The Windsor Brokers ZERO account is the broker's raw-spread option aimed at scalpers, high-volume traders and systematic strategies that need the tightest possible pricing. It offers 0.0 pip spreads on major pairs, a flat $8 commission per round-turn lot and a $1,000 minimum deposit. This guide covers how the account actually prices, who it suits, and how it stacks up against the broker's Prime and VIP tiers.
What you get on the ZERO account
The ZERO account's headline features:
- Spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs during liquid sessions
- Commission: $8 per round-turn standard lot ($4 per side)
- Minimum deposit: $1,000
- Leverage: Up to 1:2000 on the offshore Seychelles entity
- Stop out: 20 percent
- Platforms: MT4, MT5 and the Windsor mobile app
- Base currencies: USD, EUR, GBP and others
The account is available under the CySEC entity for EU clients and under the Seychelles FSA offshore entity for non-EU clients, with slightly different leverage caps between the two.
The all-in cost per trade
The raw-spread model means you pay zero or near-zero in the bid-ask spread and instead pay a flat commission on volume. On a standard lot of EUR/USD at a typical Windsor ZERO spread of 0.1 pip, your all-in cost is:
- Spread cost: 0.1 pip x $10 per pip = $1.00
- Commission: $8.00 per round-turn lot
- Total: roughly $9.00 per round-turn lot
Compare this to the Windsor Prime account at a 1.0 pip spread with zero commission: 1.0 pip x $10 = $10.00 per round-turn lot. The ZERO account saves about $1 per standard lot on EUR/USD. That difference compounds fast for high-volume traders.
How does it compare to raw accounts at IC Markets and Pepperstone? Both brokers charge around $7 per round-turn lot on their raw accounts, which is about $2 cheaper per lot than Windsor ZERO. So Windsor ZERO is not the absolute cheapest raw account available, but it is in the right ballpark and comes with the advantage of a 37-year-old CySEC-regulated name behind it.
Who the ZERO account suits
This account makes sense for three profiles:
- Scalpers. Traders who hold for seconds to minutes and care about the tightest possible entry and exit spread. Paying a fixed commission is easier to model than variable spread costs.
- Systematic traders. Strategies that run on expert advisors (EAs) or rule-based systems where every basis point of cost matters to the long-term edge.
- High-volume discretionary traders. If you trade more than 10 standard lots per day, the commission structure usually beats the spread-only Prime account.
It is a weaker fit for position traders and beginners. Position traders hold for days or weeks and the per-lot commission hurts more than it helps. Beginners rarely trade the volume needed to justify the $1,000 minimum and the complexity of tracking commission costs.
ZERO versus Prime versus VIP
- Prime. $50 minimum, 1.0 pip average spread, zero commission, up to 1:2000 leverage. All-in cost roughly $10 per round-turn lot.
- ZERO. $1,000 minimum, 0.0 pip spread, $8 commission per round-turn lot, up to 1:2000 leverage. All-in cost roughly $9 per round-turn lot.
- VIP. Tailored minimum, 0.0 pip spread, $7 commission per round-turn lot, up to 1:2000 leverage, plus dedicated account manager. All-in cost roughly $8 per round-turn lot.
If you can meet the ZERO minimum and trade frequently, ZERO beats Prime. If you are a very high-volume trader, push Windsor for VIP terms because the commission saving is another $1 per lot.
How to open the ZERO account
Open a Windsor Brokers account through the standard onboarding flow. During the account type selection step, choose ZERO. You will need to complete identity verification (government ID, proof of address) and fund the account with at least $1,000. Funding options include bank wire, credit and debit card, e-wallet and cryptocurrency. Windsor Brokers typically processes account verification within one business day and funds credit after the payment method clears.
Risks and things to watch
Three things to stay alert to on any raw-spread account:
- Spread widening during news. Non-farm payrolls, central bank announcements and other high-impact events can push ZERO account spreads from 0.0 to several pips for a few seconds. Commission stays the same, so your effective cost spikes.
- Slippage. Market orders execute at the best available price, not your requested price. In fast markets, slippage can add basis points of cost per trade.
- Stop out. The 20 percent stop out is tighter than the 30 percent used by many peers. On a highly leveraged account, this triggers forced closes earlier in a drawdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum deposit for the Windsor Brokers ZERO account?
The minimum deposit is $1,000. This is higher than the Prime account ($50) and sits on par with raw-spread accounts at most tier-1 brokers.
How much does the ZERO account cost per trade?
The commission is $8 per round-turn standard lot ($4 per side). Plus whatever spread you pay, which is typically close to 0.0 pips on majors during liquid sessions. All-in cost on EUR/USD is usually around $9 per round-turn lot.
Is ZERO cheaper than the Prime account?
On most majors, yes. Prime costs around $10 per round-turn lot (1.0 pip spread, no commission). ZERO costs around $9 per round-turn lot (0.0 pip spread plus $8 commission). The difference compounds for high-volume traders.
What platforms does the ZERO account support?
MT4, MT5 and the Windsor Brokers mobile app. All three connect to the same underlying ZERO account.
Can I use expert advisors on the ZERO account?
Yes. Expert advisors are supported on MT4 and MT5 on the ZERO account. The raw pricing makes it a common choice for systematic strategies.