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.
The top accounts for trading commodities and best commodities broker.
Earn 4.90% APY on uninvested cash.
$100 (in the USA and UK)
1% when you buy or sell a crypto asset; 0% stocks and ETFs, $2 monthly fee on uninvested cash if your cash balance is under $5k
eToro USA is a popular cryptocurrency exchange and investment platform that is best suited for beginners interested in automatic investing tools, Smart Portfolio options, crypto wallet storage, and more. But its crypto selection is fairly limited compared to other crypto exchanges.
Goldco offers multiple options for doing so including rollovers for 403(b)s, thrift savings plans, savings accounts, and IRAs
None
Call company representative for more information
Goldco is one of the best gold IRAs. It offers gold self-directed IRAs, as well as silver IRAs.
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:
Cons of tastytrade:
tastytrade review
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:
Cons of eToro:
eToro USA review
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:
Cons of Interactive Brokers:
Interactive Brokers review
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:
Cons of NinjaTrader:
NinjaTrader review
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:
Cons of E*TRADE:
E*TRADE review
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:
Cons of Goldco:
Goldco review
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We interviewed the following investing experts to see what they had to say about commodity trading apps.
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.”
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.
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Best Commodity Trading Apps of May 2025 – Business Insider
