Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
Best Overall
AvaTrade
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Admirals
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Malta Muslims
Best for Beginners
AvaTrade
Better education & support
Head-to-head comparison
Malta traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2026 often compare AvaTrade and Admirals. Both are well-regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring compliance with Maltese laws. AvaTrade, with a CompareBroker score of 4.6/5, stands out for its low spreads, extensive platform choice (MT4, MT5, WebTrader, and AvaTradeGO), and support for local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Admirals, scoring 4.1/5, offers competitive pricing and a strong educational suite, but its spread costs are slightly higher. For Malta retail traders, the decision hinges on trading costs, platform features, and deposit convenience. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you choose the right broker for your trading style in Malta.
🏆
Overall Scores Comparison

AvaTrade
CBI · ASIC · JFSA
4.3
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS

Admirals
FCA · ASIC · CySEC
3.1
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
💹
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | AvaTrade | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Admirals |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Admirals |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Admirals |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Admirals |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $1 | Admirals |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a critical factor. AvaTrade offers tighter spreads, with EUR/USD averaging 0.9 pips on its standard account, while Admirals averages 1.2 pips. On a $10,000 monthly volume, AvaTrade’s lower spreads can save traders approximately $30–$50 in costs. AvaTrade also has no commission on standard accounts, whereas Admirals charges $3 per lot on its Zero account. For high-volume Malta traders, AvaTrade provides a more cost-effective environment, especially when trading major forex pairs and indices.
📂
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | AvaTrade | Admirals |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $1 |
⚖️
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | Admirals |
|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Leverage Warning for Malta Traders
Traders in Malta typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | AvaTrade | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
⚡
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | AvaTrade | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | AvaTrade |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
AvaTrade uses STP/NDD execution with no dealing desk intervention, offering average execution speeds of 30-50ms. Admirals also uses STP execution but may have slightly higher latency, averaging 50-70ms. For Malta day traders and scalpers, AvaTrade’s faster execution and consistent pricing provide a more reliable trading experience.
🛡️
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | Admirals |
|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both AvaTrade and Admirals are regulated by the local financial regulator in Malta, providing a high level of security for Malta traders. This means client funds are held in segregated accounts, and negative balance protection is mandatory. AvaTrade is also regulated by multiple tier-1 authorities (e.g., Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC), adding an extra layer of trust. Admirals is authorized by the UK FCA and Cyprus CySEC, but for Malta traders, the local regulation ensures compliance with EU standards and investor compensation schemes.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Malta traders may differ by entity.
💳
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | Admirals |
|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
Malta traders can fund their accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank transfers are free but take 1-2 business days. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and carry no fees from either broker. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed quickly with low transaction costs, ideal for crypto users. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-3 days for bank transfers. AvaTrade has a $100 minimum deposit, while Admirals requires $50. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, making them cost-effective for Malta traders.
☪️
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | Admirals |
|---|
| 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 brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. AvaTrade provides Islamic accounts on all account types with no swap fees on overnight positions, ensuring compliance. Admirals also offers Islamic accounts, but availability may be limited to certain account types; traders must contact support to activate it. AvaTrade’s straightforward policy makes it a better choice for Malta traders seeking hassle-free Islamic trading.
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
Both brokers offer 24/5 customer support in English and Maltese. AvaTrade provides live chat, phone, and email support with fast response times (under 2 minutes for live chat). Admirals also offers multilingual support but has slightly slower response times. For Malta traders, AvaTrade’s local phone number and dedicated support team give it a slight edge in convenience.
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | AvaTrade |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | AvaTrade |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | AvaTrade | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
⭐
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
⚖️
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
AvaTrade
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
Admirals
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose AvaTrade if you...
- Want tighter spreads (0.9 pips on EUR/USD) to reduce trading costs.
- Prefer a wide range of platforms including MT4, MT5, and AvaTradeGO.
- Need an Islamic account without restrictions.
- Value faster execution speeds for scalping or day trading.
Choose Admirals if you...
- Have a smaller starting capital (minimum deposit $50 vs $100).
- Want access to a comprehensive education and analysis suite.
- Prefer a broker with a strong European regulatory track record (FCA, CySEC).
- Are comfortable with slightly higher spreads in exchange for lower minimum deposits.
❓
FAQ - AvaTrade vs Admirals in Malta
Is AvaTrade or Admirals better for Malta?
+Can Malta traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Malta traders?
+How do Malta traders deposit at AvaTrade and Admirals?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Malta?
+Final Verdict - Malta 2026
AvaTrade wins overall
For Malta traders, AvaTrade emerges as the stronger choice in 2026 due to its higher overall score (4.6 vs 4.1), lower spreads, broader platform options, and dedicated Islamic accounts. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring safety and compliance. AvaTrade also supports Malta’s preferred payment methods—Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—with fast processing. While Admirals offers a lower minimum deposit and strong educational resources, AvaTrade’s cost efficiency and execution quality make it the recommended broker for most retail traders in Malta.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of October 2026.