How Much Money Do You Need To Trade Futures?

How Much Money Do You Need to Start Trading Futures?

Let’s Talk Numbers

Most people think you need thousands of dollars to start trading futures. That might be true if you’re going to a traditional broker. But that’s not the only path.

At BluSky, you can start trading with as little as $151.

That’s not a typo. For that price, you’re not just getting a chance to trade—you’re getting a shot at a funded account, access to real coaching, and the tools the pros use.

So the better question isn’t “how much do you need?”
It’s “how ready are you to trade with discipline?”

Why Traditional Futures Trading Is So Expensive

If you tried to start trading futures on your own through a retail brokerage, here’s what you’d run into:

• High minimum deposits: You might need $5,000–$25,000 just to meet initial margin requirements.
  
  

• You take all the risk: One bad trade? That’s your money gone.
  
  

• Ongoing fees: You’ll pay for the platform, for data, and sometimes even per trade.
  
  

For a lot of people, that’s just not doable. And even if it is, that kind of pressure early on usually leads to bad trades.

That’s why funded trading firms like BluSky exist—to give traders a fair shot without forcing them to risk everything.

The BluSky Way: Get Funded, Not Drained

BluSky flips the traditional model on its head.

Instead of making you risk your own savings, we offer a simple, rule-based evaluation. You prove you can trade with consistency, and we fund you with real capital.

Here’s what makes our model work:

• Evaluation accounts start at just $151/month
  
  

• No setup fee to go live once you pass
  
  

• No platform or data fees during evaluation and BluLive stages
  
  

• Free NinjaTrader or Tradovate access
  
  

• Same-day activation when you pass your evaluation
  
  

• Daily payouts once you’re funded—no limits, no waiting
  
  

With BluSky, you don’t need to save up $10,000 to get started. You just need to show you can manage risk and follow the rules. We’ll handle the capital.

What You’re Paying For (and What You Get)

Let’s break it down.

When you pay for a BluSky evaluation, you’re not just buying a trading account. You’re stepping into a full support system built for serious traders who want a real shot at funding.

Here’s what your money covers at each stage:

Evaluation Phase

• Cost: Starts at $151 for 30 days
  
  

• Account Sizes: Choose from $25K, $50K, $75K, or $100K simulated capital
  
  

• Tools: NinjaTrader or Tradovate included
  
  

• Support: Free coaching, live Discord, and daily feedback
  
  

• Goal: Reach your profit target and follow the rules—then move on to BluLive
  
  

You can reset the evaluation for $65 if you break a rule. Or just let your subscription renew, and keep trading from where you left off.

BluLive Phase

• Cost: $0 (included once you pass your eval)
  
  

• Type: Still simulated—but now your profits count
  
  

• Goal: Build a payout buffer. Whatever you earn here transfers to your real account
  
  

• Bonus: The daily loss limit is gone, and you're closer than ever to real capital
  
  

Funded Brokerage Account

• Cost: Still no setup fee
  
  

• Now It’s Real: You're trading a live account with real executions
  
  

• Minimum payout: $250. Withdrawals are available Monday–Friday
  
  

• Profit Split: You keep 90%
  
  

• Data Fees: Start here, usually $140/month per exchange
  
  

• Minimum balance: As low as $300 depending on account size
  
  

You’re never paying for fluff. You’re paying to access capital, coaching, tools, and an actual path to being a full-time trader without taking personal financial risk.

What You Don’t Have to Pay For

Here’s where BluSky really separates itself.

We don’t nickel-and-dime traders. What you pay up front is what you pay—no surprise charges.

You won’t pay for:

• Account setup (zero setup fee at any stage)
  
  

• Platform licenses (included)
  
  

• Data fees during evaluation or BluLive
  
  

• Withdrawals (as long as you’re above the minimum balance)
  
  

• Minimum trading days to earn payouts
  
  

• Mandatory resets (you choose when to reset)
  
  

Even 1-on-1 coaching is included—for free. You’ll never be left guessing how to improve.

This is about keeping your costs low so you can focus on what matters: following your plan and proving you can trade.

How to Think About “Starting Capital”

The question isn't just how much money you need. It's how you use the money.

If you fund your own futures account through a traditional broker, you might need $5,000–$10,000 just to get started—and a couple of bad days could wipe that out. With BluSky, you're using a much smaller amount to prove you can trade with consistency. That’s the real skill.

Here’s how traders get tripped up:
They throw big money at the market, thinking more capital means more success. It doesn’t. Most of the time, it just means more pressure and faster losses.

BluSky gives you a better way:

• You pay a small monthly fee.
  
  

• You test your strategy in a controlled environment.
  
  

• You earn the right to scale up with real funds when you’re ready.
  
  

That’s not just cheaper. It’s smarter.

Is It Worth It? Who This Works For

BluSky isn’t for everyone. It’s not built for gamblers or people chasing overnight wins.

This model is for traders who are serious about building a long-term career in the markets—people who know it’ll take discipline, consistency, and some tough learning along the way.

BluSky is for you if:

• You want to grow without risking your personal savings
  
  

• You’re okay following rules and sticking to a plan
  
  

• You’re coachable and want feedback from real traders
  
  

• You’re willing to treat trading like a skill, not a lottery ticket
  
  

If that sounds like you, then yes—BluSky is absolutely worth it. You’ll spend less, learn faster, and have a real chance to scale up without betting your rent money on a setup.

You Don’t Need a Lot—You Need to Be Ready

You don’t need $10,000 to trade futures.

You don’t need to risk your life savings.

What you do need is a plan, the discipline to follow it, and a starting point that makes sense. With BluSky, that starting point is just $151.

That gets you access to capital, coaching, tools, and a real chance to build a funded trading career. And if you’re willing to do the work—if you’re ready to slow down, follow rules, and trade smart—we’ll back you every step of the way.

Pick your evaluation plan. Start today.
You’re one good decision away from changing how you trade forever.