Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta traders in 2025, choosing between Admirals and FBS is a key decision that can impact your trading costs, security, and overall experience. Both brokers are popular among retail traders in Malta, but they cater to different priorities. Admirals, with a strong score of 4.1/5, is regulated by the local financial regulator, offering Malta-based traders enhanced protection and a robust trading environment. FBS, scoring 3.7/5, is known for its low barriers to entry and flexible account types. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Maltese traders: local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, trading costs in USD, and regulatory compliance. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader, understanding these differences will help you pick the broker that aligns with your goals in the Maltese trading landscape.
| Instrument | Admirals | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FBS |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FBS |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FBS |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FBS |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $5 | Admirals |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, Admirals generally offers tighter spreads on major forex pairs, such as EUR/USD, which can be as low as 0.0 pips on its Zero account. This is beneficial for active traders who execute high volumes in USD. FBS, while competitive, often has slightly wider spreads on standard accounts, though its ECN account can match Admirals for active traders. For Malta traders, the volume you trade matters: Admirals becomes more cost-effective above 10 lots per month due to lower commission structures. FBS may suit lower-volume traders with its no-commission accounts. Both brokers offer transparent cost breakdowns, but Admirals edges ahead for cost-conscious Maltese scalpers.
| Account Type | Admirals | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FBS | 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+ | ✗ | FBS |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals provides Malta traders with the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and 5, plus its proprietary WebTrader, all optimized for fast execution and charting. This is ideal for traders who rely on advanced technical analysis. FBS also offers MT4 and MT5, but lacks a proprietary platform. For Malta traders, the choice often comes down to additional tools: Admirals includes free VPS for high-frequency trading and a dedicated mobile app for on-the-go monitoring. FBS’s platforms are user-friendly but less feature-rich. If platform versatility and automation matter to you, Admirals is the stronger pick.
| Factor | Admirals | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FBS |
| 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 provides fast execution with no requotes on most account types, thanks to its liquidity aggregator and Equinix NY4 servers. This suits Malta traders who scalp or trade news. FBS also offers decent execution speeds, but some users report slippage during volatile markets. For precision and reliability, Admirals is the better choice for active Maltese traders.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical factor for Malta traders. Admirals is authorized and regulated by the local financial regulator, the MFSA, which means your funds are protected under Maltese law and eligible for investor compensation schemes up to €20,000. This provides a high level of security. FBS operates under international licenses (e.g., IFSC) and is not directly regulated by the MFSA. While FBS is still accessible to Malta traders, it lacks the same local oversight. For Maltese retail traders prioritizing safety and regulatory compliance, Admirals offers a clear advantage, especially for larger account balances.
| Payment Method | Admirals | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. |
Both Admirals and FBS support the payment methods most popular among Malta traders: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant and fee-free on both platforms, while USDT TRC20 offers a fast, low-cost crypto option. Bank transfers are reliable but slower, taking 1-3 business days. Admirals typically requires a minimum deposit of $100 for standard accounts, whereas FBS lowers the bar to $10, appealing to beginners. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers may take longer. FBS sometimes charges withdrawal fees, while Admirals is more transparent with no fees on most methods. For Malta traders, both brokers offer flexibility, but Admirals wins on cost transparency.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Malta, both Admirals and FBS offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest. Admirals provides Islamic accounts upon request after account verification, with no additional fees for most instruments. FBS also offers swap-free accounts, but may apply a small admin fee after a certain holding period. For Malta traders who hold positions overnight, Admirals is generally more accommodating with clearer terms. Always confirm specific conditions with each broker, as policies can change.
| Support Feature | Admirals | FBS | 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 that can assist in English. FBS also provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but response times can vary during peak hours. For Malta traders, Admirals’ local regulatory presence often means faster resolution of account issues. FBS’s support is adequate but less personalized. If prompt, reliable service is key, Admirals has the edge.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | FBS | 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 | FBS | 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 FBS if you...
For Malta traders in 2025, Admirals is the stronger overall choice, especially for those who prioritize security, lower trading costs, and robust platforms. Its regulation by the local financial regulator (MFSA) offers peace of mind that FBS cannot match. However, FBS is a viable option for beginners or traders with limited capital, thanks to its low minimum deposit and flexible payment options like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. If you trade actively in USD and value regulatory protection, go with Admirals. If you are just starting out or need high leverage, FBS may suit you better. Consider your trading style and risk tolerance before choosing.