Broker Alarab
Detailed Trading Account Comparison

Trading Account Comparison: IC Markets Raw Spreadvs XS Cent

Explore differences in spreads, commissions, deposits and trading conditions, alongside a detailed review of each account's advantages and limitations.

View Comparison Table ↓Compare Other Accounts
ACCOUNT OVERVIEW

What Makes IC Markets Raw Spread Different from XS Cent?

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.

XS Cent

The XS Cent account is designed for traders who want live trading through a cent-based account structure, allowing capital and position sizing to be managed on a smaller scale. According to Broker Alarab data, spreads range from 1.1–1.8 pips with no separate trading commission, no minimum deposit and Market Execution, making it relevant to beginners and strategy testing.

SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

Compare Trading Accounts, Spreads, Commissions and Platforms

Review spreads, commissions, minimum deposits, trading platforms, execution methods and broker-level regulatory information.

IC Markets
Raw Spread
XS
Cent

01 — Basic Account Information

Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information.

Broker

IC Markets
IC Markets
XS
XS

Account Name

IC Markets
Raw Spread
XS
Cent

Account Type

IC Markets
raw
XS
cent

Broker Regulatory Licenses

Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country.

IC Markets
ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB
XS
ASIC | CySEC | FSA | LFSA | FSCA | FSC | SCA

02 — Spreads and Trading Costs

Compare the recorded trading costs without assuming undocumented pricing.

Advertised Spread Range

IC Markets
0.0 - 0.3
XS
1.1 – 1.8

Minimum Recorded Spread

Based on the available account information.

IC Markets
0
XS
1.1

Average Recorded Spread

IC Markets
0.1
XS
1.4

Advertised Commission

IC Markets
Not specified
XS
$0

03 — Deposits and Execution

Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics.

Minimum Deposit

IC Markets
$200
XS
$0

Order Execution Method

IC Markets
Market Execution
XS
Market Execution

Trading Platforms

Available platforms may differ by account type.

IC Markets
MT4 | MT5 | cTrader | TradingView
XS
MT4 | MT5

04 — Account Features and Conditions

Review relevant account characteristics and trading suitability.

Scalping Suitability

An internal classification, not a guarantee of suitability.

IC Markets
Not classified in this category
XS
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

IC Markets
ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB
XS
ASIC | CySEC | FSA | LFSA | FSCA | FSC | SCA

Broker Maximum Leverage

Actual leverage may depend on the account, jurisdiction and legal entity.

IC Markets
1:500
XS
1:2000

Open a Trading Account

IC Markets
Open Account ↗
XS
Open Account ↗

Information is based on records available to Broker Alarab. Trading conditions may vary by account, country and legal entity.

EXPERT ANALYSIS

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 logo

IC Markets

Raw Spread

XS logo

XS

Cent

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 the XS Cent account as most valuable as a bridge between demo and conventional live trading, or as an environment for testing strategies with real money on a smaller scale. No separate commission and no minimum deposit support that use case, but its 1.1–1.8 pip spread range means it is not primarily designed around achieving the lowest trading cost.

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

  • ✓Cent-based account structure supports live trading on a smaller scale
  • ✓No separate trading commission according to Broker Alarab data
  • ✓No minimum deposit based on our account data
  • ✓Can be useful for testing strategies and risk management with real money
  • ✓Provides a practical transition between demo trading and conventional live accounts

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 1.1–1.8 pip spread range is not the tightest among XS accounts in our data
  • !The account serves a specific purpose and may not suit traders seeking conventional position sizing
  • !Successful Cent trading does not remove the psychological and risk differences that come with larger capital
  • !Spread-sensitive traders should compare the account with XS Pro and Elite

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?

  • •Beginners seeking a gradual transition from demo to live trading
  • •Traders who want to test a strategy with real money on a smaller scale
  • •Users practicing practical money management and trading discipline
  • •Traders specifically looking for a cent-based structure rather than a conventional 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

XS Cent vs Micro: What Is the Real Difference?

Cent and Micro can appear similar because both can support smaller-scale trading, and our data lists both at 1.1–1.8 pips with no separate commission and no minimum deposit. Their purpose is not identical, however. Cent is distinguished by its cent-based account structure, while Micro focuses more directly on smaller trade sizing. The choice therefore depends on how the trader wants to manage account balance and position size rather than a spread or commission difference in our dataset.

XS Cent vs Standard: Gradual Learning or Conventional Trading?

Standard and Cent share the same 1.1–1.8 pip spread range in Broker Alarab data, with no separate commission or minimum deposit on either account. The key distinction is account purpose. Standard is a general option closer to conventional trading, while Cent makes more sense when a trader specifically wants a cent-based environment for learning or strategy testing. A trader may therefore use Cent as a transitional environment before moving to Standard when conventional account sizing becomes more appropriate.

XS Cent vs Pro: When Does a More Advanced Account Make Sense?

As the trader moves from learning and testing toward reducing transaction costs, comparison with Pro becomes more important. Cent is listed at 1.1–1.8 pips with no separate commission or minimum deposit, while Pro has a tighter 0.6–1.0 pip range with no separate commission and a $500 minimum deposit in our data. Cent therefore prioritizes accessibility and testing, while Pro becomes more relevant as capital and trading activity increase and spread cost has a greater impact.

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 XS Cent account

Understand how balance is represented in a Cent account

A Cent account uses a cent-based structure, so traders should understand how the balance and trade value are represented before trading. The structure supports smaller-scale trading but does not make profits or losses unreal.

Cent is not the lowest-spread XS account

Broker Alarab data lists the XS Cent spread at 1.1–1.8 pips. Its main value therefore comes from the account structure and its usefulness for learning and testing rather than from providing the lowest trading cost available at XS.

Smaller-scale trading does not remove risk

Using a Cent account can help reduce market exposure, but it does not eliminate trading or leverage risk. Position sizing, loss limits and disciplined risk management remain important even when trading on a smaller scale.

Read the Full Account Review →
Read the Full Account Review →
DECISION GUIDE

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.

01

Compare Spreads and Commissions Together

The recorded spread for IC Markets Raw Spread is 0.0 - 0.3, while XS Cent shows 1.1 – 1.8. Evaluating overall trading costs also requires checking commission rates, pricing units, instruments and position sizes.

02

Review Minimum Deposit Requirements

The recorded minimum deposit for IC Markets Raw Spread is $200, compared with $0 for XS Cent. A lower deposit requirement may provide more flexibility, but it does not automatically make an account better.

03

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.

04

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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs About IC Markets Raw Spread vs XS Cent

Answers to common questions about account comparisons, trading costs and account conditions.

What is the difference between IC Markets Raw Spread and XS Cent?+
The recorded spread for IC Markets Raw Spread is 0.0 - 0.3, compared with 1.1 – 1.8 for XS Cent. The advertised commissions are Not specified and $0, respectively. You should also consider execution conditions, deposit requirements and account availability.
Is the account with the lowest spread always better?+
Not necessarily. Trading costs should be evaluated using both spreads and commissions, while considering the financial instrument, position size and execution conditions.
Can I compare two accounts from the same broker?+
Yes. Broker Alarab allows traders to compare accounts from the same broker or from different brokers.
How can I verify the trading conditions?+
Review the broker's official account specifications, applicable legal entity and trading conditions. Spreads, commissions and leverage may vary by instrument, account and jurisdiction.
What is the IC Markets Raw Spread account?+
The IC Markets Raw Spread account is a tight-spread account categorized by Broker Alarab for scalping. According to our data, spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips, commission is $7 per lot, the minimum deposit is $200 and orders use Market Execution. It differs from Standard by using tighter spreads in exchange for a separate per-lot commission.
What is the IC Markets Raw Spread spread and commission?+
According to Broker Alarab data, IC Markets Raw Spread spreads range from 0.0–0.3 pips and commission is $7 per lot. A spread starting at 0.0 does not mean the transaction is cost-free because commission is a direct component of the pricing model. This is particularly important for scalping and frequent trading, where transaction costs can accumulate.
What is the IC Markets Raw Spread minimum deposit?+
The IC Markets Raw Spread minimum deposit listed in Broker Alarab data is $200. This matches the minimum listed for Standard and the other IC Markets accounts currently in our table. The figure represents the account requirement rather than a recommendation for suitable trading capital or risk.
What is the difference between IC Markets Raw Spread and Standard?+
According to our data, Raw Spread uses 0.0–0.3 pip spreads with a $7-per-lot commission, while Standard uses 0.8–1.0 pip spreads with no separate commission. Both start at $200 and use Market Execution. Raw Spread is categorized for scalpers, while Standard is categorized for beginners, making total cost and trading style central to the comparison.
What is the XS Cent account?+
The XS Cent account is a cent-based trading account designed for traders who want live-market experience or strategy testing on a smaller scale. According to Broker Alarab data, spreads range from 1.1–1.8 pips, there is no separate trading commission, no minimum deposit is listed and orders use Market Execution.
What is the XS Cent minimum deposit?+
Broker Alarab data lists no minimum deposit for the XS Cent account. No stated minimum does not mean every balance is suitable for trading. Capital should still be selected according to position size, leverage, strategy and acceptable risk, even when using a cent-based account.

Explore Both Trading Accounts in Detail

Review the full account information, compare trading conditions and verify the broker's requirements before opening an account.

View IC Markets Raw Spread →View XS Cent →
Compare Two Other Accounts →