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Raw Spread Vs Standard Account

Andrey Mastykin
Written by:
Andrey Mastykin
Dan Blystone
Reviewed by:
Dan Blystone
Chinmay Soni
Fact-checked by:
Chinmay Soni
Updated:
June 23, 2026

Editorial Note: While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for How We Make Money. None of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer.

Raw spread accounts are preferred by experienced scalpers and day traders who understand the market dynamics, order type, and the impact of high market volatility. Standard accounts are more suitable for beginners because they are less affected by volatility and have relatively fixed spreads.

Standard Forex Account: Includes higher spreads with no additional commission fees, as broker costs are built into the spread. This account type is suitable for beginner traders who prefer simpler cost structures and do not trade frequently.

Raw Spread Forex Account: Offers lower, market-based spreads with a separate commission fee per trade, making it suitable for more experienced traders who seek lower trading costs and greater transparency in pricing.

One of the many challenges Forex traders face, especially beginners, in the financial markets is choosing between a Raw spread and a Standard account. Understanding the differences and choosing the account type that suits your trading style can significantly shape your trading journey. So, in this article, we will unveil the details between Raw spread vs. Standard accounts, the distinct pros and cons of each account type, and the best account type for a beginner.

What is a Standard account?

A Standard account is a flexible trading account that typically offers traders Standard trading conditions. It offers traders access to various markets like stocks, Forex, indices, and commodities. Besides, it also offers higher leverage, which enables traders to open larger trade positions with smaller capital. Finally, spreads and commissions in Standard accounts vary for different brokers. Generally, spreads are higher albeit with lower or no commissions.

  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Higher Leverage: Higher leverage allows traders to open larger positions with little capital. This offers traders the opportunity to make significant profits from the market, regardless of their account size.
  • Less Market Volatility: Standard accounts are less affected by market volatility because the broker acts as a market maker.
  • Commission-free: Trades open on Standard accounts are typically free from commissions charged by brokers.
  • Wider Spread: Standard accounts have a wider spread, which could impact profitability.
  • Increased Risks: While high leverages offer traders the opportunity to make significant profits with limited capital, it also increases the chance of losing capital with few bad trades.

What is Raw spread in Forex?

Raw spread in Forex represents a type of trading account that offers traders the real cost of executing a trade, which reflects the interbank rates in the financial markets. Essentially, brokers that offer Raw spread accounts do not add markups to the spreads, thereby allowing traders to trade with tight market spreads.

  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Transparency: Traders get the actual cost of trading without hidden charges or markups on spreads.
  • Lower Trading Costs: Brokers with Raw spreads offer traders the opportunity to trade at lower costs.
  • Fast Market Execution:Raw spread account also offers faster market execution, which makes it suitable for high-frequency trading.
  • Hidden Charges: Some brokers may charge higher commissions and swap fees to make up for the zero-cost spread.
  • Market Volatility: Traders may incur severe losses from a sudden increase in market volatility.

Where to start trading with a Raw spread?

Starting to trade Forex on a Raw spread account involves choosing a broker that caters to more advanced traders, offering transparent pricing with low market spreads and separate commission fees. Important features to consider include advanced trading platforms, deep liquidity, and reliable execution speeds.

Min. deposit, $ Daily volume, $ bn ECN Commission ECN Spread EUR/USD Supported currency pairs Open account

ZForex

10 No 7 0.1 50 Go to broker
Your capital is at risk.

OANDA

No 12,84 3.5 0.15 68 Go to broker
Your capital is at risk.

Trading.com USA

50 5,000 No No 69 Go to broker
Your capital is at risk.

Comparison between Raw spread vs Standard account

Feature

Raw Spread Account

Standard Account

Spreads

Variable, very tight

Fixed, typically wider

Commissions

Charged per trade size

Usually commission-free

Pricing

Direct market access

Broker acts as a market maker

Market Conditions

Best for high volatility

Less affected by volatility

Suitable for

Scalpers and day traders

Swing traders and beginners

Transparency

High transparency

May lack transparency

Predictability

Spreads may vary widely

Fixed spreads for easy planning

Costs

Lower spreads, commissions

Spreads make up the cost

Which one is the better choice for beginners?

Forex traders approach the financial market differently. So, choosing between Standard and Raw spreads is dependent on a trader’s preference and style of trading. However, here’s a breakdown of Standard account vs. Raw spread to help beginner traders make better choices:

Raw Spread Accounts are widely preferred by experienced scalpers and day traders who understand the market dynamics, order type, and the impact of high market volatility. So, Raw spread accounts generally suit experienced traders with high trading frequency like scalpers and day traders because of the tighter spreads

On the other hand, Standard accounts are more suitable for beginners because they are less affected by volatility and have relatively fixed spreads. The fixed spread offered by Standard accounts is crucial for beginner traders to calculate how much they are willing to lose should a trade position go contrary to the direction of the projected analysis.

Furthermore, unlike a Raw spread account that requires bigger trading capital; a Standard account requires small capital, which makes it affordable and more suitable for beginners.

Expert Opinion

Richard Best
Richard Best Forex and Crypto Expert

Novice traders should prioritize simplicity and cost predictability above all else when choosing an account. This should steer them towards Standard accounts. Here's why:

  • Standard accounts have a built-in spread, which acts like a single transaction cost. This simplifies expense calculation and avoids surprises.

  • Raw spread accounts, while offering tighter spreads (potentially lower costs per trade), charge commissions on top. This adds complexity and makes cost prediction trickier, especially for beginners.

  • Raw spreads are ideal for frequent, short-term trades (scalping, day trading) where tight spreads matter most. Beginners typically focus on longer-term strategies where Raw spreads have less impact.

  • Standard accounts often come with lower minimum deposits, making them more accessible for starting with a smaller investment.

Novice traders should focus on learning the fundamentals of trading before diving into complex cost structures. Standard accounts provide more straightforward conditions for beginners to develop their skills.

Conclusion

When choosing between a Raw Spread and a Standard Account, beginners should prioritize simplicity and lower risk, making the Standard Account generally more suitable for starting out. While Raw Spread accounts offer tighter spreads and appeal to experienced traders who can navigate commission structures and volatility, Standard Accounts provide a more straightforward cost structure bundled with spreads, which can help new traders focus on learning the markets without unexpected fees. For example, a beginner may find it easier to manage and predict trading costs with a Standard Account compared to calculating commissions with Raw Spread accounts. Ultimately, the best choice empowers traders to grow confidently, and starting with a Standard Account lays a solid foundation for success before exploring advanced options.

FAQs

What are the main risks associated with choosing a Raw Spread account?

The primary risks of a Raw Spread account include exposure to highly variable spreads during volatile market conditions, which can lead to unpredictable trading costs and potential losses. Additionally, separate commission fees per trade can complicate expense management.

How does leverage differ between Raw Spread and Standard accounts?

Standard accounts typically offer higher leverage options, enabling traders to open larger positions with less capital. Raw Spread account leverage varies by broker but may be more limited to mitigate risk, as these accounts are designed for experienced traders.

What level of transparency can traders expect from Raw Spread versus Standard accounts?

Raw Spread accounts provide higher transparency, as traders receive direct market-based spreads without hidden markups, and all costs are explicitly stated. Standard accounts may lack this level of transparency because the broker’s charges are bundled into wider, fixed spreads.

How do cost structures impact long-term trading strategies for each account type?

Standard accounts, with their predictable, all-in-one spread costs, simplify planning for longer-term strategies and help manage risk. Raw Spread accounts, while potentially cheaper per trade for high-frequency traders due to tight spreads, introduce variable costs through commissions and fluctuating market spreads, which may add complexity to long-term cost management.

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Team that worked on the article

Andrey Mastykin
Andrey Mastykin
Head of Company Reviews and Ratings

Andrey Mastykin is an experienced author, editor, and content strategist who has been with Traders Union since 2020. As an editor, he is meticulous about fact-checking and ensuring the accuracy of all information published on the Traders Union platform.

Learn about our editorial policies
Dan Blystone
Dan Blystone
Senior English Editor

Dan Blystone began his trading career in 1998 as an arbitrage clerk on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). He later traded bond and Eurex futures at proprietary firms such as Altea Trading, gaining valuable experience in high-frequency trading and risk management.

Chinmay Soni
Chinmay Soni
Head of Fact-Checking Department

Chinmay Soni is a financial analyst with more than 5 years of experience in working with stocks, Forex, derivatives, and other assets. As a founder of a boutique research firm and an active researcher, he covers various industries and fields, providing insights backed by statistical data.

Glossary for novice traders
Day trader

A day trader is an individual who engages in buying and selling financial assets within the same trading day, seeking to profit from short-term price movements.

Forex Trading

Forex trading, short for foreign exchange trading, is the practice of buying and selling currencies in the global foreign exchange market with the aim of profiting from fluctuations in exchange rates. Traders speculate on whether one currency will rise or fall in value relative to another currency and make trading decisions accordingly. However, beware that trading carries risks, and you can lose your whole capital.

Risk Management

Risk management is a risk management model that involves controlling potential losses while maximizing profits. The main risk management tools are stop loss, take profit, calculation of position volume taking into account leverage and pip value.

Index

Index in trading is the measure of the performance of a group of stocks, which can include the assets and securities in it.

Day trading

Day trading involves buying and selling financial assets within the same trading day, with the goal of profiting from short-term price fluctuations, and positions are typically not held overnight.

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