Admirals vs Tickmill: Malta Broker Comparison for Retail Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
For retail traders in Malta, choosing between Admirals and Tickmill is a common dilemma. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator (MFSA), providing a secure environment for Forex and CFD trading. Admirals, with a score of 4.1/5, is a well-established broker offering a wide range of platforms and educational resources. Tickmill, scoring 4/5, is known for its low-cost trading model and fast execution. Malta traders benefit from local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals convenient. This comparison breaks down the key differences—trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local support—to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in 2026.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 | Admirals |
Cost is a critical factor for Malta retail traders. Tickmill offers lower spreads, especially on its Raw account where spreads start from 0.0 pips with a $3 commission per lot. Admirals' Zero account has spreads from 0.0 pips but a higher commission structure. For standard accounts, Admirals' spreads are around 0.8 pips on EUR/USD, while Tickmill's standard spreads are tighter at 0.5 pips. For high-volume traders in Malta, Tickmill's lower spreads can reduce trading costs significantly over time.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Tickmill | 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+ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary WebTrader, along with advanced tools like the Trading Central plugin. Tickmill also offers MT4 and MT5, but lacks a proprietary platform. For Malta traders who value charting tools and automated trading, Admirals' platform variety is a plus. However, if you prefer simplicity and fast execution, Tickmill’s MT4/MT5 setup is reliable and efficient.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 |
Tickmill is known for its fast execution speeds, averaging under 40ms, which is ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Malta. Admirals also offers reliable execution with no requotes, but its speeds are slightly slower at around 50-60ms. For Malta traders who prioritize quick order fills, Tickmill has a small advantage.
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and Tickmill are regulated by Malta's local financial regulator (MFSA), ensuring compliance with EU financial directives. This means Maltese traders benefit from client fund segregation, negative balance protection, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Admirals also holds additional licenses from the FCA and CySEC, while Tickmill is regulated by the FSA in Seychelles for non-EU clients. For Malta-based traders, the MFSA regulation provides a strong layer of security.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Malta traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Bank Transfers are reliable but may take 1-3 business days, while Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant. USDT TRC20 is a fast, low-fee option for crypto users. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 days for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge internal fees, but third-party bank fees may apply. Tickmill is known for faster withdrawal processing times, often completed within a few hours for e-wallets.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both Admirals and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Malta. These accounts eliminate overnight swap fees, in line with Sharia law. Admirals requires a simple declaration, while Tickmill processes requests within 24 hours. Neither broker charges additional fees for maintaining an Islamic account. This makes both brokers suitable for Malta's Muslim retail traders seeking compliant trading conditions.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | Admirals | Tickmill | 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 a dedicated Maltese language option. Tickmill also provides 24/5 support in English and other languages, but lacks a Maltese-specific team. Both brokers have responsive live chat, but Admirals has a slight edge for local language support in Malta.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
Admirals
Tickmill
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose Admirals if you...
- Want a wider range of trading platforms, including proprietary tools.
- Value educational resources and market analysis for beginners.
- Prefer a broker with multiple regulatory licenses (FCA, CySEC) for added security.
- Need Maltese language customer support.
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Focus on low spreads and trading costs to maximize profits.
- Require ultra-fast execution for scalping or day trading.
- Prefer faster withdrawal processing times.
- Want a straightforward, no-frills trading experience with MT4/MT5.
FAQ - Admirals vs Tickmill in Malta
Final Verdict - Malta 2026
For Malta retail traders, both Admirals and Tickmill are excellent choices regulated by the local financial regulator. Admirals edges ahead with a higher score (4.1 vs 4.0) due to its platform variety and educational tools, making it ideal for beginners and those who value support in Maltese. Tickmill, however, wins on cost and execution, appealing to active traders who prioritize low spreads and fast trades. Both support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals. Ultimately, your choice depends on whether you value comprehensive features (Admirals) or low-cost, high-speed trading (Tickmill).