Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
Best Overall
CMC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Equiti
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Equiti
Swap-free for Malta Muslims
Best for Beginners
CMC Markets
Better education & support
1:1 vs 1:2000
Max leverage
FCA vs CySEC
Top regulator
Head-to-head comparison
CMC Markets and Equiti are both established brokers offering CFD and forex trading to Maltese residents, but they differ significantly in regulation, platform technology, and cost structure. This comparison examines the key factors Malta-based traders should consider before choosing between them.
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Overall Scores Comparison

CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS
4.2
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS

Equiti
CySEC · FCA · JSC
4.1
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
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Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | CMC Markets | Equiti | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Equiti |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Equiti |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Equiti |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Equiti |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 | Tie |
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | CMC Markets | Equiti |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 |
⚖️
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | CMC Markets | Equiti |
|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:1 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1 | 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 |
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.
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Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | CMC Markets | Equiti | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | CMC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | CMC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | CMC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | Equiti |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
⚡
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | CMC Markets | Equiti | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Equiti |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | CMC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
🛡️
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | CMC Markets | Equiti |
|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
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.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | CMC Markets | Equiti |
|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 business days | 24 working hours |
☪️
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | CMC Markets | Equiti |
|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
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Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | CMC Markets | Equiti | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | CMC Markets |
| Mobile Feature | CMC Markets | Equiti | Winner |
|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | CMC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | CMC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | CMC Markets | Equiti | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | CMC Markets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | CMC Markets |
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Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
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Pros & Cons of Each Broker
CMC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
Equiti
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose CMC Markets if you...
Are a beginner trader in Malta
Want TradingView integration
Have less than $200 to start
Choose Equiti if you...
Are a beginner trader in Malta
Are a scalper or EA trader
❓
FAQ - CMC Markets vs Equiti in Malta
Is CMC Markets regulated for Maltese traders?
+Does Equiti accept clients from Malta?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Maltese traders?
+Final Verdict - Malta 2026
CMC Markets wins overall
After comparing 12 categories, CMC Markets comes out ahead for most Malta traders.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. CMC Markets: 69% of retail CFD accounts lose money. All data verified as of October 2026.