FxPro Spreads and Trading Costs
A trader in Dar es Salaam opens their platform at 4:00 pm EAT and wants to enter EUR/USD. Before placing the order, one number matters more than anything else: the spread. Understanding how FxPro spreads work – which account type produces the lowest cost, and when spreads tighten or widen – directly affects how much every trade costs.
Table of Contents
What a Spread Actually Costs You
The spread is the gap between the bid price and the ask price. When you buy EUR/USD at 1.08503 and the bid is 1.08498, that 0.5-pip gap is your immediate cost. You start every trade slightly in the negative. That gap is the spread.
On a standard lot (100,000 units), each pip on EUR/USD equals roughly $10. A 0.5-pip spread costs $5 per round turn. A 1.2-pip spread costs $12. These numbers multiply fast if you trade frequently.
FxPro measures spreads in pips. Tighter spreads reduce cost per trade. This is especially relevant for short-term traders who open multiple positions each session.
Fixed vs. Variable Spreads
FxPro offers two spread structures depending on the account type.
Fixed spreads stay constant regardless of market conditions. The MT4 Fixed account quotes EUR/USD at 1.6 pips during standard daytime hours. That number does not change during news releases or low-liquidity periods. Predictability is the advantage. The trade-off is that the fixed rate is typically wider than the tightest variable spreads available.
Variable (floating) spreads move with market conditions. During the London-New York overlap (approximately 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm EAT), EUR/USD floating spreads on FxPro typically average between 0.3 and 0.8 pips. Outside those hours – particularly during the Asian session – spreads widen. During major economic releases, widening of 30-50% above the baseline is typical.
Choose fixed spreads if you trade around news events and need predictable cost. Choose variable spreads if you trade during peak liquidity hours and want the tightest possible cost per entry.
Spread Structure by Account Type
Each FxPro platform has a different cost model. The table below shows how the fee structure differs across account types available to traders in Tanzania.
| Account Type | Spread Structure | Minimum Spread (approx.) | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| MT4 Instant | Fixed or floating | From ~$10 per lot equivalent | None |
| MT4 Fixed | Fixed | 1.6 pips EUR/USD | None |
| MT5 | Floating | From ~$5 per lot equivalent | None |
| cTrader | Raw floating | From ~$3 per lot equivalent | $35 per $1M traded |
| FxPro Edge | Floating | From ~$1 per lot equivalent | None |
| MT4/MT5 Raw | Raw floating | From 0 pips | $3.5 per side ($7 round turn) |
The cTrader commission model works out to approximately $3.5 per standard lot each way. On a $10,000 notional trade, that is $0.35. For high-volume traders, this structure can be cost-efficient. For occasional traders, the spread-only accounts reduce complexity.
The MT4/MT5 raw option charges $3.5 per side on FX majors and gold. If you trade one standard lot of EUR/USD and pay 0.2 pips spread plus $7 commission, total cost is roughly $9. Compare that to the MT4 all-inclusive model at 1.2 pips ($12 per lot). The raw account saves $3 per lot at those rates.
All-In Cost Comparison for EUR/USD
| Account Model | Spread (pips) | Commission (per lot) | Total Cost (1 standard lot) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MT4 All-Inclusive | ~1.2 | $0 | ~$12 |
| MT4/MT5 Raw | ~0.1-0.2 | $7 | ~$8-$9 |
| cTrader | ~0.1-0.3 | ~$3.5 per side | ~$7-$10 |
| FxPro Edge | ~0.1-0.5 | $0 | ~$1-$5 |
| MT4 Fixed | 1.6 | $0 | ~$16 |
These figures reflect typical conditions during the London session. Spreads widen outside peak hours.
When Spreads Are Tightest in Tanzania
Timing matters. From Tanzania (EAT, UTC+3), the most liquid trading windows are:
- London session opens at approximately 11:00 am EAT
- New York session opens at approximately 4:00 pm EAT
- London-New York overlap runs from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm EAT
During the overlap, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and XAU/USD show the tightest spreads on FxPro. This is the window where variable spread accounts perform best.
Avoid trading major pairs during the Tokyo session (1:00 am to 9:00 am EAT) if cost is a priority. Spreads on EUR/USD can widen to 1.5-2 pips or more during that window on floating accounts.
Set a personal rule: check the spread before entering. If EUR/USD is showing above 1 pip on a variable account, either wait or reduce position size.
How to Check Spreads on Each FxPro Platform
Each platform displays the spread differently. Here is where to look on each one.
MetaTrader 4 and MT5
Open the Market Watch panel (View > Market Watch or press Ctrl+M). Right-click on any symbol and select “Spread” column to add it to the display. The spread updates in real time. You can also hover over the bid/ask prices in the top of any chart window.
To see the spread numerically in pips, divide the displayed spread value by 10 if the pair is quoted to 5 decimal places (e.g., a spread of 5 = 0.5 pips on EUR/USD).
cTrader
The spread is visible directly on the trade ticket. Open a symbol from the watchlist. The bid and ask appear side by side. The gap between them is the live spread. cTrader also displays a depth-of-market (DOM) panel showing liquidity at different price levels – useful for understanding spread conditions in real time.
FxPro Edge
Click on any instrument in the platform. The bid and ask prices display prominently on the order panel. The spread is the numerical difference between them. FxPro Edge is web-based, so no installation is required – accessible from any browser.
Spreads and Strategy: Matching the Two
The account type and spread structure should match the trading approach. Use the following logic to decide.
If you scalp or day trade:
- Use the lowest all-in cost account (raw spread + commission model)
- Trade during the London-New York overlap (4:00-7:00 pm EAT)
- Stick to EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, or XAU/USD
- Set a maximum acceptable spread before entry (e.g., no entry if EUR/USD spread exceeds 0.8 pips)
- Risk no more than 1-2% of account per trade; targets should be at least 2x the spread
If you swing trade on H4 or daily charts:
- A standard all-inclusive account is sufficient
- Spread cost per trade is small relative to a 100-300 pip target
- You can enter during any session without the spread dominating your cost
If you trade news events:
- Use the fixed spread MT4 account
- The 1.6-pip EUR/USD fixed rate is predictable even during volatile releases
- Variable spreads can spike significantly around high-impact data
Avoid exotic pairs with wide spreads if cost efficiency matters. Pairs involving the Tanzanian shilling are not available as CFDs on FxPro. Focus on liquid majors where FxPro spreads are consistently tighter.
Opening an Account and Starting with Spreads in Mind
FxPro does not require a mandatory minimum deposit for live accounts. The actual minimum depends on the payment method selected. Traders using bank transfer or debit/credit card – both supported by major Tanzanian banks – can typically start with around $10-$20 on a Standard account. The payment method’s own minimum limits apply.
When registering, identity verification is required before funding. Upload a government-issued ID and a proof of address. Once verified, select the account type that matches the spread structure needed. Fund the account, then open a demo version of the same account type first to observe live spreads during your usual trading hours.
Demo accounts are available for MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro Edge. Use the demo to record the spread on EUR/USD at 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 11:00 pm EAT. That data will tell you exactly what to expect when trading live.
Action Checklist Before Your First Live Trade
Use this list before placing any live order on FxPro from Tanzania:
- Confirm which account type you are using and its spread structure
- Check the live spread on your chosen pair before entry
- Verify you are trading during the London or London-New York overlap for tightest spreads
- Calculate total cost per lot (spread in pips × $10 for EUR/USD standard lot, plus any commission)
- Ensure your take-profit target is at least twice the spread in pips
- Set a stop-loss before entry, not after
- Record the spread at entry in your trade journal for later review
- If spread is wider than your pre-set threshold, delay the entry or skip the trade
Consistent attention to FxPro spreads at entry is one of the most direct ways to improve cost efficiency over time.
FAQ
What is the typical EUR/USD spread on FxPro during the London-New York overlap from Tanzania?
During the London-New York overlap, which runs from approximately 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm EAT, EUR/USD floating spreads on FxPro typically average between 0.3 and 0.8 pips. This is the tightest window for variable spread accounts. Spreads outside this period, particularly during the Asian session, are generally wider.
Does FxPro charge a commission on top of the spread?
It depends on the account type. All-inclusive accounts (MT4 and MT5 standard) include the cost in the spread with no separate commission. Raw spread accounts charge approximately $3.5 per side ($7 round turn) per standard lot on FX and metals. The cTrader account uses a rate of $35 per $1 million traded.
Which FxPro account type has the lowest spread for scalping?
The raw spread accounts on MT4/MT5 and the cTrader account offer the tightest headline spreads, starting from near 0 pips on some pairs. However, the total cost includes commission, so the all-in figure per lot should be calculated before deciding. For scalping, the cTrader or raw MT4/MT5 model typically produces the lowest total cost per trade.
Can Tanzanian traders fund their FxPro account using local bank cards?
Yes, FxPro supports bank transfer and debit/credit cards, both of which are used by banks operating in Tanzania. There is no mandatory minimum deposit set by FxPro, though the payment method’s own minimum limits apply. Many traders start with around $10-$20 on a Standard account.
Why does the spread widen during news releases on FxPro?
Variable (floating) spreads reflect live market liquidity. During high-impact economic releases, liquidity providers widen their quotes, which causes the spread to expand. On FxPro, this widening during strong news volatility typically stays within 30-50% above the baseline spread on major pairs.
Is the fixed spread account on FxPro better for news trading?
The MT4 Fixed account quotes EUR/USD at 1.6 pips regardless of market conditions, including during news events. This makes cost predictable when volatility spikes. The trade-off is that the fixed rate is wider than the tightest variable spreads available during calm market conditions.
How do I see the live spread inside MetaTrader 4 on FxPro?
Open the Market Watch panel via View > Market Watch or press Ctrl+M. Right-click on any symbol and add the Spread column to the display. The spread updates in real time and is shown in points – divide by 10 to convert to pips for pairs quoted to five decimal places.
