top Discount Brokers Comparison
25+ brokers reviewed for futures, forex, and stock traders
C.A.S.T. Broker Philosophy
Your broker should be invisible - low cost, reliable execution, and out of your way. Most prop firm traders don't use retail brokers, but these are ranked for personal accounts.
Interactive Brokers
Commissions
$0.25-$0.85 per contract (futures), $0 stocks
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Active traders who want global access and low costs
C.A.S.T. Take
Best overall for serious traders. Worth learning the platform.
TradeStation
Commissions
$0.50-$1.50 per contract, $0 stocks
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Algorithmic traders and automation
C.A.S.T. Take
Good for personal trading accounts with automation focus.
TD Ameritrade (Thinkorswim)
Commissions
$2.25 per contract (futures), $0 stocks
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Stock and options traders, education
C.A.S.T. Take
Top choice for stocks/options. Futures commissions are high.
NinjaTrader Brokerage
Commissions
$0.09-$0.59 per side (micro futures)
Minimum Deposit
$50
Best For
Futures traders using NinjaTrader platform
C.A.S.T. Take
Best broker if you use NinjaTrader platform exclusively.
Tradovate
Commissions
$0.25-$1.29 per contract
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Cloud-based futures trading
C.A.S.T. Take
Modern futures broker. Good for traders who want simplicity.
Optimus Futures
Commissions
$0.50-$1.00 per contract
Minimum Deposit
$50
Best For
Futures traders wanting platform choice
C.A.S.T. Take
Solid mid-tier futures broker with platform flexibility.
Charles Schwab
Commissions
$2.25 per contract (futures), $0 stocks
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Long-term investors, beginners
C.A.S.T. Take
Great for stocks and long-term investing, not futures focus.
E*TRADE
Commissions
$1.50 per contract (futures), $0 stocks
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Stock and options traders
C.A.S.T. Take
Decent for stocks/options, but better choices exist for futures.
Fidelity
Commissions
$2.25 per contract (futures), $0 stocks
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Long-term investors, retirement accounts
C.A.S.T. Take
Best for retirement accounts, not for futures day trading.
Robinhood
Commissions
$0.03 per contract (futures), $0 stocks
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Casual traders, mobile-first users
C.A.S.T. Take
Not suitable for serious futures trading. Stick to stocks.
Webull
Commissions
$0 stocks, limited futures
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Free charting and paper trading
C.A.S.T. Take
Good for paper trading and learning, not for serious trading.
tastytrade
Commissions
$1 per contract (options), $2.25 futures
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Options traders who want education
C.A.S.T. Take
Excellent for options, but not the focus for futures traders.
Lightspeed Trading
Commissions
$0.25-$0.50 per contract
Minimum Deposit
$25,000
Best For
Professional day traders
C.A.S.T. Take
For pros only. Not worth it unless you're trading heavy volume.
CenterPoint Securities
Commissions
$0.50-$1.00 per contract
Minimum Deposit
$30,000
Best For
Professional traders, pattern day traders
C.A.S.T. Take
Only for full-time professional traders with capital.
Ally Invest
Commissions
$1.50 per contract (futures), $0 stocks
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Casual investors with bank integration
C.A.S.T. Take
Fine for casual stock trading, skip for futures.
FOREX.com
Commissions
Spreads vary, no commissions on standard forex
Minimum Deposit
$100
Best For
Forex traders in the US
C.A.S.T. Take
Best US forex broker, but limited by US regulations.
OANDA
Commissions
Spread-based, no commissions
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Forex traders, algorithmic trading
C.A.S.T. Take
Solid forex broker, especially for algo traders.
Saxo Bank
Commissions
Varies by product, competitive
Minimum Deposit
$2,000
Best For
International traders, multi-asset access
C.A.S.T. Take
Best for international diversification, overkill for US-only.
Tradestation Global
Commissions
Varies, generally competitive
Minimum Deposit
$1,000
Best For
International clients wanting TradeStation features
C.A.S.T. Take
For non-US clients who want TradeStation platform.
Edge Clear (formerly Dorman Trading)
Commissions
$0.29-$1.00 per contract
Minimum Deposit
$5,000
Best For
High-volume futures traders
C.A.S.T. Take
Good for experienced futures traders doing volume.
AMP Futures
Commissions
$0.29-$1.19 per contract
Minimum Deposit
$100
Best For
Futures traders wanting platform flexibility
C.A.S.T. Take
Affordable entry for futures beginners with low capital.
MB Trading (acquired by TradeKing, now Ally)
Commissions
N/A - no longer operating independently
Minimum Deposit
N/A
Best For
Historical reference
C.A.S.T. Take
Acquired and absorbed. Use Ally Invest instead.
OptionsHouse (acquired by E*TRADE)
Commissions
N/A - now E*TRADE
Minimum Deposit
N/A
Best For
Historical reference
C.A.S.T. Take
Acquired by E*TRADE. Platform features merged.
Firstrade
Commissions
$0 stocks, options $0 + $0.65 per contract
Minimum Deposit
$0
Best For
Options traders on a budget
C.A.S.T. Take
Decent for options beginners, not for futures focus.
Just2Trade
Commissions
$0.50-$2.50 per contract
Minimum Deposit
$100
Best For
International traders needing US access
C.A.S.T. Take
Alternative for international clients, but better options exist.
"Commissions matter less than execution and reliability."
Don't choose a broker solely on price. Prioritize trustworthy execution and solid tools.
