1
9.6Score
ℹ️
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Best Low Spread Brokers
Independently reviewed and ranked by our editorial team.
Summary:
- We look at different brokers based on their spreads for different asset classes and which ones fit different traders.
Introduction
For traders who trade frequently and in high volume, even small differences in spread costs quickly add up. Just half a pip per trade can make a big difference when you’re making hundreds of trades a month. This ranking lists brokers with the lowest starting spreads, based on our Spread From data.
Remember, advertised low spreads on ECN-style accounts often include a separate commission fee. So, before picking a broker, it’s smart to check their full fee structure, not just the advertised spread
How We Ranked Them
Brokers listed here need a ‘Spread From’ value of at least 0.2 pips. After that, we rank them by their Editorial Score. This rule applies to ECN and raw-spread account types and it doesn’t apply to standard fixed-spread accounts.
1ATFXValue on ECN-Style Accounts
Why We Chose It
Value on ECN-Style Accounts
ATFX gives traders competitive spreads, giving direct, affordable access to major markets. Its Edge and RAW accounts, for example, have EUR/USD spreads around 0.15 pips, plus a commission.rnWhile you might find tighter spreads elsewhere, ATFX’s pricing is pretty appealing in the low-spread tier, especially for those who prefer a clean trading setup. It’s a good pick for traders who value strong regulatory oversight and decent spreads, even if they aren’t always the absolute tightest.
Pros
- Scores high for safety, execution quality, and support.
- Regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), SFC (Hong Kong), CySEC (Cyprus), CMA (UAE), SFC (Colombia), FSCA (South Africa), SERC (Cambodia), FSC (Mauritius), FSA (Seychelles)
- In-depth educational content, with webinars and courses.
- Fast, reliable trade execution with minimal slippage reported in independent testing
- Quick trade execution, showing minimal slippage in tests.
- 24/5 customer service that's quick to respond, available in many languages
- Free market analysis and daily commentary from a professional in-house analyst research team.
Cons
- Charges an inactivity fee if you don't trade for three months
- Has fewer assets than larger competitors.
- Doesn't accept clients from the United States.
- Fixed-spread accounts have higher trading fees than raw accounts.
2IC MarketsDeep Liquidity for High-Volume Trading
2
9.5Score
Why We Chose It
Deep Liquidity for High-Volume Trading
IC Markets is one of the biggest retail ECN brokers by trading volume. With its deep liquidity, it offers raw spreads that average 0.1 pips on major pairs during busy times.rnTheir Raw Spread Account comes with deep order-book liquidity. This helps process large orders efficiently, with minimal price impact.
Pros
- True ECN pricing from many liquidity providers
- Spreads can be as low as 0.0 pips on the Raw Spread account during peak hours
- Order execution is very fast, often under 40 milliseconds
- High maximum leverage is available for eligible accounts
- Deep liquidity helps with larger trades, limiting slippage
- You can choose from MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView
Cons
- Requires a higher minimum deposit than some competing platforms.
- Raw accounts charge a commission fee in addition to market spreads
- Limited proprietary research or in-house market analysis tools
3PepperstoneBest For Major-pair Pricing and Platform Flexibility
3
9.4Score
Why We Chose It
Best For Major-pair Pricing and Platform Flexibility
Pepperstone is known for its steady pricing on major currency pairs and its variety of platform choices. The Razor account, for instance, often has EUR/USD spreads around 0.0-0.1 pips. rnWhat’s more, these spreads stay stable even when big news breaks. That’s a real plus for traders who need consistency when they trade.
Pros
- Raw spreads start at 0.0 pips on the Razor account
- Four platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView
- No minimum deposit requirement, lowering the barrier to entry
- Fast execution speed in independent tests
- Regulated in four jurisdictions
- Copy-trading and social-trading options available
Cons
- The Razor account charges commission per lot, in addition to raw spreads
- No proprietary desktop trading platform
- Its educational content is lighter than some competitors', particularly for beginners
- Standard account spreads are wider than those on the commission-based Razor tier
4ExnessBest For Zero Spreads and Transparent Commissions
4
9.1Score
Why We Chose It
Best For Zero Spreads and Transparent Commissions
Exness’s Zero account offers 0.0 pip spreads on around 30 major instruments for most of the trading day. They cover costs with a simple per-lot commission.rnThis setup works well for traders who like predictable, clear pricing better than spreads that jump around, especially on busy pairs like EUR/USD and USD/JPY.
Pros
- Withdrawals are processed instantly for most payment methods.
- A low minimum deposit, only $10
- Regulated in several jurisdictions, including the FCA and CySEC.
- Flexible account currencies and local funding methods are available.
- Transparent, publicly displayed real-time trading statistics on its website
- Wide range of account currencies and flexible funding options
Cons
- Very high maximum leverage poses extreme financial risk for beginners
- Account features vary by regional entity
- It lacks advanced in-house market analysis and research software.
5FP MarketsECN Pricing That Balances Value
5
9.0Score
Why We Chose It
ECN Pricing That Balances Value
FP Markets’ Raw account typically shows EUR/USD spreads averaging about 0.17 pips. That puts it right up there with ATFX and other ECN brokers.rnWith tight pricing, a $3 per-side commission, and access to platforms like cTrader, it’s a good, all-around choice. Traders looking for good value and platform variety often find it appealing.
Pros
- Long operating history since 2005 under regulated entities
- Competitive raw spreads from 0.0 pips on the Raw account
- Wide range of CFDs including individual shares
- Strong regulatory footprint spanning ASIC, CySEC, and FSCA
- Consistent execution quality reported across independent broker reviews
Cons
- The website and trading platform interface feel less modern than some newer competitors.
- Customer support response times can vary by region and time zone.
- It relies on MT4 and MT5 instead of a proprietary next-generation platform.
- The website and trading platform interface feel less modern than some newer competitors.
6EightcapBest for Crypto and Multi-Asset Low Spreads
6
8.7Score
Why We Chose It
Best for Crypto and Multi-Asset Low Spreads
Eightcap provides tight forex spreads, plus you’ll find lower-than-average spreads on digital asset derivative contracts. Its Raw Account starts with 0.0 pip spreads on major currency pairs. rnThis makes it a good fit for cross-asset traders who use automated Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView.
Pros
- Full native integration with TradingView for charting and execution
- Competitive raw spreads starting from 1.0 pips.
- Expanding selection of crypto CFDs, alongside traditional assets
- Streamlined account opening and identity verification
- Regulated across ASIC, FCA, and CySEC for broad jurisdictional coverage
- Fast account opening process with a streamlined verification flow
Cons
- Shorter operating track record and brand recognition than some larger rivals
- Research and in-house analysis tools are still comparatively early in development
- Phone support availability is more limited outside core business hours
- Fewer account currency options than some multi-regional competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to check the complete fee structure when choosing a low-spread account type?
ECN-style accounts often look appealing with their low spreads, but they usually come with a commission. Therefore, it’s important to review a broker’s full fee schedule before signing up.
What eligibility criteria qualify trading platforms for low-spread rankings?
To make our low-spread rankings, a broker must have a documented “Spread From” value of 0.2 pips or less. We then sort these qualifying brokers by their Editorial Score.
How do raw account structures benefit high-volume and algorithmic trading strategies?
Raw account structures are great for high-volume and algorithmic trading strategies. They offer direct access to orderbook liquidity and extremely tight initial spreads, and sometimes that can go as low as 0.0 pips. This setup helps automated Expert Advisors and high-frequency scalpers reduce price slippage and their overall trade costs.