When you open an account at SCapitalFX you choose between two account types: Standard and Raw Spread. They trade the same 34 instruments on the same app with the same leverage — the only real difference is how you pay your trading cost. This guide breaks down both, with a real cost example, so you can pick the right one.
The core difference in one sentence
On a Standard account your cost is built into a slightly wider spread and you pay no commission. On a Raw Spread account you get near-zero raw spreads and pay a small, transparent commission instead.
Standard account
- Spreads from 1.0 pip on EUR/USD
- No commission — one simple cost
- Minimum deposit from $10
- Best for beginners and casual traders who want simplicity
With a Standard account there is nothing extra to calculate: the spread is your cost. That makes it easy to understand when you are starting out.
Raw Spread account
- Spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD
- $6 round-turn commission per lot ($3 to open + $3 to close)
- Minimum deposit from $50
- Best for active traders, scalpers and higher-volume traders
Because the spread is stripped back to raw interbank pricing, the Raw account usually works out cheaper once you trade liquid pairs in size — even after the commission.
Standard vs Raw: side by side
| Feature | Standard | Raw Spread |
|---|---|---|
| Spreads from | 1.0 pip (EUR/USD) | 0.0 pips (EUR/USD) |
| Commission | None | $6 round-turn / lot |
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $50 |
| Max leverage | Up to 1:200 | Up to 1:200 |
| Instruments | 34 (FX, metals, indices, energy, crypto) | 34 (same) |
| Best for | Beginners, casual traders | Active traders, scalpers |
A real cost example (1 lot of EUR/USD)
Let’s compare the round-turn cost of trading one standard lot of EUR/USD, where 1 pip is worth about $10:
- Standard: 1.0 pip spread = about $10, no commission → ~$10 total
- Raw Spread: 0.0 pip spread = about $0, plus $6 commission → ~$6 total
In this example the Raw account is around 40% cheaper per trade. The more often you trade and the larger your size, the more that difference adds up — which is why active traders usually prefer Raw, while beginners often start with Standard for its simplicity.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Standard if you are new to trading, you trade occasionally, or you want the simplest possible pricing with a low $10 entry.
Choose Raw if you trade frequently, scalp, or trade larger sizes and want the tightest spreads with a clear, fixed commission.
Still funding your account? See how to deposit with crypto (USDT, BTC and 50+ coins), or if you are just getting going, read forex trading for beginners.
Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for every investor. You could lose some or all of your invested capital.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Raw account always cheaper?
For liquid major pairs traded in reasonable size, Raw is usually cheaper once you include the commission. For very small or infrequent trades, the simplicity of Standard can be more convenient.
Can I open both account types?
Yes — many traders keep a Standard account for casual trades and a Raw account for active trading. You can switch between your accounts inside the app.
How is the Raw commission charged?
It is $6 per round-turn lot — $3 when you open the trade and $3 when you close it — charged automatically.
Do both accounts have the same leverage and instruments?
Yes. Both offer leverage up to 1:200 and access to all 34 instruments across forex, metals, indices, energy and crypto.
Open your account
Open a Standard or Raw account in minutes, or compare full trading conditions first. New traders can also start risk-free with a demo.