Wall Street turns to gold when the economy shows warning signs of a potential downturn, but gold isn’t the only commodity worth investing in. Diversifying your portfolio with crude oil, crops, and agricultural products offers a hedge against inflation and enhances portfolio stability.
Commodities are basic goods such as crops, agricultural products, and precious metals. You can invest in commodities by owning physical assets, like gold and silver bars, or with commodity-backed stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and futures.
Although adding commodities to your portfolio offers the benefit of diversification, the commodity trading market is volatile. Make sure to factor in a custom risk management plan and invest through a reputable online or traditional in-person broker.
Here are the best apps for investing in commodities online and the amount of money required for commodity trading, as picked by Business Insider’s personal finance editors in 2025.
Best Commodity Trading Apps 2025
The top accounts for trading commodities and best commodities broker.
Best Overall
tastytrade (previously known as tastyworks) allows investors to trade commodity futures, options, futures options, ETFs, and stocks.
Tradeable commodities include energy (like coal and crude oil), agriculture (like corn and soybeans), precious metals (like gold and silver), and currencies.
Tastytrade commodity futures span multiple asset classes, including futures, micro futures, small futures, small futures options, and futures options. Opening commissions per contract for futures range from $0.25 to $2.50.
There is only a $1.00 charge per contract open for options, and closes are free.
You can use tastytrade’s Trading Pairs feature to balance out your investment portfolio. For example, you can invest in the gold and silver ratio, energy pairs, or grain pairs.
Tastytrade has a rating of 4.8/5 on the Apple Store and 4/5 on Google Play.
Pros of tastytrade:
- No minimum requirement
- Low-cost options trading
- Fast trade execution
Cons of tastytrade:
- Doesn’t offer mutual funds, forex, or OTC trading
- Limited research and data
Best for Beginner Commodity Traders
EToro is an online commodity trading app and brokerage that offers a range of beginner-friendly commodity ETFs, including physically backed funds, equity funds, CFDs, and exchange-traded notes (ETNs).
Commodity ETFs are a great way for investors to diversify their investment portfolios with significantly less risk than investing in physical commodities. The downside is that eToro does not offer commodity futures.
EToro is also our pick for the best commodity platform for beginners for its free paper trading account, where investors can test strategies without actual risk. Another beginer-frinedly trading feature is eToro’s comprehensive Academy of educational guides and courses.
With eToro USA you can invest in commodity ETFs such as the United States Gasoline Fund (UGA), iShares Silver Trust (SLV), SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (XOP), GraniteShares Gold Trust (BAR), PowerShares DB Oil Fund (DBO), Direxion Daily Gold Minor Index (DUST), and Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exp. (DRIP).
EToro has a rating of 4.4/5 on the Apple Store and 3.8/5 on Google Play.
Pros of eToro:
- Communal trading features
- eToro Academy educational guides and courses
- Free paper trading account
Cons of eToro:
- Not available in all US states and territories
- Doesn’t offer mutual funds or futures contracts
Best for Global Traders
Interactive Brokers offers global commodity futures across 200+ countries and territories. Commodity assets for futures trading include agriculture, energy, currencies, metals, and softs. Futures commissions range from $0.25 to $0.85 per contract.
There is a $0 ($100 Interactive Advisors automated accounts) minimum to start investing with Interactive Brokers.
Interactive Brokers has a rating of 4.5/5 on the Apple Store and 4.6/5 on Google Play.
Pros of Interactive Brokers:
- No minimum to open ($100 for automated account)
- International trading across 200+ countries and territories
- Competitively priced investment options
Cons of Interactive Brokers:
- Active traders may pay more for IBKR Pro
- IBKR’s SmartRouting feature is not available for IBKR Lite
NinjaTrader is an online futures trading platform and commodity broker with over 100 futures trading tools, like customizable apps and strategies, free simulated trading accounts, live customer support, advanced charting features, drawing tools, automated strategies, and low-cost trades.
There’s no account minimum needed to open a NinjaTrader account.
Agricultural commodity trading on mobile is available on NinjaTrader, along with metal futures, natural gas futures, forex futures, crude oil futures, stock index futures, crypto futures, and interest rate futures. Regular futures commissions start at $0.59 per contract and $0.90 per contract for micro futures.
NinjaTrade has a rating of 3.6/5 on the Apple Store and 3.5/5 on Google Play.
Pros of NinjaTrader:
- Unlimited futures trading simulator
- Powerful charting and technical analysis tools
- Micro and e-mini futures
Cons of NinjaTrader:
- Stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds are unavailable
- You must pay a monthly fee to access certain trading and charting features
Best for Retirement Savers
E*TRADE offers more than 60 futures contracting across various markets, including metals, energies, grains, softs, livestock, and currencies. The brokerage also offers interest rates, crypto, and equity index futures. Investors can trade regular futures, micro futures, and E-mini futures.
You must have an E*TRADE margin-enabled brokerage account or an eligible IRA to trade futures. You’ll get 24/6 market access (from Sunday 5 p.m. to Friday 4 p.m. CT). Other features include no short sale restrictions, mobile access, formulated trading strategies, a suite of drawing tools, and access to E*TRADE’s Futures Research Center.
E*TRADE also offers commodity ETFs that almost exclusively invest in commodity assets like agriculture, energy, or metals. There are no additional trading fees for ETFs.
E*TRADE has a rating of 4.7/5 on the Apple Store and a 4.7/5 on Google Play.
Pros of E*TRADE:
- Paper trading available
- Large selection of futures available
- Micro and e-mini futures available
Cons of E*TRADE:
- Automated advice requires a $500 minimum
- Additional fees for infrequent options contracts
Best for Gold Bugs
Goldco is our top pick for the best gold IRA due to its competitive pricing and robust precious metal selection. It allows investors to trade physical gold bullion and coins with an IRA or have physical gold sent directly to them.
Goldco is one of the industry’s most trustworthy gold investing firms. It has an A+ from the Better Business Bureau and a history of top-notch customer support. Rosland is transparent about its fees, but the website lacks extensive information overall.
Pros of Goldco:
- No minimum to invest in gold
- Buyback guarantee
- BBB-accredited business
Cons of Goldco:
- Outdated website
- You have to call a representative to learn about non-coin options
Introduction to Commodity Trading Apps
When investing in commodity futures, you are legally obligated to sell or buy a commodity for a specific price on a specific date. You’ll make a profit if the spot price of a commodity rises since the seller will still have to sell the asset at the set price. However, commodities are generally volatile assets with high risk.
Over the last few years, diversifying your investment portfolio with commodities has become increasingly popular. Commodities can greatly add to a retirement savings plan or other long-term investment account.
The Rise of Mobile Commodity Trading
Over the last few years, diversifying your investment portfolio with commodities has become an increasingly popular wealth-building strategy. Commodities can greatly add to a retirement savings plan or other long-term investment account.
Features to Look for in Commodity Trading Apps
The best brokers for buying commodities offer diverse asset classes, low contract fees, accessible interfaces, and advanced charting features and tools. Experienced investors can trade commodity futures, options, ETFs, and mutual funds through online brokerages.
The commodities brokers on this list offer some of the best investment options, account features, educational resources, and fees for futures and commodities brokers. Before jumping in head first, thoroughly compare the different brokerage account offerings and features to ensure you pick the best one.
Range of Commodities to Invest In
Precious metals, energy (e.g., gold and silver), livestock, softs, and other agricultural products are examples of tradable commodities. Commodities can be directly traded for goods or cash, but other ways exist to invest in them.
Getting Started with a Commodity Broker
Only advanced traders with a high-risk tolerance should invest in commodities. However, some commodity trading apps with low fees offer beginner-friendly educational resources that may suit new investors. Mobile apps for commodity market analysis may be better suited for advanced, hands-on traders.
If you’re interested in investing in precious metals, consider some of the best apps for trading precious metals, like physical gold as bullion bars or ingots. Unlike some commodities like livestock or agriculture, physical gold can be easy to store and won’t expire. Plus, gold is largely immune to inflation and is a great hedge against economic struggles and disasters. You can buy gold from banks or gold dealers.
You can also invest in some of the best gold IRAs. But remember that gold IRAs have higher storage fees, custodial fees, and set-up costs than other IRA plans. For instance, annual fees tend to exceed $100. Another thing to consider is that gold IRAs don’t usually award dividends or yield high returns.
Tips for Successful Commodity Trading
- Avoid the hassle of direct commodity investing: Instead of owning physical gold or cattle, you can indirectly invest through a brokerage account and trade commodity futures contracts. For example, you can invest in energy future trading applications to buy oil, natural gas, and other agricultural futures, like wheat and coffee.
- Diversify your holdings with commodity funds: Another option to invest in commodities is through stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. These assets invest in companies that produce or process commodities. Mutual funds and ETFs are great tools for diversifying your investment portfolio and lowering your risk of exposure.
- Consider commodity futures and options: With commodity futures, the futures contract holder must buy or sell a commodity on a specific date for a specific price to make a profit. Since futures tend to be volatile investments, individual investors may prefer options based on a futures contract, as holders aren’t obligated to sell on a certain date.
Commodity Trading Glossary
- Dow Futures Live Stream: The Dow Jones is one of the top stock market indexes, tracking 30 of the most prominent US companies on the stock market. You can use the Dow Futures Live Stream to watch real-time futures trading. You can also access real-time charts, news, futures analysis, and more.
- Commodities: Commodities are tangible, publically traded goods or assets, such as agricultural products, precious metals, energy resources, livestock, meats, and more. You can invest in commodities directly or indirectly through a brokerage.
- Commodity Market: Similar to the stock or bond market, the commodity market trades raw and primary goods and products. For example, the market can trade soft commodities like wheat, sugar, coffee, or cocoa. Another example is metal commodities, mined materials like gold or silver.
- Commodity Future: One of the most popular ways to invest in commodities like agricultural goods or mined raw materials is through futures contracts. Rather than investing directly in a commodity, holders are obligated to buy or sell a commodity at a certain for a set price. The best brokers for buying commodities offer a range of commodity futures across different markets.
- Stock Futures Investing: You can invest in stock futures to hedge against inflation and diversify your investment portfolio. Stock futures are available through brokerages.
FAQs
You can trade all types of commodities on mobile investing apps, but every commodity investing platform offers all types of commodities. In general, availability varies by platform. If there’s a specific asset you’re looking to invest in, make sure the brokerage offers it as a trading option.
Commodity trading apps are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an independent government agency. The CFTC also regulates commodity futures, options, and swaps. Make sure to verify a platform’s regulatory status before opening an account.
Trading commodities on mobile poses certain risks since commodity assets can be more volatile than other traditional investment options. Before investing in commodities, ensure you understand the risks associated with commodity trading.
Why You Should Trust Us: Our Expert Panel For The Commodity Trading Apps
Rebecca Zissar/Business insider
We interviewed the following investing experts to see what they had to say about commodity trading apps.
- Sandra Cho, RIA, wealth manager, and CEO of Pointwealth Capital Management
- Tessa Campbell, Investment and retirement reporter at Personal Finance Insider
What are the advantages/disadvantages of investing in commodities?
Sandra Cho:
“The advantages are that commodities can serve as a hedge during high inflationary times. This can be helpful if one expects inflation to rise in the near term.
“The disadvantages are that commodities do not offer the same long-term growth that is present in stocks. They also do not offer the same kind of stability that is present in bonds. In general, commodities are better as a short-term option during times of inflation versus a long-term investment where your money is parked for many years.”
Tessa Campbell:
“The advantage of investing in commodities is portfolio diversification and hedging against inflation. Investing in tangible goods like crops, energy, precious metals, and currencies can counterbalance traditional investable assets like stocks or bonds. Diversifying your portfolio with traditional investment options and commodities mitigates your portfolio’s risk. Moreover, investing in assets like gold or silver can increase portfolio stability.
“The disadvantage of investing in commodities is that they are generally illiquid. Commodities also don’t earn dividends or accumulate interest.”
Who should invest in commodities?
Sandra Cho:
“Investors who believe that a rise in inflation may be coming should potentially view commodities as a good investment. However, I recommend talking with a financial advisor before making any concrete decisions.”
Tessa Campbell:
“Most commodity investments are considered high-risk and are generally best for experienced investors with a high-risk tolerance. However, some commodities (like precious metals) are more stable and don’t pose as high of a risk. Precious metals can still be expensive, but more conservative investors may find investing in gold or silver a great way to diversify their investment portfolios.”
Is there any advice you’d offer someone who’s considering investing in commodities?
Sandra Cho:
“I would advise them to talk with a financial professional. Commodities can be a useful investment if used at the right time. However, many investors do not know when that time is. Talking with a professional will give investors the insight they need when deciding whether or not to invest in an asset class like commodities.”
Tessa Campbell:
“If you’re going to invest in more volatile commodities, such as agricultural products that depend on nature or other non-predictable elements, do thorough research before investing. You should also consider how you want to invest in commodities — whether that be investing in physical commodities themselves, commodity futures, or commodity stock — and make sure to understand the level of risk involved in investing in these assets.”
Methodology: How to Choose a Commodity Broker
Business Insider used it’s methodology for rating investment platforms to compare and analyze top commodity trading apps. Factors considered when rating commodity trading platforms include fees, investment selection, trading tools, customer service, and trustworthiness. Commodity brokerages are given a rating between 1 and 5.