This guide helps users to find online brokers in UAE with the best platforms for futures. Futures trading and investing is a popular way among retail and institutional traders in UAE to hedge against price volatility in underlying commodities. With the rising number of brokers that offer trading with futures, it can be hard to choose the ideal option for individual financial goals and preferences.
Investors that skip researching, comparing, and grasping important information about brokers can select a trading platform with high commissions, slow execution, a low number of assets, and poor regulation.
This guide assesses 78 online brokers in UAE for users to review and find the ideal platform for their needs. To help them make an informed decision, a list of the best trading platforms in UAE for futures is shared below, followed by detailed reviews and comparisons.
Top 5 Futures Trading Platforms in UAE
- AvaFutures – Best Futures Trading Platform Overall
- TradeStation – Best for futures overall
- Interactive Brokers – Lowest fees on futures
- Optimus Futures – Ideal trading platform for futures
- Saxo Bank – Top for professionals
Top 5 Trading Platforms for Futures Trading Reviewed
Online brokers with the highest rated futures trading platforms in UAE are reviewed below including their pros, cons and key takeaways.
1. AvaFutures – Best Futures Trading Platform Overall
AvaFutures is the new addition to the AvaTrade. Its trading fees range from $1.75 per trade and for micro futures from $0.75, and it has access to over 35 global futures contracts. AvaFutures is the best future trading platform overall and is a great choice for traders looking for variety and a great trading platform.
Additionally, traders can access CME Group’s highly liquid and cost-effective futures contracts. These are available in Micro, E-mini, and Standard sizes and cover a range of assets, including interest rates markets and other international markets or exchanges.
AvaFutures Key Features:
- MetaTrader 5 Accessibility: The platform enhances its charting capabilities using MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and provides a clear view of market depth. It also supports automated trading strategies using Expert Advisors, also known as trading robots.
- Support and easy onboarding: AvaFutures makes it easy to open and fund accounts quickly, letting customers sign up and begin trading using credit cards or electronic payments in minutes. The broker offers clear, low-cost pricing without hidden fees. Customers can manage their accounts online and access free 24/5 support in more than 10 languages.
- Automated Trading Strategies: AvaFutures offers automated trading, which most traders need nowadays. Traders can use the MT5 platform to create trading robots or use custom indicators, making it easy to automate their trading decisions based on specific criteria.
- Risk Management Tools: AvaFutures offers several risk management tools, including margin calls, stop-loss orders, and limit orders. These tools are crucial for reducing losses, especially in volatile markets
- Sound Security: The platform ensures the safety of customer information and money through strong security measures like multi-factor authentication and encryption techniques.
AvaFutures is a globally recognized broker, regulated across six continents by 9 regulators and trusted by over 300,000 active clients in 150 countries. It’s one of the top-rated brokers on TrustPilot and has an impressive track record, having 17 years in the business and more than 40 international awards.
At AvaFutures, you can leverage small investments to control substantial contract values, enhancing your potential profits and helping you achieve your financial goals more efficiently. Transactions are fast and secure, with several convenient payment options, including credit cards.
The platform offers a diverse range of futures categories for trading. You can explore indices and commodities such as oil, gas, agricultural products, metals, cryptocurrencies, currencies, and treasuries.
AvaFutures Key Features:
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Available Futures Contracts | +35 |
| Trading Fees | From $1.75 per trade, micro futures from $0.75 |
| Trading Platform | MT5 |
| Account Types | Demo, Individual |
| Type of Broker | Broker Dealer |
| Regulatory Bodies | BVI, ASIC, FSCA, ADGM, FRSA, CySEC, JFSA |
| Deposit Methods | Bank wire, Credit cards, E-Wallets |
| Maximum Leverage Ratio | 4:1 |
Commissions & Fees:
| Commissions and Fees | Price |
| Standard and E-mini contract i | $1.75 |
| Micro Contract i | $0.75 |
| Auto-Liquidation fee per position | $10.00 |
| Level 2 Data fee i | $0.00 |
| Platform fee | $0.00 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fee | $0.00 |
| Inactivity fee | $0.00 |
| Routing fee | $0.00 |
Pros
- Best Futures Trading Platform Overall
- 24/7 support team for futures traders
- A low minimum deposit required
- Accessibility to MT5 advanced charting platform
- A vast range of future contracts and research tools
and fast order execution
Cons
- Trading platforms might be overwhelming for beginners
2. TradeStation – Best Overall Second Pick
Min Deposit: $0 ($2000 – Margin account; $25000 – Day Trading account; $5000 – Futures account)
Fees: 4.8
Assets available: 5.0
Total Fees:
TradeStation offers 24/7 access to over 350 futures option products, lightning-fast trade execution speeds (26ms), and up to 4:1 leveraged trading possibilities.
UAE traders can only trade on the FuturesPlus trading platform which allows them to trade international futures markets including the CME and ICE on multiple devices (web, desktop and mobile). The platform also allows traders to place conditional ‘’what if’’ orders based on volatility and other market conditions.
TradeStation FuturesPlus Key Features:
- Autofit vol curve – allows users to generate theoretical values and to apply their own vol curves using the built-in Vol Curve Manager. The platform also allows traders to place conditional ‘’what if’’ orders based on volatility and other market conditions.
- Tradestation’s Trade Monitor – allows traders to view all market activity for options and futures on a per-product basis.
- Send RFQs directly from Strategy Creation, Market Grid, Watchlist, RFQ Viewer, or Options Chain.
- TradeStation’s Watchlist – allows traders to monitor and customize their futures trading strategies by using first and second-order Greeks before sending RFQs.
- Access to Micro E-mini futures – allow users to purchase 1/10th the size of ‘’normal’’ futures ( fractional option contracts with leverage).
With 0.266 seconds per filled order, the TradeStation platform offers one of the fastest trade execution speeds and is a great choice for algo and high-frequency traders.
With no commission on future trades of up to $10,000/trade, TradeStation is among the cheapest brokers for trading with futures. Users get charged in the form of overnight fees ( $1,25) per trading day and certain option strategies may incur costs in the form of spreads, straddles, and collars.
TradeStation is a CFTC-licensed futures commission merchant (FCM) and member of CME, NFA, SIPC, FINRA futures exchanges. This allows them to offer index options and futures contracts to self-directed investors and traders.
| Minimum Deposit | $5,000 for futures accounts |
| Available Futures and Options | 350+ |
| Trading Fees | Commission-free, $1,50 per contract, per side when TradeStation Select member |
| Trading Platform | Web-based platform & mobile app (FuturesPlus) |
| Account Types | Demo, individual, joint, retirement, entity |
| Type of Broker | Broker dealer |
| Regulatory Bodies | SEC, CFTC, and FINRA |
| Deposit Methods | Wire transfer |
| Maximum Leverage Ratio | 4:1 |
Pros
- Overall best futures trading platform for UAE residents
- Dedicated futures and options trading platform available on all kinds of devices
- Vast range of research tools and fast order execution
Cons
- Not compatible with MetaTrader 4/5, cTrader, or any other external trading platform or software
- High minimum deposit required
- Some futures research and educational material isn’t free
3. Interactive Brokers Review UAE 2025 – The Trading Platform With the Lowest Fees on Futures for UAE Traders
Min Deposit: $0
Fees: 4.9
Assets available: 4.9
Total Fees:
With trading fees ranging from $0,25 to $0,85 per futures contract and access to over 35 global futures and futures options markets (agriculture, currency, energy, equity index, fixed income, metals, and high-volatility futures), Interactive Brokers is a great choice for traders looking for variety and low fees.
The broker offers two competitive pricing plans for US futures and futures options:
- Fixed rate pricing – charges a fixed low commission that includes regulatory and clearing fees of $0,85 per contract
- Volume-tiered pricing plan – trading fees decrease as you trade in large volume and range from $0,25 to $0,85 per contract
The Interactive Brokers trading platform allows users to trade on a variety of assets besides futures and futures options, including stocks and ETFs. Platform users also have access to great trading insights through daily futures arbitrage, interest tables, a US futures market scanner, and the Trader’s University.
To top if off, users are allowed to use a great variety of (third-party provided) order types and algos, including Good-til-Canceled (GTC), Market if Touched, One-Cancels-All (OCA), CSFB Blast, CSFB Sniper, and Fox Dark Attack.
Interactive Brokers is SEC, FCA and CFTC-regulated and is a member of the SIPC. Your IBKR account holding funds are protected by a compensation scheme in the case of insolvency, which makes this broker a safe choice to trade with.
| Minimum Deposit | None |
| Available Futures and Options | 35+ global futures and futures options markets |
| Trading Fees | $0,25 – $0,85 per futures contract, depending on pricing plan chosen |
| Trading Platform | Web-based platform & mobile app (Trader Workstation) |
| Account Types | Individual investor or trader, family office, small business, family advisor, non-professional advisor, registered investment advisor, hedge or mutual fund, money manager, proprietary trading group, introducing broker |
| Type of Broker | Broker dealer |
| Regulatory Bodies | SEC, CFTC, and FCA |
| Deposit Methods | Bank wire transfer, ACH transfer, check |
| Maximum Leverage Ratio | 2:1 |
Pros
- Trading platform with the lowest futures trading fees
- Broad range of tradable markets (35+)
- Many different order types, algos, and research tools for futures trading
Cons
- Charges fees for some futures research tools
- Trading platform might be overwhelming for beginners
- Customer service could be better
63.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR.
4. Optimus Futures – Best Trading Platform for Futures Trading for UAE Traders
Optimus Futures is a CFTC-regulated online broker specializing in futures trading. Its trading platform (Optimus Flow) offers a great variety of futures trading tools for casual to advanced traders including dynamic charting tools, live data, market depth, volume analysis tools, TPO profile chart, Power Trades and commission rebates.
Users can also use multiple order types like Market, Market on Open, Market on Close, Market if Touched, Stop, Limit, Stop Limit, and One Cancels Other. This makes Optimus Futures an interesting choice for investors looking for a vast range of trading features and order types.
Its trading fees are among the lowest in the industry, ranging from $0,05 to $0,75 per side per contract. Optimus Futures charges withdrawal fees of $30.
Optimus Futures users can choose between 40 futures trading platforms available on multiple devices and also a cloud-based version. Account options are available as: individual, joint, and corporate.
| Minimum Deposit | $500 |
| Available Futures and Options | Depends on connected FCM |
| Trading Fees | Micro contracts: $0,05 to $0,25 per side, futures contracts: $0,10 to $0,75 per side |
| Trading Platform | 40+ different trading platforms with Optimus Flow as main trading platform |
| Account Types | Individual, joint, and corporate |
| Type of Broker | Introducing broker |
| Regulatory Bodies | NFA member and CFTC-regulated |
| Deposit Methods | Bank wire transfer |
| Maximum Leverage Ratio | Depends on connected FCM |
Pros
- Very competitive trading fees for futures
- Broker specializes in futures trading
- Offers multiple account types for different types of futures traders
Cons
- No mobile application for futures trading
- High withdrawal fee ($30)
- Only supports bank transfers as banking method
5. Saxo Bank Review UAE 2025 – Best Futures Trading Platform for Professional UAE Traders
Min Deposit: $0
Fees: 4.7
Assets available: 4.9
Total Fees:
69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Saxo Bank offers a professional futures trading platform where users can trade over 200 futures contracts and 70 options futures contracts from 28 global exchanges.
The broker has a very professional trading platform that consists of advanced futures tools like Depth Trader and offers the ability to trade directly from the charts.
Saxo Bank allows its users to make use of advanced futures trading tools and multi-legged trading strategies by placing multiple orders on the same order ticket.
UAE residents are not allowed to use Saxo Bank’s futures spread betting tools! Instead they can can place and manage orders based on the Level 2 order book (Depth Trader) which provides all bids and offers waiting to be executed in real-time.
| Futures Contract Denomination | Classic Account | Platinum Account | VIP Account |
| EUR | 6 EUR / contract Min. 10 EUR | 3 EUR / contract Min. 10 EUR | 1 EUR / contract Min. 10 EUR |
| GBP | 5 GBP / contract Min. 8 GBP | 2,5 GBP / contract Min. 8 GBP | 1 GBP / contract Min. 8 GBP |
| SGD | 15 SGD / contract Min. 20 SGD | 7.5 SGD / contract Min. 20 SGD | 2 SGD / contract Min. 20 SGD |
| USD | 6 USD / contract Min. 10 USD | 3 USD / contract Min. 10 USD | 1,25 USD / contract Min. 10 USD |
| HKD | 30 HKD / contract Min. 0 HKD | 25 HKD / contract Min. 30 HKD | 15 HKD / contract in. 30 HKD |
| Minimum Deposit | $5,000 |
| Available Futures and Options | 270+ from over 28 global futures markets |
| Trading Fees | Depends on account type |
| Trading Platform | SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO |
| Account Types | Saxo, Joint, Corporate, Professional |
| Type of Broker | ECN broker |
| Regulatory Bodies | FSA, FCA, Swiss Federal Banking Commission, CySEC, ASIC, DFSA, the Central Bank of the UAE & many others |
| Deposit Methods | Bank wire transfer, debit card deposit. Stock transfer from other broker |
| Maximum Leverage Ratio | 3,3:1 |
Pros
- Great choice of different futures trading instruments (28 markets)
- Advanced order types, market research and charting tools
- Very professional trading platform
Cons
- High minimum deposit required to open account
- The trading platform is not beginner-friendly
- High fees compared to other alternatives
69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
How To Find The Right Broker For Futures Trading?
The most important criteria for finding a broker with the ideal platform for trading with futures in UAE are listed below.
- Amount of futures trading instruments offered
- Futures trading fees and conditions
- Trading platform features that influence futures trading
- Mobile futures trading features
- Quality of the customer support
- Research and education offered (in regard to futures trading)
- Available banking methods
- nUAE availability (whether UAE residents can open an account and make use of all offered futures trading services)
Top Brokers For Futures Trading Compared
Key features of online brokers with the highest ranked platforms for futures trading are compared in the table below.
| Broker | Available Futures | Minimum Investment | Trading Platforms | Available Risk Management Tools | Deposit & Withdrawal Methods | Customer Support Options | Regulators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AvaFutures | 35+ futures | $100.00 | MT5 | Bracket Orders, Trailing Stops, Stop-Limit Orders | Bank wire, Cradeit cards, E-Wallets | Phone, Live Chat, Email | BVI, ASIC, FSCA, ADGM, FRSA, CySEC, JFSA |
| TradeStation | 600+ futures and futures options | $500 for cash account, $2000 for margin account | TradeStation 10, TradeStation Web Trading, TradeStation Mobile | Bracket Orders, Trailing Stops, OSO and OCO orders | Wire Transfer, Check, ACH (Automated Clearing House) Transfer | Phone, Live Chat, Email | FINRA, NFA, SIPC |
| Interactive Brokers | 35 + futures and futures options markets | $0 for IBKR Lite, $10,000 for IBKR Pro | Trader Workstation, Client Portal, IBKR Mobile, IBKR WebTrader | Stop Orders, Trailing Stop Orders, Profit Take Orders, Bracket Orders | Bank Transfers, Check, Online Bill Pay, Direct Rollover, Trustee-to-Trustee | Live Chat, Phone, Email | SEC, FINRA, NYSE, FCA and other regional authorities |
| Optimus Futures | 20 micro futures and all major futures markets | $500 | Multiple including Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, Firetip, R Trader | Bracket Orders, Trailing Stops, Stop-Limit Orders | Wire Transfer, Check, ACH Transfer | Phone, Email, Live Chat | NFA |
| Saxo Bank | 300+ futures from 29 exchanges | $2,500 | SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO | Stop Orders, Trailing Stop Orders, Limit Orders, Market Orders | Bank Transfers, Debit Cards | Phone, Email | FCA, ASIC, SFC, JFSA, MAS, and others |
What are Futures?
Futures are financial contracts where two parties (a buyer and a seller) agree to trade an underlying asset for a fixed price at a future date. The underlying asset can be a commodity (soybeans, wheat, or corn) or other type of tradable financial instruments like currencies, fixed-income, and energy products.
Both speculating traders and companies that want to take actual physical delivery of the underlying asset trade futures contracts. While traders mostly hedge or speculate with futures, companies lock in their purchase prices.
How To Trade Futures?
Before delving into futures trading, it’s important to understand what these assets are. “Futures” is a term that refers to futures contracts, which are standardized agreements between a buyer and a seller. In these contracts, both parties agree to buy and sell securities, commodities (such as crude oil), or other financial instruments at a predetermined price and date in the future.
Entering a futures contract means locking in a set price and date to exchange an asset. Unlike options, futures come with an obligation. When the contract expires, the seller must deliver the specified assets, and the buyer must receive them at the pre-agreed time and price. These contracts are traded on organized exchanges.
To trade futures, your broker will require a margin deposit, which is a certain percentage of the contract’s value. This margin is needed to open and maintain your position.
Futures are leveraged products, meaning you borrow money from your broker to open a larger position with a smaller amount of your own money. Leverage increases both the potential gains and the risks, as it magnifies the impact of price movements.
Traders typically engage in futures for speculation or hedging. Speculators aim to profit from price fluctuations without intending to take physical delivery of the underlying asset. Hedgers use futures contracts to lock in prices and mitigate potential losses due to price volatility.
Due to the leverage involved, futures trading can be highly lucrative but also very risky. It’s crucial to have a thorough understanding of the market and proper risk management strategies before trading futures. If you’re a beginner, it’s advisable to practice with a demo account first.
Tips to Get Started With Futures Trading
- Make Use Of Online Brokerage Services – The easiest way to get started with futures trading is by using an online broker. You simply open an account with a broker that offers futures, get it approved and you can get started.
- Be Honest With Your Trading Experience – Futures brokers will ask you to share your trading and investing experience, your current income, and your total net worth. Make sure to fill l in these questions honestly as the broker will personalize your trading experience based on your answers (allowed risk, required margin, and maximum position sizes).
- Keep an Eye On Trading fees – Make sure to check futures trading fees and they vary from broker to broker and even by trading volume.
- Start With a Paper Account – It is important to test your trading strategy on a demo account using virtual money. This helps you to familiarize with the trading platform before depositing your hard-earned money.
Conclusion
The various online brokers in UAE offering different platforms and tools, makes it tough to find the optimal choice for individual needs. Comparing the services of different providers requires time and knowledge.
This guide does the hard grind by evaluating top platforms for different types of traders and investment goals. The results of our analysis and comparison of the best futures trading platforms in UAE are wrapped up in the table below.
| RANK | BROKER | PLATFORM SCORE | BEST FOR | WEBSITE |
| #1 | AVAFutures | 4.9 / 5 | Trading Platform Overall | Official website |
| #2 | TradeStation | 3.7 / 5 | Low commissions | Official website |
| #3 | Interactive Brokers | 4.9 / 5 | Professional investors | Official website |
| #4 | Optimus Futures | 4 / 5 | Competitive trading fees | Official website |
| #5 | Saxo Bank | 4.9 / 5 | Trading platform features | Official website |
FAQ
Can I Trade Futures with $100?
In theory, you can trade futures with just $100, but in most cases, this is not feasible due to the leverage and margin requirements involved. While the initial margin requirement can be a small percentage of the contract’s total value, it is usually still higher than $100. With such a small amount of capital, you would only be able to trade micro or nano futures contracts, and given the volatility of the futures market, there is a high probability that you will lose your money.
Do I Need a Margin Account to Trade Futures?
Yes, you typically need a margin account to trade futures. A margin account allows you to use leverage by borrowing funds from your broker to open and maintain positions in futures contracts. Leverage enables you to control a larger position with a smaller amount of capital, amplifying both potential gains and losses. Your broker will set a margin requirement, which is the minimum amount of money you must have in your trading account, and the exact amount will depend on the instrument you trade.
Can Futures Trading Be Profitable?
Yes, futures trading can be profitable, and investors may make significant profits when trading these products. However, futures are very risky instruments, particularly because they are leveraged products. Leverage allows investors to trade with borrowed money in addition to their own funds, enabling them to invest a much larger amount. While this can amplify potential gains, it also significantly increases potential losses. Futures trading is not a guaranteed way to get rich overnight and carries substantial risk.
What is a Futures Contract?
A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specific asset, such as commodities, financial instruments, or indices, at a predetermined price on a specified future date. Upon the contract’s expiration, the seller must deliver the underlying asset, and the buyer must take possession of it at the agreed price. These contracts are traded on organized exchanges, allowing traders and investors to speculate on price movements or hedge against potential price fluctuations in the underlying asset.
How much money do I need for future trading?
Trading futures involves margin and leverage and therefore requires you to have at least $500 to $1,000 on your trading account.
Is futures trading recommended for beginners?
Trading with futures is not recommendable for beginners as it involves high risk, requires trading with leverage, and high volume positions.
How much margin is required for futures trading in UAE?
The most common required margin for futures trading in UAE is between 40% to 50%.
What is the most popular futures exchange in the UAE?
The most popular futures exchange in the UAE include TradeStation, Interactive Brokers, Optimus Futures, Saxo Bank , and Charles Schwab.
Are futures Halal?
Futures trading is considered Gharar (prohibited by Islamic law) based on their nature, involving uncertainty about future prices.
Which are the biggest futures exchanges in UAE?
The most important futures exchanges in UAE include the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX), the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and the Nasdaq Dubai.
Disclaimer
eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.
Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money
This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.