
Trading Account Comparison: IC Markets Standardvs XS 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 Standard 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 Standard
The IC Markets Standard account is the broker’s straightforward pricing option for traders who prefer trading without a separate per-lot commission. According to Broker Alarab data, spreads range from 0.8–1.0 pips, commission is $0, the minimum deposit is $200 and orders use Market Execution. We categorize it for beginners, while comparing Standard with IC Markets Raw accounts becomes increasingly important as trading activity grows.
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.
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 Standard | XS Standard |
|---|---|---|
01 — Basic Account Information Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information. | ||
| Broker | IC Markets | XS |
| Account Name | Standard | Standard |
| Account Type | standard | standard |
| Broker Regulatory Licenses Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country. | ASIC | CySEC | FSA | SCB | ASIC | CySEC | FSA | LFSA | FSCA | FSC | SCA |
02 — Spreads and Trading Costs Compare the recorded trading costs without assuming undocumented pricing. | ||
| Advertised Spread Range | 0.8 - 1.0 | 1.1 – 1.8 |
| Minimum Recorded Spread Based on the available account information. | 0.8 | 1.1 |
| Average Recorded Spread | 0.9 | 1.4 |
| Advertised Commission | $0 | $0 |
03 — Deposits and Execution Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics. | ||
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $0 |
| 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 | ASIC | CySEC | FSA | LFSA | FSCA | FSC | SCA |
| Broker Maximum Leverage Actual leverage may depend on the account, jurisdiction and legal entity. | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| 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
Standard

XS
Standard
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see IC Markets Standard as better suited to traders who value simple commission-free pricing, particularly beginners who do not want to calculate spread and commission together. However, IC Markets offers several Raw alternatives, making comparison essential. Its 0.8–1.0 pip range can matter more as volume and trading frequency increase, so zero commission alone should not determine the choice.
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
- ✓No separate trading commission according to Broker Alarab data
- ✓Spreads range from 0.8–1.0 pips in our data
- ✓Straightforward cost structure that is easier for beginners to understand
- ✓Minimum deposit is $200 according to our data
- ✓Provides a clear alternative for traders who do not want tight-spread pricing with a separate commission
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
- !Spread range is wider than the Raw accounts listed in our data
- !Commission-free does not mean the transaction has no cost
- !Spread cost can become more important for scalping and frequent trading
- !Active traders should compare Standard with Raw Spread and the professional Raw tiers before choosing
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?
- •Beginners looking for an IC Markets account with easy-to-understand pricing
- •Traders who prefer not to pay a separate commission per lot
- •Lower-frequency traders who are not focused exclusively on obtaining the tightest possible spread
- •Users who prefer a primarily spread-based cost model instead of combining spread and commission
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
IC Markets Standard vs Raw Spread: Which Account Is Better?
This is one of the most important comparisons when choosing an IC Markets account. According to Broker Alarab data, Standard uses a 0.8–1.0 pip spread range with no separate commission, while Raw Spread uses 0.0–0.3 pips with a $7-per-lot commission. Both have a $200 minimum deposit in our data, so the entry requirement does not decide the comparison. Standard provides simpler pricing, while Raw Spread reduces the spread in exchange for commission. The better option depends on lot size, trading frequency and the total cost produced by each structure.
Is the IC Markets Standard Account Good for Beginners?
Broker Alarab categorizes Standard for beginners, and one reason this type of account can suit newer traders is the clarity of its cost structure. There is no separate per-lot commission, allowing traders to focus primarily on the spread when understanding entry and exit costs. This does not reduce trading risk or guarantee that Standard is always the cheapest account. Its main advantage for beginners is pricing simplicity, while Raw accounts can be compared later as trading size and frequency increase.
When Does a Raw Account Make More Sense Than Standard?
As traders become more spread-sensitive or increase their transaction frequency and trading volume, comparing Standard with the Raw accounts becomes more important. Standard is listed at 0.8–1.0 pips in our data, while several Raw options use tighter ranges with separate commissions. Traders should translate both the spread difference and commission into an effective cost at their expected lot size. This produces a more useful decision than relying only on labels such as commission-free or tight spread.
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 Standard account
Commission-free does not mean free trading
Standard has a $0 commission in our data, but its 0.8–1.0 pip spread range remains an important component of transaction cost and should be included in comparisons.
The minimum deposit in our data is $200
Broker Alarab lists a $200 minimum deposit for Standard. This is an account requirement rather than a recommendation for suitable trading capital or risk.
Compare Standard and Raw using total trading cost
The presence of commission on a Raw account or its absence on Standard does not determine the cheaper option by itself. Spread differences and commission should be compared using expected volume and transaction frequency.
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.
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 Standard is 0.8 - 1.0, while XS Standard shows 1.1 – 1.8. 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 Standard 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.
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 Standard vs XS Standard
Answers to common questions about account comparisons, trading costs and account conditions.
What is the difference between IC Markets Standard and XS 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 Standard account?+
What is the IC Markets Standard spread and commission?+
What is the IC Markets Standard minimum deposit?+
What is the difference between IC Markets Standard and Raw Spread?+
What is the XS Standard account?+
What is the XS 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.
