Forex Broker Fees Explained: Spreads, Commission, Swap and More
Every fee a forex broker can charge (spread, commission, swap, conversion, withdrawal, inactivity), with real figures from four brokers.
Reviewed by Hà Ngọc Lộc· Senior SEO Editor
Reviewed using our forex & CFD broker review methodology
Forex broker fees come in two groups. Trading costs are the spread, any commission and the overnight swap (financing). Account costs are currency conversion, deposit and withdrawal fees, and sometimes inactivity fees. Most of what you pay usually comes from the spread and commission. On raw-spread accounts, commission is commonly $6 per standard lot round turn ($3 per side), as at Vantage, VT Markets and Tickmill. Standard accounts build the cost into a wider spread (Tickmill Classic from 1.6 pips, VT Markets STP from 1.2 pips). Always compare the all-in cost per lot.
Every Fee You Might Pay
| Fee | What it is | Example (checked 2026-10-01) |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Gap between bid and ask | VT Markets STP from 1.2 pips; Global Prime Standard from 0.9 pips |
| Commission | Fixed charge per lot on raw accounts | $3/side at Tickmill Raw, VT Markets ECN; $3.5/side at Global Prime Raw |
| Swap (rollover) | Overnight financing on positions held past the daily cut-off | Varies by pair and direction; see MT4/MT5 Specification |
| Swap-free admin fee | Charged instead of swap on Islamic accounts | VT Markets says an admin fee may apply |
| Conversion | When the account currency differs from the instrument | Built into rates, or charged by your bank |
| Deposit fee | Funding charge | Global Prime: $0 on 20+ methods |
| Withdrawal fee | Payout charge | VT Markets: first wire per month free, then USD 20; Skrill 1%, Neteller 2% |
| Inactivity fee | Charged on dormant accounts at some brokers | Check each broker's fee schedule |
How to Compare Two Brokers
- Pick your main pair and normal trading hours.
- On demo, record the average spread over a week, not the advertised "from" figure.
- Add the round-turn commission per lot.
- Add the expected swap if you hold positions overnight.
- Add the withdrawal fee spread across how often you withdraw.
Example (1 lot EURUSD, 1 pip = $10): a raw account at 0.2 pips plus $6 costs $8. A standard account at 1.3 pips costs $13. Over 20 lots a month, that's a $100 difference.
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Slippage around news
- Wider spreads at rollover (about 5 pm New York time)
- Triple swap on Wednesdays for most FX pairs
- Bonus terms that restrict withdrawals (welcome bonus guide)
Related: ECN brokers compared · Swap calculator · What is a spread? · Low minimum deposit brokers
Further reading: BIS Triennial FX Survey · FCA guidance on CFDs and leveraged products.
Forex Broker Fees Explained: Your Questions Answered
What fees do forex brokers charge?
Spreads, commissions on raw accounts, overnight swaps, and sometimes conversion, withdrawal and inactivity fees.
Are commission-free forex brokers cheaper?
Not always. They charge through wider spreads. Compare the all-in cost per lot.
How much is forex commission per lot?
Commonly $6 per standard lot round turn ($3 per side) on raw accounts, but it ranges from about $5 to $7.
Sources checked 2026-10-01: tickmill.com/accounts; vtmarkets.com account pages and Help Centre fee article; globalprime.com; Vantage figures from our dated review.
More: How to compare forex spreads · Best raw spread brokers
Related Guides
Sources & verification
- Last checked
- Written by
- HNL Growth Team
- Reviewed by
- Hà Ngọc Lộc
- Length
- 2 min read · 540 words
Rules, prices and payout terms on this page were checked against the official websites, help-centre articles and published terms of the firms mentioned, on the date above. Prop firms and brokers change conditions often — confirm the current version on the official site before you buy or deposit. Read our broker review methodology and affiliate disclosure.
Official sources & documentation verified
- BIS Triennial FX Survey(bis.org · Official Regulator)
- FCA guidance on CFDs and leveraged products(fca.org.uk · Official Regulator)
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Check Each Broker for Your Country
Listed in no particular order. Each broker onboards you through a different legal entity depending on where you live — confirm the entity, its regulator, leverage cap and withdrawal terms before funding.
Vantage
$50 Standard/Raw · MT4/MT5 + TradingView · FCA/ASIC & offshore entities
VT Markets
STP or RAW ECN from $100 · MT4/MT5 + app copy trading · FSC Mauritius entity
Exness
Standard from $10 · MT4/MT5 + Exness Terminal · entity varies by country
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