
Trading Account Comparison: Exness Raw Spreadvs 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 Exness Raw Spread 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.
Exness Raw Spread
The Exness Raw Spread account targets traders who place a high priority on tighter spreads and are comfortable with a pricing model that includes a separate commission. Its value is better assessed through total transaction cost rather than spread alone, making it especially relevant to scalping, active trading and strategies where small differences in entry and exit costs can matter.
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 | Exness Raw Spread | IC Markets Standard |
|---|---|---|
01 — Basic Account Information Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information. | ||
| Broker | Exness | IC Markets |
| Account Name | Raw Spread | Standard |
| Account Type | raw | standard |
| Broker Regulatory Licenses Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country. | FCA | CySEC | FSCA | JSC | 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 | 0.1 | 0.9 |
| Advertised Commission | Not specified | $0 |
03 — Deposits and Execution Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics. | ||
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $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. | Classified as suitable for scalping | 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 | FCA | CySEC | FSCA | JSC | ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB |
| Broker Maximum Leverage Actual leverage may depend on the account, jurisdiction and legal entity. | 1:2000 | 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.

Exness
Raw Spread

IC Markets
Standard
Broker Alarab's Assessment
Raw Spread is a more specialized account than Standard or Pro. We see it as suitable for traders who understand how commissions and spreads affect total costs and whose strategies benefit from lower spreads. The correct comparison should be based on the complete transaction cost rather than the spread figure alone.
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
- ✓Low spreads suitable for cost-sensitive strategies
- ✓Suitable for active traders
- ✓Can be practical for scalping strategies
- ✓Clear pricing structure combining spreads and commissions
- ✓Designed for more experienced traders
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
- !Trading commissions must be considered alongside spreads
- !More complex than commission-free accounts
- !Not necessarily the lowest-cost option for every instrument or strategy
- !May not be the most suitable choice for beginners
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?
- •Active traders
- •Traders using scalping strategies
- •Those who place a high priority on low spreads
- •Traders comfortable calculating spreads and commissions together
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
Raw Spread vs Standard
Raw Spread and Standard use different cost models. Standard relies on spreads without a direct trading commission, while Raw Spread aims to provide lower spreads while adding a trading commission. Standard can therefore be easier for traders who prefer simple pricing, whereas Raw Spread may become more attractive to frequent traders who genuinely benefit from lower spreads after including commission in the total transaction cost.
Raw Spread vs Pro
Pro offers a model without a direct commission and more competitive spreads than basic accounts, while Raw Spread separates more of the trading cost between the spread and commission. The choice depends on instruments, trading volume and frequency. Traders prioritizing simplicity may prefer Pro, while those highly sensitive to spread costs may favor Raw Spread after comparing the complete transaction cost under both pricing models.
Raw Spread vs Zero
Both accounts target traders focused on reducing spread-related costs, but their pricing and commissions vary by account and instrument. There is therefore no single answer that applies to every trader. A better comparison is to select the instruments normally traded and calculate both spread and commission under each account. This helps determine whether Raw Spread or Zero is more cost-efficient for the trader's actual strategy.
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 Exness Raw Spread account
Low spreads with a separate commission
Raw Spread separates more of the trading cost from the spread and charges it as a per-lot commission. For this reason, traders should compare the combined spread-and-commission cost rather than choosing the account based on spread alone.
Commission depends on the instrument
Exness states that Raw Spread commission can be up to USD 3.50 per lot per side on most instruments, with the exact amount depending on the instrument traded. Commission applies to both directions of the trade, so contract specifications should be checked.
Designed for more active trading
Exness positions Raw Spread for experienced traders, combining ultra-low spreads with market execution and no general limit on the number of open positions. This structure makes it relevant for scalping, active trading and spread-sensitive strategies.
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 Exness Raw Spread 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 Exness Raw Spread is $200, 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 Exness Raw Spread vs IC Markets Standard
Answers to common questions about account comparisons, trading costs and account conditions.
What is the difference between Exness Raw Spread 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 Exness Raw Spread account and who is it suitable for?+
How much is the commission on the Exness Raw Spread account?+
What is the difference between Exness Raw Spread and Zero?+
Is the Exness Raw Spread account good for scalping?+
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.
