🧰 Trading Tools & Platforms for Futures Prop Firm Traders

Welcome to the Tools page of ShadowTrader.co — your go-to resource for navigating the futures trading firm ecosystem. Whether you’re brand new to futures prop firm trading or you’re a seasoned trader seeking advanced tools, this page will help you choose the best platforms and resources to succeed with a proprietary trading firm like Apex Trader Funding.

💼 What is a Futures Prop Firm?

A futures prop firm (short for proprietary trading firm) provides traders with futures trading capital to trade CME futures, E-mini, and Micro contracts, without requiring them to risk their own money. These firms offer a futures trading challenge or evaluation process, and if you pass, you earn a funded futures account with the opportunity to keep a large portion of the profits.

🔹 Top prop firm for futures: Apex Trader Funding
🔹 Futures prop firm payout: Up to 90% profit split
🔹 Trade futures without own capital
🔹 Fast funding futures trading with low fees

Whether you prefer futures scalping with a prop firm, swing trading, or day trading, a low-cost futures prop firm gives you access to the leverage and tools needed to succeed.

📌 Best Platforms & Tools for Futures Prop Firm Traders

✅ Apex Trader Funding

Apex is a top-rated prop firm for futures with low-cost evaluations and no-risk futures trading for qualified traders.
Pros:

  • Up to 90% profit split

  • Low-cost futures prop firm

  • No personal risk

  • Fast payouts & frequent promotions
    Cons:

  • Evaluation rules must be strictly followed

  • High volatility days can trigger auto-liquidation

✅ Best platform to trade futures with a prop firm
Use code SHADOW for a discount on your evaluation.

🖥️ Rithmic

Rithmic is a high-performance data feed and execution engine widely used by futures trading firms.
Pros:

  • Direct market access

  • Ultra-low latency

  • Real tick-by-tick data
    Cons:

  • Requires setup knowledge

  • Some platforms may charge for data

🔹 Ideal for futures scalping with a prop firm using NinjaTrader or Bookmap.

💹 Tradovate

A commission-free futures trading platform often integrated with Apex Trader Funding.
Pros:

  • Web-based & mobile-friendly

  • No commissions on trades

  • Clean, user-friendly interface
    Cons:

  • Limited customization for pro traders

  • Less ideal for heavy scalpers

🔹 Great choice for Micro futures prop firm traders and those who want low-fee futures trading.

📈 Wealth Charts

A powerful platform that uses AI-driven analysis to identify futures market setups.
Pros:

  • AI trade signals

  • Custom indicators

  • Works with many brokers and platforms
    Cons:

  • Subscription required

  • Can be overwhelming for beginners

🔹 Use alongside prop firm trading rules for smarter entries and exits.

📊 TradingView

Known for its clean charting, TradingView is a favorite for technical analysis.
Pros:

  • Cloud-based

  • Tons of indicators

  • Easy to use across devices
    Cons:

  • Doesn’t support direct futures order execution

  • Requires integration with broker

🔹 Use TradingView for charting your Apex evaluation progress.
Perfect for futures swing trading with a prop firm.

🔍 Bookmap

A favorite among order flow traders, Bookmap offers visual market depth.
Pros:

  • Real-time heatmaps

  • Precision order flow analysis

  • Integrates with Rithmic
    Cons:

  • Learning curve

  • Extra data subscription may be needed

🔹 Ideal for futures day trading tips and mastering prop firm risk management.

🛠️ NinjaTrader

One of the most popular futures trading platforms, especially for Apex Trader Funding.
Pros:

  • Advanced order execution

  • Compatible with Rithmic

  • Highly customizable
    Cons:

  • Can be technical to learn

  • Platform fees after trial

🔹 Excellent for E-mini trading with prop firms like Apex.
Often considered the best payout prop firm futures platform.

💡 Quantower

A newer platform combining charting, order flow, and execution tools.
Pros:

  • Customizable

  • Strong order flow features

  • Supports multiple connections
    Cons:

  • Still growing community

  • Some features in beta

🔹 Use Quantower for proprietary trading for futures and automated strategy testing.

🧾 Sierra Charts

Highly technical and robust for futures traders who need precision.
Pros:

  • Deep customization

  • Advanced charting and backtesting
    Cons:

  • Complex interface

  • Steep learning curve

🔹 Used by many funded futures traders with Rithmic data feeds.

📉 ATAS

A platform focused on order flow, cluster analysis, and volume profiles.
Pros:

  • Top-tier volume analytics

  • Ideal for prop traders
    Cons:

  • Requires third-party data

  • Windows-only

🔹 Ideal for futures day traders using a prop trading firm approach.

📊 TradesViz

A detailed trade journaling and performance tracking tool.
Pros:

  • Auto-import from platforms

  • Graphical trade analysis
    Cons:

  • Journal-focused (not a trading platform)

🔹 Helps traders refine strategies & pass the prop firm evaluation process.

📚 Apex Investing

Free tools, indicators, and training resources created for futures traders.
Pros:

  • 100% free

  • Built for retail traders

  • Indicators for NinjaTrader & more
    Cons:

  • Geared toward Nadex, but still helpful for futures

🔹 Perfect add-on to your funded trader futures toolkit.

🏛️ CME Group

The backbone of CME futures trading, where all E-mini and Micro futures are listed.
Pros:

  • Trusted exchange

  • Offers product guides, margin data, economic reports
    Cons:

  • Not a trading platform itself

🔹 Understanding CME Group is essential for futures trading with leverage and risk management.

🔐 How to Get Funded for Futures Trading

  • Choose a Prop Firm (like Apex Trader Funding)

  • Pass the Futures Trading Challenge

  • Follow all futures trading rules at the prop firm

  • Trade using a funded account

  • Withdraw profits with up to 90% payout

🧠 Best Risk Management & Strategies for Prop Firm Traders

  • Use tight stop-losses and clear trade entries

  • Follow the prop firm risk management rules strictly

  • Stick to high-probability setups during your evaluation

  • Focus on E-mini and Micro contracts to control risk

  • Journal your trades using TradesViz

📌 Pro Tip: Start with one funded account. Scale slowly. Protect the capital as if it’s your own.

✅ Ready to Trade Futures with a Prop Firm?

Use our recommended tools to increase your chance of success with a low-cost futures prop firm like Apex Trader Funding. Whether you’re scalping E-mini contracts, trading Micro NASDAQ, or swinging positions through CME futures, the right platforms and resources can make all the difference.

👉 Use promo code SHADOW to save on your evaluation!
📌 Join our free Discord community for live support & strategy tips.