Been wrestling with this decision for weeks. On one hand, there’s a roboforex account type with consistently tight spreads but lower rebate coverage. On the other hand, a higher-tier account has wider spreads but GlobeGain returns a bigger percentage of what I pay.
I’m trying to figure out the break-even point. If I trade 50 lots a month, which setup actually costs me less? But I’m also wondering if my trading volume changes the answer.
The math feels like I should just calculate it for my specific volume, but I haven’t seen anyone actually walk through how to do this comparison with real numbers. Most guides just say pick low spreads or pick high rebates, which doesn’t help when you’re stuck between two accounts that trade off against each other.
How do you actually decide between these two? Is there a formula, or do you test both for a month and see which costs less?
Use this formula: total monthly cost = (spread + commission) × total lots - monthly rebate.
Calculate it for both account types based on your actual trading volume. The lower number wins.
Example: Account A has 0.8 spread + 0 commission, rebate 0.2 pips per lot. Account B has 1.4 spread + 0 commission, rebate 0.5 pips per lot. For 50 lots monthly:
Account A: (0.8 - 0.2) × 50 = 30 pips cost.
Account B: (1.4 - 0.5) × 50 = 45 pips cost.
Account A wins. But this changes if you scale to 200 lots. Recalculate at your actual volume. Volume matters because rebates usually have brackets. Higher volume unlocks better rebate percentages, shifting the advantage.
Calculate total cost for your volume. Number wins.
I tested both accounts for one month using real money on small positions. That was the clearest way for me to see which actually cost less.
Theory is helpful, but your actual trading style and timing matter too. A calculated answer might be 3 pips cheaper monthly, but it disappears if you trade during volatile hours when the tighter spread account stays tight and the other widens.
Test both if you can. Numbers plus real experience beats pure math.
Just go with tighter spreads. Seems safer than betting on rebates.
I used to just pick low spreads and ignore rebates. Cost me money.
Started tracking after switching to an account with higher spreads but better rebate terms. Over six months, the rebate-friendly account saved me about 15% on total trading costs because the rebates covered enough that the wider spread didn’t matter.
The trick is knowing your own trading volume and pattern. If you scalp 200 lots monthly, rebates hit harder percentagewise. If you trade 20 lots, tight spreads win.
Calculate both for your exact volume and timeframe. Then trade a week on the cheaper one in a demo. If it feels right, commit to real money.