Research note

Spread vs commission: how to read a broker cost table

August 19, 2026 · Peak Pips desk

The cheapest banner is often missing a line. Add spread, commission, and overnight cost before you call an account “raw”.

  • Education, not a signal
  • Check the register yourself
  • Leverage can wipe a deposit

Cost tables look simple until you trade. A raw-style account can show a tight spread and still cost more once you add commission. A standard account can look “free” until you notice the markup in the quote.

Three lines, not one

Spread is the gap between bid and ask at that moment. It is not a lifetime promise.

Commission is the extra ticket fee some raw accounts charge per lot (or per side). Ignore it and the “from 0.0” line is marketing.

Swap / overnight is what you pay or receive if you hold past the rollover. Scalpers who flatten before that still need to know it exists.

How to compare two names

Pick the same pair, the same session, and the same account type. Write down spread plus commission on a round turn. Then check inactivity fees and withdrawal fees — they are still costs.

Use our compare worksheet as a shortlist tool, then confirm live numbers on the broker’s site. Peak Pips does not quote your fill.

This is editorial. It is not advice, a broker pitch, or a call to deposit. Confirm licences and costs on the firm’s own site.