“Raw” is a product label, not a law of physics. On many desks it means the quote is closer to the interbank print and you pay a commission per lot (or per side). A standard account can hide the same cost inside a wider spread.
Do the round-turn math
Write spread plus commission for one round turn on the pair you actually trade. Then look at swap if you hold past rollover. Our explainer on spread vs commission is the worksheet; this note is the label.
When raw is not cheaper
Low volume, wide gold, and news spikes can make a raw ticket as expensive as a marked-up one. Inactivity fees and withdrawal fees still count. If the broker’s live table disagrees with a review screenshot, trust the live table.
Use the compare page to shortlist, then confirm on the firm’s site. Peak Pips does not quote your fill.