AMP Futures vs MetroTrade Compared: Fees, Margins, and More

Choosing a futures broker comes down to more than the headline commission rate. Two brokers can both advertise “ultra-low” pricing while differing significantly on intraday margins, platform setup, account fees, and the overall trading experience. AMP Futures and MetroTrade are both regulated U.S. brokers targeting the retail futures market, and both compete on cost.

This guide breaks down commissions, intraday margins, platform experience, account fees, and who each broker is best suited for, so you can make a clear, informed comparison.

Key Takeaways

• MetroTrade charges $0.29/side for micro contracts and $1.09/side for e-minis; AMP Futures charges $0.60/side for micros and $2.00/side for e-minis at its standard flat rate. MetroTrade is the lower-cost option on commissions for both contract tiers at retail pricing.
• AMP Futures supports 50+ third-party platforms; MetroTrade offers its own proprietary platform, MetroTrader, as the primary trading experience. MetroTrade also supports select third-party platforms for advanced traders who prefer external tools.
• AMP’s setup process requires traders to independently configure a broker account, data feed, and trading platform; MetroTrade provides an integrated broker-and-platform experience out of the box. This distinction matters most for traders who are newer to futures.
• Choosing the right broker depends on whether you prioritize commission cost, platform flexibility, or a simpler all-in-one setup. Understanding the full cost and experience picture across both helps you choose with confidence.

About AMP Futures

Company Background

AMP Futures is a Chicago-based futures commission merchant (FCM) founded in 2004. The firm is registered with and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the National Futures Association (NFA), with CME Group serving as its designated self-regulatory organization.

AMP is known primarily for three things: competitive commission rates, low intraday margins on many contracts, and a large selection of supported third-party trading platforms.

Who AMP Is Designed For

AMP’s model is built around flexibility, but that flexibility comes with a setup requirement that favors experienced traders.

• Active day traders and scalpers who execute high volume and want the lowest possible per-contract cost
• Platform-specific traders who already use Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, TradingView, or similar tools and want to keep using them with a futures broker
• Algorithmic and automated traders who need MetaTrader 5 or API-based access
• Experienced traders who are comfortable independently managing broker, data feed, and platform configurations

Traders who are new to futures will likely find AMP’s onboarding more complex than brokers that provide an integrated experience. The requirement to select and configure a platform and data feed separately adds steps that can be a barrier for those just getting started.

About MetroTrade

Company Background

MetroTrade is a U.S.-based retail futures brokerage offering its proprietary MetroTrader platform for web and mobile trading. The company provides an integrated experience where brokerage services, charting, order execution, and account monitoring are all available within a single platform.

The firm’s focus is on making futures trading more accessible for retail traders through transparent pricing, low commissions, and a modern platform that does not require separate software installation or configuration.

Who MetroTrade Is Designed For

MetroTrade targets traders who want a clean, ready-to-use environment without managing multiple vendor relationships.

• Beginner to intermediate traders who want a modern interface without a complex setup process
• Stock or options traders transitioning to futures who are used to integrated broker-and-platform experiences
• Traders who prioritize low commissions and a straightforward, consistent pricing structure
• Advanced traders who prefer third-party platforms can access a selection of supported external tools, though MetroTrader is the primary platform experience

Commission Comparison

Commissions represent the most direct, repeatable cost in futures trading. For active traders running dozens of round turns per day, even a small difference per side adds up quickly over a month of trading.

Micro Futures Commissions

The table below compares per-side commissions on the most commonly traded micro contracts.

AMP’s $0.60/side is its standard flat-rate pricing. Volume-tiered pricing is available for high-frequency traders, but most retail traders will be quoted at or near the flat rate. MetroTrade charges $0.29/side across the micro futures lineup.

To put this in practical terms: a trader making 20 round turns per day on MES contracts, trading 22 days per month, would pay $528 in commissions at AMP ($0.60 x 2 x 20 x 22) versus $255.20 at MetroTrade ($0.29 x 2 x 20 x 22). That is a difference of roughly $272 per month on commissions alone, before any other fees.

Note that futures trading uses leverage, which amplifies both gains and losses.

E-Mini Futures Commissions

At the e-mini level, the gap is again consistent. A trader executing 10 ES round turns per day over 22 trading days would pay $880 per month at AMP ($2.00 x 2 x 10 x 22) versus $479.60 at MetroTrade ($1.09 x 2 x 10 x 22). The difference is approximately $400 per month for a moderately active e-mini trader.

Note that futures trading uses leverage, which amplifies both gains and losses.

For a deeper look at how futures trading costs stack up across brokers, see Futures Trading Fees Compared Across Brokers.

Intraday Margin Comparison

Intraday margin, also called day trading margin, is the minimum amount required to open and hold a futures position during the trading session without carrying it overnight. It is set by the broker, not the exchange, and is typically much lower than the exchange’s overnight maintenance margin. For a fuller explanation of how futures margin works, see What is Margin in Futures and How Does It Work?

Equity Index Futures Margins

The table below compares intraday margin requirements for the major equity index futures contracts. AMP figures are taken from its published margin schedule. MetroTrade figures are approximate and based on current published rates.

Always verify current margins with each broker before trading, as requirements can change without notice. These reduced margins enable significant leverage, which amplifies both gains and losses.

AMP’s $40 intraday margin on MES is notably low and specific to that contract. For most other micro and e-mini contracts, the two brokers are closely aligned.

Important Margin Caveats

Margin requirements are not static. Both brokers reserve the right to adjust margins at any time.

• General rule: Published intraday margins apply during active trading hours. Holding a position through the session close requires meeting the exchange’s full overnight maintenance margin.
• Volatility adjustments: Brokers may increase margins during periods of elevated market volatility with little advance notice.

Always check the current margin schedule on each broker’s website before placing a trade. For a broader overview of how intraday margins work across broker types, see How MetroTrade Compares as a Low Margin Futures Broker.

Note that futures trading uses leverage, which amplifies both gains and losses.

Platform Comparison

AMP Futures Platform Options

AMP does not offer a proprietary trading platform. Instead, it connects traders to more than 50 supported third-party platforms through multiple data feed options, including CQG, Rithmic, and TT (Trading Technologies).

Popular platforms available through AMP include:

• Quantower — available free to AMP clients
• Sierra Chart — widely used by technical traders and order flow analysts
• MultiCharts — preferred by systematic and algorithmic traders
• TradingView — web-based charting with a broad user base
• MetaTrader 5 — supports automated trading
• MotiveWave — web-based charting with a broad user base

This model gives experienced traders the freedom to use the tools they already know. The trade-off is that setting up an account involves selecting a platform, choosing a compatible data feed, and configuring the connection independently. For traders new to futures, this can be a meaningful added step.

Some platforms may carry their own licensing fees or require specific data subscriptions beyond what is included in AMP’s default account setup.

MetroTrader Platform

MetroTrader is MetroTrade’s proprietary trading platform, available through a web browser and a mobile app. No software installation is required.

Key platform features include:

• 75+ built-in technical indicators and studies, including VWAP, RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, and moving averages
• Depth of Market (DOM) trading ladder for order flow and direct price-level execution
• Drag-and-drop chart trading — place and adjust orders directly on the chart
• Bracket orders with attached stop-loss and take-profit levels
• Real-time account monitoring, including P&L, margin usage, equity, and open positions
• Modular layout system allowing traders to customize their workspace

MetroTrader is designed to provide everything a retail futures trader needs within a single interface, without requiring a separate charting application or data feed subscription.

For traders who prefer external tools, MetroTrade also supports a selection of third-party platforms. These are positioned as an option for more advanced traders who want to use a specific external tool alongside or instead of MetroTrader. You can view the current list at MetroTrade Supported Platforms.

Demo Accounts

Both brokers offer simulated trading environments.

• AMP Futures: Simulated trading is available. Data availability in the demo environment can vary depending on the platform and data feed selected.
• MetroTrade: A free 30-day demo account provides full access to MetroTrader with delayed Level 1 market data. For more on why demo trading is valuable before going live, see Benefits of a Futures Trading Demo Account.

Account Minimums and Other Fees

Minimum Deposits

• AMP Futures: The minimum deposit to open an account and maintain a live data connection is $100. The minimum balance required to place a trade is equal to the day trading margin for the specific contract.
• MetroTrade: MetroTrade doesn’t have a minimum deposit required to open an account. However, you must meet margin requirements to open positions.

Withdrawal and Account Fees

AMP Futures publishes its full fee schedule on its website. Notable fees include:

• Wire withdrawals: $30 per transaction (domestic and international)
• ACH withdrawals: Free
• Margin liquidation fee: $25 per contract if a position is liquidated due to a margin call or daily loss limit breach
• Additional user login: $10 per month for each extra trader login on the same account
• Returned check (NSF): $75

Market data fees are a separate ongoing cost at AMP that traders should budget for. The default account includes basic CME/Globex Level 1 data through CQG, but premium data packages, Level 2 data, and non-U.S. exchange data carry additional monthly charges. This is not uncommon in the broker/platform separation model, but it is a real cost that can go unnoticed if a trader only looks at commission rates.

MetroTrade also publishes its full fee schedule on its website. Fees include:

• Wire withdrawals: $30 domestic, $40 international
• ACH withdrawals: Free
• Margin liquidation fee: $15 per micro contract if a position is liquidated due to a margin call or daily loss limit breach

Which Broker Should You Choose?

Choose AMP Futures If…

AMP is a strong fit for a specific type of trader.

• You trade a high volume of contracts and want to negotiate or qualify for tiered commission pricing
• You already use a specific platform like Sierra Chart, Quantower, or MultiCharts, and want to keep using it
• You’re building or running automated strategies via MetaTrader 5 or API connectivity
• You’re comfortable managing the broker, data feed, and platform setup independently

The main trade-off with AMP is operational complexity. Setting up the account, selecting a compatible data feed, and configuring your platform of choice requires more legwork than a plug-and-play broker. For experienced traders, this is a minor inconvenience. For newer traders, it can be a real barrier.

Choose MetroTrade If…

MetroTrade is well-suited for traders who want low costs without the setup friction.

• You want the lowest standard retail commissions on both micro and e-mini contracts — $0.29/side on micros and $1.09/side on e-minis
• You want everything in one place — brokerage, platform, charting, and order execution, accessible in a browser or mobile app without additional configuration
• You’re new to futures or transitioning from stocks or options, and want a clean onboarding experience
• You prefer not to manage separate platform and data feed subscriptions
• You want third-party platform options available if needed, while having a full-featured proprietary platform as your default

For a broader guide to evaluating futures brokers across these dimensions, see How to Choose the Best Futures Broker.

Conclusion

AMP Futures and MetroTrade are both legitimate options for retail futures traders, but they serve different needs. AMP’s strength is flexibility:  a massive platform ecosystem and pricing that rewards high-volume traders. MetroTrade’s strength is simplicity and cost: lower commissions and margins, an integrated platform that requires no external setup, and an included 30-day demo.

For most retail traders, particularly those who are newer to futures or want a straightforward trading environment, MetroTrade’s combination of low commissions and integrated experience is a practical starting point.

If you’d like to start trading futures, open your MetroTrade account today.

Frequently Asked Questions

The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered trading, investment, tax, or legal advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation. Always consult with a licensed financial professional before making any trading decisions. MetroTrade is not liable for any losses or damages arising from the use of this content.