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


Ultra Low
What Makes IC Markets Raw Spread Different from XM Ultra Low?
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 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.
XM Ultra Low
The XM Ultra Low account targets traders looking for lower spreads while keeping a commission-free pricing structure. Based on Broker Alarab account data, spreads range from 0.6–1.0 pips, the minimum deposit is $5 and orders use Market Execution, making Ultra Low a strong alternative to Standard and an important account to compare directly with XM Zero on trading costs.
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 Spread | XM Ultra Low |
|---|---|---|
01 — Basic Account Information Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information. | ||
| Broker | IC Markets | XM |
| Account Name | Raw Spread | Ultra Low |
| 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 - 0.3 | 0.6 – 1.0 |
| Minimum Recorded Spread Based on the available account information. | 0 | 0.6 |
| Average Recorded Spread | 0.1 | 0.8 |
| 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 Spread

XM
Ultra Low
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.
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see XM Ultra Low as one of the stronger XM options for traders seeking a balance between tighter spreads and commission-free pricing. Its 0.6–1.0 pip range is more competitive than Standard in our data, but highly active or cost-sensitive traders should still compare Ultra Low with Zero using total transaction cost rather than spread alone.
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
Account Advantages
- ✓Spreads range from 0.6–1.0 pips based on Broker Alarab account data
- ✓No separate trading commission according to our account data
- ✓Minimum deposit starts from $5
- ✓Tighter displayed spread range than XM Standard in our comparison data
- ✓Combines relatively low spreads with a simpler commission-free pricing model
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
Disadvantages and Considerations
- !The displayed spread range is not as tight as XM Zero in our account data
- !Active traders may need to compare total cost with the commission-based Zero account
- !The spread remains an important trading cost even without a separate commission
- !Choosing it based on the Ultra Low name alone can be misleading without comparing other XM accounts
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
Who Is This Account Suitable For?
- •Traders looking for tighter spreads without a separate trading commission
- •Users who find the Standard account spread relatively high for their trading style
- •Traders who prefer simpler pricing over a commission-based account structure
- •Anyone comparing a lower-spread XM option with the XM Zero account before opening an account
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.
Detailed Account Analysis
XM Ultra Low vs Standard: Where Does Ultra Low Have the Advantage?
The clearest Ultra Low advantage appears when its spread is compared directly with Standard. Broker Alarab data lists Ultra Low at 0.6–1.0 pips versus 1.0–1.5 pips for Standard, while neither account has a separate trading commission and both have a $5 minimum deposit. Ultra Low therefore has a clear advantage in the displayed spread range in our dataset. Traders who do not specifically need another feature of Standard should compare Ultra Low first when reducing spread cost is a priority.
XM Ultra Low vs Zero: Which Account Costs Less?
This comparison is more complex because the accounts use different pricing models. Ultra Low has spreads of 0.6–1.0 pips with no separate commission in our data, while Zero is listed at 0.0–0.3 pips with a $7-per-lot commission. Zero cannot therefore be considered cheaper simply because its displayed spread is lower. Traders need to compare spread and commission together, especially when trading frequently or using larger position sizes.
Is the XM Ultra Low Account Good for Active Trading?
Ultra Low can be attractive to active traders because its displayed spread range is tighter than Standard in our data and there is no separate trading commission. Suitability still depends on trading style. As trade frequency increases, relatively small cost differences become more important and comparison with Zero becomes essential. Traders who prefer costs concentrated in the spread may find Ultra Low simpler, while others may find Zero more competitive after calculating their total transaction cost.
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.
Important details about the XM Ultra Low account
Ultra Low does not mean zero spread
Broker Alarab data lists the XM Ultra Low spread at 0.6–1.0 pips. Traders should therefore distinguish the Ultra Low name from the XM Zero account, which has a different displayed spread range and uses a per-lot commission model.
Compare total cost rather than spread alone
The lack of a separate commission makes Ultra Low pricing relatively easy to understand, but comparison with Zero should include both spread and commission. The account with the tighter spread is not automatically cheaper for every trade size or strategy.
Minimum deposit does not define suitable trading capital
Our data lists a $5 minimum deposit for XM Ultra Low, but this is an account requirement rather than a recommendation for trading capital. Suitable funding depends on position size, leverage, strategy and individual risk limits.
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 Spread is 0.0 - 0.3, while XM Ultra Low shows 0.6 – 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 IC Markets Raw Spread is $200, compared with $5 for XM Ultra Low. 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 Spread vs XM Ultra Low
Answers to common questions about account comparisons, trading costs and account conditions.
What is the difference between IC Markets Raw Spread and XM Ultra Low?+
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 Spread account?+
What is the IC Markets Raw Spread spread and commission?+
What is the IC Markets Raw Spread minimum deposit?+
What is the difference between IC Markets Raw Spread and Standard?+
What is the XM Ultra Low account?+
What is the XM Ultra Low 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.
