Exness vs IC Markets: pricing at a glance
For a useful comparison, match commission-free accounts against each other and raw-spread accounts against each other. Comparing an Exness Standard spread with an IC Markets Raw Spread quote without adding commission is misleading.
| Account | Advertised forex spread minimum | Advertised commission |
|---|---|---|
| Exness Standard | From 0.2 pips | No trading commission |
| Exness Pro | From 0.1 pips | No trading commission |
| Exness Raw Spread | From 0.0 pips | Up to $3.50 per lot, per side |
| Exness Zero | From 0.0 pips on selected instruments under stated conditions | From $0.05 per lot, per side; instrument-dependent |
| IC Markets Standard | From 0.8 pips | No trading commission |
| IC Markets Raw Spread, MetaTrader | From 0.0 pips | Typically advertised at $3.50 per lot, per side for USD accounts |
These are advertised starting points, not typical executable spreads. Account availability, commission currency and conditions can differ by jurisdiction. Exness Zero pricing is especially important to check instrument by instrument: its lowest advertised commission is not a representative rate for every forex pair.
Which broker has lower all-in costs?
Compare spread plus round-trip commission
For a one-standard-lot EUR/USD position, one pip is approximately $10 when measured in USD. An illustrative 0.2-pip spread plus $7 round-trip commission therefore costs about $9, equivalent to 0.9 pips, before swaps or slippage.
Use this formula:
All-in cost in pips = spread + round-trip commission ÷ pip value.
That example is not a measured average for either broker. It shows why a commission-free account with a 0.8-pip executable spread could be cheaper than a raw account showing 0.2 pips plus $7 commission.
Exness Raw Spread and IC Markets Raw Spread can have similar headline commissions. Their actual spread distribution during your trading session may therefore matter more than their advertised minimums. Exness Pro is also worth testing if you prefer commission-free pricing, subject to its eligibility and execution conditions.
Test the market you actually trade
Record quotes for your main pairs during London or New York hours, then repeat around rollover and major announcements. Compare:
- Typical spreads, not just the lowest observed quote.
- Actual entry and exit prices, including slippage.
- Commission for your platform, account currency and position size.
- Total results across several sessions, rather than one trade.
Demo accounts help you understand pricing mechanics, but do not establish live execution quality. There is no defensible universal winner without comparable observations.
Overnight charges and other fees
For intraday traders, spreads and commissions usually dominate. For swing traders, financing can outweigh a small spread advantage.
Swaps: Both brokers can apply overnight financing, with rates varying by instrument and direction. Check the current contract specification, including the day when multiple days of financing are charged.
Swap-free conditions: Exness offers swap-free arrangements subject to eligibility and terms. IC Markets also offers swap-free arrangements in eligible circumstances; administrative charges may apply. Do not assume either means unlimited, cost-free overnight holding.
Payments and conversion: Broker-side deposit or withdrawal charges are only part of the picture. Banks, payment providers and currency conversion can introduce costs. Check your selected payment route and whether your account currency matches your funding currency.
Featured alternative: Vantage
Vantage is worth including in the same comparison. Its group includes FCA- and ASIC-regulated entities, and it advertises raw spreads from 0.0 pips. MT4, MT5 and TradingView are available within its offering, subject to entity and account availability.
Compare its raw-account commission, typical session spreads and overnight rates against equivalent Exness and IC Markets accounts. A 0.0-pip advertised minimum does not establish lower total costs.
Regulation attaches to the legal entity, not simply the brand. Confirm which company will hold your account and what protections apply; an offshore account does not inherit FCA or ASIC protections from another group company.
Bottom line
Shortlist Exness for its range of pricing structures and IC Markets for a straightforward Standard-versus-Raw comparison. Include Vantage as another candidate, then choose using verified all-in costs for your strategy—not headline spreads alone.