Lesson 19 — Account Types (Standard / Raw / Pro)

Meet Account Types

Ever walked into an ice cream shop, stared at 40 flavors, and thought, “Why is choosing harder than eating?”
Forex brokers can feel the same way — except instead of chocolate vs pistachio, you’re choosing Standard, Raw, or Pro accounts.

These account types determine your trading costs, how spreads and commissions are charged, and which style of trading each one suits best. Pick the wrong one and your trading journey starts with ankle weights. Pick the right one and you glide forward like a scalper on an energy drink.

This lesson breaks down the essentials of:

• Standard accounts
• Raw spread accounts
• Professional (Pro) accounts
• Their pros & cons
• Which type suits scalpers vs swing traders

👉 Infographic Idea (FIRST visual):
A three-column comparison layout showing stylized icons representing three account types side by side (Standard, Raw, Pro) in a comic style with subtle space elements in the background.

How Account Types Work

Different account types mainly differ in how you pay your trading costs. Think of it like choosing between an “all-inclusive,” “pay-per-item,” or “VIP” service tier.

Standard Account

The “all-inclusive” buffet.
You don’t pay a commission. Instead, costs come from higher spreads.

How it works:

• Spread is widened slightly to include the broker’s fee
• Great for beginners who prefer simplicity
• Less ideal for super short-term trades, where every pip matters

Raw Spread Account

The “pay for what you actually eat” version.
You get very tight spreads, often near zero, but pay a fixed commission per lot.

How it works:

• Excellent for scalpers and intraday traders
• Costs are transparent and consistent
• Requires discipline, because tighter spreads don’t magically make bad trades profitable

Pro Account

The “VIP door” — typically offered to experienced or high-volume traders.
It’s basically a refined version of a raw account with optimized spreads and a commission model tailored for size.

How it works:

• Best spreads the broker offers
• Lower or specialized commissions
• May require higher balance or volume
• Ideal for frequent traders or professionals

👉 Infographic Idea (SECOND visual):
A flow-style comparison chart showing “Order → Spread/Commission → Total Cost” for each account type, with arrows depicting cost flow in a clean, comic-style graphic.

Why This Matters in Real Trading

Choosing the wrong account type can quietly drain your profits — like using a leaky cup at the water fountain and wondering why you’re still thirsty.

Pros & Cons Overview

Standard Account

Pros:

• No commission math
• Smooth for learning
• Predictable cost structure

Cons:

• Higher spreads
• Less suited for scalping

Raw Spread Account

Pros:

• Tight spreads great for precision trading
• Transparent commission structure
• Popular for scalpers & day traders

Cons:

• Requires understanding of commission charges
• Spread may occasionally widen in volatility

Pro Account

Pros:

• Best spreads
• Lower cost per lot when trading big
• Ideal for fast-execution environments

Cons:

• May require higher deposit
• Not necessary for beginners

Choosing Based on Trading Style

Scalper?
Raw or Pro accounts win every time. Lower spreads = lower cost per micro-move.

Swing trader?
Standard or Raw both work. Small differences in spread matter less over large moves.

Beginner?
Standard account keeps things simple.

💡 Tip: Always compare both spread and commission together — not separately.
A low spread doesn’t mean cheaper trading if the commission per lot is high.

🤓 Did You Know?:
Many traders unknowingly trade a Standard account for years, not realizing Raw accounts could have saved them money.

👉 Infographic Idea (THIRD visual):
Three comparison tables, each visually represented as neatly separated boxed layouts:

1. Standard vs Raw
2. Raw vs Pro
3. Standard vs Pro
   (Comic-style, icons only, no text inside boxes)

Key Takeaways

• Standard accounts use higher spreads, no commission — great for simplicity.
• Raw accounts use tight spreads + commission — preferred by scalpers and active traders.
• Pro accounts give the best total pricing but require higher qualification.
• Always consider your trading style before choosing account type.
• Don’t just look at spreads — look at total cost per trade.

Thumbnail Idea

A comic-style astronaut floating in space, examining three glowing “account type” orbs (Standard, Raw, Pro) that hover in a triangular formation. Space backdrop, no text, one unified scene.