
Trading Account Comparison: Alpari Pro ECNvs IC Markets Standard
Explore differences in spreads, commissions, deposits and trading conditions, alongside a detailed review of each account's advantages and limitations.


Standard
What Makes Alpari Pro ECN Different from IC Markets Standard?
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 Pro ECN
The Alpari Pro ECN account has the tightest recorded spread range among the Alpari accounts in Broker Alarab data and is categorized for professional traders. According to our data, spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips with a recorded average of 0.2 pips, commission is $4 per lot, the minimum deposit is $500 and orders use Market Execution. It therefore combines the tightest recorded Alpari spread range with the highest deposit requirement among the four accounts.
IC Markets Standard
The IC Markets Standard account is the broker’s straightforward pricing option for traders who prefer trading without a separate per-lot commission. According to Broker Alarab data, spreads range from 0.8–1.0 pips, commission is $0, the minimum deposit is $200 and orders use Market Execution. We categorize it for beginners, while comparing Standard with IC Markets Raw accounts becomes increasingly important as trading activity grows.
Compare Trading Accounts, Spreads, Commissions and Platforms
Review spreads, commissions, minimum deposits, trading platforms, execution methods and broker-level regulatory information.
01 — Basic Account Information
Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information.
Broker
Account Name
Account Type
Broker Regulatory Licenses
Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country.
02 — Spreads and Trading Costs
Compare the recorded trading costs without assuming undocumented pricing.
Advertised Spread Range
Minimum Recorded Spread
Based on the available account information.
Average Recorded Spread
Advertised Commission
03 — Deposits and Execution
Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics.
Minimum Deposit
Order Execution Method
Trading Platforms
Available platforms may differ by account type.
04 — Account Features and Conditions
Review relevant account characteristics and trading suitability.
Scalping Suitability
An internal classification, not a guarantee of suitability.
05 — Broker Information and Regulation
Broker-level information does not guarantee that every license applies to the selected account.
Listed Regulatory Licenses
Broker Maximum Leverage
Actual leverage may depend on the account, jurisdiction and legal entity.
Open a Trading Account
Information is based on records available to Broker Alarab. Trading conditions may vary by account, country and legal entity.
| Comparison Criteria | Alpari Pro ECN | IC Markets Standard |
|---|---|---|
01 — Basic Account Information Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information. | ||
| Broker | Alpari | IC Markets |
| Account Name | Pro ECN | Standard |
| Account Type | raw | standard |
| Broker Regulatory Licenses Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country. | MISA | ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB |
02 — Spreads and Trading Costs Compare the recorded trading costs without assuming undocumented pricing. | ||
| Advertised Spread Range | 0.0 – 0.3 | 0.8 - 1.0 |
| Minimum Recorded Spread Based on the available account information. | 0 | 0.8 |
| Average Recorded Spread | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| Advertised Commission | Not specified | $0 |
03 — Deposits and Execution Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics. | ||
| Minimum Deposit | $500 | $200 |
| Order Execution Method | Market Execution | Market Execution |
| Trading Platforms Available platforms may differ by account type. | MT4 | MT5 | 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. | Not classified in this category | Not classified in this category |
05 — Broker Information and Regulation Broker-level information does not guarantee that every license applies to the selected account. | ||
| Listed Regulatory Licenses | MISA | ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB |
| Broker Maximum Leverage Actual leverage may depend on the account, jurisdiction and legal entity. | 1:3000 | 1:500 |
| Open a Trading Account | Open Account ↗ | Open Account ↗ |
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
Pro ECN

IC Markets
Standard
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see Alpari Pro ECN as the most specialized account in our recorded Alpari lineup: 0.0–0.3 pip spreads averaging 0.2 pips, a $4 per-lot commission and a $500 minimum deposit. Its primary strength is the tightest recorded spread range, but professional traders should determine whether that spread improvement justifies the commission and higher capital requirement compared with regular ECN.
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see IC Markets Standard as better suited to traders who value simple commission-free pricing, particularly beginners who do not want to calculate spread and commission together. However, IC Markets offers several Raw alternatives, making comparison essential. Its 0.8–1.0 pip range can matter more as volume and trading frequency increase, so zero commission alone should not determine the choice.
Account Advantages
- ✓Tightest recorded spread range among our Alpari accounts at 0.0–0.3 pips
- ✓Recorded average spread is 0.2 pips
- ✓Categorized for professional traders
- ✓Tighter recorded spread range than the regular ECN account
- ✓Uses Market Execution according to the account data
Account Advantages
- ✓No separate trading commission according to Broker Alarab data
- ✓Spreads range from 0.8–1.0 pips in our data
- ✓Straightforward cost structure that is easier for beginners to understand
- ✓Minimum deposit is $200 according to our data
- ✓Provides a clear alternative for traders who do not want tight-spread pricing with a separate commission
Disadvantages and Considerations
- !The $500 minimum deposit is the highest among the four Alpari accounts
- !The recorded $4 per-lot commission is higher than ECN
- !A spread starting from 0.0 does not mean trading is cost-free
- !Trading volume and style should justify moving from ECN to Pro ECN
Disadvantages and Considerations
- !Spread range is wider than the Raw accounts listed in our data
- !Commission-free does not mean the transaction has no cost
- !Spread cost can become more important for scalping and frequent trading
- !Active traders should compare Standard with Raw Spread and the professional Raw tiers before choosing
Who Is This Account Suitable For?
- •Professional traders according to Broker Alarab categorization
- •Users who place a high priority on tighter recorded spreads
- •Traders able to meet the $500 minimum deposit requirement
- •Users able to compare the $4 per-lot commission against the spread improvement over ECN
Who Is This Account Suitable For?
- •Beginners looking for an IC Markets account with easy-to-understand pricing
- •Traders who prefer not to pay a separate commission per lot
- •Lower-frequency traders who are not focused exclusively on obtaining the tightest possible spread
- •Users who prefer a primarily spread-based cost model instead of combining spread and commission
Detailed Account Analysis
Does the Alpari Pro ECN Spread Really Start From 0.0 Pips?
According to Broker Alarab data, the recorded Pro ECN spread range starts from 0.0 pips and extends to 0.3 pips, while the recorded average is 0.2 pips. The 0.0 figure represents the beginning of the range rather than a promise that every trade will have zero spread. A separate $4 per-lot commission must also be included in any cost analysis.
Alpari Pro ECN vs ECN: What Actually Changes?
Pro ECN has recorded spreads of 0.0–0.3 pips averaging 0.2 pips, a $4 per-lot commission and a $500 minimum deposit. ECN has 0.4–0.9 pip spreads averaging 0.6 pips, a $3 commission and a $300 minimum. Moving to Pro therefore means tighter spreads in exchange for a higher commission and deposit requirement, so the decision should be connected to trading volume.
Is Alpari Pro ECN the Cheapest Account for Professional Traders?
Having the tightest recorded Alpari spread range is not enough to establish that Pro ECN is the lowest-cost account in every scenario. The recorded commission is $4 per lot, so total costs are affected by traded volume and the actual spread at execution. A meaningful comparison with ECN should calculate both components rather than selecting Pro solely because spreads can start from 0.0 pips.
Detailed Account Analysis
IC Markets Standard vs Raw Spread: Which Account Is Better?
This is one of the most important comparisons when choosing an IC Markets account. According to Broker Alarab data, Standard uses a 0.8–1.0 pip spread range with no separate commission, while Raw Spread uses 0.0–0.3 pips with a $7-per-lot commission. Both have a $200 minimum deposit in our data, so the entry requirement does not decide the comparison. Standard provides simpler pricing, while Raw Spread reduces the spread in exchange for commission. The better option depends on lot size, trading frequency and the total cost produced by each structure.
Is the IC Markets Standard Account Good for Beginners?
Broker Alarab categorizes Standard for beginners, and one reason this type of account can suit newer traders is the clarity of its cost structure. There is no separate per-lot commission, allowing traders to focus primarily on the spread when understanding entry and exit costs. This does not reduce trading risk or guarantee that Standard is always the cheapest account. Its main advantage for beginners is pricing simplicity, while Raw accounts can be compared later as trading size and frequency increase.
When Does a Raw Account Make More Sense Than Standard?
As traders become more spread-sensitive or increase their transaction frequency and trading volume, comparing Standard with the Raw accounts becomes more important. Standard is listed at 0.8–1.0 pips in our data, while several Raw options use tighter ranges with separate commissions. Traders should translate both the spread difference and commission into an effective cost at their expected lot size. This produces a more useful decision than relying only on labels such as commission-free or tight spread.
Important details about the Alpari Pro ECN account
0.0 pips is the start of the range, not a guarantee
The recorded range extends from 0.0–0.3 pips with a 0.2-pip average, so the range, average and commission should be evaluated together.
The recorded commission is $4 per lot
This commission is higher than the regular ECN account in Broker Alarab data and should be considered when measuring the benefit of tighter spreads.
The minimum deposit is $500
This is the highest deposit requirement among our four recorded Alpari accounts and is not a recommendation for suitable trading capital.
Important details about the IC Markets Standard account
Commission-free does not mean free trading
Standard has a $0 commission in our data, but its 0.8–1.0 pip spread range remains an important component of transaction cost and should be included in comparisons.
The minimum deposit in our data is $200
Broker Alarab lists a $200 minimum deposit for Standard. This is an account requirement rather than a recommendation for suitable trading capital or risk.
Compare Standard and Raw using total trading cost
The presence of commission on a Raw account or its absence on Standard does not determine the cheaper option by itself. Spread differences and commission should be compared using expected volume and transaction frequency.
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.
Compare Spreads and Commissions Together
The recorded spread for Alpari Pro ECN is 0.0 – 0.3, while IC Markets Standard shows 0.8 - 1.0. Evaluating overall trading costs also requires checking commission rates, pricing units, instruments and position sizes.
Review Minimum Deposit Requirements
The recorded minimum deposit for Alpari Pro ECN is $500, compared with $200 for IC Markets Standard. A lower deposit requirement may provide more flexibility, but it does not automatically make an account better.
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.
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.
FAQs About Alpari Pro ECN vs IC Markets Standard
Answers to common questions about account comparisons, trading costs and account conditions.
What is the difference between Alpari Pro ECN and IC Markets Standard?+
Is the account with the lowest spread always better?+
Can I compare two accounts from the same broker?+
How can I verify the trading conditions?+
What is the Alpari Pro ECN account?+
What is the Alpari Pro ECN spread?+
What are the Alpari Pro ECN commission and minimum deposit?+
What is the difference between Alpari Pro ECN and ECN?+
What is the IC Markets Standard account?+
What is the IC Markets Standard spread and commission?+
Explore Both Trading Accounts in Detail
Review the full account information, compare trading conditions and verify the broker's requirements before opening an account.
