ChatGPT SearchOct 14, 2026
If your main goal is to trade futures with the least money tied up as margin, look at brokers that offer low intraday futures margins. Some advertise margins as low as $25–$50 for certain micro futures contracts, although the amount depends on the broker, contract, and trading hours.
The key distinction is:
- Intraday margin: The minimum required to open a position during the broker's designated day-trading hours. Often much lower.
- Overnight margin: The amount required to hold a position beyond those hours. Usually substantially higher.
- Exchange initial and maintenance margin: Requirements set by the exchange or clearing process that can change with market volatility.
A low intraday margin doesn't necessarily mean the broker is cheapest overall or that the trade is safe with a small account.
Brokers worth comparing
The official margin schedules currently show that AMP Futures has some of the lowest requirements for popular U.S. equity-index futures. NinjaTrader is another strong candidate, particularly for selected micro contracts.
