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


Standard
What Makes IC Markets Raw Pro Different from XM 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.
IC Markets Raw Pro
The IC Markets Raw Pro account is one of the broker’s tight-spread options and is categorized by Broker Alarab for active traders. Spreads range from 0.0–0.1 pips, commission is $1.5 per lot, the minimum deposit is $200 and orders use Market Execution. This positions Raw Pro between Raw Pro+ and Raw Spread as an account that should be compared carefully on spread, commission and trading volume.
XM Standard
The XM Standard account is one of XM’s main account options for traders looking for straightforward commission-free pricing. Based on Broker Alarab account data, spreads range from 1.0–1.5 pips, the minimum deposit is $5 and orders use Market Execution, making Standard worth comparing with XM Micro, Ultra Low and Zero before choosing an account.
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 | IC Markets Raw Pro | XM Standard |
|---|---|---|
01 — Basic Account Information Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information. | ||
| Broker | IC Markets | XM |
| Account Name | Raw Pro | Standard |
| Account Type | raw | standard |
| Broker Regulatory Licenses Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country. | ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB | CySEC | ASIC | DFSA | FSCA | FSC |
02 — Spreads and Trading Costs Compare the recorded trading costs without assuming undocumented pricing. | ||
| Advertised Spread Range | 0.0 - 0.1 | 1.0 – 1.5 |
| Minimum Recorded Spread Based on the available account information. | 0 | 1 |
| Average Recorded Spread | 0.05 | 1.2 |
| Advertised Commission | Not specified | $0 |
03 — Deposits and Execution Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics. | ||
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $5 |
| Order Execution Method | Market Execution | Market Execution |
| Trading Platforms Available platforms may differ by account type. | MT4 | MT5 | cTrader | TradingView | MT4 | MT5 |
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 | ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB | CySEC | ASIC | DFSA | FSCA | FSC |
| Broker Maximum Leverage Actual leverage may depend on the account, jurisdiction and legal entity. | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| 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.

IC Markets
Raw Pro

XM
Standard
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see IC Markets Raw Pro as an account that is best evaluated through direct comparison rather than isolated figures. Its 0.0–0.1 pip range is relevant to active traders, but the $1.5-per-lot commission should be compared directly with Raw Pro+ and the other Raw options. With a $200 minimum deposit, effective cost and trading volume become the key decision factors.
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see XM Standard as a straightforward option for traders who want commission-free pricing and conventional position sizing. It should not automatically be treated as the cheapest XM account, however. Spread-sensitive and active traders should compare Standard directly with Ultra Low and Zero before opening an account.
Account Advantages
- ✓Spreads range from 0.0–0.1 pips according to Broker Alarab data
- ✓Defined commission of $1.5 per lot
- ✓Categorized for active traders in our account data
- ✓Minimum deposit is $200
- ✓Provides tight-spread Raw pricing for traders who prefer it over the Standard model
Account Advantages
- ✓No separate trading commission based on our account data
- ✓Minimum deposit starts from $5
- ✓Straightforward pricing structure primarily based on the spread
- ✓Suitable for traders who prefer conventional position sizing over the Micro structure
- ✓Easy to compare with other XM accounts on spread and overall trading cost
Disadvantages and Considerations
- !Carries a separate $1.5-per-lot commission
- !A spread starting at 0.0 does not mean zero trading cost
- !Commission is higher than Raw Pro+ in our data despite the same listed spread range
- !Traders need to compare several Raw options before determining the most suitable account
Disadvantages and Considerations
- !The 1.0–1.5 pip spread is not the lowest among XM accounts in our data
- !Ultra Low has a tighter displayed spread range without a separate commission
- !May not be the most cost-efficient option for highly spread-sensitive traders
- !Active or frequent traders should compare its total cost with XM Zero
Who Is This Account Suitable For?
- •Active traders who prioritize a tight spread range
- •Traders who prefer Raw pricing with tighter spreads and a separate commission
- •Users comparing the cost of Raw Pro with Raw Pro+
- •Frequent traders who calculate transaction costs using actual lot volume
Who Is This Account Suitable For?
- •Traders looking for an XM account without a separate trading commission
- •Users who prefer conventional position sizing rather than the Micro structure
- •Beginners who want a straightforward and easy-to-understand pricing model
- •Traders looking for an XM account with a $5 minimum deposit
Detailed Account Analysis
IC Markets Raw Pro vs Raw Pro+: What Is the Difference?
According to Broker Alarab data, the accounts share several important characteristics: 0.0–0.1 pip spreads, a $200 minimum deposit and Market Execution. The clear difference in our table is commission. Raw Pro carries a $1.5-per-lot commission, while Raw Pro+ carries $1 per lot. Total traded lots therefore become important when comparing them. As volume rises, the cumulative effect of the $0.50-per-lot difference increases, making expected trading volume central to the comparison.
Is IC Markets Raw Pro Suitable for Active Traders?
Broker Alarab categorizes Raw Pro for active traders, and its 0.0–0.1 pip spread range is relevant to users who pay close attention to repeated entry and exit costs. Active trading also means the $1.5-per-lot commission repeats as volume increases. The tight spread should therefore not be evaluated alone. Total commission and spread costs should be calculated and compared with Standard and the other Raw accounts before determining whether Raw Pro fits the trader’s actual activity.
Raw Pro vs Raw Spread: Which Cost Structure Is Stronger?
Raw Pro uses 0.0–0.1 pip spreads with a $1.5-per-lot commission in our data, while Raw Spread uses 0.0–0.3 pips with a $7-per-lot commission. Both have a $200 minimum deposit. These figures make comparison important, but suitability cannot be determined from one spread or commission figure alone. Trading volume, strategy and transaction frequency determine how much each pricing difference actually affects the trader.
Detailed Account Analysis
XM Standard vs Micro: Which Account Should You Choose?
Broker Alarab data shows the same headline spread range of 1.0–1.5 pips for Standard and Micro, with no separate trading commission and a $5 minimum deposit on both. The meaningful difference is therefore not the basic pricing. Micro is more focused on smaller position sizing and granular control of exposure, while Standard is closer to conventional contract sizing. Traders who do not specifically need the smaller sizing structure of Micro may find Standard the more straightforward choice.
XM Standard vs Ultra Low: Are You Paying a Higher Spread?
This is one of the most important comparisons to make before choosing Standard. Our data lists Standard spreads at 1.0–1.5 pips compared with 0.6–1.0 pips for Ultra Low, while both have no separate trading commission and a $5 minimum deposit. On displayed spread alone, Ultra Low has a clear advantage in our dataset. Traders should therefore consider the full account structure rather than assuming Standard is automatically the best default XM account.
XM Standard vs Zero: Spread or Commission?
Standard and Zero use different pricing models. Standard has no separate trading commission in our data and spreads of 1.0–1.5 pips, while Zero is listed at 0.0–0.3 pips with a $7-per-lot commission. The cheaper account cannot therefore be identified from spread alone. Active traders should compare total transaction cost, while traders who value simpler commission-free pricing may find the Standard structure easier to evaluate.
Important details about the IC Markets Raw Pro account
Raw Pro commission is $1.5 per lot in our data
Broker Alarab data lists a $1.5-per-lot commission for the account. It should be combined with the spread effect when calculating total trading cost.
A 0.0–0.1 pip spread does not mean cost-free trading
Even when the spread reaches the lower end of the listed range, commission remains part of the pricing structure. Spread and commission should therefore be evaluated together.
Raw Pro and Raw Pro+ require a direct comparison
Both accounts have the same spread range and minimum deposit in our data, while their commissions differ. Trading volume therefore becomes central to the comparison.
Important details about the XM Standard account
Standard does not have the lowest XM spread in our data
Broker Alarab lists Standard spreads at 1.0–1.5 pips. Ultra Low has a tighter range in our data, while Zero combines lower displayed spreads with a commission, so Standard should not be selected automatically without comparison.
Commission-free does not mean cost-free trading
The Standard account has no separate trading commission in our data, but the spread remains an important part of transaction cost. Traders should evaluate the effective cost of a trade rather than looking at the commission field alone.
The minimum deposit is not recommended trading capital
Our account data lists a $5 minimum deposit for XM Standard. This is an account entry requirement and should not be interpreted as the amount of capital appropriate for every strategy, position size or level of trading risk.
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 IC Markets Raw Pro is 0.0 - 0.1, while XM Standard shows 1.0 – 1.5. Evaluating overall trading costs also requires checking commission rates, pricing units, instruments and position sizes.
Review Minimum Deposit Requirements
The recorded minimum deposit for IC Markets Raw Pro is $200, compared with $5 for XM 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 IC Markets Raw Pro vs XM Standard
Answers to common questions about account comparisons, trading costs and account conditions.
What is the difference between IC Markets Raw Pro and XM 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 IC Markets Raw Pro account?+
What is the IC Markets Raw Pro spread and commission?+
What is the IC Markets Raw Pro minimum deposit?+
What is the difference between IC Markets Raw Pro and Raw Pro+?+
What is the XM Standard account?+
What is the XM Standard account 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.
