When choosing a forex and CFD broker, one of the biggest factors affecting your overall trading costs is the spread.
For high-frequency trading styles such as scalping and Expert Advisors (EAs), even a small difference in cost per trade can add up to a significant amount over a month or a year.
In this guide, we compare XS.com spreads with major international brokers such as Exness, XM, FXGT, and HFM to see how competitive XS.com’s trading costs really are.
Key Takeaways
- XS.com spreads vary significantly depending on the account type.
- The Standard Account offers an average EUR/USD spread of 1.1 pips with no trading commission.
- The Pro Account offers an average EUR/USD spread of 0.7 pips with no trading commission.
- The Elite Account offers an average EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips plus a USD 6 round-turn commission per lot.
- High-volume traders should consider their effective cost as: spread + commission – cashback.
If you open an eligible XS.com account through EA-Storage, you may receive high-rate cashback on your trading volume. Cashback does not reduce the broker’s quoted spread itself, but it can lower your effective trading cost by returning part of the cost generated through your trades.
Related article: XS.com Cashback Account Guide
How XS.com Spreads Work
XS.com uses variable spreads across forex pairs and other tradable instruments.
The spreads shown on the broker’s website are not fixed. They are generally presented as averages based on recent trading conditions. Actual spreads may widen depending on market liquidity, major economic releases, rollover periods, and other market conditions.
For that reason, you should not compare brokers solely by headline claims such as “spreads from 0.0 pips.” A more meaningful comparison includes average spreads, commissions, and the time of day you normally trade.
Main XS.com Account Types
| Account Type | EUR/USD Spread | Trading Commission | Minimum Deposit | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Average 1.1 pips | None | No specified minimum | Beginners and discretionary traders |
| Pro | Average 0.7 pips | None | USD 500 | Day trading and EAs |
| Elite | Average 0.1 pips | USD 6 round turn / lot | Check current account requirements | Scalping and high-volume trading |
The Pro Account is particularly worth considering.
With an average EUR/USD spread of 0.7 pips and no separate trading commission, it provides a simple way to understand the total transaction cost.
The Elite Account, meanwhile, is designed around much tighter pricing, with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips. However, a USD 6 round-turn commission per lot applies. It can be attractive for short-term strategies, but you should always compare brokers based on the all-in trading cost including commissions.
Related article: XS.com Account Types Compared: Standard, Pro, Elite, Cent and Micro
XS.com Spread Comparison vs Major Forex Brokers
Next, let’s compare XS.com with several international forex and CFD brokers that traders commonly consider as alternatives.
Account structures, pricing models, and commissions vary between brokers, so the figures below should be viewed as a general comparison of representative published account conditions, rather than a definitive ranking.
Standard and Commission-Free Account Comparison
| Broker | Representative Account | Published Spread Guide | Trading Commission | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS.com | Standard | EUR/USD average 1.1 pips | None | Average spread disclosed; no specified minimum deposit |
| XS.com | Pro | EUR/USD average 0.7 pips | None | Combines relatively tight spreads with commission-free trading |
| Exness | Standard | From 0.2 pips | None | Low advertised minimum spreads |
| FXGT | Standard | From 1.3 pips | None | Broad range of tradable markets |
| HFM | Premium and others | Generally from around 1.4 pips depending on account | Depends on account | Multiple account options |
| XM | Standard / Ultra Low | Variable; depends on instrument and account | No separate commission on these account types | Ultra Low is designed for lower-cost trading |
An important point here is that an average spread and a minimum spread are not the same metric.
For example, XS.com publishes average EUR/USD spreads for the accounts discussed above, while some competitors promote pricing using “from” figures. It would therefore be misleading to assume that a broker advertising 0.2 pips will always be cheaper than one publishing an average of 1.1 pips.
Low-Spread Account Comparison
| Broker | Low-Spread Account | Spread | Trading Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS.com | Elite | EUR/USD average 0.1 pips | USD 6 round turn / lot |
| Exness | Raw Spread | From 0 pips | Up to USD 3.50 / lot / side |
| FXGT | ECN Zero | From 0.0 pips | Forex: USD 3 / lot / side |
| HFM | Zero | Forex and gold from 0 pips | From USD 3 / lot |
| XM | Zero | From 0 pips | Commission applies depending on trading volume |
Low-spread accounts from XS.com, Exness, FXGT, HFM, and XM can all provide very tight quoted spreads.
However, commission becomes a critical part of the comparison.
Even when the quoted spread is 0 pips, the actual transaction cost is not zero if a commission is charged. Traders using scalping strategies or EAs should therefore include commissions in both backtests and forward tests whenever possible.
Are XS.com Spreads Lower Than Other Brokers?
XS.com is not necessarily the lowest-spread broker across every account type and market condition. However, the Pro and Elite Accounts can be highly competitive from an overall cost perspective.
Standard Account: Average EUR/USD Spread of 1.1 Pips
The XS.com Standard Account has an average EUR/USD spread of 1.1 pips.
This may appear wider than headline minimum spreads promoted by some competitors, but XS.com presents an average figure, so comparisons should be made using equivalent metrics wherever possible.
The Standard Account also has no separate trading commission and no specified minimum deposit, making it a straightforward option for traders who are new to XS.com.
Pro Account: Average 0.7 Pips with No Commission
For traders focused on keeping transaction costs simple and competitive, the XS.com Pro Account is a strong candidate.
Its average EUR/USD spread is 0.7 pips, with no separate trading commission.
Many low-spread accounts use a structure where the quoted spread is tight but a separate commission is charged. With the Pro Account, the displayed spread represents the main direct trading cost, which makes cost calculations easier.
Elite Account for Scalping and EA Trading
Traders with higher trade frequency may want to consider the Elite Account.
The average EUR/USD spread is 0.1 pips, with a USD 6 round-turn trading commission per lot.
For scalping EAs and short-term strategies that target relatively small price movements, tighter spreads can have a direct impact on performance. In those cases, the Elite Account may be worth testing.
What to Check When Comparing Gold (XAUUSD) Spreads
Many XS.com traders focus not only on forex pairs but also on gold (XAUUSD).
Gold is generally more volatile than major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, and spreads can widen around economic releases or during periods of changing liquidity, especially around major trading sessions.
XS.com also uses variable spreads for metals such as gold, and published spread figures are presented as averages based on recent market conditions.
- Average spread under normal market conditions
- Observed spreads during London and New York trading hours
- Spread widening during major economic releases
- Trading commissions
- Swap or overnight financing costs
- Execution speed and slippage
For gold EAs in particular, even a small difference in transaction cost can materially affect results when a strategy generates a large number of trades.
Why You Should Not Choose a Broker Based on Spreads Alone
Low-Spread Accounts May Charge Separate Commissions
An account advertised with “spreads from 0.0 pips” may still charge a separate trading commission.
Effective trading cost = spread + commission + slippage and other execution costs
Spreads Change Throughout the Trading Day
Spreads may widen during periods of lower liquidity, around the weekly market open, during rollover, or when important economic data is released.
If you trade with an EA, it is important to check not only average spreads but also the actual spreads during the hours when your EA normally opens positions.
Execution Quality Also Affects Your Real Cost
A tight quoted spread does not automatically mean lower real-world trading costs. Frequent or significant slippage can increase the effective entry and exit cost.
This is particularly important for scalping, where spreads, commissions, execution speed, and slippage should be evaluated together.
Cashback Can Reduce Your Effective Trading Costs Further
The spreads and commissions discussed above are standard costs generated when trading.
However, when an eligible XS.com account is opened through a cashback arrangement, you may receive cashback based on your trading volume.
Effective cost = spread + trading commission – cashback
Even when the broker’s quoted spread and execution conditions remain unchanged, receiving a rebate on eligible trading activity can reduce your net transaction cost. The effect can be especially meaningful for scalpers and EA traders with high monthly trading volume.
High-Rate XS.com Cashback Through EA-Storage
EA-Storage provides access to eligible XS.com accounts with high-rate cashback.
By opening an eligible account through the designated EA-Storage link, traders can receive cashback as they trade. This can be particularly useful for strategies that generate a high number of transactions.
Cashback is separate from your trading profit or loss, making it especially relevant for high-volume trading styles such as scalping and automated EA strategies, where transaction costs accumulate over time.
Cashback rates, eligible account types, regional availability, and other conditions may change. Always check the latest terms before opening an account.
Which XS.com Account Type Is Best for You?
Standard Account May Suit Traders Who:
- Are using XS.com for the first time
- Prefer not to calculate a separate trading commission
- Mainly trade manually
- Want to test the trading environment with a smaller starting balance
Pro Account May Suit Traders Who:
- Trade frequently during the day
- Run Expert Advisors
- Want tighter average spreads without a separate commission
- Trade with a larger account balance
Elite Account May Suit Traders Who:
- Primarily use scalping strategies
- Use EAs that trade many times per day
- Trade larger position sizes
- Closely manage total costs including commissions
XS.com vs Exness vs XM vs FXGT vs HFM: Which Is Cheaper?
There is no single broker that can be described as the cheapest in every situation.
The reason is that average spreads, minimum spreads, commissions, account structures, and market conditions differ between brokers.
| Priority | Potential Options |
|---|---|
| Commission-free trading with relatively tight average spreads | XS.com Pro |
| Ultra-tight quoted spreads for short-term trading | XS.com Elite / Exness Raw Spread / FXGT ECN Zero / HFM Zero / XM Zero |
| Simple commission-free account structure | XS.com Standard / Exness Standard / XM Standard / FXGT Standard |
| Lower effective cost after cashback | Eligible XS.com accounts opened through EA-Storage |
Ultimately, the most useful approach is to check real spreads on the instruments and during the trading hours you actually use, then calculate your total cost after commissions, slippage, and any eligible cashback.
Conclusion: XS.com Can Be Cost-Competitive, Especially When Cashback Is Included
When comparing XS.com spreads with other major international forex and CFD brokers, the cost profile varies significantly by account type.
- Standard Account: EUR/USD average 1.1 pips, no trading commission
- Pro Account: EUR/USD average 0.7 pips, no trading commission
- Elite Account: EUR/USD average 0.1 pips, USD 6 round-turn commission
The Pro Account stands out for combining relatively tight average spreads with no separate trading commission, making it suitable for a broad range of strategies from discretionary day trading to automated EA trading.
For scalping and high-frequency EA strategies, the tighter spread structure of the Elite Account may also be worth considering.
If minimizing transaction costs is a priority, it is important to look beyond the quoted spread and consider your effective cost after subtracting eligible cashback.
Sources and Important Notes
- XS.com Standard Account
- XS.com Pro Account
- XS.com Elite Account
- Exness Standard Accounts
- Exness Professional Accounts
- XM Account Types
- FXGT Account Types
- HFM Trading Accounts
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to trade any financial product. Forex and CFD trading involves a high level of risk and may result in the loss of your invested capital. Broker services, account availability, leverage, cashback eligibility, and regulatory protections may vary by country or region. Always confirm the latest terms and local eligibility before opening an account or trading.
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