Robinhood is a modern and user-friendly investment app from the US, founded in 2013. It introduced the concept of commission-free trading in financial products such as stocks and ETFs, competing with rivals like Webull, E*TRADE and Charles Schwab (which absorbed TD Ameritrade in 2024).
Its more than 25 million funded customers can choose between stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrencies and, since 2025, futures and event contracts, with no commissions on stocks and ETFs. One drawback of Robinhood used to be its limited product range compared to competitors such as E*TRADE and Charles Schwab, but that gap has narrowed considerably.
Want to know if you can trade futures on Robinhood, what it costs and which alternative platforms give you more futures markets? We’ve got you covered!
Can you trade futures on Robinhood?
Yes, you can trade futures on Robinhood. Robinhood started rolling out futures trading to eligible US customers in January 2025 through Robinhood Derivatives, LLC, a futures commission merchant registered with the CFTC and a member of the NFA, and later extended futures to its UK customers as well.
The offer is built around CME Group’s most popular contracts across five asset classes: the four main US equity indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Russell 2000 and Dow Jones), bitcoin and ether, major FX pairs, metals (gold, silver, copper) and energy (crude oil, natural gas), including the micro-sized versions that are better suited to smaller accounts. Futures trade in a separate futures account that you fund from your brokerage cash, and they can be traded almost around the clock on weekdays, including the overnight session, from the mobile app and from Robinhood Legend on desktop.
Fees: according to the Robinhood Derivatives fee schedule, the commission is $0.75 per contract, per side, or $0.50 with a Robinhood Gold subscription, plus the exchange fees set by CME and the NFA assessment fee ($0.02 per contract per side). That puts Robinhood among the cheapest futures brokers for retail traders in the US.
Limitations: the product list is limited to a few dozen CME contracts, there are no options on futures and no access to non-US futures exchanges, and you need to apply for and be approved for futures trading first. Robinhood’s product range now covers stocks, ETFs, options (including index options), futures, cryptocurrencies and event contracts, but still no mutual funds, bonds or forex.
| Investment option | Availability |
| Futures | ✓ (CME contracts, since 2025) |
| Stocks | ✓ |
| ETFs | ✓ |
| Options | ✓ |
| Crypto | ✓ |
| Event contracts (prediction markets) | ✓ |
| Forex | ✕ (FX futures only) |
| Mutual funds | ✕ |
| Bonds | ✕ |
| CFDs | ✕ |
Best Robinhood alternatives for investing in futures
If you want more futures markets than the CME line-up, options on futures, professional desktop platforms or you live outside the US, these are the alternatives we would look at first:
Interactive Brokers | Best futures broker overall
Founded in 1978, IBKR is one of the world’s most trustworthy brokers. It offers an enormous range of financial products, including futures and options on futures on more than 30 exchanges worldwide. For monthly volumes below 1,000 contracts, it charges $0.85 per US futures contract, dropping to $0.25 for micro contracts.
Saxo Bank | Best for experienced non-US investors (not available in the US)
Saxo Bank offers diverse trading instruments, providing traders with access to over 300 futures from 28 global exchanges, including equity indices, energy, metals, agriculture, rates and Forex. It charges between $1 and $3 per contract, depending on your account tier.
E*TRADE | Best for beginners in the US
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley is a well-known US broker, considered both reputable and beginner-friendly. It offers a wide range of financial products, including 200+ futures contracts on agricultural products, energy, precious and industrial metals, equity indices, currencies and interest rates, and the Power E*TRADE platform for futures trading. It charges a flat $1.50 per contract, or $2.50 for cryptocurrency futures.
| Broker | Minimum deposit | Supported products | Available in the US? | Futures trading fees |
| Robinhood | $0 | Futures (CME only), stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, event contracts | Yes | $0.75 per contract, per side ($0.50 with Robinhood Gold), plus exchange and NFA fees |
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | Futures, options on futures, stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, currencies, options, warrants | Yes | From $0.25 to $0.85 per US contract (depending on volume), $0.25 for micro contracts, plus exchange and regulatory fees |
| Saxo Bank | $0 (Classic tier, can vary by country) | Futures, stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, bonds, forex, CFDs | No | Between $1 and $3 per contract, depending on the account tier |
| E*TRADE | $0 | Futures, stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, mutual funds, managed portfolios | Yes | $1.50 per contract, except for cryptocurrency futures, which cost $2.50 per contract |
Fees checked in September 2026 on the brokers’ pricing pages and subject to change. Futures are leveraged products and you can lose more than your initial margin.
What makes a good broker for futures trading?
When choosing a futures broker, it’s important to consider several factors that can impact a trader’s success. These include:
- Low trading fees: to enhance your profitability in futures trading, choosing a broker with competitive trading fees is crucial. Look at the all-in cost per contract (commission plus exchange and regulatory fees) and at margin rates. In addition, consider choosing a broker with low account minimums if you want to start with a small amount.
- Reliable platform: the trading platform is your primary tool and should have all the necessary features for effective trading. The platform should be user-friendly, fast and reliable. It’s also helpful if the platform includes market news and real-time data feeds, which can give you valuable insights into the market. Additionally, risk management tools such as stop-loss orders and trailing stops can help protect your trades and minimise your risk.
- Range of markets: the difference between a mobile-first broker like Robinhood and a specialist like Interactive Brokers is the number of exchanges and contracts (including options on futures) you can access.
- Excellent customer support: a futures broker’s customer support is essential, particularly for new traders. Fast response times and helpful support staff should be available via phone, email or live chat.
- Regulatory compliance: to ensure the safety of your funds, choose a futures broker that is regulated by the relevant bodies in the country where it operates: for example, registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and membership of the National Futures Association (NFA) in the United States, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) in Canada, or any other reputable regulator.
Bottom line
Futures stand out as a favoured asset, particularly among seasoned traders. Their popularity keeps rising, driven by the potential for speculating on (or hedging) stock indices, bonds, commodities, currencies, interest rates, precious metals and cryptocurrencies with a small margin deposit.
Robinhood now covers the basics: the most traded CME contracts, micro sizes and some of the lowest commissions in the retail market, especially for Robinhood Gold members. If you need more markets, options on futures, a professional desktop platform or a broker outside the US, the alternatives above are the ones we would consider. Each platform has pros and cons, so choose the one that best suits your needs and make sure you understand the leverage involved.
Hopefully, we have helped you with your choice!
FAQs
What is Robinhood?
Robinhood Markets, Inc. is a well-known fintech firm that provides an online discount brokerage platform. It was launched in 2013, focusing on democratising access to financial markets, which has largely contributed to the company’s rapid growth and influence in the investment industry.
Robinhood has become well known for introducing commission-free trading and an easy-to-use app. The platform’s sleek design attracts both beginners and retail investors, making it a standout choice in the financial market.
How much does it cost to trade futures on Robinhood?
Robinhood Derivatives charges $0.75 per futures contract, per side, or $0.50 per contract for Robinhood Gold subscribers, plus the exchange fees set by CME Group and the NFA assessment fee of $0.02 per contract per side. Futures are traded in a separate futures account and require an application and approval.
Does Robinhood work internationally?
Only partly. Robinhood’s brokerage app is available to US residents and, since 2024, to UK residents (with stocks, options and, more recently, futures), while in the European Union Robinhood only offers crypto trading. Outside these markets it is not available. You can find Robinhood alternatives for international users here.
Can you access Robinhood outside the US with a VPN?
No, investors outside the US cannot use a VPN to open a Robinhood account. Upon account opening, Robinhood requires documentation proving US residency and a Social Security number. However, if you are a US resident with a Robinhood account and travelling abroad, you can still access your account (exceptions may apply).
