Just got email from TOS. The free futures data feed era is over.. Slow free data is ok... New deal is not... Looking for new broker...

We want to let you know about an important change to your futures market data. Going forward, in order to receive Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) U.S. futures market data, you will be charged ICE's subscription fee of $110 per month. (See ICE's full pricing schedule.) To receive this data, please complete the ICE U.S. Futures Market Data Addendum and return it to us by April 28, 2017. You can either scan the completed form and email it to [email protected], or fax it to 866-468-6268.

If we don't receive the Addendum by April 28, you will lose access to ICE U.S. futures market data. In addition, you will not be able to trade ICE U.S. products until we receive the Addendum. And if you are holding a position in an ICE U.S. product, your position will be subject to liquidation at any time after that date.

We regret any difficulty this policy change may cause you, but it will align us with the rest of the futures industry.

For your convenience, we've provided a list of symbols affiliated with ICE U.S. futures market data.

ICE U.S. Symbols

/TF (E-mini Russell 2000)
/DX (Dollar Index)
/CT (Cotton)
/CC (Cocoa)
/OJ (Orange Juice)
/SB (Sugar)
/KC (Coffee)
/YI (Mini-Silver)
/YG (Mini-Gold)

If access to ICE data and products is a part of your trading strategy, we urge you to return the completed form to us as quickly as possible. If you have any questions about the impact this change will have on your account, please don't hesitate to contact us. Just log in to your account and go to Client Services > Message Center to write us, or call the Futures Trade Desk at 866-839-1100, ext. 2.

Hi marcopolo,

each broker will charge you this $ 110.--/month for the ICE-exchange, this has nothing to do with your broker.

I guess you're trading the TF, the TF will come back to the CME on July 10th, so there is no need to pay the $ 110.--, which the ICE charges at the moment.

Hi - For years since they started to offer futures trading, TOS data feed (and platform) were completely free. Note that the platform and the other data feeds are still free for now, for example CME (ES,..) real-time data feed is available at no charge..... The drawback as always been that in fast moving market, the future data feed is really really slow and lagging.... I was ok with this as it was free... But if I have to pay then it doesn't make any sense - may as well get a no-lag data feed.....

Hi,

This applies to ICE products only as mentioned. It's likely due to the fact that ICE increased the data fee to the said amount sometime last year and TDA was not able to strike a deal with them to provide in TOS for free any longer as it will be too expensive to pay on your behalf everymonth. Many retail traders I assume havent looked at TF since due to this change in all brokers, including myself. Many are looking forward to july for TF to be available in CME again, at which point you will likely get TF data for free in TOS again.

If you are fine with current data feed with TOS, and you don't need data feed for other products at ICE, it should be okay. Personally TOS is too slow for my tick charts to start with so I only use it for options trading, which I think is still the best platform for.

Practically speaking, why not just look at the Russell ETF? If free is the goal, then the should accomplish the goal.