7 minute read
Exness Raw Spread vs Zero Account Review: Pros and Cons
When it comes to choosing the right trading account, precision and efficiency matter. Among the many account types offered by Exness — a globally recognized forex broker — two standout choices dominate trader interest: the Raw Spread Account and the Zero Account.
But which is better? Which one suits your strategy, capital, and trading goals?
In this comprehensive guide, we conduct a side-by-side Exness Raw Spread vs Zero Account review, cutting through the noise to give you clear, practical insight — no fluff, no confusion, just the facts.
Whether you're a scalper, day trader, swing trader, or news trader, this guide is your roadmap to choosing the right trading account for maximum performance and profitability.
🏅 3 Best Forex Brokers
1️⃣ Exness: Open Account Trading | Go to broker
2️⃣ XM: Open Account Trading | Go to broker
3️⃣ JustMarkets: Open Account Trading | Go to broker
🚀 Understanding the Core Difference
At first glance, both the Raw Spread and Zero accounts appear similar: both offer ultra-tight spreads and cater to professional-level traders. But dig deeper and subtle — yet crucial — differences emerge.
Here’s the fundamental distinction:
🔹 Raw Spread Account charges a fixed commission per trade, while offering raw market spreads starting from 0.0 pips.
🔸 Zero Account offers 0.0 pip spreads on major instruments for the majority of the trading day, but charges a variable commission depending on the instrument and market conditions.
While both accounts aim to minimize cost-per-trade, the method of achieving that varies — and that affects strategy, risk, and profitability.
🧠 Who Are These Accounts Designed For?
Before we dissect the pros and cons, let’s establish who these accounts are best suited for.
🔹 Exness Raw Spread Account
✔️ Scalpers✔️ High-frequency traders (HFTs)✔️ Algorithmic traders using Expert Advisors (EAs)✔️ Traders who prioritize transparency on commission fees✔️ Day traders using tight stop-loss and take-profit parameters
🔸 Exness Zero Account
✔️ News traders who trade around economic events✔️ Intraday and swing traders on major forex pairs✔️ Traders who want 0.0 pip spreads with variable commissions✔️ Short-term traders focused on high liquidity periods✔️ Traders who benefit from volatility and momentum bursts
Both accounts require a minimum deposit of $200, offering a low barrier to enter a pro-level trading environment.
📊 Spread Comparison: How Tight Are They?
Let’s start with what matters most to many traders: the spread.
💠 Raw Spread Account
Offers true interbank spreads with no markup
Typical spreads:
EUR/USD: 0.0–0.3 pips
GBP/USD: 0.1–0.4 pips
Gold: 0.0–0.5 pips
⚠️ Important: While spreads are razor-thin, you must add the fixed commission to calculate the true trade cost.
💠 Zero Account
Spreads on select pairs stay at 0.0 pips for up to 95% of the trading day
Works best during high-liquidity sessions (London/New York)
Non-major or exotic pairs may show slight spread spikes
🟢 Winner (Spreads): Zero AccountWhy? Because if you stick to major pairs during peak hours, you can trade consistently at 0.0 pips, making it incredibly cost-efficient.
💸 Commission Comparison: Fixed vs Variable Fees
Here’s where things get interesting.
🔹 Raw Spread Account
Fixed commission: $3.50 per lot per side (total $7 per round trip)
Transparency: You always know what you’ll pay
Ideal for algorithmic trading systems
🔸 Zero Account
Variable commission: Depends on the trading instrument
Ranges from as low as $0.10 to over $3.50 per side
Commission may increase during high volatility or low liquidity
Can be lower or higher than Raw Spread depending on market and asset
🟡 Variable commissions can be tricky to forecast — what’s cheap one day might not be the next.
🟢 Winner (Commission): Raw Spread AccountWhy? For traders who need predictability, especially scalpers or EA users, fixed commissions create a more reliable cost structure.
⚡ Execution Speed and Order Filling
Execution quality is critical in fast-moving markets.
Both Raw Spread and Zero accounts offer market execution, meaning your orders are filled at the best available price in real time — but not guaranteed at your requested price.
✅ Average execution speed on both accounts: < 25 milliseconds
✅ Both accounts benefit from Exness’s low-latency infrastructure, with data centers across key global markets.
🚫 No requotes, but slippage may occur during extreme news volatility.
🟢 Winner (Execution): TieBoth accounts offer world-class execution. However, Zero Account can show slightly more slippage during off-peak times if spreads temporarily widen.
📈 Instrument Access and Trading Conditions
Both accounts give access to a wide range of financial instruments:
🔹 Forex🔹 Indices🔹 Metals🔹 Cryptocurrencies🔹 Energies🔹 Stocks (in some regions)
Key differences:
Zero Account only maintains 0.0 pip spreads on a selection of major instruments
Raw Spread applies tight spreads across a broader asset range, albeit not always 0.0
🟢 Winner (Flexibility): Raw Spread AccountWhy? Greater consistency across more instruments — perfect for traders who venture beyond just EUR/USD or GBP/USD.
🔧 Leverage and Margin
Exness is famous for offering up to unlimited leverage in certain jurisdictions. For both the Raw Spread and Zero accounts:
Maximum leverage: Up to 1:Unlimited (conditions apply)
Margin call: 60%
Stop out level: 0% for Raw Spread, 0% for Zero Account
Traders should use leverage responsibly. Having more doesn't mean using more — it’s about control and flexibility, not overexposure.
🟢 Winner (Leverage and Margin): TieBoth accounts offer maximum leverage options, but with clear risk parameters and dynamic margin requirements.
🔍 Transparency and Cost Forecasting
Transparency is vital — especially when commissions and spreads fluctuate.
Raw Spread Account: Fixed commission = easy to forecast cost per trade
Zero Account: 0.0 spread is appealing, but commission unpredictability complicates risk-reward calculations
🔎 For traders who use precise R:R ratios or mechanical systems, predictable cost per trade is essential.
🟢 Winner (Transparency): Raw Spread Account
📅 Swap-Free Options and Overnight Costs
Exness supports swap-free trading (Islamic accounts) in many regions. However:
Swap-free status applies by request
Overnight fees may still apply in other forms (handling fees)
For both accounts:
✔️ Swap-free option is available✔️ Gold and crypto positions may still incur fees✔️ Long-term holding strategies may require deeper analysis of overnight costs
🟢 Winner (Swap Flexibility): TieBoth accounts support swap-free conditions, but always check specific asset fees before holding trades overnight.
🧩 Platform Compatibility
Both Raw Spread and Zero accounts are compatible with:
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
Mobile Trading Apps
WebTrader
Copy trading systems (in some regions)
✅ VPS support available for algorithmic and high-frequency traders✅ One-click trading enabled✅ Real-time margin monitoring tools available
🟢 Winner (Platform Support): Tie
🧠 Which Account Wins for Which Trader?
Let’s break it down:
✅ Choose Raw Spread Account if:
You need fixed, predictable commissions
You use Expert Advisors or algorithmic systems
You’re a scalper trading high-frequency
You require cost clarity for complex strategies
You trade across multiple asset classes
✅ Choose Zero Account if:
You trade major forex pairs during high liquidity
You execute large volume trades and want 0.0 spreads
You capitalize on news or economic data releases
You want the lowest possible entry cost per trade
You’re okay with variable commission fees
Read More:
Best Forex Pairs For Supply and Demand by Exness Trading Tips
Best Forex Pairs With Highest Pip Value by Exness Trading Tips
Best Forex Pairs to Intraday Trading by Exness Trading Tips
🔥 Final Verdict: Raw Spread or Zero?
Both accounts are exceptional — but they serve different needs.
💼 If you're a high-precision, systematic trader who thrives on structure, the Raw Spread Account is your best bet. Its transparent, fixed commission gives you cost consistency.
🚀 If you're an aggressive trader, chasing news, scalping major pairs during peak hours, and seeking the tightest spreads at any cost, the Zero Account is your weapon of choice.
In truth, many professional traders use both accounts simultaneously. Why not? Each account complements a different strategy or market condition.
🟢 Our recommendation: Open both if possible. Test them in parallel. Monitor your performance. Then specialize.
📌 Key Takeaways
✅ Raw Spread Account🔹 0.0 pip spreads (variable)🔹 Fixed $7 commission per lot🔹 Best for scalping, EAs, predictability
✅ Zero Account🔸 0.0 pip spreads for up to 95% of day🔸 Variable commission🔸 Best for news/event traders, majors only
Your account is your foundation. Build wisely, trade smart, and align your tools with your strategy.
🔑 The right choice isn’t what’s best on paper — it’s what performs best in your hands.
