As far as Futures trading concerned, TOS is just a mediocre platform. I used to love TOS but since I tried Sierra Chart and other popular platforms, I changed my mind. If you a Mac user and prefer intuitive platforms, you may like MotiveWave. It used to be buggy and is less powerful than Sierra Chart, I think it has values.
I'm a newbie only trading stocks and use and like TOS but its user interface can improve. I used to run the Webull platform whose interface was much more intuitive, although I wouldn't recommend them for other reasons, the biggest if which is they are China based. But simple gestures such as click/hold to move the chart right or left, up or down, and scroll to increase or decrease timeline... Sooooo convenient!
This is not a problem now. If you non US citizen I know a company that can help you get both a Realtime ThinkOrSwim account without delay. Many of my trademates from Europe and other countries where it is impossible to open a TDA account ordered from them. Try to find in google "thetrader_top"
I don't know...as I said, I had some issues with the charts, but it was fixed by refreshing the chart to default state, as for ToS futures, it is the commissions and fees. Way too much to beat the system, I can trade 3x inverse ETF for 0 commission why would bother with ES? I trade ES if I pay 0.50 maybe. $2.20 plus fees? It is crazy! Platforms do not make or break a trader! ToS is very professional and fast, only if it was more friendly for a smaller trader. I moved to IB because I did not like futures only brokers, as when frustrated with ES, I trade options more!
we have more than a few clients who have accounts with us and TOS as well. They do most of the trading with our free platform for lower day trading margins and commissions on futures and keep TOS because they use it to trade equities at time + they got used to their charting package. Try a free demo here.