For those looking to get started in trading futures, or trading in general I can relay my personal recommendation with charting package thinkorswim and futures trading platform Infinty Futures. Both companies have outstanding customer service, something greatly overlooked in the trading/investment industry. Both are on the cutting edge of innovation in the industry. And, best of all both are free (for personal accounts; entity account who sign up with TOS will pay a monthly data feed of approx $200 for all exchange data). This is the duo I use for futures trading and have been members with them for years.