- Jump to:
- Main Features
- What Are Raw Spread Accounts?
- Benefits of Raw Spread Accounts
- Costs Associated with Raw Spread Accounts
- Features to Look For
- Popular Forex Brokers Offering Raw Spread Accounts
- Who Should Use Raw Spread Accounts?
- Common Misconceptions
- Raw Spread Accounts vs Standard Accounts
- Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Forex broker is tedious, especially when many of them offer the same features or promote a unique selling point. Raw spread accounts have become immensely popular because of their transparency and low cost. But what exactly are they? What are their benefits, and how can you find the right broker offering raw spread accounts? This article answers all of these questions.
Plus500 USThis content applies only to Plus500 US and clients from the United States. Trading futures involves the risk of loss.
eToro61% of retail investor accounts lose money
Fusion Markets74-89% of retail's CFD accounts lose money
FP Markets73.85% of retail investor accounts lose money
Eightcap59.57% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
BlackBull MarketsTrading leveraged products is risky
Global Prime74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Pepperstone75.5% of retail investor accounts lose money
Vantage
IC Markets70.64% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Our team has thoroughly evaluated all brokers listed below using TradingPedia’s exclusive methodology.
Main features of the best Forex brokers with raw spread accounts
- Brand
- Trading platforms
- Minimum deposit
- Regulations
- Trading instruments
- Spreads
- Leverage for Forex CFDs
- Leverage for Crypto CFDs
- Leverage for Indices CFDs
- Deposit methods
- Withdrawal Methods
- Commission per Lot
- Contact details
What are raw spread accounts?
Raw spread accounts provide traders with direct access to the market. Unlike standard accounts, no markup is added to the spreads. Hence, these accounts have the lowest spreads. For major pairs, the spread can be as low as 0.0 pips because your orders are filled at interbank prices. However, brokers charge a fixed commission to earn their revenue.
Benefits of raw spread accounts
As a trader, you should be aware of the key benefits of raw spread accounts. Let’s explore them.
Lower trading costs
Since raw spread accounts provide direct market access, spreads remain at their lowest levels. Major pairs such as GBPUSD, EURUSD and USDJPY can be traded with a 0.0-pip spread. Paying fixed commissions instead of inflated spreads makes trading more cost-effective.
Market transparency
Traders can see the exact prices offered by liquidity providers. This transparency builds trust between the broker and its clients.
Ideal for scalping and day trading
Scalpers and day traders place multiple trades in a single session. Therefore, saving even small costs in spreads can amount to a significant sum for them. In addition, tight spreads increase the odds of profitability when profit targets are only a few pips.
Costs associated with raw spread accounts
Brokers usually do not add any markup to the spreads, but they charge a fixed commission per lot, which may vary from $2 to $8. Therefore, you must be aware of the overall costs when trading through raw spread accounts.
Moreover, interbank spreads may widen during news releases or periods of low liquidity. Thus, raw spreads do not guarantee the lowest spreads at all times.
Features to look for in a raw spread Forex broker
Although raw spread accounts are desirable, there are several factors to consider when choosing one.
Regulation
Regulation is vital for brokers. Unregulated brokers pose a risk to your trading, no matter how good the conditions they offer. Therefore, always choose a highly regulated broker.
Payment methods
A broker that offers multiple payment methods is desirable; these may include e-wallets, bank transfers, debit/credit cards and crypto. Also pay attention to payment processing times.
Latency
Raw spreads are of little use if a broker does not guarantee low latency and fast execution. Always test latency on a demo account or with a small live deposit.
Customer support
Some brokers have everything except good customer support, which undermines their goodwill and branding. Look for a broker with responsive support available through multiple channels.
Popular Forex brokers offering raw spread accounts
Let’s look at some of the leading Forex brokers that offer raw spreads.
Fusion Markets is a highly regulated broker that offers raw spreads with a $5 commission. It provides detailed analytics for your trading account and offers market analysis tools.
Pepperstone is another ASIC-regulated broker that charges up to $7 commission per standard lot. It also provides access to the TradingView platform.
FP Markets is regulated in multiple jurisdictions. Its zero-spread account charges around $6 commission per standard lot. Traders also gain access to premium trade signals through the FP Markets mobile app.
Who should use raw spread accounts?
Raw spread accounts are generally suitable for all types of traders. However, cost-conscious traders, scalpers, day traders, high-frequency traders and high-volume traders can reap greater benefits from them.
On the other hand, beginners or casual traders may prefer a standard account because of its simpler cost structure.
Common misconceptions about raw spread accounts
The biggest misconception about raw spread accounts is that spreads remain nearly zero at all times. In reality, spreads are variable and change continuously with price and market conditions.
Another misconception is that raw spread accounts suffer from slower order execution; reputable brokers with tier-1 liquidity providers actually offer fast execution.
Raw spread accounts vs standard accounts
Raw spread accounts differ significantly from standard accounts. The table below highlights some of the main differences.
| Raw Spread Account | Standard Account | |
|---|---|---|
| Spread Markup | None | Minimum 1 pip |
| Commission | Up to $8 | None |
| Execution | Fast | Relatively fast |
| Scalping and Day Trading | Suitable | Not suitable |
| Transparency | Maximum | Relative |
The choice between a raw spread and a standard account depends on your trading style and objectives. Assess the key differences and decide which option suits you best.
Final thoughts
Raw spread accounts are popular among traders because of their transparency, direct market access, low cost and fast execution. Choose a broker that is regulated, offers multiple payment methods and provides robust customer support. Although raw spreads are variable and may widen at times, their overall cost-efficiency gives scalpers and day traders an edge. The final choice between standard and raw spread accounts depends on each trader’s needs and goals.









