Admirals vs Oanda for Malta Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
Malta traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025 often compare Admirals vs Oanda, two well-known international brokers. Admirals, with a score of 4.1/5, stands out for its competitive spreads and local payment support, while Oanda (3.6/5) is recognized for its advanced charting tools and regulatory transparency. For Maltese retail traders, factors like deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20) and regulation by the local financial regulator are critical. This comparison helps you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs in Malta.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | Admirals | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Oanda |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Oanda |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Oanda |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Oanda |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $0 | Oanda |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, Admirals offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a low commission, making it cost-effective for scalpers and day traders. Oanda's spreads are variable, often 1.0-1.5 pips on the same pair, which can add up for frequent traders. For a Malta trader executing 100 standard lots per month, Admirals could save hundreds of dollars in spreads. Oanda's no-commission model may appeal to casual traders, but Admirals provides better value for active accounts.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $0 |
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:100 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:100 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | Admirals | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | Oanda |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals provides MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are widely used by Malta traders for their custom indicators and automated trading. Oanda offers its proprietary platform and TradingView integration, which is popular for research but less flexible for algorithmic trading. For Maltese traders who rely on EA bots or advanced charting, Admirals' MT4/5 is superior. Oanda's platform is user-friendly but may lack the depth needed for serious retail traders in Malta.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | Admirals | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Oanda |
| 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 a mix of market execution and ECN technology, providing fast order fills with minimal slippage, ideal for volatile markets. Oanda relies on a dealing desk model for some accounts, which can lead to requotes during news events. For Malta traders who trade major pairs during high liquidity hours, Admirals offers more reliable execution. Oanda is better for low-frequency traders who prioritize simplicity over speed.
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and Oanda are regulated by the local financial regulator in Malta, ensuring client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Admirals holds a Category 3 Investment Services license, while Oanda operates under its European entity with MiFID II compliance. For Malta traders, this means both brokers adhere to strict capital adequacy rules and offer investor compensation schemes. Always check the specific entity you register with to maximize regulatory protection.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 1 to 5 business days |
Malta traders can fund their accounts conveniently at Admirals using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with no deposit fees for e-wallets and crypto. Oanda supports Bank Transfer and limited e-wallets but does not accept USDT TRC20, which is a popular option for crypto-savvy traders in Malta. Withdrawals at Admirals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets, while Oanda may take 3-5 days for bank transfers. Admirals offers more flexibility for local payment methods.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Admirals provides Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta's Muslim traders, eliminating overnight interest on positions in compliance with Sharia law. These accounts are available on request and cover most forex pairs and CFDs. Oanda does not offer Islamic accounts, which can be a drawback for Maltese traders who require swap-free trading. For ethical and religious compliance, Admirals is the only viable option among the two.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | Admirals | Oanda | 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 Malta office for local queries. Oanda provides 24/5 support but relies more on email and an extensive FAQ. For Maltese traders needing quick assistance in English or Maltese, Admirals' local presence ensures faster resolution. Oanda's support is competent but less personalized for Malta.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Oanda | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Oanda |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | Admirals | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
Admirals
Oanda
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose Admirals if you...
- Want lower spreads and commissions on forex pairs like EUR/USD.
- Need local deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20.
- Require an Islamic (swap-free) account for Sharia-compliant trading.
- Prefer MetaTrader 4/5 for automated trading and custom indicators.
Choose Oanda if you...
- Value advanced charting tools and TradingView integration.
- Trade infrequently and prefer a simple, no-commission fee structure.
- Want a broker with a long history and strong regulatory track record.
- Do not need Islamic accounts or crypto deposit options like USDT TRC20.
FAQ - Admirals vs Oanda in Malta
Final Verdict - Malta 2026
For Malta traders in 2025, Admirals is the stronger choice with a higher overall score (4.1 vs 3.6), better cost efficiency, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. It also offers Islamic accounts and is regulated by the local financial regulator, providing added security. Oanda remains a solid option for those who prioritize research tools and a straightforward trading experience. However, for most retail traders in Malta, Admirals delivers more value and flexibility tailored to local needs.