i What this calculator does
Puts two brokers' pricing on the same footing. A tight spread with a commission and a wider spread with none cannot be compared by looking at either number; they have to be turned into money for the way you actually trade. Enter each broker's spread, commission per lot and overnight swap, then your lot size, trades per month and how long you hold, and the calculator returns the cost per trade, per month and per year in rand, with the cheaper broker and the breakdown that shows why.
Holding time changes the answer. For day traders the spread and commission decide it; for anyone holding for days, the swap line often outweighs both, which is why a broker that looks expensive on spread can be cheaper for swing trading. The all-in cost in pips per trade is the single number to carry into a broker comparison.
Enter each broker's published spread, commission and swap for the pair you trade; the calculator compares what you type. Spreads widen around news, swaps change weekly, and execution quality is not a cost you can enter. Not a broker recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, a raw spread account with commission or a standard account?
It depends on your pair, lot size and holding time. On EUR/USD a raw account at 0.2 pips plus $7 per lot round turn costs about 0.9 pips all in, usually cheaper than a 1.2 pip standard spread. On exotic pairs the picture often reverses. Enter both and see.
How do I find a broker's commission and swap?
In the contract specifications or product details page, per instrument. Commission is quoted per lot per side or per round turn; make sure you enter the round-turn figure. Swaps are quoted per lot per night and change weekly.
Why does holding time matter so much?
Because swap is charged every night the position is open, and triple on Wednesdays. A trade held five nights pays five to seven swaps, which on many pairs exceeds the spread and commission combined.
What is the all-in cost in pips?
The total cost of a round-turn trade expressed as if it were all spread: total cost ÷ (pip value × lots). It lets you compare any pricing model with any other on one number.
Does a positive swap reduce my cost?
Yes, in practice. The calculator treats a positive swap as zero cost to keep the comparison conservative; a credit on the pair and direction you trade is a bonus on top.
Is the cheaper broker the better broker?
Cost is one factor. Regulation, execution quality, withdrawal reliability and platform fit matter at least as much, and this site's broker comparison guide covers them. Use this calculator to make sure cost is measured correctly, not to decide on cost alone.
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