Futures trading is an increasingly popular investment option among Canadians looking to invest or speculate on the future prices of commodities, currencies, and other financial instruments. However, finding the right online platform to trade on can be challenging.
That is where we come in. We have done the research and compiled our findings into this article to help you make an informed decision when selecting a futures broker in Canada. We will compare the best futures brokers’ fees, features, and trading platforms, providing the essential information you need to choose the one that best suits your requirements.
Whether you are an experienced trader or just starting out, you will find everything you need here. Read on to discover the top futures brokers in Canada.
The best Futures brokers in Canada
Interactive Brokers | Best overall
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a well-known global futures broker that provides access to a broad range of futures instruments, including equity index futures, commodity futures, currency futures, interest rate futures, stock futures, and cryptocurrency futures. It offers low commissions and a professional trading platform, Trader Workstation (TWS), that combines advanced functionality with a scalable interface suitable for beginners through professional traders.
Saxo | Best for a wide-ranging futures offering
Saxo (formerly Saxo Bank, acquired by J. Safra Sarasin in March 2025) offers Canadian traders access to more than 300 futures across 28 global exchanges, covering equity indices, energy, metals, agriculture, interest rates, and forex. It combines competitive commissions with an award-winning platform available on both desktop and mobile, alongside strong research and analysis tools.
Let’s take a closer look at the key characteristics before delving thoroughly into each broker’s services.
Best Futures brokers in Canada compared
| Broker | IBKR | Saxo |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 (Classic tier; Platinum from CAD 200,000; VIP from CAD 1,000,000 portfolio value) |
| Availability of CAD account | Yes (native CAD base currency supported) | Yes |
| Deposit method | Bank transfer | Bank transfer, credit/debit cards |
| Commissions (US futures) | From USD 0.10 per contract (depending on exchange and account tier) | From USD 1.00 per contract (depending on account tier) |
| Withdrawal fees | 1 free withdrawal per month; subsequent withdrawals carry a fee | $0 |
| Canadian regulation | CIRO (formerly IIROC) | Cross-border access via Saxo’s international entities |
Futures available for trading by the best futures brokers in Canada
| Futures | IBKR | Saxo |
| Equity Index Futures | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bond Futures | ✔ | ✔ |
| Foreign Currency Futures | ✔ | ✔ |
| Energy Futures | ✔ | ✔ |
| Metals Futures | ✔ | ✔ |
| Agricultural Futures | ✔ | ✔ |
| Volatility Futures | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cryptocurrency Futures | ✔ | ✘ |
| Livestock Futures | ✔ | ✔ |
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of our top picks for the best futures brokers in Canada and what sets them apart from the rest.
Interactive Brokers at a glance
Interactive Brokers is an outstanding futures broker that offers access to a comprehensive range of futures products globally, spanning 170+ markets across 36+ countries. Founded in 1978 and publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: IBKR; added to the S&P 500 in 2024), it is supervised by top-tier regulators worldwide. In Canada, Interactive Brokers is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), which replaced IIROC and the MFDA in 2023 following their merger – making it a strong choice for Canadian traders.
Interactive Brokers offers a professional trading platform with multiple order types and algorithms to help traders execute a wide range of strategies. The desktop version, Trader Workstation (TWS), is widely regarded as one of the most advanced platforms on the market, with a high degree of customisation.
The platform also offers powerful tools such as ComboTrader, which lets traders build proprietary combination order strategies or select from multiple templates with predefined programmes to execute futures trades. Alongside TWS, IBKR provides a well-designed web interface, the IBKR GlobalTrader mobile app (with fractional shares from $1 and a $10,000 virtual demo account), and IBKR Mobile. All platforms are designed to provide professional tools while remaining accessible to beginners.
IBKR offers competitive pricing starting at USD 0.10 per contract, among the lowest on the market. Although the pricing structure is layered, IBKR has no added spreads, ticket charges, platform fees, or account minimums – making it a strong option for traders looking to minimise costs. The fee you pay will also depend on your monthly traded volume.
Here is a table summarising the pricing of futures contracts on IBKR:
| Market | Contract | Commission per contract (minimum USD 1.00) |
| Canada | S&P/TSX 60 futures | CAD 0.30 to CAD 1.25 |
| Australia | Mini SPI futures | AUD 0.20 to AUD 0.75 |
| United States | E-micro futures | USD 0.10 to USD 0.25 |
| Germany | Mini DAX futures | EUR 0.28 to EUR 0.50 |
| Bitcoin | Bitcoin futures | USD 5.00 |
| Commodities | Commodities futures | USD 0.25 to USD 1.05 |
| Stocks | Stock futures | USD 0.25 to USD 0.85 (depending on exchange) |
| E-micro FX | E-micro FX futures | USD 0.05 to USD 0.15 |
Verify the latest pricing on IBKR’s futures pricing page, as commissions may change.
Another essential tool Interactive Brokers offers is SpreadTrader, a single-screen command centre that helps traders seamlessly manage their futures positions. The platform’s Index Arbitrage Meter is another useful feature, allowing traders to analyse index arbitrage strategies by measuring the spread between futures contracts and their respective spot prices – making it easier to identify opportunities and execute trades.
Interactive Brokers supports multiple base currencies, including CAD, USD, AUD, EUR, and GBP, which is particularly useful for Canadian traders operating across markets. The primary funding method is bank transfer, and Canadian clients are eligible for one free withdrawal per month; additional withdrawals within the same month carry a small fee, which can be a consideration for more active traders.
Saxo at a glance
62% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Saxo (formerly Saxo Bank, acquired by J. Safra Sarasin in March 2025) is a top futures broker with over 30 years of experience, offering traders access to more than 300 futures contracts across 28 global exchanges, spanning equity indices, energy, metals, agriculture, interest rates, and forex. With 1.3 million+ clients globally and daily trading volumes of over USD 5 billion, Saxo is regulated in 15+ jurisdictions across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and holds an A-/A2 credit rating from S&P, reflecting its long-standing focus on regulatory rigour and financial strength.
Saxo offers competitive pricing on futures trading, with commissions varying by contract and by account tier: Classic (entry level, no minimum since 2024), Platinum (portfolio value from CAD 200,000+), and VIP (portfolio value from CAD 1,000,000+). Higher tiers unlock progressively lower commissions. Below is a table showing commissions for USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, and AUD futures contracts across each tier:
| Contract / currency | Commission Classic | Commission Platinum | Commission VIP |
| USD | USD 3.00 | USD 2.00 | USD 1.00 |
| CAD | CAD 6.00 | CAD 4.00 | CAD 2.00 |
| EUR | EUR 3.00 | EUR 2.00 | EUR 1.00 |
| GBP | GBP 3.00 | GBP 2.00 | GBP 1.00 |
| AUD | AUD 3.00 | AUD 2.00 | AUD 1.00 |
Commissions are per contract and per trade (buy or sell), and exclude exchange fees. Verify the latest pricing on Saxo’s futures commissions page.
Saxo offers advanced tools for trading futures contracts. The Futures Spread Trading feature lets you place orders to buy and sell multiple contracts simultaneously, while the Depth Trader feature displays all the buy and sell orders waiting to be executed so you can manage your trades more effectively. The Time and Sales feature lets you monitor real-time futures prices and trade directly from the exchange. Saxo provides 24-hour support and educational resources for all trader levels, and VIP clients additionally receive priority service and exclusive event invitations.
On the downside, residents of Yukon, Ontario, and Newfoundland & Labrador cannot open a Saxo account due to local Canadian regulatory restrictions.
What makes a good broker for futures trading in Canada?
When choosing a futures broker in Canada, it is important to consider several factors that can meaningfully affect a trader’s outcomes. These include:
- Low trading fees: to enhance profitability in futures trading, choosing a broker with competitive commissions is crucial. Look for tight spreads, low or minimal per-contract commissions, and no account minimums if you plan to start with a smaller amount. Assess the total cost of ownership (commissions + FX + exchange fees + inactivity fees) rather than a single line item;
- Reliable platform: your trading platform is the primary tool. It should be fast, stable, and offer all the features you need, including real-time market data, integrated news, advanced charting, and comprehensive order types. Risk management tools such as stop-loss and trailing-stop orders are essential to help protect capital and manage downside;
- Excellent customer support: responsive customer support is particularly important for newer traders. Look for fast response times and multiple contact channels (phone, email, live chat), ideally with support available during the hours you actively trade;
- Regulatory compliance: to help protect your funds, choose a broker regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), which replaced IIROC and the MFDA in 2023. This helps mitigate the risk of fraud and unethical practices. If you are considering an international broker, verify supervision by a reputable global regulator such as the CFTC and NFA in the United States, the FCA in the United Kingdom, or ASIC in Australia. Client assets should be segregated and, ideally, covered by an investor protection scheme;
- Canadian dollar (CAD) support: brokers offering native CAD base currency accounts (such as Interactive Brokers) reduce FX friction when funding your account and reporting positions – a meaningful benefit for Canadian traders.
Bottom line
In conclusion, the world of futures trading offers a wide range of investment opportunities for traders in Canada. The key to making the most of these opportunities is selecting the right futures broker for your trading needs. This article has outlined some of the top futures brokers in Canada based on important factors like trading platforms, regulatory compliance, and commission rates. Here’s a brief overview of our findings:
- Interactive Brokers: Best overall
- Saxo: Best for a wide-ranging futures offering
Still unsure which broker is right for you? Don’t worry; our “BrokerMatch” tool can offer a personalized recommendation based on your preferences. Additionally, to help you compare various futures brokers in Canada, our comparison table outlines their key features side by side. For even more information about each broker’s products and services, our reviews have got you covered.
Other FAQs
What are futures contracts, and how do they work?
Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price and date. They allow traders to speculate on the future price of an asset or hedge against price fluctuations.
Can I trade futures in Canada?
Yes, trading futures is legal in Canada, and there are several regulated futures brokers that operate in the country. You can also choose among internationally regulated brokers.
Does Questrade offer futures trading?
Unfortunately, Questrade does not offer futures trading at this time. You can read this article to get a list of alternatives.
Does QTRADE offer futures trading?
Unfortunately, QTRADE does not offer futures trading at this time. You can read this article to get a list of alternatives.
What factors should I consider when choosing a futures broker in Canada?
When choosing a futures broker in Canada, factors to consider include fees, trading platforms, product offerings, customer support, regulatory compliance, and educational resources. We encourage you to read this article as we have included all these factors.
What are the fees associated with trading futures, and how do they vary between brokers?
Fees associated with trading futures may include commissions, spreads, and margin requirements and can vary between brokers. Some brokers may offer discounted rates if you trade more.
What types of futures products are available for trading with futures brokers?
Futures products available for trading may include indices, currencies, commodities, interest rates, and cryptocurrencies. Some brokers may also offer options on futures.
What is the minimum account balance required to trade futures?
Minimum account balances required to trade futures can vary depending on the broker. In our list, we included some brokers that do not have a minimum account balance.
