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ECN Accounts vs Standard Accounts

There are two main types of accounts that traders can use to access the forex market: ECN accounts and standard accounts.
ECN accounts, or electronic communication network accounts, are a type of account that allows traders to trade directly with other market participants and access to liquidity via a network, without the intervention of a middleman.
Where as a Standard account usually has a fixed spread and he broker is the other side of any trade you make so with a Standard trading account the broker is providing the trades and liquidity which can be manipulated and controlled with spreads.

Keynote
How are true ECN and standard accounts different? A true ECN account matches orders and executes them, charging only a commission for execution without a premium on the raw spread.
A standard account is usually managed by a market-making broker, who charges a premium spread to make money from execution.

ECN accounts offer several advantages, including:

Lower transaction costs: because there is no middleman involved in ECN trades, the transaction costs are typically lower than those associated with standard accounts.

Increased market liquidity: ECN accounts offer increased market liquidity because they allow traders to trade directly with other market participants.

Anonymity: ECN accounts offer anonymity because the identity of the participants is not revealed.

ECN accounts also have some drawbacks, including:

Complexity: ECN accounts can be complex, and may require a higher level of experience and knowledge to trade effectively.

Lack of customer support: because ECN accounts do not involve a middleman, there is typically no customer support available.

ECN accounts are not for everyone, and it is important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if this type of account is right for you.
If you do decide to open an ECN account, be sure to do your research and choose a reputable broker.

The Advantages of Standard Accounts

Standard accounts are the most common type of account used by retail forex traders. Standard accounts offer several advantages, including:

Ease of use: Standard accounts are typically easier to use than ECN accounts, as they usually involve a middleman who can provide customer support and assistance.

Lower minimum deposit requirements: Most standard accounts have lower minimum deposit requirements than ECN accounts.

Greater flexibility: Standard accounts often offer more flexibility than ECN accounts, as they may allow traders to use leverage and take on more risk.

Standard accounts also have some drawbacks, including:

Higher transaction costs: because there is a middleman involved in standard account trades, the transaction costs are typically higher than those associated with ECN accounts.

Reduced market liquidity: Standard accounts can offer reduced market liquidity because trades are often executed through a middleman.

Despite these drawbacks, standard accounts remain the most popular type of account among retail forex traders.

Recommended ECN Brokers

Choosing the correct broker for trading is critical to your trading journey, there are many factors you should take into consideration specifically for ECN trading before settling with the broker you may be trading with or when switching to a new choice broker which is best suited to your needs and factors which are important to you personally.

Broker

Regulators

Max. Leverage

Spreads

Trading Acc.

Instruments

Connect

FP Markets 

ASIC, CySEC

Up to 1:500*

From 0.0 pips

Broker Type:
STP | ECN | DMA 2 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Metals, Energies,
Shares, ETFs Crypto, Bonds

Eightcap

ASIC, VFSC

 Up to 1:500 

From 0.0 pips

Broker Type:
STP | ECN
 2 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Shares, Crypto

IC Markets

AFSL, ASIC, CySEC, FSA

Up to 1:500

From 0 pips

Broker Type:
ECN
6 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Metals, Energies,
Shares, Crypto

Axi 

ASIC, FCA, DFSA, FSC

Up to 1:500

From 0 - 0.4 pips

Broker Type:
STP | ECN
 3 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Metals, Energies,
Shares, Crypto

InstaForex

BVI FSC

Up to 1:1000

From 0 pips

Broker Type:
MM | Binary
 6 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities,
Metals, Energies, Shares, Crypto

NordFX

VFSC

Up to 1:1000

Floating spread from 0.9 pips

Broker Type:
STP | ECN
4 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Shares, Crypto

FXOpen 

ASIC, FCA

Up to 1:500*

Floating spread from 0 pips

Broker Type:
STP | ECN
 6 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 

Metals, Energies,

Shares, Crypto

Vantagemarkets

CIMA, ASIC, FCA

Up to 1:500*

From 0.4 pips

Broker Type:
STP | ECN
4 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 

Metals, Energies,

Shares, Crypto

RoboForex

FSC

Up to 1:2000

From 0.0 pips

Broker Type:
MM | STP | ECN
5 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Metals, Energies,
ETFs, Shares, Crypto

Fxview

CySEC, FSCA  and FSC

Up to 1:500

From 0.0 pips

Broker Type:
ECN | Islamic  
2 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Metals, Energies,
Shares, Crypto

FBS

CySEC, FSC, FSCA, ASIC

Up to 1:3000 

From 1 pip

Broker Type:
STP | ECN
 6 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Metals, Energies,
Shares, Crypto

Blackbull
Markets

FMA, FSA

Up to 1:500

From 0.0 pips

Broker Type:
STP | ECN

6 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Metals, Energies,
Shares, Crypto

  Review  


Blueberry Markets

ASIC, SCB

Up to 1:500

From 0.0 pips

Broker Type:
ECN | MM
2 Accounts 

Forex, Indices,
Commodities,
Shares, Crypto

  Review  


VALUTRADES

FCA, VFSC
CIMA, ASIC

Up to 1:500

From 0.0 pips

Broker Type:
ECN | MM
4 Accounts 

Forex, Indices,
Commodities,
Shares, Crypto

  Review  


FXGT

SFSA, FSCA, CySec*

Up to 1:500

From 0.0 pips

Broker Type:
STP | ECN

6 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities,
Shares, Crypto

  Review  


Broker Type:


Exness

FCA, CySEC, FSA, CBCS, FSC, FSCA

Up to 1:3000

From 0.4 pip

Broker Type:
STP | ECN
 6 Accounts

Forex, Indices,
Commodities, 
Metals, Energies,
Shares, Crypto

  Review  


Which Account Type is Right for You?

Your trading style and needs will determine your account type.

Forex beginners may benefit from a simple account. Standard accounts are simpler and require less money than ECN accounts.

ECN accounts are suitable for experienced forex traders. ECN accounts reduce transaction costs and boost market liquidity, however they can be complicated and lack customer service.

Choose an account type that meets your needs by weighing all your options.

Ask your broker or financial counselor about account types.

Now you can Start Trading with an ECN Broker

Choosing the right broker for ECN trading is crucial to your trading journey. There are many factors to consider before settling with your current broker or switching to a broker that better suits your needs and priorities.

These are the brokers we have reviewed:

ECN Execution Recommended Brokers

FP Markets

Since 2005

Offices:

Australia, Cyprus, South Africa

FP Markets

Minimum Deposit:50 USD 
Account currency: USD, EUR, GBP
Leverage:1:500*
Accounts:Raw, Standard, Pro, IRESS account
Instruments Offered: Forex, Indices, Commodities, Metals, Energies, Shares, ETFs Crypto, Bonds
Trading Platform:MT4, MT5, cTrader, WebTrader, Mobile App,  Superior VPS solutions
Regulation:ASIC, CySEC, FSCA
Spreads:Raw:  from 0.0 pips,
Standard: from 1.0 pip   
Visit BrokerBroker Review

FXOpen

Since: 2005

Offices:

UK, Australia, Cyprus, Nevis 

  FXOpen

Minimum Deposit:$15
Account currency:GBP, USD, EUR
Leverage:Up to 1:500
Accounts:Micro, STP, ECN, Crypto, Demo
Instruments Offered:Forex, Indices, Commodities, Metals, Energies, Shares, Cryptocurrencies
Trading Platform: MT4,   MT5*, TickTrader*  Free Forex VPS Hosting
Regulation:ASIC, FCA
SpreadsMicro: Floating Spread
STP: Tight Spreads
ECN: Raw Spreads
Crypto: Tight Spreads
Visit BrokerBroker Review

InstaForex

Since: 2007

Offices:

 British Virgin Isles

InstaForex

Minimum Deposit:From $1
Account currency:EUR, USD
Leverage:From 1:1 up to 1:1000
Accounts:Demo, Insta.Standard, Insta.Eurica, Cent.Standard, Cent.Eurica, PAMM
Instruments Offered:
Forex, Indices, Futures, Options, Commodities, Metals, Energies, Shares, Cryptocurrencies
Trading Platform:МТ4, МТ5, InstaTrader, WebTrader, Multiterminal, Mobile Trading, VPS hosting
Regulation:BVI FSC 
Spreads:0 pips: Insta.Eurica and Cent.Eurica;
3–7 pips: Insta.Standard and Cent.Standard
Visit BrokerBroker Review

EightCap

Since: 2009

Offices:

Australia, Vanuatu

EIGHTCAP

Minimum Deposit:$100
Account currency:AUD, USD, GBP, NZD, SGD, EUR
Leverage:1:30 for Australian clients
1:500 for Non-AU clients
Accounts:Standard Account, Raw Account
Instruments Offered:
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Metals, Energies, Shares, Cryptocurrencies
Trading Platform:MT4, MT5, Mobile, VPS hosting
Regulation:ASIC, VFSC
Spreads:From 0.0 pips
Visit BrokerBroker Review

IC Markets

Since: 2007

Offices:

Australia, Cyprus, Seychelles

IC MARKETS

Minimum Deposit:200 US dollars
Account currency:USD, AUD, GBP, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, CAD, HKD, BTC
Leverage:From 1:1 to 1:500
Accounts:Demo, Raw Spread, cTrader, Standard, Islamic, PAMM
Instruments Offered:Forex, Indices, Commodities, Metals, Energies, Shares, Bonds Cryptocurrencies
Trading Platform:cTrader, MT4, MT5, WebTrader, VPS hosting
Regulation:AFSL, ASIC, CySEC, FSA
SpreadsFrom 0
Visit BrokerBroker Review

RoboForex

Since: 2009

Offices:

Belize

RoboForex

Minimum Deposit:$10
Account currency:USD, EUR, and GOLD
Leverage:1:2000 
Accounts:ECN, Pro, Prime, ProCent, R Stocks Trader
Instruments Offered:Forex, Indices, Commodities, Metals, Energies, Shares, Cryptocurrencies, Futures
Trading Platform:MT4, MT5, WebTrader, Free VPS-Server, R StocksTrader
Regulation:FSC 
Spreads:From 0.0 pips
Visit BrokerBroker Review
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Cory has been a professional trader since 2005, and holds a Chartered Market Technician (CMT) designation. He has been widely published, writing for Technical Analysis of Stock & Commodities magazine, Investopedia, Forbes, Benzinga, and others.