Broker Alarab
Detailed Trading Account Comparison

Trading Account Comparison: Alpari Microvs IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader)

Explore differences in spreads, commissions, deposits and trading conditions, alongside a detailed review of each account's advantages and limitations.

ACCOUNT OVERVIEW

What Makes Alpari Micro Different from IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader)?

Before comparing the numbers, it is important to understand the purpose of each account and the conditions that may make it suitable for different traders.

Alpari Micro

The Alpari Micro account has the lowest deposit requirement among the Alpari accounts recorded by Broker Alarab and is categorized for beginners and strategy testing. According to our data, spreads range from 1.7–2.2 pips with a recorded average of 1.9 pips, the separate commission is $0, the minimum deposit is $30 and orders use Market Execution. The account therefore prioritizes accessibility rather than offering the tightest Alpari spreads.

IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader)

The IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader) account is the Raw option categorized by Broker Alarab for advanced traders seeking a cTrader-focused account with tight spreads and separate commission pricing. Spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips, commission is $3 per lot, the minimum deposit is $200 and orders use Market Execution, giving it a distinct position versus the regular Raw Spread and Standard accounts.

SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

Compare Trading Accounts, Spreads, Commissions and Platforms

Review spreads, commissions, minimum deposits, trading platforms, execution methods and broker-level regulatory information.

Alpari
Micro
IC Markets
Raw Spread (cTrader)

01 — Basic Account Information

Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information.

Broker

Alpari
Alpari
IC Markets
IC Markets

Account Name

Alpari
Micro
IC Markets
Raw Spread (cTrader)

Account Type

Alpari
cent
IC Markets
raw

Broker Regulatory Licenses

Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country.

Alpari
MISA
IC Markets
ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB

02 — Spreads and Trading Costs

Compare the recorded trading costs without assuming undocumented pricing.

Advertised Spread Range

Alpari
1.7 – 2.2
IC Markets
0.0 - 0.3

Minimum Recorded Spread

Based on the available account information.

Alpari
1.7
IC Markets
0

Average Recorded Spread

Alpari
1.9
IC Markets
0.1

Advertised Commission

Alpari
$0
IC Markets
Not specified

03 — Deposits and Execution

Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics.

Minimum Deposit

Alpari
$30
IC Markets
$200

Order Execution Method

Alpari
Market Execution
IC Markets
Market Execution

Trading Platforms

Available platforms may differ by account type.

Alpari
MT4 | MT5
IC Markets
MT4 | MT5 | cTrader | TradingView

04 — Account Features and Conditions

Review relevant account characteristics and trading suitability.

Scalping Suitability

An internal classification, not a guarantee of suitability.

Alpari
Not classified in this category
IC Markets
Classified as suitable for scalping

05 — Broker Information and Regulation

Broker-level information does not guarantee that every license applies to the selected account.

Listed Regulatory Licenses

Alpari
MISA
IC Markets
ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB

Broker Maximum Leverage

Actual leverage may depend on the account, jurisdiction and legal entity.

Alpari
1:3000
IC Markets
1:500

Open a Trading Account

Information is based on records available to Broker Alarab. Trading conditions may vary by account, country and legal entity.

EXPERT ANALYSIS

Broker Alarab's Assessment of Both Accounts

We review each account independently, highlighting strengths, limitations and the types of traders it may suit, without declaring an unsupported winner.

Alpari logo

Alpari

Micro

IC Markets logo

IC Markets

Raw Spread (cTrader)

Broker Alarab's Assessment

We see Alpari Micro as serving a specific purpose: lowering the entry threshold to $30 while providing a no-separate-commission structure for beginners or users testing strategies with a smaller account. The trade-off is a recorded 1.7–2.2 pip spread range averaging 1.9 pips, wider than the other Alpari accounts in our data. Its main value is therefore accessibility rather than minimum trading cost.

Broker Alarab's Assessment

We see IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader) as an account that should be evaluated through both cTrader preference and Raw pricing rather than as another version of Raw Spread. Our data lists the same 0.0–0.3 pip range but a $3-per-lot commission compared with $7 on Raw Spread. Platform preference, commission and trading volume can therefore become decisive factors.

Account Advantages

  • ✓Lowest minimum deposit among our recorded Alpari accounts at $30
  • ✓No separate trading commission according to Broker Alarab data
  • ✓Categorized for beginners and strategy testing
  • ✓Straightforward pricing based primarily on the spread
  • ✓Lower entry requirement than Standard, ECN and Pro ECN

Account Advantages

  • ✓Spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips according to Broker Alarab data
  • ✓Commission is $3 per lot according to our data
  • ✓The cTrader-focused Raw option within our IC Markets account lineup
  • ✓Categorized for advanced traders
  • ✓Listed commission is lower than Raw Spread while sharing the same spread range in our table

Disadvantages and Considerations

  • !Widest recorded spread range among the four Alpari accounts in our data
  • !Recorded average spread is relatively higher at 1.9 pips
  • !No separate commission does not mean trading is cost-free
  • !More active traders should compare the spread impact with higher-tier Alpari accounts

Disadvantages and Considerations

  • !Carries a separate $3-per-lot commission
  • !A spread starting at 0.0 does not represent the complete transaction cost
  • !May be less relevant to traders who do not prioritize cTrader
  • !Should be compared with Raw Spread, Standard and the other Raw accounts before choosing

Who Is This Account Suitable For?

  • •Beginners according to Broker Alarab account categorization
  • •Users testing strategies with a lower deposit requirement
  • •Traders searching for an Alpari account starting from $30
  • •Users who prefer not to pay a separate trading commission

Who Is This Account Suitable For?

  • •Advanced traders who prefer cTrader within the IC Markets account options
  • •Traders seeking to combine cTrader with a tight spread range
  • •Users comparing cTrader account commission with the regular Raw Spread account
  • •Traders who evaluate both spread and commission when choosing an account

Detailed Account Analysis

Why Is Alpari Micro the Lowest-Entry Account?

The minimum deposit recorded by Broker Alarab for Micro is $30, compared with $100 for Standard, $300 for ECN and $500 for Pro ECN. Its main distinction is therefore the lower entry threshold. That does not make it the cheapest account to trade because its recorded 1.7–2.2 pip spread range is the widest among the four accounts.

Alpari Micro vs Standard: Does a Lower Deposit Mean a Better Account?

Micro requires only $30 while Standard requires $100. Standard, however, has recorded spreads of 1.2–1.7 pips compared with 1.7–2.2 pips on Micro. Both have a recorded $0 separate commission and Market Execution. The choice therefore involves balancing entry requirements against spread costs rather than comparing deposit amounts alone.

Is Alpari Micro Suitable for Strategy Testing?

Broker Alarab categorizes Micro for beginners and strategy testing, while its $30 minimum deposit gives it the lowest capital requirement in our data. Strategy testing should still account for the recorded 1.9-pip average spread because trading costs can materially affect strategies that generate a larger number of transactions.

Detailed Account Analysis

IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader) vs Raw Spread: What Is the Difference?

According to Broker Alarab data, both accounts share 0.0–0.3 pip spreads, a $200 minimum deposit and Market Execution. The clear difference in our table is commission alongside the cTrader focus of this account. Raw Spread (cTrader) carries a $3-per-lot commission, while Raw Spread carries $7 per lot. Traders should therefore compare their preferred platform and total trading cost rather than assuming the accounts are identical because both carry the Raw Spread name.

Who Is the IC Markets cTrader Account For?

Broker Alarab categorizes Raw Spread (cTrader) for advanced traders. The account becomes particularly relevant to users specifically seeking a cTrader experience while also wanting tight Raw pricing. Platform choice alone does not determine suitability, however. Traders should also consider the $3-per-lot commission, 0.0–0.3 pip spread range and expected trading volume, allowing the account to be evaluated as a complete combination of trading workflow and cost.

IC Markets cTrader vs Standard: Which Account Fits Your Trading Style?

The pricing structures differ clearly in our data. Raw Spread (cTrader) uses 0.0–0.3 pip spreads with a $3-per-lot commission, while Standard uses 0.8–1.0 pips with no separate commission. Both have a $200 minimum deposit. Traders seeking simpler pricing may consider Standard, while those prioritizing cTrader and tighter spreads should evaluate the cTrader account after including commission in the total transaction cost.

Important details about the Alpari Micro account

$30 is the recorded minimum deposit

This is the lowest deposit requirement among the four Alpari accounts in Broker Alarab data, but it is not a recommendation that $30 represents suitable trading capital.

Recorded spreads range from 1.7–2.2 pips

The recorded average is 1.9 pips, so both the range and average should be considered rather than focusing only on the 1.7-pip minimum.

The separate commission is $0

No separate commission does not mean there is no trading cost because the spread remains the primary recorded cost component.

Important details about the IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader) account

The cTrader account commission is $3 per lot in our data

Broker Alarab data lists a $3-per-lot commission for Raw Spread (cTrader). This should be considered alongside the spread when comparing trading costs.

Raw Spread and Raw Spread (cTrader) are not identical

Although their spread ranges and minimum deposits match in our data, commission differs and this account has a cTrader focus, so the two should be evaluated separately.

Choosing cTrader does not remove the importance of cost

Platform preference matters, but spread, commission and trading volume remain important factors when determining whether the account fits a trader.

DECISION GUIDE

How to Choose the Right Trading Account

Numbers alone are not enough. Account suitability depends on your trading strategy, capital, financial instruments and the conditions applicable to you.

01

Compare Spreads and Commissions Together

The recorded spread for Alpari Micro is 1.7 – 2.2, while IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader) shows 0.0 - 0.3. Evaluating overall trading costs also requires checking commission rates, pricing units, instruments and position sizes.

02

Review Minimum Deposit Requirements

The recorded minimum deposit for Alpari Micro is $30, compared with $200 for IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader). A lower deposit requirement may provide more flexibility, but it does not automatically make an account better.

03

Compare Trading Platforms and Execution

Check which trading platforms each broker actually offers for the selected account, including MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 where supported. Also review execution policies and potential slippage. Availability and conditions may vary by account and country.

04

Verify Regulation and Eligibility

Confirm the legal entity that will serve your account, the regulatory framework applicable to that entity, and whether the selected account is available in your country.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs About Alpari Micro vs IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader)

Answers to common questions about account comparisons, trading costs and account conditions.

What is the difference between Alpari Micro and IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader)?+
The recorded spread for Alpari Micro is 1.7 – 2.2, compared with 0.0 - 0.3 for IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader). The advertised commissions are $0 and Not specified, respectively. You should also consider execution conditions, deposit requirements and account availability.
Is the account with the lowest spread always better?+
Not necessarily. Trading costs should be evaluated using both spreads and commissions, while considering the financial instrument, position size and execution conditions.
Can I compare two accounts from the same broker?+
Yes. Broker Alarab allows traders to compare accounts from the same broker or from different brokers.
How can I verify the trading conditions?+
Review the broker's official account specifications, applicable legal entity and trading conditions. Spreads, commissions and leverage may vary by instrument, account and jurisdiction.
What is the Alpari Micro account?+
Alpari Micro has the lowest deposit requirement among the Alpari accounts recorded by Broker Alarab and is categorized for beginners and strategy testing. Recorded spreads range from 1.7–2.2 pips with a 1.9-pip average, the separate commission is $0, the minimum deposit is $30 and orders use Market Execution.
What is the Alpari Micro minimum deposit?+
The recorded minimum deposit for Alpari Micro is $30, below the $100 required for Standard, $300 for ECN and $500 for Pro ECN. The figure represents an account requirement rather than a recommendation for suitable trading capital.
What are the Alpari Micro spread and commission?+
Recorded spreads range from 1.7–2.2 pips with a 1.9-pip average, while the separate commission is $0. The recorded pricing structure therefore relies primarily on the spread, and no separate commission should not be interpreted as cost-free trading.
What is the difference between Alpari Micro and Standard?+
Micro requires a $30 minimum deposit and has recorded spreads of 1.7–2.2 pips. Standard requires $100 and has recorded spreads of 1.2–1.7 pips. Both have no separate trading commission according to Broker Alarab data and use Market Execution.
What is the IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader) account?+
The IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader) account is the cTrader-focused Raw option and is categorized by Broker Alarab for advanced traders. According to our data, spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips, commission is $3 per lot, the minimum deposit is $200 and orders use Market Execution. It differs from the regular Raw Spread account in our table through its commission and cTrader focus.
What is the IC Markets cTrader spread and commission?+
According to Broker Alarab data, Raw Spread (cTrader) spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips and commission is $3 per lot. A spread starting at 0.0 does not mean trading is cost-free because commission must be included when evaluating each transaction. Traders should therefore consider both components, particularly when operating at greater volume or frequency.

Explore Both Trading Accounts in Detail

Review the full account information, compare trading conditions and verify the broker's requirements before opening an account.