Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders seeking a reliable forex broker face a choice between two well-regulated options: Admirals and Libertex. Admirals, with a strong 4.1/5 rating, is known for its comprehensive trading tools and low-cost execution, while Libertex (3.7/5) appeals to beginners with its user-friendly platform and diverse asset range. Both are supervised by the local financial regulator, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), ensuring adherence to strict EU standards. For retail traders in Malta, factors like spreads, deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and regulatory safety are critical. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Malta-based traders, helping you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs in 2026.
| Instrument | Admirals | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $10 | Admirals |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. Admirals offers competitive spreads starting at 0.5 pips on EUR/USD for its Zero account, while Libertex averages 0.8 pips on standard accounts. Admirals also charges a commission on certain accounts, but overall costs are lower for high-volume traders. Libertex uses a spread-only model without commissions, which can be simpler but slightly more expensive per trade. Over 100 trades monthly, Admirals can save Malta traders up to 30% in total costs, making it a better choice for active retail traders.
| Account Type | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Libertex | 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+ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, industry standards for advanced charting and automated trading, ideal for Malta traders who use Expert Advisors. Libertex offers its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is intuitive and includes social trading features. For Malta traders who value customization and EA support, Admirals is stronger. Libertex suits those who prefer simplicity and quick access to over 50 assets without complex setups.
| Factor | Admirals | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with low latency, averaging 0.1-0.3 seconds for market orders. Libertex uses market execution with occasional requotes during volatility. For Malta traders, Admirals provides more consistent fills, especially during news events, while Libertex suits less time-sensitive strategies.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and Libertex are regulated by the local financial regulator, the MFSA, which applies MiFID II rules. This means Malta traders benefit from negative balance protection, segregated client funds, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Admirals also holds licenses in the UK and Cyprus, adding an extra layer of oversight. For Malta traders, this ensures a high level of security, though Libertex’s MFSA license alone is sufficient for retail protection.
| Payment Method | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 5 business days |
Malta traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 with both brokers. Admirals also supports credit/debit cards and PayPal, while Libertex adds Trustly. Minimum deposits are low: Admirals starts at $100, Libertex at $50. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 days for e-wallets and 2-5 days for bank transfers. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes, making it ideal for crypto-savvy Malta traders. Both brokers do not charge internal fees, but bank transfers may incur intermediary charges.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Malta Muslim traders, both Admirals and Libertex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. Admirals provides this on request after account verification, while Libertex includes it as a standard option. These accounts waive overnight interest on positions, complying with Sharia law. Traders can use them for forex, commodities, and indices. Note that holding positions beyond a certain period may incur administrative fees, so check terms carefully.
| Support Feature | Admirals | Libertex | 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 support via live chat, email, and phone, with local phone numbers for Malta. Libertex provides 24/7 support in English, including a live chat and callback service. For Malta traders, both are responsive, but Admirals’ local presence ensures faster resolution for account issues.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For Malta traders, Admirals is the stronger choice overall due to its higher rating (4.1/5), lower spreads, and advanced trading tools. It suits active retail traders who need cost efficiency and robust regulation from the local financial regulator. Libertex, while rated lower (3.7/5), is ideal for beginners or those who prefer a straightforward platform with no commissions. Both support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits easy. Ultimately, Admirals offers better value for serious traders, while Libertex is a solid entry-level option.