EUR/USD Spread Comparison: Full Broker Breakdown (2026)
Updated Mar 2026 • 12 min read • 42 brokers analyzed
EUR/USD is the most traded currency pair in the world, accounting for roughly 24% of daily forex volume. For this reason, EUR/USD spreads serve as the primary benchmark when comparing broker costs. In this analysis, we break down EUR/USD spreads across the major broker categories and reveal which platforms genuinely offer the lowest all-in trading costs.
EUR/USD Spread Rankings (Q1 2026)
The following table shows average EUR/USD spreads measured during London and New York session overlap (13:00-17:00 GMT), when liquidity is deepest and spreads are tightest.
| # | Broker | Avg Spread | Commission | Total Cost/Lot | Account Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exness | 0.0 | $3.50 | $3.50 | Raw Spread |
| 2 | IC Markets | 0.1 | $3.50 | $4.50 | Raw Spread |
| 3 | Pepperstone | 0.2 | $3.50 | $5.50 | Razor |
| 4 | Tickmill | 0.2 | $4.00 | $6.00 | Pro |
| 5 | FP Markets | 0.3 | $3.00 | $6.00 | Raw |
| 6 | XM | 0.6 | $3.50 | $9.50 | Zero |
Understanding EUR/USD Spread Components
The spread you see on your trading platform is only part of the total trading cost. To get an accurate picture, you need to consider three components:
- Raw spread: The actual interbank spread passed through to your account. On ECN/raw accounts, this can be as low as 0.0 pips for EUR/USD during peak hours.
- Commission: A fixed fee charged per lot traded. Most raw spread accounts charge $3.00 to $4.00 per lot (round turn). This is where brokers make their money on raw accounts.
- Total cost: Spread (in USD) + commission. A 0.1 pip spread equals $1.00 per standard lot, so 0.1 pip spread + $3.50 commission = $4.50 total cost per lot.
Exness: Why It Tops the EUR/USD Rankings
Exness consistently delivers 0.0 pip EUR/USD spreads on its Raw Spread account during peak liquidity hours. Combined with a $3.50 per lot commission, the total cost of $3.50 per standard lot is the lowest we have measured across any broker. This makes Exness the clear choice for EUR/USD scalpers and high-frequency traders.
The key to Exness's ultra-low spreads is its deep liquidity pool. Exness aggregates prices from multiple tier-1 liquidity providers and passes the best bid/ask directly to traders without markup. The result is institutional-grade pricing available to retail accounts.
Lowest EUR/USD Spread
Trade EUR/USD from 0.0 pips on Exness Raw Spread accounts.
Standard vs Raw Accounts for EUR/USD
Not all traders need a raw spread account. Standard accounts embed the broker's fee into the spread, which means higher spreads but zero commission. This simplifies cost calculation and works well for swing traders who hold positions for days.
For EUR/USD, typical standard account spreads range from 0.8 to 1.6 pips depending on the broker. At 1.0 pip, the total cost is $10 per standard lot, which is more expensive than most raw accounts but still competitive for position traders who execute fewer trades.
The break-even point where raw accounts become cheaper than standard accounts is typically around 5 trades per day. If you trade more frequently than that, a raw spread account will save you money on EUR/USD.
How Spreads Change Throughout the Day
EUR/USD spreads are not static. They fluctuate based on market liquidity, which follows a predictable daily cycle:
- Asian session (00:00-08:00 GMT): Wider spreads (0.3-0.8 pips on raw accounts) due to lower EUR/USD volume.
- London session (08:00-16:00 GMT): Tightest spreads (0.0-0.2 pips on raw accounts). This is peak liquidity for EUR/USD.
- NY/London overlap (13:00-16:00 GMT): The absolute tightest spreads. Both sessions are active simultaneously.
- New York afternoon (16:00-21:00 GMT): Spreads widen slightly as London closes. Still competitive (0.1-0.4 pips).
- News events: Spreads can spike to 2-10+ pips during NFP, ECB decisions, and FOMC announcements.
Impact on Scalping Profitability
For scalpers targeting 5-10 pip moves on EUR/USD, the difference between a $3.50 total cost (Exness) and a $9.50 total cost (XM Zero) is enormous over hundreds of trades. If you execute 50 standard lots per day, the daily cost difference is $300. Over a month, that amounts to $6,600 in savings just from choosing the right broker.
This is why spread comparison is not academic for active traders. The cost differential compounds and can be the difference between a profitable trading year and a losing one.
Methodology Notes
All EUR/USD spread data was collected from live trading accounts using automated tick sampling during London/New York overlap (13:00-17:00 GMT). Data represents average spreads over Q1 2026 (January through March). Commission values are round-turn per standard lot. Total cost = average spread in USD + commission. Rankings are based on total cost, not spread alone.
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