Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders searching for a reliable forex broker often compare EasyMarkets and Pepperstone – two well-known names with distinct strengths. EasyMarkets, headquartered in Cyprus and regulated by CySEC, offers a streamlined trading experience with fixed spreads, a built-in risk management tool (dealCancellation), and a beginner-friendly platform. Pepperstone, on the other hand, is an Australian-born broker with a strong EU presence via Pepperstone GmbH (regulated by BaFin) and holds a higher overall rating of 4.9/5 compared to EasyMarkets' 3.4/5. For Maltese residents, both brokers accept deposits in USD and local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. The choice depends on your trading style: Pepperstone excels for active traders with ultra-low spreads and fast execution, while EasyMarkets suits those who prefer fixed costs and simplicity. This comparison focuses on factors most relevant to Malta traders, including regulatory oversight by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) as part of the EU framework, local payment convenience, and account types available in 2025.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Pepperstone |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Pepperstone |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Pepperstone |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Pepperstone |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | Pepperstone |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a critical factor. Pepperstone offers two account types: the Standard account with spreads from 1.0 pips (no commission) and the Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips plus a commission of $7 per lot round turn. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads starting at 1.2 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with no commission. For a Malta trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, Pepperstone’s Raw account would cost approximately $70 in commission plus minimal variable spread costs, whereas EasyMarkets would cost $120+ in spread fees. Scalpers and day traders will clearly benefit from Pepperstone’s lower cost structure, especially when USD is the base currency.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pepperstone | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Pepperstone |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform availability matters for Malta traders who want desktop, web, and mobile access. Pepperstone supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and its own web platform – offering advanced charting, automated trading, and copy trading through DupliTrade and Myfxbook. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform (no download required) with fixed spreads, dealCancellation, and free guaranteed stop-loss orders. It also offers TradingView integration but lacks MetaTrader support. For Malta traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or need multi-chart setups, Pepperstone is the better choice. Beginners who value simplicity may prefer EasyMarkets’ all-in-one web interface.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Pepperstone |
| 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 |
Execution quality is crucial for Malta traders, especially scalpers. Pepperstone uses multiple liquidity providers and offers ultra-fast execution (average 30-40 ms) with no requotes on ECN accounts. EasyMarkets executes on a single-bank model with fixed spreads, which can lead to slippage during volatile news events but no requotes. Pepperstone’s raw spreads and lower latency make it the clear winner for high-frequency trading. For casual traders, EasyMarkets’ execution is sufficient for daily swings.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Malta traders under the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) umbrella. EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 079/07 and complies with MiFID II, meaning client funds are segregated and negative balance protection applies. Pepperstone’s EU entity, Pepperstone GmbH, is regulated by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and also adheres to MiFID II rules. Both brokers are thus authorized to serve clients in Malta under the EU passporting system, providing comparable investor protection. However, Pepperstone’s stronger global regulatory footprint (including FCA, ASIC, and CMA) adds an extra layer of confidence for more experienced traders.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 24 hours to 5 business days if submitted before 07:00 AEST |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Malta traders. Both EasyMarkets and Pepperstone support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 – the four payment methods listed as local options. EasyMarkets processes deposits instantly for Skrill and Neteller, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours and fees are minimal or zero. Pepperstone also offers instant e-wallet deposits and same-day withdrawal processing for Skrill and Neteller. USDT TRC20 deposits are available on both brokers, with EasyMarkets adding a 0% deposit fee and Pepperstone applying a small crypto conversion fee. For Malta traders, the ability to use USDT TRC20 offers a fast, low-cost alternative to traditional bank wires. Note: all deposits and withdrawals are handled in USD by default, which suits Malta-based traders who trade in that currency.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in Malta can open swap-free (Islamic) accounts with both EasyMarkets and Pepperstone. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts across all account types with no additional fees and no time limit – ideal for long-term position traders. Pepperstone also provides Islamic accounts upon request, applicable to Standard, Raw, and Razor accounts (except for cryptocurrency CFDs and some index derivatives). Both brokers comply with Sharia principles by not charging overnight rollover interest. For Malta Muslims, the choice depends on whether you need swap-free on indices or crypto; Pepperstone’s exclusion on some instruments may be a limitation, while EasyMarkets’ blanket policy is more straightforward.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support is available in English (the official language of Malta) for both brokers. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, phone, and email support with local Maltese phone numbers? Actually, they don’t have a dedicated Malta number but respond promptly in English. Pepperstone provides 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, with a strong reputation for fast responses (under 30 seconds on chat). Both have comprehensive FAQ sections and help centers. For Malta traders, the time zone difference is minimal since both brokers operate EU hours.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Pepperstone |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | 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 Pepperstone if you...
For Malta traders in 2025, Pepperstone is the superior choice for most retail traders due to its lower trading costs, wider platform selection, and higher overall rating (4.9/5 vs 3.4/5). The availability of Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits makes funding easy, and its regulation under BaFin (EU) provides robust protection. EasyMarkets remains a viable option for absolute beginners or those who exclusively use fixed spreads and the dealCancellation feature – but its higher spreads and limited platform support hold it back. If you trade frequently or value tight spreads and fast execution, go with Pepperstone. If you prefer simplicity and fixed costs, EasyMarkets will suit you, but remember that local financial regulator (MFSA) oversight is indirect through EU passports for both.