Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta has established itself as a leading hub for forex and CFD trading within the EU, and local traders have access to two distinct online brokers: AvaTrade and EasyMarkets. AvaTrade, with a 4.6/5 rating, is a globally recognised broker with a strong local presence through its MFSA licence, making it a natural fit for Maltese retail traders who value regulatory security. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, is also popular locally for its user-friendly platforms and risk management tools, but it lacks an MFSA registration. For Malta-based traders, the choice often comes down to cost efficiency versus simplicity. AvaTrade offers tighter spreads and a broader range of assets, while EasyMarkets appeals to beginners with its fixed spreads and dealCancellation feature. Both support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits, which covers the most common payment methods used in Malta. This comparison breaks down each broker’s trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local suitability to help you decide which one aligns with your trading style in 2026.
| Instrument | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $25 | AvaTrade |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a critical factor. AvaTrade’s raw spreads on EUR/USD start from 0.9 pips on standard accounts and drop to as low as 0.0 pips plus commission on its Razor account. EasyMarkets, by contrast, offers fixed spreads that average around 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, which can be significantly higher for active traders. On a typical monthly volume of 10 lots, AvaTrade saves Maltese traders roughly $60–$120 in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. EasyMarkets also charges a currency conversion fee if your account base currency is not EUR, but since our comparison uses USD accounts, Malta traders should factor in conversion costs when depositing from EUR bank accounts. Overall, AvaTrade provides a more cost-effective solution for Malta’s active retail traders.
| Account Type | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:2000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform selection matters for Malta traders who often trade across desktop and mobile. AvaTrade offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary AvaTradeGO app, which supports advanced charting plugins and automated trading via Expert Advisors. EasyMarkets provides its own web-based platform, MetaTrader 4, and a dedicated mobile app, but lacks MT5 and automated trading tools. For Maltese traders who rely on algorithmic strategies or deep customisation, AvaTrade is clearly superior. EasyMarkets focuses on a simplified experience with one-click trading and visual risk management tools, which appeals to beginners. Both platforms are available in English and support local payment methods like Skrill and Neteller. However, AvaTrade’s broader platform selection ensures it can grow with a trader’s evolving needs.
| Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| 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 |
Execution quality is where AvaTrade pulls ahead for active Malta traders. AvaTrade offers low-latency execution through Equinix data centres and provides a 99.9% uptime guarantee; orders are typically filled in under 50 milliseconds. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model and offers fixed spreads, which can be filled instantly, but they may re-quote during high-impact news events. AvaTrade’s straight-through processing (STP) execution ensures no requotes and better price transparency. For Malta traders who trade during the overlap of London and New York sessions, AvaTrade’s faster execution and minimal slippage are essential. EasyMarkets, while reliable for beginners, cannot match the institutional-grade execution that AvaTrade provides to retail traders.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Malta traders, especially in a jurisdiction with a strong financial regulator like the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). AvaTrade is authorised and regulated by the MFSA, which means Malta clients benefit from direct local oversight, a local complaints process, and access to the Malta Investor Compensation Scheme, which covers up to €20,000 per client. EasyMarkets, on the other hand, is regulated by CySEC in Cyprus and ASIC in Australia, but does not hold an MFSA licence. While CySEC provides EU-level protection and access to the Eurozone Investor Compensation Fund, Malta traders will not have the convenience of a local regulator. For those who prioritise local regulatory recourse and compensation, AvaTrade is the clear winner for Maltese residents.
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) |
Depositing and withdrawing funds at both brokers is straightforward for Malta traders. The accepted methods include Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. AvaTrade processes all deposits instantly, with no fees on Skrill, Neteller, or USDT deposits; bank transfers may take 1–3 business days due to intermediary banking. EasyMarkets also offers free deposits but requires a minimum deposit of $25 for online wallets and $250 for bank transfers. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at AvaTrade for Skrill and Neteller, while EasyMarkets typically takes 1–2 business days. USDT TRC20 withdrawals are supported by both brokers, making them a fast option for Malta traders who use crypto. However, AvaTrade offers a more seamless withdrawal process with lower minimum amounts and faster processing times for wallet-based payments.
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Malta’s Muslim community actively participates in forex trading, and both brokers cater to this demand with Islamic or swap-free accounts. AvaTrade provides swap-free accounts on all account types, automatically waiving overnight interest on all instruments. There are no hidden fees, and the swap-free status can be requested at any time through the customer portal. EasyMarkets also offers Islamic accounts, but swap-free conditions apply only to forex and metals; other instruments like indices and commodities may still incur swap fees. Additionally, EasyMarkets may charge a flat administrative fee on positions held beyond three nights, which adds complexity. For Malta’s Muslim traders seeking a transparent Sharia-compliant solution, AvaTrade stands out with its more inclusive and straightforward Islamic account offering.
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
Customer support quality varies between the two brokers. AvaTrade provides 24/5 multilingual support via phone, live chat, and email, with a dedicated Maltese-facing team operating from its EU office. EasyMarkets offers 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is only available during certain hours. For Malta traders, AvaTrade’s local language support and faster response times on chat (under 2 minutes) are a significant advantage. EasyMarkets also has a decent support team, but its lack of local Malta-specific contact numbers and slower email resolution (up to 24 hours) can frustrate urgent inquiries. Both brokers have extensive FAQs, but AvaTrade’s more responsive local support gives it the edge for Maltese clients.
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | 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 |
| Resource | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
Choose AvaTrade if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Malta traders in 2026, AvaTrade is the more compelling choice, thanks to its MFSA regulation, tighter spreads, and superior execution. The ability to deposit using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 works equally well at both brokers, but AvaTrade’s faster withdrawals and lower costs on active trading volumes give it a decisive edge. EasyMarkets remains a valid option for beginners or those who appreciate fixed spreads and odd-lot protection, but its 3.4/5 rating reflects wider costs and weaker local regulatory ties. With the local financial regulator (MFSA) providing a safety net for AvaTrade clients, Maltese retail traders can trade with confidence. We highly recommend AvaTrade for most Malta-based traders, while EasyMarkets may suit casual, low-volume traders who prioritise simplicity over cost efficiency.