Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders seeking a reliable forex broker often compare EasyMarkets and Tickmill, two well-regulated brokers serving the local market. EasyMarkets, headquartered in Limassol, has been operating since 2001 and offers a user-friendly platform with fixed spreads and no hidden fees. Tickmill, founded in 2014, is known for its low-cost trading environment with raw spreads and rapid execution. Both brokers are authorised by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), providing Malta traders with strong regulatory oversight and deposit protection up to €20,000 under the Investor Compensation Scheme. This comparison focuses on key factors for Malta retail traders: trading costs, platforms, deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and localised support. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader, understanding these differences will help you choose the broker that fits your trading style in the Maltese forex landscape.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | Tickmill |
For Malta traders, trading costs directly impact profitability. Tickmill excels with its Raw account offering spreads from 0.0 pips and a flat $3 commission per side, making it ideal for high-frequency traders. Its Classic account has spreads from 1.6 pips with no commission, still competitive. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads from 1.1 pips on its standard account, which can be beneficial for traders who dislike variable spreads, but these fixed spreads are generally wider than Tickmill’s variable spreads during calm markets. Tickmill also has lower swap rates on most instruments. If you trade larger volumes (e.g., over 10 lots per month), Tickmill’s cost advantage becomes even more pronounced.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web and mobile platform, plus MetaTrader 4 (MT4). The proprietary platform features a clean interface with built-in risk management tools like deal cancellation and free guaranteed stop-loss, which retail Malta traders may find useful. Tickmill offers MT4, MT5, and a WebTrader. MT5 is ideal for traders who need advanced charting and more timeframes. For Malta traders who prefer a simple, all-in-one platform, EasyMarkets is better; those wanting full customisation and additional assets should choose Tickmill. Both platforms are available in English and run smoothly on local internet connections.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 speed can affect trading results, especially during volatile markets. Tickmill offers ultra-fast execution with an average order speed of 0.1 seconds, using Equinix NY4 data centres. This is ideal for scalpers and day traders in Malta. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with instant execution and no requotes, but its execution speed is slightly slower due to the fixed spread model. For Malta traders who prioritise fast, slippage-free execution, Tickmill is the better option. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, ensuring you cannot lose more than your deposit.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Tickmill are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), the official financial regulator in Malta. This means they must comply with EU MiFID II regulations, including segregation of client funds, negative balance protection, and reporting transparency. For Malta traders, MFSA regulation ensures you are protected by the Malta Investor Compensation Scheme, covering up to €20,000 per client if the broker fails. Additionally, both brokers are subject to regular audits and must maintain minimum capital requirements. Tickmill also holds additional licenses from the FCA and CySEC, providing an extra layer of oversight. EasyMarkets is regulated in the EU through its Cypriot entity but offers services to Malta clients under MFSA passporting.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Malta traders can fund their accounts using several convenient methods. Both EasyMarkets and Tickmill accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank transfers are reliable but may take 1-2 business days; Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and widely used in Malta. USDT TRC20 offers a fast, low-cost alternative with minimal fees. EasyMarkets has a lower minimum deposit of €25 compared to Tickmill’s $100, making it more accessible for beginners. Withdrawal processing times are similar – typically within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 business days for bank transfers. Tickmill does not charge withdrawal fees, while EasyMarkets may charge a small fee for some methods. Both brokers ensure your funds are held in segregated accounts for added security.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Malta’s Muslim community can trade in compliance with Sharia law as both EasyMarkets and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts with no overnight interest charges, but clients should note that some instruments may have slightly wider spreads to compensate. Tickmill also offers swap-free accounts upon request, with no additional costs or restrictions on trading styles. Both brokers require documentation to confirm eligibility. For Malta Muslim traders, the availability of these accounts means you can trade forex without riba (interest), adhering to religious principles while benefiting from the same trading conditions as standard accounts.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | 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 crucial for Malta traders. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English and other languages. Their support team is responsive and knowledgeable about Maltese banking methods. Tickmill provides 24/7 support via live chat and email, with phone support during business hours. Tickmill’s customer service is known for fast response times, often under 30 seconds. Both brokers have an FAQ section covering Malta-specific queries. However, Tickmill’s around-the-clock availability gives it an edge for traders who need help outside standard hours.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Tickmill if you...
For Malta traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Tickmill depends on your trading style and priorities. Tickmill emerges as the better overall broker with a higher score of 4/5, offering lower spreads, faster execution, and a wider range of platforms. It suits active retail traders who want to minimise costs. EasyMarkets, with its fixed spreads and beginner-friendly platform, is a solid choice for new traders or those who prefer predictable pricing. Both brokers are regulated by the MFSA, accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and offer Islamic accounts. Ultimately, if trading costs and execution speed matter most, choose Tickmill. If you value simplicity and fixed costs, EasyMarkets is a reliable alternative. Consider opening a demo account with both to test the conditions firsthand before depositing real funds.