Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders comparing EasyMarkets and Interactive Brokers face a clear choice between simplicity and power. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is a regulated broker known for its user-friendly platform, fixed spreads, and low minimum deposit of $100. It is particularly popular among retail traders in Malta who value ease of use and transparent pricing. Interactive Brokers (score 3.3/5) is a global giant offering direct market access, ultra-low spreads, and a vast range of instruments, but it requires a higher minimum deposit and a steeper learning curve. Both brokers accept Malta traders and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. They are also regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment. This comparison helps you decide which broker fits your trading goals in Malta.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Interactive Brokers |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Interactive Brokers |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Interactive Brokers |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Interactive Brokers |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | Interactive Brokers |
For Malta traders, trading costs differ significantly between these brokers. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, which for EUR/USD average around 1.5 pips, making costs predictable but higher for frequent traders. There are no commissions on standard accounts. Interactive Brokers offers variable spreads as low as 0.1 pips on EUR/USD but charges a commission of $2 per lot round-turn. For a Malta trader executing 10 lots per month, EasyMarkets would cost approximately $150 in spreads, while Interactive Brokers would cost around $30 in spreads plus $20 in commissions, totaling $50. High-volume traders clearly benefit from Interactive Brokers, while smaller traders may prefer EasyMarkets’ simplicity.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Interactive Brokers |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Malta traders will find EasyMarkets’ web-based platform intuitive, with built-in risk management tools like deal cancellation and free guaranteed stop-losses. It requires no downloads and works well on all devices. Interactive Brokers offers Trader Workstation (TWS), a professional-grade platform with advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and extensive order types. While TWS is powerful, it can overwhelm retail traders. For Malta traders who prioritize ease of use, EasyMarkets wins; for those needing advanced tools, Interactive Brokers is superior.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Interactive Brokers |
| 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, ideal for retail traders who want no requotes. However, slippage can occur during volatile markets. Interactive Brokers offers direct market access (DMA) with ultra-fast execution and no dealing desk intervention, resulting in better fill quality for experienced traders. For Malta day traders, Interactive Brokers provides superior execution, while EasyMarkets is sufficient for swing traders.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Interactive Brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator in Malta, ensuring compliance with local laws and investor protection. EasyMarkets holds a license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which provides a safety net for retail traders through negative balance protection and segregated accounts. Interactive Brokers is also regulated by the MFSA, offering similar protections but with a global compliance framework. For Malta traders, this means both brokers meet high standards of financial security and transparency, but EasyMarkets’ local focus may provide more responsive regulatory oversight.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 1 to 4 business days |
Malta traders can fund accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets processes deposits instantly via Skrill and Neteller, with no fees, and bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are free and processed within 24 hours for e-wallets. Interactive Brokers supports the same methods but may charge a small fee for bank transfers under $10,000. USDT TRC20 deposits are accepted by both, with Interactive Brokers requiring minimum $500. For Malta traders, EasyMarkets offers faster, fee-free e-wallet deposits, while Interactive Brokers is better for larger bank transfers. Both support EUR and USD accounts, but USD is the default for this comparison.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Malta’s Muslim traders, both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. EasyMarkets provides a straightforward swap-free account upon request, available for all account types with no extra fees. It covers major forex pairs and commodities. Interactive Brokers also offers Islamic accounts but requires a formal application and proof of religious affiliation. Swap-free status is limited to certain instruments and may be revoked if the account is used for speculative trading. EasyMarkets is more accessible for Malta traders seeking a simple Islamic account, while Interactive Brokers offers it but with stricter conditions.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers | 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 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Malta traders. Response times are typically under 5 minutes. Interactive Brokers offers 24/5 support but relies heavily on email and ticket systems, with phone support available for premium clients. For Malta traders, EasyMarkets’ faster, more personalized support is a clear advantage.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Interactive Brokers |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Interactive Brokers | 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 Interactive Brokers if you...
For Malta traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Interactive Brokers depends on your trading experience and volume. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is the better option for retail beginners and those who value simplicity, fixed spreads, and fast e-wallet deposits via Skrill or Neteller. Its local MFSA regulation and easy Islamic account setup make it a safe, accessible choice. Interactive Brokers (score 3.3/5) suits experienced, high-volume traders who can leverage its low spreads and DMA execution. It also supports USDT TRC20 and bank transfers for larger deposits. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring security. If you are a Malta retail trader, EasyMarkets offers a smoother start; if you trade professionally, Interactive Brokers delivers better value.