A futures contract requires a buyer to purchase shares, and a seller to sell them, on a specific future date unless the holder's position is closed before the expiration date. The options and futures markets are very different, however, in how they work and how risky they are to the investor. The biggest difference between options and futures is that futures contracts require that the transaction specified by the contract must take place on the date specified. Options, on the other hand, give the buyer of the contract the right — but not the obligation — to execute the transaction. Trading options can be a more conservative approach, especially if you use option spread strategies. Bull call spreads and bear put spreads can increase the odds of success if you buy for a longer-term trade, and the first leg of the spread is already in the money. Futures options are a wasting asset.