If you’ve spent any time comparing Exness account types, you’ve probably landed on the same question most active traders eventually ask: should I go with the Zero account or the Raw Spread account? Both are built for traders who care about minimizing costs, but they get there in different ways — and picking the wrong one for your trading style can quietly cost you money every month.
Here’s a clear breakdown of how each account works, where they differ, and which one actually fits your strategy.
The Core Difference: How Costs Are Structured
Both accounts are designed around the same idea — tighter spreads than a Standard account, in exchange for a per-lot commission. The difference comes down to how that commission is applied and how tight the spreads get.
- Zero account: Spreads start from 0.0 pips on major pairs, with a fixed commission charged per lot traded.
- Raw Spread account: Also offers near-zero spreads with a commission structure, but typically with slightly different pricing across instruments and account tiers.
On paper, they look similar. In practice, the account that ends up cheaper for you depends heavily on which instruments you trade and how often.
Which Instruments Each Account Favors
Zero accounts tend to be most cost-effective on major forex pairs, where spread compression is most aggressive. Raw Spread accounts often perform competitively across a broader range of instruments, including gold and indices, making them a stronger fit if your trading isn’t limited to forex majors.
If your strategy is concentrated in a handful of major pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/USD, the Zero account’s pricing is usually built specifically with that kind of trading in mind. If you regularly trade gold, oil, or a mix of asset classes, it’s worth comparing actual commission costs on your typical instrument mix before choosing.
Trading Style: Who Each Account Suits Best
Zero Account — Best For:
- Scalpers who need consistently tight spreads on major pairs
- High-frequency traders where even fractional pip differences compound quickly
- Traders who want predictable, transparent per-lot pricing
Raw Spread Account — Best For:
- Traders working across a diverse mix of forex, metals, and indices
- Swing traders who hold positions longer and care less about micro-level spread differences
- Traders who want ECN-style execution with broad instrument coverage
Execution Quality
Both account types are built on Exness’s ECN-style execution model, meaning orders are routed to liquidity providers rather than processed through a dealing desk. This results in fast execution and minimal requotes on both accounts — the difference is mainly in pricing structure, not execution speed.
How to Decide
The simplest way to choose is to look at your last month of trading history. Add up your total lots traded, break it down by instrument, and compare what you would have paid in commission plus spread under each account structure. For most traders, the difference is small per trade but adds up meaningfully over dozens or hundreds of trades a month.
If you’re still unsure, the Zero account is generally the safer starting point for forex-focused traders, while the Raw Spread account makes more sense if your trading spans multiple asset classes.
Don’t Forget the Cashback Layer
Whichever account you choose, your trading costs don’t have to stop there. When you trade through FXReward, you earn cashback on every lot — on top of whichever account’s already-competitive pricing you’re using. That means the account comparison above is really about minimizing your starting cost, while cashback works on top of that to reduce your net cost even further.
→ Open Your Exness Account & Start Earning Cashback
Risk Warning: Trading forex, CFDs, and other leveraged products carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Spreads and commissions may vary based on market conditions and are subject to change by the broker.