Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders looking for a reliable forex broker in 2025 face a choice between EasyMarkets (rated 3.4/5) and Alpari (rated 3.1/5). Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, offering a secure trading environment for Maltese residents in Valletta, Sliema, and beyond. EasyMarkets stands out with its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, while Alpari offers competitive variable spreads and a wide range of instruments. For retail traders in Malta, local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 are supported by both, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. This comparison dives into spreads, platforms, regulation, and account features to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in Malta's growing forex market.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Alpari |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Alpari |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Alpari |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Alpari |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads starting from 1.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, which is ideal for Malta traders who prefer cost predictability, especially those trading smaller volumes under $10,000 per month. Alpari, on the other hand, provides variable spreads as low as 0.5 pips during peak liquidity but can widen to 1.5 pips or more during volatile sessions. For Maltese retail traders, EasyMarkets' transparent fee structure often results in lower overall costs, particularly for those using Skrill or Neteller for deposits, as no extra conversion fees apply when trading in USD.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 |
| Asset Class | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Alpari |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web and mobile platforms, which are intuitive and optimized for retail traders in Malta, with features like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop-loss. Alpari provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, widely preferred by experienced Maltese traders for advanced charting and automated trading. For Malta traders who value simplicity, EasyMarkets' platform is easier to navigate, while Alpari suits those needing powerful tools for technical analysis.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Alpari |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
EasyMarkets provides market execution with no requotes, ideal for Malta traders using fixed spreads. Alpari offers ECN execution with variable spreads, resulting in faster fills during high liquidity but potential slippage during news events. For retail traders in Malta, EasyMarkets' execution is more consistent, while Alpari suits those seeking lower latency on larger volumes.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Alpari are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring Malta traders benefit from client fund segregation and dispute resolution mechanisms. EasyMarkets holds additional licenses from top-tier regulators like ASIC and CySEC, adding an extra layer of security. Alpari is also compliant with local rules, but its regulatory scope is narrower. For Maltese traders, this means both brokers offer a safe trading environment, but EasyMarkets' broader oversight provides greater peace of mind.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 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) | Cryptocurrency / E-Wallets: Instant to 2 hours (after internal processing).Credit / Debit Cards: 2 to 10 business days.Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 5 business days. |
Malta traders can fund their accounts at both EasyMarkets and Alpari using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets processes e-wallet and USDT deposits instantly with no fees, while bank transfers take 1-2 business days. Alpari offers similar support, but withdrawals via Skrill and Neteller are processed within 24 hours. USDT TRC20 deposits are particularly useful for Maltese traders seeking fast, low-cost transactions. Minimum deposits start at $100 for both brokers, making them accessible to retail traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
EasyMarkets and Alpari both offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta's Muslim traders, with no overnight interest charges on positions. EasyMarkets provides these accounts automatically upon request, while Alpari requires a formal application. Both brokers ensure compliance with Sharia law, making them suitable for Maltese traders who follow Islamic finance principles. EasyMarkets' Islamic account also includes fixed spreads, offering cost stability.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Maltese traders reporting quick response times. Alpari provides similar support but with limited hours on weekends. For Malta traders, EasyMarkets' support is more accessible during local trading hours, though both handle inquiries in English effectively.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Alpari if you...
For Malta traders in 2025, EasyMarkets emerges as the better choice overall, with a higher rating (3.4 vs 3.1) and features tailored to retail traders. Its fixed spreads, user-friendly platform, and robust regulation by the local financial regulator make it ideal for those in Valletta or Sliema. Alpari remains a strong alternative for experienced traders needing MetaTrader and variable spreads. Both support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, but EasyMarkets' consistent costs and risk management tools give it the edge for most Maltese traders.