The forward market is the over-the-counter

Over-the-counter (finance)

Within the derivatives markets, many products are traded through exchanges. An exchange has the benefit of facilitating liquidity and also mitigates all credit risk concerning the default of a member of the exchange. Products traded on the exchange must be well standardised to transparent trading....

 financial market

Financial market

In economics, a financial market is a mechanism that allows people and entities to buy and sell financial securities , commodities , and other fungible items of value at low transaction costs and at prices that reflect supply and demand.Both general markets and...

 in contracts for future delivery, so called forward contract

Forward contract

In finance, a forward contract or simply a forward is a non-standardized contract between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specified future time at a price agreed today. This is in contrast to a spot contract, which is an agreement to buy or sell an asset today. It costs nothing to enter a...

s. Forward contracts are personalized between parties (i.e., delivery
time and amount are determined between seller and customer). The forward market is a general term used to describe the informal market by which these contracts are entered into. Standardized forward contracts are called futures contract

Futures contract

In finance, a futures contract is a standardized contract between two parties to exchange a specified asset of standardized quantity and quality for a price agreed today with delivery occurring at a specified future date, the delivery date. The contracts are traded on a futures exchange...

s and traded on a futures exchange

Futures exchange

A futures exchange or futures market is a central financial exchange where people can trade standardized futures contracts; that is, a contract to buy specific quantities of a commodity or financial instrument at a specified price with delivery set at a specified time in the future. These types of...

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It should not be confused with the futures market

Futures exchange

A futures exchange or futures market is a central financial exchange where people can trade standardized futures contracts; that is, a contract to buy specific quantities of a commodity or financial instrument at a specified price with delivery set at a specified time in the future. These types of...

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Difference Between Forward and Future

• Future Contract is traded in Exchanges where as forward Contract is traded over the counter.
• Forward market is highly customized.
• Though the forward market is not exchange traded, chances of parties defaulting are very low.