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Top 6 Low Spread Brokers

One of the things traders look for most when they are choosing a broker is low trading fees, which usually means low spreads in Forex terms.

The spread does not only impact the cost of trading. It can also make the difference between a profitable and unprofitable trade in the case of very short-term trading strategies.

The following article compares a selection of brokers based on the spreads they offer for four of the most widely traded assets (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY and Gold).

Do zero-spread brokers exist?

Forex brokers that say they offer “zero spreads'' usually make clients pay in another way, such as by charging a commission. This is often a fixed amount, such as $6 or $7 (or the equivalent in any other currency), per traded “lot”. A lot is equal to 100,000 units (Pounds, Dollars, Euros, etc) of the base currency of a pair.

Which Forex brokers offer the lowest spreads?

The Forex brokers below have been included in the comparison. They all offer competitively low spreads:

Tickmill

The Tickmill Group is a multi-award-winning and globally regulated broker, offering a wide range of products, including CFDs on Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, and Bonds, as well as exchange-traded derivatives (Futures & Options) through Tickmill UK Ltd.

Known for its highly competitive spreads, low commissions, and fast execution across the entire MetaTrader suite of platforms, Tickmill stands out with flexible leverage options and robust security for client funds.

Clients of Tickmill Ltd can take advantage of its proprietary Tickmill Trader platform accessible via mobile and web and copy trading through Tickmill Social Trading. Its Raw account offers spreads as low as 0.0 pips and comes with leverage up to 1000:1.

The Tickmill Group is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, CySEC, Seychelles, and South Africa, ensuring client protection and transparency. Tickmill has won Forexbrokers.com’s award for Best Commissions and Fees for four consecutive years, making it a top choice for traders looking for competitive pricing and superior trading conditions.

FP Markets

Highly rated for its customer service, FP Markets was founded in 2005 and offers competitive spreads and a wide number of tradeable entities via its Iress platform. Traders can choose from Raw and ECN account types in MetaTrader 4/5, cTrader, TradingView and Iress (for Australian-based clients). The broker also offers Copytrading.

FP Markets is regulated in both Australia, Cyprus, South Africa, Kenya and other global entities. It won the ForexBrokers.com’s 2024 awards for Best In Class Honors in the MetaTrader category and Best “Zero-Spread” Forex Broker. FP Markets was voted ‘Best Value Broker – Global’ for the sixth time in a row at The Global Forex Awards.

Moneta Markets

Moneta Markets is a UAE-based global Forex broker offering high leverage (1,000:1) and fast execution on over 1,000 tradable assets including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, Bonds and Cryptocurrencies. Traders can opt to trade via MetaTrader or its own ProTrader and AppTrader platforms. Account types range from spread only (STP execution type) to ECN and Islamic. Moneta Markets is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa and also solicits business from the UAE through a non-exclusive introducing broker agreement regulated by the SCA, Sterling Financial Services LLC, Cat 5, No 305029.

For deposits of over $500, the company is offering a cashback scheme enabling traders to earn a per-trade commission. There is the option of taking part in Copytrading and using Expert Advisors (automated trading algorithms). Security of funds and speedy transfers are further advantages.

Spec FX

Spec FX is a regulated broker offering fast and transparent execution with a Standard or an ECN account, which provides direct market access and no dealing desk intervention, making it suitable for scalpers, high-frequency traders and users of Expert Advisors.

Spreads start from 0.0 pips and commissions are set at USD 3.5 per lot per side in the ECN account, keeping overall trading costs highly competitive. Traders can access leverage up to 1000:1, supported by a hybrid risk-management model in which part of the order flow is externally hedged, allowing the broker to grow sustainably through trading volume rather than client losses.

Clients can trade Forex CFDs, Indices, Commodities and Cryptocurrencies via the MetaTrader 5 platform, with a minimum deposit of $50 and multiple funding options. Deposits and withdrawals are fast and fee-free, and accounts are protected against negative balances.

Spec FX is licensed by South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and Mauritius’ Financial Services Commission (FSC) and keeps client funds fully segregated in off-balance-sheet accounts with top-tier banks. Additional safety measures include advanced encryption, Two-Factor Authentication, and robust KYC/AML procedures.

FxPro

FxPro is a major global brand offering over 2,100 financial instruments, including Forex, Futures, Indices, Metals, Energies, and Shares, as well as some Cryptocurrencies. Trading is done via MetaTrader 4, 5, cTrader, and FxPro’s proprietary platform. A myriad of educational resources, market analytics and news are available.

FxPro offers intervention-free execution via a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model. There is the option of floating-spread, commission-free accounts or commission plus reduced-spread accounts. Leverage varies upon jurisdiction, and traders have the option to engage risk management tools such as the FxPro Wallet and order protections.

FxPro is regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the UK, Cyprus, South Africa, and The Bahamas. Client funds are segregated with top-tier banks and advanced encryption technology protects client information​. Funding and withdrawals are straightforward and are typically processed within one working day​.

XM Group

Traders through XM can access over 1,400 trading instruments, including CFDs on Forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. As a multi-regulated broker, XM provides a secure trading environment. It offers a comprehensive range of platforms within its environment, including MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader and app, with advanced charting powered by TradingView.

XM provides multiple account types to cater to different trading needs. The Standard and Micro accounts feature low spreads and no commissions, while the Ultra Low account is designed for high-volume traders with tighter spreads. For those seeking raw spreads, the Zero account starts at 0.0 pips plus a competitive commission, making it an attractive choice for active traders. Additionally, traders can enjoy easy access to these accounts, as the minimum deposit requirement is just USD 5. Deposit and withdrawal processes are extremely fast, ensuring a smooth trading experience.

XM also offers clients bonuses, promotions, and a loyalty program to enhance their trading experience. The ultra-low minimum deposit is complemented by a variety of trading tools, including an economic calendar, market analysis, and 24-hour news updates. XM provides hybrid execution, ensuring favorable trading conditions and low spreads. Moreover, it offers educational content, including webinars in multiple languages, and 24/7 customer service.

Disclaimer: Promotions and bonuses are not available for accounts registered under XM's EU-based entity. Specific regions may be excluded. The XM Group operates globally under various entities, so products, services, and features listed here vary between XM entities. For further information, please visit the XM website.

Comparison tables for Forex brokers based on low spreads

The tables below show brokers ranked based on gross trading costs for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY and Gold (XAU/USD).

"Trading costs" can mean the cost of the spread – or a combination of the spread and fixed commission where applicable.

For ease of comparison, costs have been calculated in US Dollars for a hypothetical $10,000 trade (one-tenth of a lot) in the case of FX pairs. The costs include both entry and exit from the trade. Fractions of a cent were rounded up or down to the nearest whole number.

In the case of Gold, for ease of calculation and comparison, the cost was calculated based on a four-ounce (oz) trade, with Gold at a hypothetical price of $2,500 per oz.

Where brokers quoted a range between a "minimum" and "average" spread, the median of the two was used for the calculation (rounded up or down).

Brokers compared for a $10,000 trade in EUR/USD

Broker nameCost of $10,000 trade EUR/USD ($)Account type
FP Markets0.60Raw
Tickmill0.67Raw
Spec FX0.70ECN Account
Moneta Markets0.82ECN
XM Group1.10Ultra-low
FxPro1.16Raw + and Elite With CTrader Platform

Brokers compared for a $10,000 trade in GBP/USD

Broker nameCost of $10,000 trade GBP/USD ($)Account type
FP Markets0.70Raw
Tickmill0.79Raw
Moneta Markets0.88ECN
Spec FX0.90ECN Account
FxPro1.16Raw + and Elite With CTrader Platform
XM Group1.30Ultra-low

Brokers compared for a $10,000 trade in USD/JPY*

Broker nameCost of $10,000 trade USD/JPY* ($)Account type
FP Markets0.67Raw
Tickmill0.78Raw
Spec FX0.83ECN Account
Moneta Markets0.93ECN
FxPro1.11Raw + and Elite With CTrader Platform
XM Group1.30Ultra-low
* For the USD/JPY pair, the exchange rate on August 27, 2024, according to Google, was used for the cost calculation.

Brokers compared for a four-ounce trade with Gold

Broker nameCost of Gold trade ($)Account type
FP Markets1.00Raw
Tickmill1.04Raw
Moneta Markets1.00ECN
Spec FX1.10ECN Account
FxPro1.10Raw + and Elite With CTrader Platform
XM Group2.0Ultra-low
Disclaimer: The trading costs and other information in this article are estimates based on the information provided by the brokers named at the time of writing and may vary over time, depending on Account type and market conditions.

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