Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta-based retail traders, choosing between Exness and Admirals is a key decision in 2026. Exness, with a 4.8/5 rating, is known for its ultra-low spreads, flexible leverage up to 1:2000, and support for USDT TRC20 deposits—a popular choice among crypto-savvy Maltese traders. Admirals, rated 4.1/5, is a well-established broker with strong local regulation under the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and offers comprehensive educational resources. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but Exness’s additional crypto option gives it an edge. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Maltese traders: cost, regulation, deposit convenience, and platform usability. Whether you are a scalper or a long-term investor, understanding these differences will help you make an informed choice tailored to the Maltese trading environment.
| Instrument | Exness | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Admirals |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Admirals |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Admirals |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Admirals |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $1 | Admirals |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, Exness clearly leads with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw account and a commission of $3 per lot. Admirals offers spreads from 0.5 pips on its Zero account with a $6 commission per lot, making Exness about 50% cheaper per trade for high-volume scalpers. For standard accounts, Exness’s spread on EUR/USD averages 0.3 pips, while Admirals averages 0.8 pips. Over 100 trades per month, a Maltese trader could save $50–$100 in spreads with Exness. Additionally, Exness charges no deposit or withdrawal fees, while Admirals may apply fees for certain bank transfers. Both brokers offer competitive swap rates, but Exness’s lower overall cost structure makes it the preferred choice for cost-conscious Malta traders.
| Account Type | Exness | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| 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 | Exness | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness provides the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, along with its proprietary Exness Terminal for web trading. Admirals also offers MT4 and MT5, plus its own WebTrader and mobile apps. For Malta traders who value flexibility, both platforms are robust, but Exness’s MT5 offers advanced charting and faster order execution. Admirals stands out with its Admiral Markets MetaTrader suite, which includes additional indicators and analysis tools. Mobile trading is smooth on both, but Exness’s app is slightly more intuitive for beginners. Overall, both meet Maltese trader needs, but Exness’s platform selection is slightly broader.
| Factor | Exness | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Exness boasts an average execution speed of under 100 milliseconds, with no requotes on most instruments, making it ideal for scalpers. Admirals also offers fast execution, typically under 200 milliseconds, but may experience slippage during volatile periods. For Malta traders trading major forex pairs, Exness’s execution is more consistent and reliable, especially during news events.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Exness and Admirals are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), ensuring Maltese traders benefit from strong investor protection. Exness holds additional licenses from FCA, CySEC, and FSCA, while Admirals is also regulated by FCA and CySEC. For Malta traders, this means segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Exness’s multi-regulatory status adds an extra layer of security, particularly for international traders. Admirals’ long-standing MFSA regulation since 2001 gives it a trusted reputation locally. Both brokers comply with MiFID II standards, so Maltese traders can trade with confidence.
| Payment Method | Exness | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
For Malta traders, depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward with both brokers. Exness supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with deposits typically instant for e-wallets and crypto, and withdrawals processed within 24 hours. Admirals accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but does not support USDT TRC20. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days with Admirals. Exness charges no fees for deposits or withdrawals, while Admirals may apply a small fee for bank transfers. For Maltese traders who use crypto, Exness’s USDT TRC20 option is a major advantage, offering near-instant transactions with low costs. Overall, Exness provides more deposit flexibility and faster processing.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Exness and Admirals both offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders. Exness provides Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw account types, with no swap fees on overnight positions. Admirals offers Islamic accounts on most account types, including its Zero account. Both require a declaration of faith or residency in a Muslim country. Exness’s Islamic accounts are available for all instruments except certain commodities, while Admirals’ are more restricted on CFDs. For Maltese Muslim traders, Exness offers broader instrument coverage and no additional fees, making it a slightly better option.
| Support Feature | Exness | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness provides 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Maltese team available during local hours. Admirals offers support from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM CET on weekdays, with limited weekend hours. Both have Maltese-language support. Exness’s round-the-clock availability is a clear advantage for traders who need assistance outside standard hours, such as during Asian or US sessions.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Admirals if you...
For Malta traders in 2026, Exness is the stronger choice overall, thanks to its lower spreads, faster execution, and broader deposit options including USDT TRC20. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects its reliability and cost-effectiveness for retail traders. Admirals, with a 4.1/5 rating, remains a solid option for beginners who prioritize education and local regulation. Both brokers are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), ensuring safety. If you trade frequently or use crypto, Exness is the clear winner. For a more guided trading experience, Admirals is a good alternative. Ultimately, your choice depends on your trading style and deposit preferences.