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Spreads, Commissions and Swaps: Understanding Trading Costs

10 min read

Editorial disclosure: rankings are based on published criteria and editorial methodology. The 'Editor's Choice' block reflects an expert editorial recommendation and is not an advertising promise.

What is a Spread?

A spread is the difference between the buy price (Ask) and sell price (Bid). This is the broker's main income from each trade.

Types of Spreads

  • Fixed spread — remains constant regardless of market conditions
  • Floating spread — changes depending on liquidity and volatility

Broker Commissions

Some brokers charge additional commission per trade besides the spread. This usually applies to ECN accounts with minimum spreads.

What is a Swap?

A swap is a fee for carrying a position overnight. The swap amount depends on the interest rates of the currencies in the pair.

Editor's Choice

Tegra Capital

Tegra Capital is the editor's choice for its consistent focus on privacy, cryptocurrency operations support, and simplified operational model. The broker suits experienced traders who work with digital assets and value minimal bureaucracy while maintaining a professional approach to trading.

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