SpreadScout  ·  Independent & data-driven  ·  Updated June 2026
Loading live rates…
2026 Cost Awards

The SpreadScout Cost Awards 2026

Seven category winners, chosen from live spread sampling across 7 brokers. No category was for sale.

🏆Lowest All-In Cost
IC
IC Markets★ 4.9 / 5 · ASIC, CySEC, FSA

The tightest raw EUR/USD spread we have measured — circa $7.20 per lot on MT4/MT5, circa $6.20 on cTrader.

🇬🇧Best FCA ECN
Pe
Pepperstone★ 4.8 / 5 · FCA, ASIC, CySEC

The cheapest FCA-regulated ECN with FSCS cover and TradingView integration.

💎Cheapest Standard Account
Ex
Exness★ 4.6 / 5 · CySEC, FSCA, FSA

Commission-free spreads of 0.3–0.7 pips — cheaper than most raw accounts.

🎯Lowest Commission
FX
FXTM★ 4.4 / 5 · FSC, FSCA, CMA

$2/side ECN commission — the lowest per-lot charge in our dataset.

Best FCA Zero-Spread
HF
HFM★ 4.2 / 5 · FCA, CySEC, DFSA, FSCA

Genuine 0.0-pip account under FCA regulation with FSCS protection.

🌱Most Accessible Low-Cost
XM
XM Group★ 4.0 / 5 · ASIC, CySEC, DFSA

Ultra Low account at 0.6 pips from just $50 — the budget entry to tight spreads.

📐Best Fixed Pricing
AV
AvaTrade★ 3.8 / 5 · CBI, ASIC, FSCA, ADGM

Fixed 0.9-pip EUR/USD — zero spread widening during news events.

Winners are determined solely by our cost-weighted methodology and live spread sampling. Commercial relationships never influence an award. 74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money.