Introduction
In forex trading, spreads—the difference between the buy and sell price—can have a significant impact on profitability, especially for high-frequency traders or scalpers. Brokers offering zero or near-zero spreads provide traders with the opportunity to enter and exit trades without additional costs beyond the commission, potentially maximizing profits. As we move into 2024, selecting a broker with tight or zero spreads can give traders a competitive edge. In this article, we will explore the seven best zero spread forex brokers for 2024, analyzing their features, fees, and overall performance.
1. IC Markets – Best for Scalping
Overview
IC Markets is renowned for its tight spreads and fast execution, making it one of the top choices for traders who prefer zero spread trading. IC Markets offers an Electronic Communication Network (ECN) trading environment with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs.
Key Features:
ECN Trading: With true ECN conditions, IC Markets provides raw spreads with no markups, making it highly suitable for scalpers and high-frequency traders.
Low Commissions: While spreads are zero or near-zero, IC Markets charges a small commission of $3.50 per lot per side.
Fast Execution: Thanks to their cutting-edge trading infrastructure, IC Markets delivers ultra-fast execution, reducing slippage.
Performance
In 2023, IC Markets maintained an average spread of 0.1 pips on EUR/USD, proving highly competitive in the market (source: IC Markets 2023 data). The broker’s low-latency servers ensure optimal trading conditions for those who rely on fast execution.
Pros:
Zero spread on major pairs
Low commissions
Fast execution and minimal slippage
Cons:
Commissions may add up for frequent traders
Best For:
IC Markets is perfect for scalpers and high-frequency traders who rely on tight spreads and fast execution.
2. Pepperstone – Best for Advanced Traders
Overview
Pepperstone is another leading broker offering zero spread accounts. With its Razor account, traders benefit from raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips, especially on major forex pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD.
Key Features:
Razor Account: Provides raw spreads with no markup, ensuring true zero spread trading.
Low Commissions: The Razor account charges a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, keeping overall costs low.
Regulated Broker: Pepperstone is regulated by multiple authorities, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Performance
Pepperstone has consistently delivered tight spreads, with average spreads of 0.16 pips on EUR/USD in 2023 (source: Pepperstone). Its Razor account remains a favorite among experienced traders due to its transparency and low trading costs.
Pros:
Tight spreads with zero spread opportunities
Multiple platform options, including MetaTrader and cTrader
Highly regulated and secure
Cons:
Requires understanding of commission-based pricing
Best For:
Pepperstone is best suited for advanced traders who prefer low-cost trading with access to professional-grade platforms.
3. RoboForex – Best for Flexibility
Overview
RoboForex offers a Prime account with spreads starting from 0.0 pips. With multiple account types, RoboForex provides flexibility to suit different trading styles, from scalping to longer-term strategies.
Key Features:
Prime Account: Designed for experienced traders, the Prime account offers zero spread on major pairs.
Commission-Based Pricing: A commission of $2 per lot is charged per side, making it one of the lowest-cost options for traders.
Leverage up to 1:2000: For those looking to maximize their positions, RoboForex offers high leverage alongside its zero spread trading.
Performance
RoboForex’s Prime account averaged 0.0 pips on major currency pairs like EUR/USD in 2023 (source: RoboForex). The broker’s flexible account options make it a versatile choice for traders at various experience levels.
Pros:
Flexible account types
Low commissions
High leverage available
Cons:
High leverage may increase risk for inexperienced traders
Best For:
RoboForex is ideal for traders seeking flexibility, whether they are scalping or using more conservative trading strategies.
4. XM – Best for Beginners
Overview
XM is a well-known forex broker offering competitive zero spread accounts. It’s an excellent choice for beginner traders due to its user-friendly platform and educational resources.
Key Features:
Zero Account: XM’s Zero Account offers spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs with low commissions.
Low Minimum Deposit: Traders can open an XM Zero Account with just $100, making it accessible to beginners.
Educational Tools: XM offers a range of tutorials, webinars, and trading courses, helping beginners understand the market.
Performance
XM’s Zero Account reported an average spread of 0.1 pips on EUR/USD in 2023, with consistently low costs (source: XM). Its low deposit requirements make it attractive for new traders looking to minimize costs while learning.
Pros:
Low minimum deposit
Educational tools for beginners
Competitive spreads
Cons:
Lower leverage compared to some competitors
Best For:
XM is best for beginner traders looking for zero spread accounts with easy access to educational resources.
5. FXTM – Best for Mobile Traders
Overview
FXTM offers a zero spread account called the ECN Zero account, which is designed for mobile traders who want tight spreads and flexibility. The broker also offers a user-friendly mobile app that enhances the trading experience.
Key Features:
ECN Zero Account: Provides spreads from 0.0 pips with no hidden fees or markups.
Low Commissions: FXTM charges a small commission based on the trading volume, keeping costs low.
Advanced Mobile Trading: FXTM’s mobile trading app allows traders to manage their accounts, execute trades, and access market data on the go.
Performance
In 2023, FXTM’s ECN Zero account offered an average spread of 0.2 pips on EUR/USD (source: FXTM). Its mobile app received high praise for functionality, making it ideal for traders who prefer to trade on the move.
Pros:
Mobile-friendly platform
Transparent pricing
No hidden fees
Cons:
Limited advanced trading features on mobile
Best For:
FXTM is perfect for mobile traders who want zero spread trading combined with the convenience of a robust mobile app.
6. Admiral Markets – Best for MetaTrader Users
Overview
Admiral Markets is a top choice for traders who prefer using MetaTrader platforms, offering zero spread accounts with competitive commissions.
Key Features:
MetaTrader Integration: Offers seamless integration with both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, providing advanced trading tools.
Zero Spread Account: Admiral Markets’ Zero Spread Account offers spreads from 0.0 pips, particularly on major forex pairs.
Risk Management Tools: Includes advanced risk management features like stop-loss, take-profit, and trailing stops.
Performance
Admiral Markets reported average spreads of 0.1 pips on major pairs in 2023, with zero spread opportunities during high liquidity periods (source: Admiral Markets). The platform is favored by MetaTrader enthusiasts for its range of trading tools and indicators.
Pros:
Excellent integration with MetaTrader platforms
Advanced trading tools
Competitive spreads
Cons:
Requires a deeper understanding of trading tools and indicators
Best For:
Admiral Markets is best suited for traders who are comfortable using MetaTrader and want access to zero spreads with professional tools.
7. Tickmill – Best for Low-Cost Trading
Overview
Tickmill offers zero spread trading through its Pro Account, with some of the lowest commissions in the industry. It’s an ideal broker for traders seeking a low-cost solution without sacrificing quality.
Key Features:
Pro Account: Provides spreads from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs, especially during high liquidity.
Low Commissions: Tickmill charges $2 per lot per side, making it highly competitive for cost-conscious traders.
Fast Execution: Tickmill boasts some of the fastest execution speeds, ideal for short-term traders and scalpers.
Performance
Tickmill’s Pro Account averaged 0.15 pips on EUR/USD in 2023 (source: Tickmill). The broker’s low trading costs and fast execution make it a top choice for traders looking to minimize expenses.
Pros:
Low trading costs
Fast execution speeds
Highly regulated
Cons:
Fewer educational resources compared to competitors
Best For:
Tickmill is perfect for traders looking for low-cost, zero spread trading with fast execution speeds.
Conclusion
Zero spread brokers provide traders with the opportunity to minimize costs and maximize profits, especially in fast-paced trading environments like scalping. The seven brokers highlighted—IC Markets, Pepperstone, RoboForex, XM, FXTM, Admiral Markets, and Tickmill—offer excellent zero spread accounts, each catering to different trading styles and levels of experience. Whether you're a beginner looking for an accessible platform or an advanced trader seeking professional-grade tools, these brokers offer some of the best zero spread conditions in 2024.