Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta-based retail traders looking to trade forex and CFDs in USD, choosing between Admirals and EasyMarkets can be challenging. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator (MFSA), ensuring a high level of security. Admirals holds a strong 4.1/5 rating and is known for its advanced trading tools and competitive spreads, making it a favorite among active traders. EasyMarkets, with a 3.4/5 rating, appeals to beginners with its user-friendly interface and fixed spreads. Malta traders benefit from convenient deposit methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. This comparison focuses on key factors like trading costs, platforms, and local support to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style.
| Instrument | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $25 | Admirals |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, Admirals clearly has the edge with lower variable spreads, especially on its Zero account where major pairs start from 0.0 pips plus a commission. For a trader executing 10 standard lots per month on EUR/USD, Admirals can save up to 30% in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets' fixed spreads of 1.2 pips. EasyMarkets, however, offers predictable costs with no slippage or requotes, which can be valuable in volatile markets. For high-volume Malta traders, Admirals is the more cost-efficient option.
| Account Type | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals provides MetaTrader 4 and 5, along with its proprietary WebTrader, offering powerful charting and automated trading via Expert Advisors. This suits Malta traders who need advanced analytics. EasyMarkets offers its own intuitive web platform and a mobile app with simplified features like deal cancellation and free guaranteed stop-loss. For beginners in Malta who prioritize simplicity, EasyMarkets' platform is easier to navigate, while Admirals caters to those who want full control and customization.
| Factor | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Admirals |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Admirals uses straight-through processing (STP) and provides fast market execution with low latency, ideal for Malta traders who use scalping or algorithmic strategies. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads with no slippage and guaranteed stop-loss orders, prioritizing predictability over speed. For day traders in Malta who need quick fills, Admirals is better; for those who avoid surprises, EasyMarkets is more suitable.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and EasyMarkets are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which is highly respected within the EU. This means Malta traders benefit from negative balance protection, client fund segregation, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Admirals also holds additional licenses from the FCA and CySEC, adding an extra layer of oversight. EasyMarkets is purely MFSA-regulated but fully compliant with local laws. For Malta traders, both brokers offer a safe and transparent trading environment.
| Payment Method | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) |
Malta traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Deposits via e-wallets and USDT are typically instant and free, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days with zero fees from the broker. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, and 1-2 days for bank transfers. Admirals allows withdrawals starting from $100, while EasyMarkets has a lower minimum of $50. Both brokers process requests efficiently, making it easy for Malta traders to manage funds in USD.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in Malta can open swap-free Islamic accounts with both Admirals and EasyMarkets. These accounts do not charge overnight rollover fees, complying with Sharia law. EasyMarkets explicitly offers Islamic accounts on its website with no special conditions, while Admirals provides them upon request after verifying the trader’s eligibility. Both brokers maintain the same trading conditions for Islamic accounts, including spreads and leverage, making them equally accessible for Malta’s Muslim community.
| Support Feature | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Admirals offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Malta traders who can assist in English and Maltese. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support in multiple languages including English, with responsive live chat and email. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections. For Malta traders, Admirals’ local language support may be a slight advantage, but EasyMarkets is equally reliable.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Admirals |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Admirals |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Malta retail traders, Admirals is the recommended broker due to its higher rating, lower spreads, and superior platform variety. The ability to deposit via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 is well-supported by both, but Admirals offers better value for active traders. EasyMarkets is a solid alternative for beginners or those who prioritize fixed costs. Both brokers are regulated by the MFSA, ensuring safety. If you trade frequently in USD, Admirals’ Zero account saves you money in the long run.