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IC Markets Account Types Compared for Every Trader
IC Markets offers two distinct account models, the Raw Spread Account and the Standard Account each tailored to different trading philosophies and strategies. Understanding the fee structure, spread characteristics, and ideal use case for each is essential for optimizing your trading journey.
For active traders focused on long-term cost savings, it is highly strategic to ensure your account provides the maximum possible financial return. Exploring exclusive financial benefits, such as reduced commissions and potential trading rebates, often available through specialized partnerships like the Cashback IC Markets program, is a powerful move.
The Raw Spread Account: Built for Professionals
The Raw Spread Account is IC Markets' flagship product, designed to provide institutional-grade pricing for retail traders. It is the overwhelming choice for high-volume participants.
Fee Structure
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Spreads: Ultra-low, averaging 0.0 to 0.1 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD. Spreads can often hit 0.0, especially during peak liquidity.
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Commissions: A small, fixed commission is charged per standard lot traded (typically around $3.50 per side, or $7.00 round turn).
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Total Cost: This model separates the commission from the spread, resulting in the lowest possible total trading cost when spreads are at their minimum.
Ideal Use Cases
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Scalping: Strategies that rely on capturing small, frequent price movements benefit most from near-zero spreads.
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Expert Advisors (EAs): Automated systems require consistent, tight pricing and fast execution to be profitable, making the Raw Spread Account the optimal environment.
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High-Volume Trading: Traders executing many standard lots monthly will see the greatest financial benefit from the minimized spread cost.
Read more:
The Standard Account: Simplicity and Ease
The Standard Account is designed for straightforward, commission-free trading. It is an excellent choice for those who prefer a single, predictable cost integrated into the price.
Fee Structure
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Spreads: Wider than the Raw Spread Account, typically averaging around 1.0 to 1.2 pips for major pairs.
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Commissions: Zero commission is charged on trade execution. The broker's fee is built entirely into the spread.
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Total Cost: The total cost per trade is higher than the Raw Spread Account but is easier to calculate quickly.
Ideal Use Cases
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Discretionary Trading: Traders who execute trades less frequently and prefer to keep their cost calculation simple, without tracking separate commission charges.
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Beginner Traders: The commission-free model is often less intimidating for those new to the market.
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Long-Term Position Trading: Strategies that hold trades for days or weeks are less sensitive to the entry cost (spread) and may prioritize the simplicity of the zero-commission model.
Platform Availability by Account Type
Both account types are available across the most popular trading platforms, ensuring flexibility regardless of your preference:
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Raw Spread Account: Available on MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader.
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Standard Account: Available on MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
Note: If your primary interest is the advanced features and unique order types of cTrader, you must opt for the Raw Spread Account, as the Standard Account is not supported on that platform.
Making Your Final Decision
Your choice should align directly with your trading frequency and strategy.
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Choose Raw Spread if: You prioritize the lowest possible execution cost and plan to trade frequently or use EAs. You are comfortable paying a small commission.
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Choose Standard if: You prioritize simplicity, are a beginner, or hold positions for a long duration, making the spread width less critical than the convenience of zero commission.
By carefully considering your trading style against the detailed costs of the Raw Spread and Standard Accounts, you can select the perfect account on IC Markets to optimize your trading performance.
Author: Backcom App