Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025 often compare EasyMarkets and Dukascopy—two established names with different strengths. EasyMarkets holds a score of 3.4/5 and is known for its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, making it popular among retail traders in Malta who prefer predictable costs. Dukascopy, scoring 3.3/5, appeals to more experienced traders with its raw spreads and direct market access via the JForex platform. Both brokers are regulated, with EasyMarkets licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and Dukascopy by Swiss FINMA—a key consideration for local traders. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and regulatory protections to help you choose the best fit for your trading style in Malta.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Dukascopy |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Dukascopy |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Dukascopy |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Dukascopy |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | Dukascopy |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a deciding factor. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads from 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, ideal for those trading smaller volumes (e.g., 0.1 lot) where cost per trade is capped. Dukascopy provides variable spreads as low as 0.2 pips but charges a commission of $3 per side per 100k traded. Over 50 standard lots per month, Dukascopy’s total cost is about 20% lower than EasyMarkets, making it better for high-volume traders. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads protect against volatility spikes, which can benefit Malta traders during news events.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:100 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:100 |
| 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 | Dukascopy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Dukascopy |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, both designed for simplicity with features like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop loss—useful for Malta retail traders who value risk management. Dukascopy provides the JForex platform, a professional-grade solution with advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and access to Swiss liquidity. For Malta traders using mobile devices, EasyMarkets’ app is more intuitive, while Dukascopy’s platform suits those needing depth and customization. Both support MetaTrader 4, but Dukascopy’s JForex is more powerful for strategy testing.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Dukascopy |
| 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 uses a market maker model with instant execution and no requotes, ensuring consistent order fills for Malta retail traders. Dukascopy employs a straight-through-processing (STP) model with access to Swiss liquidity, offering average execution speeds under 10 milliseconds. For scalpers in Malta, Dukascopy’s raw spreads and faster execution are superior, while EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads suit traders who prioritize predictability over speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FINMA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Malta traders. EasyMarkets is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), ensuring compliance with EU MiFID II standards, including negative balance protection and client fund segregation in EU banks. Dukascopy is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), which offers deposit protection up to CHF 100,000 per client. While both are secure, MFSA oversight gives EasyMarkets a local advantage, as disputes can be resolved through the Malta Arbitration Centre. Dukascopy’s Swiss regulation is robust but may require international legal steps for Malta-based clients.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Internal transfers/wire/crypto no broker fee; standard bank transfer times apply |
Malta traders can fund accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets processes all methods with zero deposit fees and instant credit for e-wallets and crypto; bank transfers take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals are free via e-wallets and crypto, while bank transfers incur a €10 fee. Dukascopy also supports these methods, but international bank transfers may cost $15-$25 via SWIFT. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant, and USDT TRC20 withdrawals are processed within 24 hours. For Malta traders, EasyMarkets offers faster local bank transfers due to its MFSA license, while Dukascopy’s crypto support is equally efficient.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy |
|---|---|---|
| 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 EasyMarkets and Dukascopy offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders. EasyMarkets provides automatic swap-free status upon request for all account types, with no hidden fees on overnight positions. Dukascopy also offers Islamic accounts but requires a formal application and may restrict certain instruments to maintain Sharia compliance. EasyMarkets’ policy is more straightforward for Malta residents, while Dukascopy’s approach suits those who prefer a more tailored setup.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets provides 24/5 customer support in English via live chat, phone, and email, with a Malta-based team available during local business hours. Dukascopy offers 24/5 support in multiple languages, including English, but relies on a Swiss-based team. For Malta traders, EasyMarkets’ local support is more responsive, while Dukascopy’s support is adequate but may have longer response times due to time zone differences.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Dukascopy | 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 | Dukascopy | 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 Dukascopy if you...
For Malta retail traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Dukascopy depends on your trading style. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) is the better option for beginners and those who value local MFSA regulation, fixed spreads, and easy deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Dukascopy (3.3/5) suits active traders who can leverage raw spreads and fast execution, despite a slightly lower overall score. Both brokers offer Islamic accounts and support the same payment methods, but EasyMarkets’ local presence gives it an edge for Malta residents seeking simplicity and regulatory familiarity. Consider your volume, platform needs, and risk tolerance before deciding.