What Is a Standard Forex Account?
A standard forex account is the most common type. The broker acts as a market maker, setting buy and sell prices with a built-in spread. There is typically no commission charge — the broker's profit comes from the spread itself.
Typical spread: 1.0–2.0 pips on EUR/USD
Commission: None
Best for: Beginners, occasional traders, those who prefer simplicity
What Is an ECN Forex Account?
ECN stands for Electronic Communication Network. An ECN broker connects your trades directly to the interbank market, offering near-raw spreads — sometimes as low as 0.0 pips. Instead of profiting from the spread, the broker charges a small commission per trade.
Typical spread: 0.0–0.3 pips on EUR/USD
Commission: £2–£4 per lot (round turn)
Best for: Active traders, scalpers, EA/algorithmic traders
ECN vs Standard — Cost Comparison
The total cost of each depends on your trading volume. Here's a simple comparison on a standard EUR/USD lot (100,000 units):
- Standard account: 1.5 pip spread = £15 per lot, no commission
- ECN account: 0.1 pip spread + £3.50 commission = £4.50 per lot
For active traders, ECN accounts can save 10x or more in trading costs compared to standard accounts.
Which Account Type Should You Choose?
Choose a Standard Account if:
- You're a beginner still learning the markets
- You trade infrequently (a few trades per week)
- You prefer predictable, commission-free pricing
- Your position sizes are small
Choose an ECN Account if:
- You're a scalper or day trader (many trades per day)
- You run Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic strategies
- You trade large volumes and want the tightest possible spreads
- You're an experienced trader who understands commission structures
Which Brokers Offer ECN Accounts in the UK?
The following brokers reviewed on FindMyBroker all offer ECN accounts:
- Pepperstone — Razor ECN account, from 0.0 pips, £4/lot commission
- BlackBull Markets — Prime ECN account, from 0.0 pips, $6/lot commission
- Vantage — Raw ECN account, competitive pricing
Verdict
For beginners and casual traders, a Standard account keeps things simple. For anyone trading regularly or running automated strategies, an ECN account will significantly reduce your costs over time. Use our free broker matcher to find the best ECN or Standard broker for your specific trading profile.