For beginners
Which Forex Account Type Is Best for You?
There is no best account type in general. There is the type that fits your balance, your trading style and the smallest trade you can afford. Answer five questions and we match you to Standard, Raw or Cent, with the real account names at Exness, IC Markets and Tickmill.
01What the type names mean
Brokers use their own names, but the account types come down to how you pay for a trade and how small you can trade.
Standard-type
You pay through the spread. No commission, one price. Called Standard at Exness and IC Markets, Classic at Tickmill.
Raw-type
A tight spread plus a commission per lot on each side of the trade. Called Raw Spread at Exness and IC Markets, Raw at Tickmill.
Cent-style
Balance and lots in cents, so you can trade below 0.01 standard lot. Of these three brokers, only Exness lists one.
A tight spread is not the same as a low cost. A raw account can cost more than a standard one if you trade little, and less if you trade a lot. The trading cost calculator compares them with your own numbers.
02Every account type we read
These are the account types, as stated on each broker’s own pages on October 20, 2026. “From” spreads are starting points, not what you will pay. Entries marked “Not shown” were blank in the text we read, and we did not fill them from other sources. Terms vary by country and by the company that serves you.
| Broker and account | Type | Spread from | Commission | Minimum deposit | Leverage up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exness Standard | Standard-type | 0.2 pips | None | Not shown | 1:Unlimited |
| IC Markets Standard (MetaTrader) | Standard-type | 0.8 pips | None | $0 | 1:5000, dynamic |
| Tickmill Classic | Standard-type | 1.6 pips | None | $100 | 1:1000 |
| Exness Raw Spread | Raw-type | 0 pips | Up to $3.50 per side per lot | Not shown | 1:Unlimited |
| Exness Zero | Raw-type | 0 pips, top 30 | From $0.05 per side per lot | Not shown | 1:Unlimited |
| IC Markets Raw Spread (MetaTrader) | Raw-type | 0.0 pips | $3.5 per side per lot | $0 | 1:5000, dynamic |
| IC Markets Raw Spread (cTrader) | Raw-type | 0 pips | $3.0 per USD 100k | $0 | 1:1000 |
| Tickmill Raw | Raw-type | 0.0 pips | $3 per side per lot | $100 | 1:1000 |
| Tickmill TradingView Raw | Raw-type | 0.0 pips | $3.5 per side per lot | $100, may vary by currency | 1:1000 |
| Exness Standard Cent | Cent-style | Not read | Not read | Not read | Unlimited, Kenya entity 1:400 |
| Exness Pro | Higher tier | 0.1 pips | None | Not shown | 1:Unlimited |
| IC Markets Raw Pro (early access) | Higher tier | 0.0 pips | $1.5 per side per lot | $5,000 | 1:5000 |
| IC Markets Raw Pro+ (early access) | Higher tier | 0.0 pips | $1.0 per side per lot | $100,000 | 1:5000 |
Sources: exness.com/standard-accounts and exness.com/pro-accounts, ic.com/en/trading-accounts/overview (Raw Trading Ltd), tickmill.com/trading/accounts, and the Exness Help Center for Standard Cent. IC Markets says its leverage is dynamic and may change at any time.
03Mistakes when choosing a type
- Picking the lowest “from” spread and ignoring the commission on top.
- Choosing a cent account to take more risk. It is for smaller size, not for a bigger bet.
- Using the highest leverage on offer. Leverage sets how large a position you can open. It does not set how much you can safely trade.
- Switching type after a loss. Many brokers do not convert accounts, so you open a new one.
- Choosing by the account name alone. The same name can carry different terms at another company in the same group.
Next, check how little you can start with in the minimum capital calculator, check which company holds your account in the licence and entity checker, and run any pushy offer through the red flag scanner.
04Questions
Which forex account type is best for beginners?
A standard-type account is the simplest to read, since one spread tells you the cost. If your balance is very small, a cent-style account lets you trade smaller sizes. The quiz weighs both against your answers.
Is a raw spread account better than a standard account?
Not by default. It has a tighter spread and a commission, and the total can be lower or higher depending on how often you trade and which pairs. Compare the total cost, not just the spread.
Can I change my account type later?
Tickmill says existing accounts cannot be converted, but you can open a new account and move funds between your accounts without fees. Other brokers differ, so check before you deposit.
Do you earn from the buttons?
Yes, we may be paid if you open an account through them. The buttons only appear after you finish the quiz, and only for brokers that offer your result. See the affiliate disclosure and how we evaluate brokers.