One broker, many servers: account type quirks

[Shadow Trader]

A broker's servers aren't all the same. Different account types often connect to different servers, with different liquidity providers, execution models and sometimes even different quote feeds.

A standard account may run on a dealing-desk server, while a raw-spread account connects to a pass-through server. Cent accounts, demo accounts and professional accounts can each have their own infrastructure.

Differences that follow: spreads, execution speed, rejection rates, swap rates, maximum leverage, available instruments, and even the feed's tick frequency. Testing a strategy on a demo from one server and trading live on another invites divergence.

Symptoms of server differences include demo results that don't match live results, even with the same strategy and settings.

The server name in the login window or platform title reveals which one is in use. Comparing the symbol specifications between servers highlights differences.

When contacting support, mentioning the exact server speeds up any investigation. When testing, matching the server type to the intended live account makes results more relevant.

Differences can also show up in the available hours, minimum deposit, and even in how commissions are calculated. Reading the account comparison table and then testing each type with a minimal deposit removes assumptions.

A final reminder is that accounts can be migrated between servers by the broker, sometimes without much notice. If behaviour changes suddenly, asking support whether the server changed is a reasonable first step.

Have two servers from the same broker ever behaved differently, and how was it discovered?