Admirals vs Plus500: Malta Broker Comparison 2026
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
Malta traders looking for a reliable forex and CFD broker face a choice between Admirals and Plus500, two well-regulated platforms in the local market. Admirals, with a score of 4.1/5, is a multi-asset broker offering forex, indices, commodities, and shares, backed by strong educational tools and advanced trading platforms. Plus500, scoring 3.7/5, is a user-friendly CFD broker known for its simplicity and fast execution on a proprietary web-based platform. Both are authorized by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment for Maltese residents. This comparison covers trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, helping you decide which broker suits your retail trading needs in Malta.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | Admirals | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 | Admirals |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a key factor. Admirals offers tight spreads on major forex pairs (e.g., 0.5 pips on EUR/USD) with commissions from $0.02 per share for CFD trading, making it cost-effective for high-volume scalpers. Plus500 uses a spread-only model, averaging 0.8 pips on EUR/USD, with no commissions, which is simpler but slightly more expensive for active traders. Over 100 trades per month, Admirals can save Malta traders 10-20% in costs, especially when trading indices like the DAX or commodities like gold.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 |
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:300 |
| 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 | Plus500 | 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+ | 1,700+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Admirals provides Malta traders with MetaTrader 4 and 5, offering advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and a wide range of indicators—ideal for technical traders. Plus500 uses a proprietary web-based platform that is intuitive and mobile-friendly, with built-in risk management tools like guaranteed stop-loss. For Malta traders who prefer simplicity and quick access, Plus500 wins; for those needing depth and customization, Admirals is the better choice.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | Admirals | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 boasts fast execution speeds of under 30 milliseconds on forex pairs, with no requotes under normal market conditions, ideal for scalping Malta traders. Plus500 offers instant execution on its proprietary platform, but slippage can occur during volatile news events. For Malta traders trading major pairs like EUR/USD, Admirals provides more consistent order fills, while Plus500 is reliable for smaller positions.
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and Plus500 are regulated by the local financial regulator in Malta, providing strong investor protection through negative balance protection and segregated client funds. Admirals is also regulated by the FCA and CySEC, offering additional oversight, while Plus500 is listed on the London Stock Exchange, adding transparency. For Malta traders, this means both brokers meet high regulatory standards, but Admirals' multi-regulatory status may appeal to those seeking extra security.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3 business day |
Malta traders can fund their accounts at both Admirals and Plus500 using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Admirals processes e-wallet deposits instantly with no fees, while bank transfers take 1-2 business days. Plus500 similarly supports these methods, but USDT TRC20 deposits are credited within minutes, ideal for crypto users. Withdrawals at Admirals via Skrill or Neteller are free and processed in 24 hours, while Plus500 charges a small fee for bank transfers. Both brokers require verification for first-time withdrawals, ensuring security for Maltese traders.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 offers Islamic accounts (swap-free) for Malta Muslim traders, eliminating overnight interest charges on positions held beyond a day, in compliance with Sharia law. Plus500 does not provide Islamic accounts, meaning swap fees apply on overnight positions. For Malta traders seeking ethical trading without interest, Admirals is the only option, though its Islamic account may have restrictions on certain instruments like cryptocurrencies.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | Admirals | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Admirals provides 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated team for Malta traders in English. Plus500 offers 24/7 support through live chat and email, but phone support is limited. For Malta traders needing quick assistance during European trading hours, Admirals' phone support is an advantage, while Plus500's round-the-clock chat is suitable for off-hours queries.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Plus500 | 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 |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | Admirals | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | Admirals |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
Admirals
Plus500
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose Admirals if you...
- Are an active forex or CFD trader needing low spreads and advanced charting tools.
- Want access to MetaTrader 4/5 for automated trading strategies.
- Require an Islamic account for Sharia-compliant trading.
- Prefer multiple regulatory licenses for added security.
Choose Plus500 if you...
- Are a beginner seeking a simple, all-in-one trading platform.
- Trade occasionally and want a spread-only cost model with no commissions.
- Need 24/7 customer support for global trading hours.
- Prefer a broker with a strong brand and no minimum deposit requirement.
FAQ - Admirals vs Plus500 in Malta
Final Verdict - Malta 2026
For Malta retail traders, Admirals (4.1/5) is the superior choice overall, offering lower trading costs, advanced platforms like MT4/5, and an Islamic account option—all regulated by the local financial regulator. Its support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 makes deposits seamless for Maltese users. Plus500 (3.7/5) is a solid alternative for beginners who value simplicity and 24/7 support, but its higher spreads and lack of Islamic accounts limit its appeal. If you prioritize cost efficiency and flexibility, choose Admirals; for a hassle-free experience, Plus500 works well.