Tickmill’s futures offering is different from its better-known forex and CFD business. The broker provides exchange-traded futures and options through CQG and Trading Technologies (TT), but this service is offered through Tickmill UK Ltd. It is not a general feature of every Tickmill entity, and futures are not traded through the standard MT4 or MT5 setup.
Tickmill UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA. That entity distinction is the first thing to check before looking at platforms, markets or commissions. Availability can also depend on your country of residence and applicable regulations. Tickmill says US residents are currently not accepted for its UK futures account.
TradingCritique rates Tickmill 8.25/10 (TC Validated). The rating reflects the wider broker assessment rather than a separate score calculated only from the futures service.
Tickmill Futures at a glance
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CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% 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.
What are Tickmill CQG & TT futures platforms?
CQG and TT are professional futures-trading platforms used to access exchange-traded derivatives, rather than CFDs. That distinction matters. When you trade a CFD, you are entering a bilateral contract based on an underlying market. With an exchange-traded futures contract, the contract itself is listed and traded on an organised derivatives exchange.
Tickmill’s UK futures service connects clients to these markets through specialist futures technology rather than through MT4 or MT5. Tickmill describes CQG as a platform for futures and options, with market-data visualisation, charting tools and exchange connectivity.
TT, meanwhile, is positioned by Tickmill as a professional futures and derivatives platform. Its current feature set includes advanced charting, depth-of-market tools, order functionality, automation capabilities and web or mobile access.
Does Tickmill offer exchange-traded futures?
Yes, but only through Tickmill UK Ltd. Tickmill offers exchange-traded futures and options to retail and professional clients through its UK entity. This service is not available across all Tickmill Group entities, so having a Tickmill account does not automatically mean you have access to futures.
Real exchange-traded futures, not CFDs, and UK entity only
Tickmill’s CQG and TT futures service provides access to genuine exchange-traded contracts rather than CFDs. The execution model is also different: futures are traded on exchanges with commissions, while Tickmill’s CFDs use a different dealing and pricing model. In other words, Tickmill’s futures offering should be viewed as an exchange-traded or DMA service, not as another form of CFD trading, and the CFD principal-capacity description does not apply to it.
First-hand industry insight
From years of working with FCA- and CFTC-regulated brokers, I have learned that checking whether a broker offers futures means looking at two things: which entity provides them and whether they are genuinely exchange-traded. With Tickmill, this distinction matters because CQG and TT futures are available through Tickmill UK only. These are also real exchange-traded futures, not CFDs, so orders go through the exchange’s central order book rather than being traded as a CFD position against the broker. This creates a different trading and regulatory structure from Tickmill’s standard CFD service.
CQG and TT platform features
CQG is the more established futures platform in Tickmill’s current offering, built specifically for futures trading rather than general FX or CFD trading. TT is the more professional-focused option, designed for traders who want advanced tools for analysing markets and managing futures trades.
CQG
Established, complete futures environment
TT (Trading Technologies)
Professional execution focus
Tickmill UK also lists CQG Desktop, QTrader, CQG IC and mobile access, and available platforms and related costs can vary by account and subscription. TT focuses heavily on trade execution and the futures order book, with advanced tools such as Autospreader and Strategy Studio for more experienced futures traders. However, TT is not automatically the best choice for everyone. Its advanced features take time to learn, and beginners may not need them.
CQG vs TT: Which platform should you choose?
CQG and TT serve different types of futures traders. Your choice mainly depends on the tools and trading style you prefer.
CQG may suit you if you want
TT may suit you if you need
In simple terms, CQG is more focused on a complete futures-trading environment, while TT puts more emphasis on advanced execution and professional trading workflows. The right choice depends on your experience and trading needs. Tickmill states that approved clients can review the available platforms and associated costs before choosing one.
Markets and exchanges available through Tickmill futures
Tickmill currently lists access to CME, NYMEX, COMEX, CBOT and EUREX through its futures offering. The available contracts cover several futures categories, including:
- Agriculture
- Energy
- Foreign exchange
- Indices
- Metals
Tickmill lists over 100 futures and options contracts, including crude oil, S&P 500, Dow Jones, currencies, copper and interest rates. Contract details can change, so traders should check the relevant exchange for the latest information. These products are available through Tickmill UK, not all Tickmill entities.
Tickmill futures trading fees and platform costs
Tickmill’s futures pricing includes a commission, ticker fee and more. The exact commission can vary depending on the contract and trading setup. Key costs shown by Tickmill:
| Futures trading cost | Detail |
|---|---|
| Commission | $1.30 for a standard contract and $0.85 for a micro contract |
| Minimum ticket fee | $0.00 |
| Starting deposit | $1,000 |
| Minimum trade | 1 contract |
| Trading hours | According to exchange trading hours |
| Margin | Based on exchange requirements |
Platform pricing
Tickmill currently shows the following CQG platform costs:
| Platform | Pricing | $ per filled order/contract |
|---|---|---|
| CQG Desktop | $25 / month | $0.25 |
| CQG QTrader | $75 / month | $0.25 |
| CQG Integrated Client | $525 + CQG Trading $250 or CQG Spreader $1400 | $0.25 |
| CQG Mobile | $25 / month standalone (or free with any other trading package) | $0.25 |
The pricing table also shows $0.25 per filled order/contract for these platforms, while Tickmill states that its clients do not pay this $0.25 charge.
Other charges may include exchange, clearing, routing, and regulatory fees, depending on the trade. Since fees and margin requirements can change, before trading, traders should check the latest pricing rather than assuming CQG or TT access has one fixed cost for every client.
How to open a Tickmill futures trading account?
A Tickmill futures account is separate from its standard FX account. The process is straightforward and involves registering, completing the required checks, funding the account, and then choosing your trading platform. According to Tickmill’s current UK futures information, the process is:
The current minimum deposit is $1,000. Tickmill also states that there is currently a limit of one futures account per person. Tickmill offers a CQG Desktop demo account, allowing traders to become familiar with the platform before trading with real money.
Order types, trading tools, and risk management features
Tickmill’s futures service offers a range of order types and trading tools to help traders manage entries, exits, and positions, while margin requirements remain an important part of risk management.
Order types
Tickmill’s futures service supports several order types, depending on exchange availability:
- Market orders: Execute at the best available market price.
- Limit orders: Execute only at the price set by the trader or better.
- Stop orders: Trigger when the market reaches a specified price.
- Bracket orders: Help manage a position with multiple linked orders.
- OCO orders: Allow one order to cancel another when one is triggered.
- Iceberg orders: Break a larger order into smaller visible portions where supported.
- Synthetic orders: Provide additional order-management options where available.
Trading tools
These order types can help traders manage entries, exits and positions more efficiently. Advanced tools such as bracket, OCO and iceberg orders can be particularly useful for traders managing larger or more complex futures positions.
Risk management
These tools can help manage trades, but they do not remove futures trading risk. Futures are traded on margin, so the required margin can be much smaller than the total value of the position.
Tickmill also warns that margin requirements can change with market conditions, meaning traders may need to maintain additional funds in their accounts.
Tickmill futures vs CFD trading: Key differences
The main difference is what you are trading and how the trade is executed. With Tickmill futures, you trade an exchange-listed derivative. Orders are sent to the exchange, giving traders access to the exchange order book. This is what DMA (Direct Market Access) means in this context.
Tickmill treats its futures and CFD businesses differently. Futures generate commission per trade, while CFDs use a different pricing model based on spreads and commissions.
| Tickmill Futures | Tickmill CFDs |
|---|---|
| Exchange-traded derivative | Bilateral contract for difference |
| Exchange-based execution | CFD dealing model |
| Real exchange order book | Price based on the underlying market |
| Futures commission structure | CFD spread/commission structure |
| Separate futures account | Standard FX/CFD account structure |
| CQG / TT | MT4, MT5 and other CFD platforms |
This distinction is important because Tickmill futures are exchange-traded products, not CFDs. Therefore, the CFD principal-capacity description should not be applied to the futures service.
Who should use Tickmill CQG & TT platforms?
CQG and TT are aimed more naturally at traders who already understand futures-market mechanics. That includes people who are comfortable with:
- Contract specifications
- Exchange trading hours
- Initial and maintenance margin
- Tick sizes and tick values
- Futures expiration and rollover
- Order-book-based execution
- The possibility of rapid losses from leveraged positions
The products are not necessarily unsuitable for someone who is new to trading, but the learning curve is different from simply opening a conventional FX or CFD account. A beginner who does not yet understand how futures margin works should first learn the mechanics of the product.
The fact that a platform has professional tools does not make those tools appropriate for someone without the necessary market knowledge. Tickmill itself describes its TT offering as being built for professional futures traders, while its UK materials discuss both retail and professional ETD clients.
Pros and cons of trading futures with Tickmill
Tickmill’s futures service offers several benefits for traders who want access to real exchange-traded markets. However, there are also some limitations and risks to consider.
PROS
Real futures trading: trade exchange-listed futures instead of CFDs.
CQG and TT specialist futures platforms.
Access to multiple exchanges: CME, NYMEX, COMEX, CBOT and EUREX.
Clear pricing: fees, contracts and margin details are published.
Futures and options are both available through Tickmill UK.
FCA regulated: futures trading is offered through Tickmill UK.
CONS
UK entity only: not available through all Tickmill entities.
Requires a separate, dedicated futures account.
More complex: futures have contracts, exchange rules and margin requirements.
Extra fees: exchange, platform and market-data costs may apply.
No MT4/MT5: futures use CQG or TT instead.
Higher risk: margin can increase your market exposure.
Conclusion
Tickmill’s CQG and TT provide a more specialised futures-trading experience than its standard FX and CFD services. Tickmill UK offers exchange-traded futures and options through markets such as CME, NYMEX, COMEX, CBOT and EUREX, with access to specialist platforms including CQG and TT.
However, the futures service is only available through the UK entity, subject to eligibility and regulatory requirements. These are exchange-traded derivatives, so they should not be described in the same way as Tickmill’s CFD business.
Our overall Tickmill rating remains 8.25/10, TC Validated. For experienced traders who need futures access, CQG and TT provide a useful alternative to the standard MT4/MT5 CFD environment, with the better platform depending on the trader’s experience and needs.
Pro tip
Before assuming you can trade futures with Tickmill, confirm that you are eligible for the UK futures service and that Tickmill UK Ltd will onboard you. Also check the current platform, market data, and trading costs before committing funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Tickmill offer futures trading?
Yes; Tickmill offers exchange-traded futures through Tickmill UK using CQG and TT.
2. What is the Tickmill CQG platform?
CQG is a specialist platform for futures and options trading, with charts, market data and trading tools.
3. What is the TT (Trading Technologies) platform?
TT is a professional futures platform with advanced charts, market depth, order types and strategy tools.
4. Can beginners use Tickmill CQG or TT?
Yes, if eligible, but beginners should understand futures, margin and leverage before trading.
5. Which futures exchanges does Tickmill support?
Tickmill currently lists CME, NYMEX, COMEX, CBOT and EUREX.
6. Can I trade exchange-traded options with Tickmill?
Yes, Tickmill UK offers exchange-traded options alongside futures.
7. What are the fees for Tickmill futures trading?
Commissions start from $1.30 for standard contracts and $0.85 for micro contracts, with other fees potentially applying.
8. Is CQG better than TT for futures trading?
CQG focuses on futures trading, charts, and market data, while TT offers more advanced execution and professional tools.
9. Does Tickmill offer mobile futures trading?
Yes, Tickmill offers mobile access for its CQG offering, and TT also supports web and mobile access.
10. Is Tickmill futures trading available worldwide?
No, futures trading is offered through Tickmill UK and depends on your country and eligibility. Tickmill currently does not accept US residents for UK futures accounts.
