Best Low-Spread Forex Brokers (2026)

A spread is the gap between the buy price and the sell price. You pay it every time you open a trade. Brokers love to show the smallest spread they can offer, often on one pair in perfect conditions. That number is not what you will pay.

Raw accounts show a tiny spread and then add a commission. Standard accounts hide the fee inside a wider spread. Both can cost the same. That is why we compare all-in cost: spread plus commission, on the same trade size.

This guide is for scalpers, day traders, swing traders and EA users. We show each broker’s published pricing, convert it into one dollar figure per EUR/USD lot, and explain who each account suits.

Our Top Low-Spread Forex Brokers at a Glance

*Costs vary with market conditions, account type, account currency and the regulated entity you sign up with. Figures reflect published pricing checked in September 2026. Confirm live conditions on each broker’s site.

Compare Broker Costs

How We Chose the Best Low-Spread Forex Brokers

We built this comparison from each broker’s published pricing, converted to one measure: the cost of a 1-lot EUR/USD round trip. We used first-hand test data only where we have it, in our matched HFM and Exness cost test. Everything else comes from broker-published numbers.

What We Evaluated

Best Low-Spread Forex Brokers Reviewed

1. IC Markets — Best Overall Low-Spread Broker

Why We Chose IC Markets

IC Markets earns the top spot because it pairs a published average EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips with a wide platform choice. Its own pricing page says the Raw Spread account was built for day traders, scalpers and expert advisors. No other broker on this list combines MT5, cTrader and TradingView access with pricing this close to the floor.

Key Features

• Three live account styles: Standard, Raw Spread (MT4/MT5) and Raw Spread (cTrader)
• Raw Spread spreads start from 0.0 pips, with a published EUR/USD average of 0.1 pips
• MT4, MT5 and cTrader servers hosted in the Equinix NY4 data centre in New York
• Minimum deposit of $200 on the main account types

Typical Trading Costs

On the MT4/MT5 Raw Spread account, IC Markets charges $3.50 per lot per side, which is $7.00 per round trip. The cTrader Raw account charges $3.00 per side, or $6.00. At a 0.1-pip spread, one EUR/USD lot costs about $8.00 on MT5 and about $7.00 on cTrader. See the IC Markets account overview for the current schedule.

Best Account for Low Spreads

Choose Raw Spread if you trade more than a few lots a month. The Standard account has no commission, but its spread starts from about 0.6 pips. That mark-up costs more than the Raw commission once you trade often. Pick the cTrader version if you want the lowest commission on the list for this broker.

MT5 and TradingView Support

MT5 runs on the Raw Spread account with full market depth. TradingView trading is available through the cTrader-based setup rather than the MT5 account, so match your account to your charting habit before you fund it.

Pros Published 0.1-pip EUR/USD average on Raw Spread MT5, cTrader and TradingView options Built for scalping and expert advisors cTrader commission is $1 lower per lot

Cons $7.00 MT5 commission is higher than FP Markets or Tickmill $200 minimum deposit is higher than most rivals TradingView needs a specific account setup

Who Should Use IC Markets?

Active traders who want low costs and freedom to switch between MT5, cTrader and TradingView. It also suits EA users who need consistent pricing.

Open an IC Markets Account → Read the Full IC Markets Review

2. Pepperstone — Best for TradingView Traders

Why We Chose Pepperstone

Pepperstone is the clearest TradingView pick here. Razor account holders can place orders straight from TradingView charts, and the broker also offers MT4, MT5 and cTrader. That flexibility, plus raw pricing from 0.0 pips, puts it near the top of any cost comparison.

Key Features

• Razor (raw spread plus commission) and Standard (spread only) accounts
• EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips on Razor, averaging about 0.1 pips in published data
• MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and the Pepperstone platform
• Low or no minimum deposit, depending on region

Typical Trading Costs

Pepperstone lists Razor commission at $3.50 per lot per side on MT4/MT5 ($7.00 round trip), $6.00 round trip on cTrader and $7.00 round trip on TradingView. The Standard account has no commission and adds a mark-up of about 1 pip on margin FX. Check the Pepperstone pricing page for your account currency.

Razor vs Standard Account

Razor costs about $8.00 per EUR/USD lot at a 0.1-pip spread on MT5. Standard costs about $10 to $11 at a 1.0 to 1.1-pip spread. If you place more than a handful of trades a month, Razor wins. Standard only makes sense for occasional traders who prefer one simple price.

TradingView Experience

You trade on TradingView with a Razor account. That gives you chart trading, alerts and the community tools without switching windows. The trade-off is that TradingView is not built for automation or copy trading, so EA users should stay on MT5 or cTrader.

Pros Direct order placement from TradingView on Razor Four major platforms Clear commission schedule by platform Very low entry deposit in many regions

Cons $7.00 MT5 commission sits above FP Markets and Tickmill TradingView is not suited to automation Standard account spreads are wider than IC Markets Standard

Who Should Use Pepperstone?

Chart-first traders who live in TradingView, plus anyone who wants to test MT5, cTrader and TradingView under one broker.

Try the Pepperstone Razor Account → Read the Full Pepperstone Review

3. Exness — A Popular Choice for Low-Spread Active Trading

Why We Chose Exness

Exness gives active traders two commission-based accounts built around tight pricing: Raw Spread and Zero. Both start from 0.0 pips on major pairs. We include it because it offers a rare choice between a flat commission model and an instrument-specific one.

Key Features

• Standard, Standard Cent, Pro, Raw Spread and Zero accounts
• Raw Spread charges a fixed commission of up to $3.50 per lot per side
• Zero states 0.0-pip spreads on its top 30 instruments for 95% of the day, with commission from $0.02 per lot per side
• MT4, MT5 and a web terminal; free VPS for active traders, subject to eligibility

Typical Trading Costs

Raw Spread commission is up to $3.50 per side, so up to $7.00 per round trip, and it varies by instrument. Zero commission depends on the instrument too, which means a cheap forex major can cost far less than a metal or index. In our own matched EUR/USD cost test against HFM, both brokers landed at roughly $8.00 per round-trip lot. Read the Raw Spread and Zero account pages for current terms.

Zero Account vs Raw Spread Account

Raw Spread charges one predictable commission on most instruments. Zero charges a variable commission by instrument, starting very low on some. If you trade a mix of forex, gold and indices, Raw Spread is easier to budget. If you trade only a few majors, compare the Zero commission table for your exact symbols before choosing.

Spread Performance During Volatility

Exness says its zero spreads float during key periods such as economic news and rollovers. That is normal for every broker on this list. Expect wider spreads at data releases, and avoid judging any account by its quiet-hour numbers alone.

Pros Two commission-based accounts for different trading mixes Pro account offers spread-only pricing with no commission Market execution with no requotes on raw accounts Free VPS available to eligible active traders

Cons Commission varies by instrument, so you must check your symbols Zero spreads apply to a set of top instruments, not everything Not listed among TradingView’s connected brokers in the lists we checked

Who Should Use Exness?

Active traders who want a choice of raw account structures and are willing to check the commission table for their instruments.

Explore Exness Accounts → Read the Full Exness Review

4. HFM — Best Low-Spread Broker for MT5 Traders

Why We Chose HFM

HFM runs a broad MT5 offering with several cost-focused accounts, and it is the one broker here where we have first-hand cost data. In our matched EUR/USD test against Exness, HFM cost about $8.00 per round-trip lot, the same as Exness.

Key Features

• Cent, Premium, Pro, Pro Plus, Zero and InfinityX accounts
• Zero account: spreads from 0.0 pips, about $3 per lot per side, $25 minimum deposit
• Pro Plus: spreads from 0.2 pips, no commission, $100 minimum deposit
• MT4, MT5, WebTrader and the HFM app

Typical Trading Costs

A Zero account trade costs roughly $6.00 in commission per lot round trip plus the spread, so about $7.00 at a 0.1-pip spread. Pro Plus advertises 0.2 pips with no commission, which works out to about $2 at that minimum. Treat the Pro Plus figure with care: it is a starting spread, and live spreads will run higher. Test it on a demo first. Our full comparison is in the HFM vs Exness cost test.

HFM Zero Account Explained

The Zero account is HFM’s raw-spread option. You pay a small commission per side and get access to spreads that start from 0.0 pips on majors. It is the account to pick if you scalp or run EAs and want the commission shown separately.

MT5 Trading Experience

MT5 gives you more timeframes, depth of market and a built-in economic calendar than MT4. HFM supports it across desktop, web and mobile. In our mobile testing the app scored well for usability. TradingView appears as charts inside HFM’s web platform rather than as a connected trading venue.

Pros Six account types cover beginners to active traders Low $25 minimum on Zero Matched our Exness cost test at about $8.00 per lot Full MT5 support on every device

Cons Pricing and protections differ by regulated entity, so check yours before funding Pro Plus spreads are advertised as a minimum, not an average No connected TradingView trading Some review sites report withdrawal complaints; read our full review first

Who Should Use HFM?

MT5 users who want a cost-conscious raw account plus a spread-only alternative under the same roof.

Visit HFM → Read the Full HFM Review

5. FP Markets — Best for Professional Traders

Why We Chose FP Markets

FP Markets suits traders who want raw pricing and a serious platform stack. Its Raw account charges $3 per side, which is $0.50 less per side than IC Markets on MT5, and it supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and Iress.

Key Features

• Standard (spreads from about 1.0 pip) and Raw (from 0.0 pips) accounts
• Raw commission of $3 per lot per side on forex and metals
• Minimum deposit of $100 on both main accounts
• More than 10,000 instruments, with the range varying by entity

Typical Trading Costs

On the Raw account one EUR/USD lot costs $6.00 in commission. Published spread averages sit around 0.1 to 0.2 pips, so the all-in cost is roughly $7.00 to $8.00 per round trip. The Standard account has no commission and typically costs $10 or more at 1.0 pips and above.

Raw Account Pricing

Raw is the account for active traders. It gives you direct pricing, the same platforms as Standard, and TradingView connectivity that Standard does not include. A $100 minimum makes it easier to start than IC Markets.

Pros $3 per side commission Five platforms including cTrader and Iress TradingView available on Raw Wide instrument range

Cons Standard account costs noticeably more Product range depends on your entity Research depth is lighter than some rivals

Who Should Use FP Markets?

Experienced traders who trade multiple asset classes and want raw pricing with professional-grade platforms.

See FP Markets Raw Pricing → Read the Full FP Markets Review

6. Tickmill — Best for Scalpers

Why We Chose Tickmill

Tickmill’s Raw account keeps things simple: spreads from 0.0 pips, $3 per side, and no restrictions on stop and limit distances. Its own account page says stop and limit levels are zero for Raw users, which matters when you place tight orders.

Key Features

• Classic (spread only) and Raw (commission) accounts
• Raw commission of $3 per lot per side, $6.00 round trip
• $100 minimum deposit; USD, EUR, GBP and ZAR base currencies
• MT4, MT5 and TradingView access on Tickmill Trader Raw accounts, depending on entity

Typical Trading Costs

Reported EUR/USD averages on the Raw account run about 0.1 to 0.15 pips. That makes one lot roughly $7.00 to $7.50 all-in. Classic averages far wider, around 1.6 to 1.7 pips, or $16 to $17 per lot. Some older reviews quote $2 per side; Tickmill’s own Raw account page now lists $3.

Scalping and High-Frequency Trading

Zero stop and limit levels let you place orders very close to market price. Combine that with $6.00 commission and you have a low-friction setup for short trades. Watch spreads at rollover, though. Every broker widens then.

Pros $6.00 round-trip commission on MT5 Zero stop and limit levels on Raw $100 minimum deposit TradingView on Raw for eligible clients

Cons Classic spreads are wide Platform set differs by entity Smaller instrument range than the multi-asset leaders

Who Should Use Tickmill?

Scalpers and short-term traders who care about tight order placement and low commission.

View the Tickmill Raw Account Read the Full Tickmill Review

7. XM — Best Low-Spread Broker for Beginners

Why We Chose XM

XM helps beginners because the Ultra Low account gives tighter spreads without a commission to calculate. The $5 minimum deposit and education library also lower the barrier to starting.

Key Features

• Micro, Standard, Ultra Low and Zero accounts
• Ultra Low spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission
• Zero: spreads from 0.0 pips and $3.50 per side, but limited to certain entities
• $5 minimum deposit on the main CFD accounts

Typical Trading Costs

Ultra Low costs about $6.00 per EUR/USD lot at its 0.6-pip minimum, and typical spreads run higher. Micro and Standard start from 1.0 pip. Zero costs $7.00 in commission plus spread, but it is not open to clients of every XM entity.

Ultra Low Account Explained

Ultra Low keeps XM’s spread-only pricing but tightens it. You see one number on your screen and pay that number. That is easier for a beginner than tracking commission as a separate line.

Pros Spread-only pricing is easy to understand $5 minimum deposit Strong education content MT4 and MT5 both supported

Cons Costs more than raw accounts for frequent traders Zero account is entity-restricted TradingView is chart access only

Who Should Use XM?

New traders who want simple pricing, small starting balances, and learning resources.

Check XM Ultra Low → Read the Full XM Review

8. FXTM — Best for Active Forex Traders

Why We Chose FXTM

FXTM’s Advantage account is aimed at cost-sensitive active traders. It offers spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs, market execution and support for EAs on MT4 and MT5.

Key Features

• Advantage (raw spread) and Advantage Plus (spread only) accounts
• Advantage commission from $3.50 per lot on forex
• Advantage Plus spreads from 1.5 pips with no commission
• $200 minimum deposit on Advantage

Typical Trading Costs

FXTM lists a minimum forex commission of $3.50 per lot on Advantage; third-party reviews treat it as per side. At that rate one lot costs about $7.00 in commission plus spread, roughly $8.00 at 0.1 pips. FXTM states an average execution speed of about 0.08 seconds. See FXTM commissions and fees.

Advantage Account Pricing

This account suits traders who want raw prices and volume. Advantage Plus removes commission but starts at 1.5 pips, so it costs more per lot. Choose it only if you trade rarely and want one price.

Pros Raw spreads from 0.0 pips Works with EAs on MT4 and MT5 Market execution Rewards programme on trading activity

Cons $10 monthly inactivity fee after three months idle Order size caps on main accounts No connected TradingView trading in the lists we checked

Who Should Use FXTM?

Active traders who trade regularly and want raw pricing plus loyalty rewards.

Explore FXTM Advantage → Read the Full FXTM Review

Spread Comparison Dashboard

What Is a Forex Spread?

Bid Price

The bid is the price at which you can sell. It is always the lower of the two prices.

Ask Price

The ask is the price at which you can buy. It is always the higher price.

Spread

The spread is the difference between ask and bid. For EUR/USD, one pip is 0.0001.

Example: EUR/USD buy at 1.1001, sell at 1.1000. The spread is 1 pip. On a 1-lot trade, one pip is worth $10, so that spread costs you $10.

Why Spreads Matter

You start every trade slightly behind. A tight spread lets price move into profit sooner. For scalpers, who target small moves, a fraction of a pip changes the outcome.

MT5 Spread Monitor: Raw vs Standard Pricing

What Is a Raw Spread Account?

How Raw Spread Accounts Work

The broker passes on the market’s spread with little or no mark-up. It earns money through a fixed commission instead.

Commission Structure

Commission is charged per lot, per side. A $3.50 per side rate means $7.00 to open and close one standard lot. Some brokers charge $3, and cTrader accounts are often a dollar cheaper.

Advantages

• Tighter spreads that show the true market price
• Transparent, separate fee
• Lower total cost for frequent trading

Disadvantages

• You must add commission to your break-even
• Higher upfront cost per lot on small, infrequent trades
• Often a higher minimum deposit

Scalper Cost Breakdown

A scalper who places 20 one-lot round trips a day pays about $160 on the raw example and $200 on the standard example. That $40 gap repeats every trading day.

Raw Spread vs Standard Account: Which Is Better?

Raw Account Is Usually Better If You:

• Scalp
• Day trade
• Use EAs
• Trade frequently

Standard Account Is Usually Better If You:

• Trade occasionally
• Prefer simple pricing
• Trade larger timeframes

Which Broker Has the Lowest EUR/USD Spread?

On raw accounts, the answer is close to a tie. Most brokers here publish or report EUR/USD averages near 0.1 pips. What separates them is commission. We assumed a 0.1-pip spread for accounts without a published average, so the table isolates commission differences.

All-in cost = spread in pips x $10 + round-trip commission, for one standard EUR/USD lot. Estimates, not live quotes.

Notice the pattern. The raw accounts sit within about $1 to $2 of each other. A $1 commission difference is worth as much as a full tenth of a pip. That is why chasing the smallest advertised spread misleads.

Best Low-Spread Brokers by Trading Style

Best for Scalping

• IC Markets
• Tickmill
• Pepperstone

Read our guide to the best MT5 brokers for scalping.

Best for Beginners

• XM
• HFM

See the best MT5 brokers for beginners.

Best for MT5 Trading

• HFM
• IC Markets
• Exness

Full list: best MT5 brokers.

Best for TradingView

• Pepperstone
• IC Markets

Best for Expert Advisors (EAs)

• IC Markets
• Pepperstone
• Tickmill

Full list: best MT5 brokers for EAs.

Common Mistakes Traders Make When Comparing Spreads

Looking Only at Minimum Spreads

The 0.0 in the ad is a floor. Look at the average.

Ignoring Commission Fees

A 0.0 spread with a $7 commission is not free.

Ignoring Execution Quality

Fast, consistent fills often matter more than a tenth of a pip.

Ignoring Slippage

A tight quote is useless if you fill away from it.

Comparing Different Account Types

Compare raw with raw and standard with standard, or convert both to dollars.

How to Check a Broker’s Real Trading Costs

Review Average Spreads

Find the broker’s published average for your pair, not the minimum.

Check Commission Schedule

Read the commission table for your account currency and platform.

Use a Demo Account

Watch live quotes for a week before you deposit.

Compare During Active Market Hours

Test London and New York overlap, then compare with rollover and news.

Test Multiple Currency Pairs

Cross pairs and gold can cost far more than EUR/USD.

Also check which regulated entity you would join. Pricing, leverage and platforms can differ between entities of the same brand.

Our Verdict: Which Low-Spread Broker Is Best?

Low spreads alone do not guarantee lower trading costs. Traders should consider commissions, execution quality, platform support, and overall trading conditions before choosing a broker.

Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the risk. This article is not financial advice.

FAQs

What is considered a low forex spread?

For EUR/USD, an average under 0.3 pips on a raw account, or under about 1.0 pip on a spread-only account, is generally seen as low. Always add commission before judging.

Which forex broker has the lowest spreads?

On raw accounts, IC Markets, Pepperstone, FP Markets and Tickmill publish or report EUR/USD averages near 0.1 pips. Exness, HFM and FXTM start from 0.0 pips. The lowest all-in cost depends on commission and your pair.

Are zero-spread accounts really free?

No. Zero-spread accounts usually charge a commission per lot, and the spread still moves above zero at times such as news and rollover.

Do low spreads mean better trading conditions?

Not always. Execution speed, slippage, platform quality and commissions also decide what you pay.

Which low-spread broker is best for scalping?

Tickmill, IC Markets and Pepperstone are strong choices. Tickmill lists zero stop and limit levels on its Raw account.

Which low-spread broker supports TradingView?

Pepperstone and IC Markets are the strongest here. FP Markets and Tickmill also support TradingView on eligible accounts.

Are raw spread accounts better than standard accounts?

For frequent traders, usually yes, because the total cost per lot is lower. Occasional traders may prefer standard pricing.

Which low-spread broker is best for beginners?

XM and HFM. XM offers spread-only Ultra Low pricing from 0.6 pips and a $5 minimum deposit.

Can spreads widen during news events?

Yes. Spreads widen at major data releases and at rollover on every broker.

How do I calculate total trading costs?

Multiply the spread in pips by the pip value ($10 per lot on EUR/USD), then add the round-trip commission. Example: 0.1 pips x $10 = $1, plus $7 commission = $8.

Related Guides

• Best MT5 Brokers
• Best MT5 Brokers for Scalping
• Best MT5 Brokers for Beginners
• Best MT5 Copy Trading Brokers

Sources

• IC Markets: account overview
• Pepperstone: trading costs and fees
• Exness Help Center: Raw Spread account
• Exness Help Center: Zero account
• Tickmill: Raw account
• FXTM: commissions and fees