- 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 you see plenty of them offering the same thing or promoting any unique selling point. Raw spread accounts have found immense popularity due to transparency and low cost. But what exactly are they? What are their benefits and how to find the right broker with raw spread accounts? The article answers all of these questions popping into your mind.
- Fusion Markets 74-89% of retail's CFD accounts lose money
- FP Markets 73.85% of retail investor accounts lose money
- BlackBull Markets Trading leveraged products is risky
- Global Prime 74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
- Pepperstone 75.5% of retail investor accounts lose money
- IC Markets 70.64% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
- Eightcap 81.96% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
- Exness The company's services relate to complex derivative products which are traded outside an exchange. These products come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage and thus are not appropriate for all investors. Under no circumstances shall Exness have any liability to any person or entity for any loss or damage in whole or part caused by, resulting from, or relating to any investing activity.
- Vantage FX
- HFM
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, there is no markup added to the spreads. Hence, these accounts have the lowest spreads. For major pairs, the spread is 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 must be aware of the key benefits of the raw spread accounts. Let’s explore them.
Lower Trading Costs
Since raw spread accounts give you direct market access, the spreads remain at the lowest levels. Major pairs like GBPUSD, EURUSD, and USDJPY can be traded at 0.0 pip spread as well. Paying fixed commissions instead of inflated spreads makes it cost-effective for traders.
Market Transparency
Traders can see the exact prices offered by the liquidity providers in raw spread accounts. It builds trust between the broker and the traders due to transparency.
Ideal for Scalping and Day Trading
Scalpers and day traders trade several times in a session. Hence, saving a small cost in spreads may mean a significant sum for them. Also, tight spreads increase the odds of profitability when your profit targets are a few pips in a position.
Costs Associated with Raw Spread Accounts
Brokers usually do not add any markup in the spreads but they charge a fixed commission per lot which may vary from $2 to $8. Hence, you must be aware of the overall costs while trading with raw spread accounts.
Moreover, interbank spreads may widen during news releases or low liquidity. Thus, raw spreads don’t mean guaranteed lowest spreads all the time.
Features to Look for in a Raw Spread Forex Broker
Though raw spread accounts are desirable, there are some factors to consider while choosing one.
Regulation
Regulation is a vital thing for the brokers. Unregulated brokers are a risk for your trading, no matter how good conditions they offer. So, always choose a broker that is highly regulated.
Payment Methods
A broker that offers multiple payment methods is desirable. These include e-wallets, bank transfers, debit/credit cards, and crypto. Also, pay attention to the payment processing time.
Latency
Raw spreads become useless if a broker doesn’t assure low latency and fast execution. Always test the latency on the demo or a real account with a small deposit.
Customer Support
Some brokers have all the great things except good customer support which pours water on all of their goodwill and branding. So, look for the one that has responsive support available through multiple channels.
Popular Forex Brokers Offering Raw Spread Accounts
Let’s find out some of the great Forex brokers that offer raw spreads.
Fusion Markets is a highly regulated broker that offers raw spreads with a $5 commission. It offers great analytics for your trading account and also provides market analysis tools.
This is another ASIC-regulated broker that charges up to $7 commission per standard lot. It provides access to the TradingView platform as well.
FP Markets holds multiple regulations. Its zero spread account charges around $6 commission per standard lot. It gives traders access to premium trade signals through the FP Markets mobile app.
Who Should Use Raw Spread Accounts?
Usually, raw spread accounts are suitable for all types of traders. However, cost-conscious traders, scalpers, day traders, high-frequency traders, and high-volume traders could reap more benefits from the raw spread accounts.
On the other hand, beginners or casual traders may prefer a standard account due to the simpler cost structure.
Common Misconceptions About Raw Spread Accounts
The biggest misconception about the raw spread accounts is that the spreads remain nearly zero all the time. These spreads are variable and they keep changing every moment with the change in price and market conditions.
Another misconception is that raw spread accounts have slower order execution while reputed brokers with tier 1 liquidity providers offer fast execution.
Raw Spread Accounts vs Standard Accounts
Raw spread accounts significantly differ from the standard accounts. The table below shows some prominent ones.
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 raw spread and standard account depends on your trading style and objectives. You can assess the key differences and figure out what suits you well.
Final Thoughts
Raw spread accounts are quite popular among traders due to transparency, direct market access, low cost, and fast execution. You can opt for a broker that is regulated, offers multiple payment methods, and has robust customer support. Though raw spreads are variable and they may widen at times, the overall cost efficacy gives an edge to the scalpers and day traders. The final choice between standard and raw spread accounts is based on the needs and goals of a trader.