Broker Alarab
Detailed Trading Account Comparison

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.

ACCOUNT OVERVIEW

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.

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
Standard
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
Standard
XS
Standard

Account Type

IC Markets
standard
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
0.8 - 1.0
XS
1.1 – 1.8

Minimum Recorded Spread

Based on the available account information.

IC Markets
0.8
XS
1.1

Average Recorded Spread

IC Markets
0.9
XS
1.4

Advertised Commission

IC Markets
$0
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

Standard

XS logo

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.

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 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.

02

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.

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 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?+
The recorded spread for IC Markets Standard is 0.8 - 1.0, compared with 1.1 – 1.8 for XS Standard. The advertised commissions are $0 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 Standard account?+
The IC Markets Standard account has no separate trading commission and is categorized by Broker Alarab for beginners. According to our data, spreads range from 0.8–1.0 pips, commission is $0, the minimum deposit is $200 and orders use Market Execution. It differs from the Raw accounts by placing trading cost primarily within the spread instead of combining tighter spreads with a separate commission.
What is the IC Markets Standard spread and commission?+
According to Broker Alarab data, IC Markets Standard spreads range from 0.8–1.0 pips and there is no separate trading commission. The spread therefore represents the primary transaction cost. Zero commission does not mean cost-free trading, which is why Standard and Raw Spread should be compared using total trading cost rather than commission alone.
What is the IC Markets Standard minimum deposit?+
The IC Markets Standard minimum deposit listed in our data is $200. This is also the minimum currently listed for all five IC Markets accounts in the Broker Alarab account table. The $200 amount represents the account requirement in our dataset rather than a recommendation for how much capital a trader should use.
What is the difference between IC Markets Standard and Raw Spread?+
Standard uses 0.8–1.0 pip spreads with no separate commission, while Raw Spread uses 0.0–0.3 pip spreads with a $7-per-lot commission according to our data. Both have a $200 minimum deposit and use Market Execution. Standard offers simpler pricing, while Raw Spread is categorized for scalpers and requires spread and commission to be evaluated together.
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.