Just open an account with a normal FCM like everyone else does. deepdiscounttrading.com for instance. Then enjoy your much better commission schedule and use NT with the Rithmic feed or switch to Sierra Chart. TOS is a not a dedicated futures trading platform.
Don't you worry about the stability of an outfit like "deepdiscountrading"..?? Who are they?? Why not go with IB?
TOS bugs and errors is a game of Whack-a-Mole. My high end mac feels like a 90s IBM PC when I have more than two TOS screens running. The latest laugh is detaching the risk profile screen. I can still enter different symbols, but the strike selection list is frozen. Each time I want to adjust the strikes in the graph I have to close the detached window, go back to the home screen version, adjust, and then re-detach in order to move it to my larger monitor. I remember the chat room clown host Kevin bragging we have been given a Ferrari and a poster commenting that "Ferrari" was performing like a lawn ornament. That dude was pretty accurate. TOS on my ancient HP laptop runs no slower then my new mac. THAT's NOT GOOD!
TOS clearly a giant piece of shit. Hard to believe you are making excuses for them? TD Ameritrade also a giant piece of shit....both companies very similar to a walmart type of retail experience. TOS not even worth using for free charting anymore....just trash can it and move on. There are many many good alternatives. I think its worth it to pay for good charting, especially if they provide platform to your trading client
I think you are overstating TOS' problems a bit. Kick the dog this morning and he bit you? Am I happy with TOS right now? NO! Perhaps you would be happier venting in another discussion thread; I recommend you give that a try.
Do your research dude. DDT is well known and respected here and is simply an introducing broker clearing Crossland/Wedbush. You choose the platform and feed you want to use and you go from there. e.g. Sierra Charts + CQG. This is how it works outside the walled garden of TOS/TD Ameritrade. If DDT's webpage scares you off, then go use Advantage or Amp or IB or whoever else.