
Trading Account Comparison: HFM Premiumvs IC Markets Raw Spread
Explore differences in spreads, commissions, deposits and trading conditions, alongside a detailed review of each account's advantages and limitations.


Raw Spread
What Makes HFM Premium Different from IC Markets Raw Spread?
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.
HFM Premium
The HFM Premium account is a standard account categorized by Broker Alarab for commission-free general trading. According to our data, spreads range from 1.4–1.8 pips, commission is $0, there is no minimum deposit and orders use Market Execution. Premium is an important reference within the HFM account lineup, particularly when comparing it with Cent and Pro on spreads, commissions and deposit requirements.
IC Markets Raw Spread
The IC Markets Raw Spread account is categorized by Broker Alarab for scalpers and uses tight-spread pricing with a separate commission. Spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips, commission is $7 per lot, the minimum deposit is $200 and orders use Market Execution. Its key use case is therefore evaluating frequent-trading costs and comparing them directly with Standard and the other Raw options.
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 | HFM Premium | IC Markets Raw Spread |
|---|---|---|
01 — Basic Account Information Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information. | ||
| Broker | HFM | IC Markets |
| Account Name | Premium | Raw Spread |
| Account Type | standard | raw |
| Broker Regulatory Licenses Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country. | FCA | CySEC | FSCA | FSA | FSC | CMA | ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB |
02 — Spreads and Trading Costs Compare the recorded trading costs without assuming undocumented pricing. | ||
| Advertised Spread Range | 1.4 - 1.8 | 0.0 - 0.3 |
| Minimum Recorded Spread Based on the available account information. | 1.4 | 0 |
| Average Recorded Spread | 1.6 | 0.1 |
| Advertised Commission | $0 | Not specified |
03 — Deposits and Execution Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics. | ||
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $200 |
| Order Execution Method | Market Execution | Market Execution |
| Trading Platforms Available platforms may differ by account type. | MT4 | MT5 | HFM Platform | WebTrader | 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 | FCA | CySEC | FSCA | FSA | FSC | CMA | 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.

HFM
Premium

IC Markets
Raw Spread
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see HFM Premium as relevant to traders seeking a standard HFM account with no separate commission and no minimum deposit listed in our data. Its main distinction is not the tightest spread, as Pro is listed at 0.6–1.0 pips, but the combination of standard-account structure, no separate commission and no minimum deposit requirement. Premium vs Pro is therefore a particularly useful comparison.
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see IC Markets Raw Spread as an account to evaluate for scalping and spread-sensitive trading rather than automatically assuming it is cheaper than Standard. Its 0.0–0.3 pip range is tight, but the $7-per-lot commission matters, particularly with frequent trading. The most useful approach is to calculate spread and commission together and compare the result directly with Standard pricing.
Account Advantages
- ✓No separate trading commission according to Broker Alarab data
- ✓No minimum deposit listed for the account
- ✓Recorded as a Standard account for general trading
- ✓Straightforward pricing structure based primarily on the spread
- ✓Does not carry the $100 minimum deposit requirement listed for Pro
Account Advantages
- ✓Spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips according to Broker Alarab data
- ✓Categorized for scalping in our account data
- ✓Clear pricing model combining tight spreads with a defined commission
- ✓Minimum deposit is $200
- ✓Provides a tight-spread alternative to the Standard account
Disadvantages and Considerations
- !The 1.4–1.8 pip spread range is wider than Pro in our data
- !No separate commission does not mean trading is cost-free
- !It does not offer tighter listed spreads than Cent in the current data
- !Spread-focused traders should compare Premium with Pro and Zero
Disadvantages and Considerations
- !Commission is $7 per lot according to our data
- !A spread starting at 0.0 does not mean cost-free trading
- !Frequent trading makes cumulative commission an important factor to calculate
- !Other Raw accounts in our table have different commissions and should be compared
Who Is This Account Suitable For?
- •Traders seeking a standard HFM account for general trading
- •Users who prefer not to pay a separate commission per lot
- •Traders looking for an account with no minimum deposit listed in our data
- •Users who prefer the Premium structure over a Cent account categorized more specifically for small-volume trading
Who Is This Account Suitable For?
- •Scalpers who place particular importance on tight spreads
- •Traders making a larger number of entries and exits
- •Users who prefer Raw pricing and include commission in each trade-cost calculation
- •Traders who want to compare Raw Spread directly with Standard
Detailed Account Analysis
Is the HFM Premium Account Commission-Free?
Yes. The separate commission listed for HFM Premium in Broker Alarab data is $0. This does not mean trading is cost-free because the account uses a 1.4–1.8 pip spread range. When evaluating Premium, the spread should be treated as the primary cost component in the account data, particularly as transaction frequency or total trading volume increases.
HFM Premium vs Pro: What Is the Difference in Spread and Deposit?
Premium has a listed 1.4–1.8 pip spread range, no separate commission and no minimum deposit in our data. Pro has a tighter 0.6–1.0 pip range and also carries a $0 separate commission, but requires a $100 minimum deposit. Pro therefore offers tighter listed spreads, while Premium removes the listed minimum deposit requirement. This trade-off is more useful than comparing the account names alone.
HFM Premium vs Cent: Why Are They Different if Pricing Is Similar?
Premium and Cent have matching core figures in Broker Alarab data: 1.4–1.8 pip spreads, a $0 separate commission and no minimum deposit. Their account type and intended use differ. Premium is recorded as a standard account categorized for commission-free general trading, while Cent is a cent account categorized for beginners and small-volume trading. Each therefore serves a different search and usage intent despite similar listed pricing.
Detailed Account Analysis
Is the IC Markets Raw Spread Account Good for Scalping?
Broker Alarab categorizes Raw Spread for scalping, and spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips in our data. This can be relevant to a strategy involving frequent entries and exits and potentially smaller targeted price movements. The account also carries a $7-per-lot commission, however, so costs can accumulate as transaction count and volume rise. Scalpers should therefore calculate total cost at their expected trading volume rather than choosing the account solely because of its tight spread range.
IC Markets Raw Spread vs Standard: Which Is Better?
According to Broker Alarab data, Standard uses 0.8–1.0 pip spreads with no separate commission, while Raw Spread uses 0.0–0.3 pips with a $7-per-lot commission. Both carry a $200 minimum deposit and Market Execution. Standard provides a simpler pricing structure, while Raw Spread reduces the spread in exchange for commission. The more suitable account therefore changes with lot size, trading frequency and how sensitive the strategy is to spread.
How Should You Calculate IC Markets Raw Spread Costs?
A common mistake is to look at a spread starting from 0.0 pips and treat that figure as the complete measure of cost. In our data, the $7-per-lot commission must be considered alongside the actual spread at execution. Traders operating at greater volume or frequency should monitor cumulative costs and compare them with what they might pay through the Standard spread or the commissions on other Raw accounts. This makes the comparison relevant to real account usage.
Important details about the HFM Premium account
No minimum deposit is listed in our data
This is the account condition recorded by Broker Alarab and does not mean that any small amount is necessarily appropriate trading capital or suitable risk management.
The separate commission is $0
Premium carries no separate trading commission in our data, but the 1.4–1.8 pip spread range remains a direct cost component.
Pro has a tighter listed spread range in our data
Pro is listed at 0.6–1.0 pips compared with 1.4–1.8 on Premium, but it requires a $100 minimum deposit.
Important details about the IC Markets Raw Spread account
Raw Spread commission is $7 per lot in our data
Broker Alarab data lists a $7-per-lot commission. The account should therefore be evaluated using total trading cost rather than its tight spread alone.
Scalping makes repeated transaction costs important
Because we categorize the account for scalping, traders should consider how spread and commission can accumulate as the number of transactions and total lots increase.
Raw Spread and Standard have the same minimum deposit in our data
Both accounts carry a $200 minimum, so comparison should focus on pricing structure and trading style rather than the entry requirement.
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 HFM Premium is 1.4 - 1.8, while IC Markets Raw Spread shows 0.0 - 0.3. Evaluating overall trading costs also requires checking commission rates, pricing units, instruments and position sizes.
Review Minimum Deposit Requirements
The recorded minimum deposit for HFM Premium is $0, compared with $200 for IC Markets Raw Spread. 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 HFM Premium vs IC Markets Raw Spread
Answers to common questions about account comparisons, trading costs and account conditions.
What is the difference between HFM Premium and IC Markets Raw Spread?+
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 HFM Premium account?+
What is the HFM Premium spread and commission?+
What is the HFM Premium minimum deposit?+
What is the difference between HFM Premium and Pro?+
What is the IC Markets Raw Spread account?+
What is the IC Markets Raw Spread 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.
