One of the most common questions before opening a broker account is whether to go ECN or Standard. Most traders frame this as a spreads vs. commission question. But there's a third dimension that almost nobody mentions: which account type earns more in rebates? The answer depends on how you trade — and it's not always ECN.
How the two account types earn rebate differently
The mechanism matters here. Brokers pay IB partners a share of revenue generated per client. The structure differs by account type:
- ECN / Raw Spread accounts: The broker charges an explicit commission per round-turn lot (typically $3–$7 per standard lot). This commission is clearly defined and transparent. The IB receives a share of that commission — and so does the trader via rebate. The rate is predictable because the revenue source is a fixed number.
- Standard / Classic accounts: There is no explicit commission — the broker makes money through a marked-up spread. The IB receives a portion of that spread markup. Rebates exist but are calculated differently: typically expressed as a fixed per-lot amount that represents the broker's IB share of the spread revenue.
Neither is inherently better. The difference is in how the numbers stack up against your trading style.
Head-to-head: the numbers
| ECN / Raw | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical spread (EUR/USD) | 0.0 – 0.3 pips | 1.0 – 1.8 pips |
| Commission per round-turn lot | $6 – $14 ✓ | $0 |
| Rebate per standard lot (majors) | $4 – $9 ↑ | $2 – $6 |
| Total trading cost (incl. commission) | Lower at high volume ✓ | Lower at low volume ✓ |
| Rebate predictability | High (fixed commission) | Moderate (spread-based) |
| Best for strategy type | Scalping, high frequency ✓ | Swing, position trading ✓ |
When ECN wins on rebate
ECN accounts pay higher rebates per lot in absolute terms — typically 40–60% more than Standard accounts at the same broker. This is because the commission base is larger and the IB share is a more defined percentage of it.
If you trade more than 50 lots per month on major pairs, ECN almost always wins on total economics: you pay less in spread (or nothing), you receive more per lot in rebate, and your net cost per trade is significantly lower.
Example at 100 lots/month on EUR/USD:
ECN: $6 commission per lot → broker pays ~$5 rebate → net cost $1/lot
Standard: $0 commission, 1.2-pip spread (~$12/lot cost) → broker pays ~$3 rebate → net cost $9/lot
Difference: $8 per lot, or $800 per month at this volume.
When Standard wins on rebate
Standard accounts make more sense when your volume is low or your holding times are long. Here's why: ECN accounts charge commission on every trade, open and close. If you're a swing trader opening 5 positions per month and holding for days, that explicit commission adds up proportionally more than the spread does.
Standard accounts also tend to have lower minimum deposits and simpler structures for beginners. And while the per-lot rebate is lower, the absence of explicit commission means your total cost might be more manageable if you're trading small sizes infrequently.
The instrument factor
Account type interacts heavily with instrument choice:
- Gold (XAU/USD): ECN accounts typically pay $8–$12 rebate per lot. Standard accounts on gold also pay well ($5–$9) because gold spreads are wider and the IB share of that is larger. ECN still wins, but the gap is narrower.
- Exotic pairs: Both account types pay more on exotics due to wider spreads/larger commissions. ECN advantage is less pronounced.
- Crypto CFDs: Varies significantly by broker. Some brokers only offer Standard-equivalent accounts for crypto, making the comparison moot.
- Stock indices: Often the weakest rebate category regardless of account type — the IB margin on indices is lower than on FX or commodities.
The hidden factor: minimum deposit requirements
ECN accounts typically require a higher minimum deposit — $200–$500 vs $10–$50 for Standard. If capital efficiency matters to you, this changes the calculus. A Standard account at full capacity may earn more in absolute rebate dollars than an ECN account with lower utilisation.
Decision framework
You trade more than 30–50 lots per month · You trade major pairs or gold · You scalp or use high-frequency strategies · You want maximum transparency in cost structure · You have $500+ to deploy in the account
You trade fewer than 20 lots per month · You hold positions for days or weeks · You're working with a small initial deposit · You trade exotic instruments where spread rebates are competitive · You want simpler account management without per-trade commission tracking
Can you run both accounts simultaneously?
Yes — and many experienced traders do. Running one ECN account for high-frequency trades and one Standard account for longer-term positions allows you to optimise the rebate on each. MIONTO supports multiple accounts per user, including accounts at the same broker under different account types. Each account is tracked and rebated independently.
Pro move: Run both account types at the same broker. Route scalping flow through ECN (lower spread, higher rebate per lot), and swing positions through Standard (no commission drag on low-frequency trades). Both accounts accrue rebate to the same MIONTO balance.
Use the calculator, not the theory
The exact rebate per lot varies by broker, account type, and instrument. The framework above is accurate directionally — but the actual numbers depend on your specific broker's IB program. Use the MIONTO calculator to enter your broker, account type, instruments, and volume and see the precise expected rebate before you open the account.