AvaTrade vs Admirals: Which Broker is Best for Malta Traders in 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 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
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 1:400 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:500 |
| 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 | 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 |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | AvaTrade | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), widely used by Malta traders for advanced charting and automated trading. AvaTrade additionally provides its proprietary AvaTradeGO app, designed for mobile trading with user-friendly features. Admirals offers its own WebTrader platform, which includes integrated analysis tools. For Malta traders who prefer flexibility, AvaTrade’s range of platforms (including MT4, MT5, and AvaTradeGO) is a clear advantage, while Admirals’ WebTrader appeals to those seeking a browser-based solution.
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.
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.
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 App Comparison
| 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
Admirals
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...
FAQ - AvaTrade vs Admirals in Malta
Final Verdict - Malta 2026
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.