We are often asked about the difference between subscribing to the CME market data bundle versus subscribing to each exchange individually (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX). The main difference comes down to coverage and cost.
CME Market Data Bundle
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A single subscription that covers all four CME Group exchanges:
- CME (equity indexes, FX, crypto futures, Meats)
- CBOT (grains, interest rates)
- NYMEX (energies like crude oil, natural gas)
- COMEX (metals like gold, silver, copper)
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Non-professional cost (example):
- ~$15/month for Level I (top-of-book quotes only). BUNDLE
- ~$40/month for Level II (depth-of-market / order book). BUNDLE
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Best for: Traders who want access to multiple product groups (e.g., S&P futures, crude oil, and gold).
Per-Exchange Subscription
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You can subscribe to only one exchange if you don’t need access to all CME Group products.
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Example:
- If you only trade gold and silver, you can subscribe to COMEX only.
- If you only trade crude oil and natural gas, you can subscribe to NYMEX only.
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Non-professional cost (example):
- ~$1–$3/month for Level I.
- ~$10–$15/month for Level II.
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Best for: Traders who focus on one asset class and want to keep costs low.
Key Difference
- Bundle = all CME Group exchanges together, one monthly fee.
- Per-Exchange = pay only for the one(s) you need, at a lower price/per month
FAQ
Q: If I only trade the S&P (ES or MES), do I need the full bundle?
No. You only need the CME exchange (not the full bundle).
Q: When does it make sense to get the full CME bundle?
If you trade across different asset classes (for example: S&P futures on CME, Crude on NYMEX, and Gold on COMEX), the bundle is more cost-efficient.
Q: Are fees the same at every broker?
Yes. CME Group sets these fees. All brokers pass them through at the same rate.
Q: Do I need Level II (Depth of Market) or just Level I?
- Level I = top-of-book (best bid/ask + last trade).
- Level II = full market depth (all resting orders). Needed for order flow tools like DOM, footprint charts, and Bookmap.
CME Data Fee Comparison (Non-Professional Rates)
| Subscription Type | Level I (Top-of-Book) | Level II (Depth-of-Market) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CME Group Bundle (CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) | ~$15/month | ~$30–$40/month | Traders who need access to multiple asset classes (equities, grains, energies, metals) |
| CME Only (e.g., ES, MES, NQ, MNQ) | ~$1–$3/month | ~$10–$15/month | Traders focused only on CME products (stock index futures, FX, crypto) |
| CBOT Only (e.g., ZB, ZN, ZC, ZW) | ~$1–$3/month | ~$10–$15/month | Traders focused on grains or U.S. Treasuries |
| NYMEX Only (e.g., CL, NG, HO) | ~$1–$3/month | ~$10–$15/month | Traders focused on energy futures |
| COMEX Only (e.g., GC, SI, HG) | ~$1–$3/month | ~$10–$15/month | Traders focused on metals like gold and silver |
Therte is a substantial risk of loss in futures trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results.