Broker Alarab
Detailed Trading Account Comparison

Trading Account Comparison: IC Markets Raw Spreadvs XS Standard

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

ACCOUNT OVERVIEW

What Makes IC Markets Raw Spread Different from XS 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 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 Standard

The XS Standard account is the core XS account for traders looking for straightforward commission-free pricing with no minimum deposit according to Broker Alarab data. Spreads range from 1.1–1.8 pips with Market Execution, making it primarily suited to beginners and general trading, while Pro and Elite deserve comparison when lower trading costs become a priority.

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
Standard

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
Standard

Account Type

IC Markets
raw
XS
standard

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

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

Standard

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 Standard account as most relevant to beginners and traders seeking a general-purpose account with no separate commission and no minimum deposit. Its simplicity is an advantage, but the 1.1–1.8 pip spread range is not the tightest within XS in our data, so more active traders should compare Standard with Pro and Elite.

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

  • ✓No separate trading commission according to Broker Alarab data
  • ✓No minimum deposit based on our account data
  • ✓Straightforward pricing structure primarily based on the spread
  • ✓Positioned for beginners and general trading in our account classification
  • ✓Swap-free trading is available according to the account conditions in our data

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
  • !XS Pro has a tighter spread range for traders placing greater emphasis on trading costs
  • !May not be the most cost-efficient choice for active or spread-sensitive traders
  • !Elite offers a substantially tighter displayed spread range but uses a separate commission model

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 looking for a straightforward XS trading account
  • •Traders who prefer not to pay a separate trading commission
  • •Users looking for an XS account with no minimum deposit according to our data
  • •General traders who do not specifically require a tight-spread raw pricing model

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 Standard vs Micro: Which Account Is Better for Starting Out?

Standard and Micro have very similar headline pricing in our data. Both show spreads of 1.1–1.8 pips, no separate trading commission, no minimum deposit and Market Execution. There is therefore no clear pricing advantage based on spread or commission alone. The more important distinction is account use: Standard is classified for beginners and general trading, while Micro focuses more specifically on smaller trade sizing. Traders who do not require the Micro structure may find Standard the more straightforward starting point.

XS Standard vs Pro: Is the Tighter Spread Worth the Higher Deposit?

This comparison introduces a more meaningful cost difference. Standard has spreads of 1.1–1.8 pips, no separate commission and no minimum deposit in our data, while Pro narrows the spread range to 0.6–1.0 pips with no separate commission but requires a $500 minimum deposit. Pro therefore has a clear displayed spread advantage, while Standard significantly lowers the entry requirement. The choice depends on whether accessibility or tighter spreads matter more to the trader.

XS Standard vs Elite: Simple Pricing or Very Tight Spreads?

The difference between Standard and Elite is larger because the pricing models are different. Standard has no separate commission and spreads of 1.1–1.8 pips, while Elite is listed at 0.0–0.2 pips with a $6-per-lot commission and a $500 minimum deposit. Standard offers simpler pricing and lower entry requirements, whereas Elite is aimed more directly at spread-sensitive trading. A proper comparison should include spread, commission and trading volume together.

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 Standard account

No minimum deposit does not mean trading requires no capital

Broker Alarab data lists the XS Standard account with no minimum deposit. This means there is no stated account minimum in our dataset, but it does not mean every funding amount will be suitable for live trading or responsible risk management.

No commission does not mean there is no trading cost

Standard has no separate trading commission in our data, but its 1.1–1.8 pip spread remains an important part of transaction cost. Traders should evaluate effective trading cost rather than focusing only on the commission field.

Swap-free trading is available subject to account conditions

Our data records swap-free availability while maintaining the same trading conditions. Traders should still review eligibility and applicable account or instrument conditions before relying on the swap-free feature.

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 Standard 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 Standard. 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 Standard

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

What is the difference between IC Markets Raw Spread and XS Standard?+
The recorded spread for IC Markets Raw Spread is 0.0 - 0.3, compared with 1.1 – 1.8 for XS Standard. 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 Standard account?+
The XS Standard account is a general trading account classified for beginners in Broker Alarab data. We list spreads of 1.1–1.8 pips, no separate trading commission, no minimum deposit and Market Execution. Its main appeal is a straightforward pricing structure compared with more specialized XS accounts such as Pro and Elite.
What is the XS Standard account spread and commission?+
Broker Alarab data lists XS Standard spreads at 1.1–1.8 pips with no separate trading commission. It is not the tightest XS account in our dataset: Pro is listed at 0.6–1.0 pips without a separate commission, while Elite offers an even tighter displayed range with a per-lot 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.