Exness vs FBS 2025: Which Broker is Better for Malta Traders?
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare Exness vs FBS, two popular international brokers with strong local appeal. Exness, with a score of 4.8/5, is a top-tier broker known for its low spreads, fast execution, and robust regulation by the local financial regulator. FBS, scoring 3.7/5, is a solid alternative for beginners, offering user-friendly platforms and competitive promotions. For Malta-based retail traders, both brokers accept deposits in USD and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. This comparison helps you decide which broker better suits your trading needs in Malta’s growing forex market.
| Instrument | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FBS |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FBS |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FBS |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FBS |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $10 | $1 | FBS |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, Exness clearly outperforms FBS with lower spreads and commissions. Exness offers raw spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $3.5 commission per lot, ideal for scalpers and day traders. FBS spreads start at 0.5 pips with no commission on standard accounts, but this can be more expensive for high-volume traders. Over 100 trades per month, Exness can save Malta traders up to 30% in costs compared to FBS.
| Account Type | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $10 | $1 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:3000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | Exness | FBS | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | FBS |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✓ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Exness and FBS offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the most popular platforms for Malta traders. Exness also provides its own web terminal and mobile app with advanced charting tools, while FBS offers a proprietary FBS Trader app for simple trading. For Malta traders who value customization and speed, Exness’ platforms are more feature-rich. FBS is easier for beginners who want a straightforward interface.
| Factor | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FBS |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Exness provides ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 0.1 seconds and no requotes, ideal for Malta scalpers. FBS execution averages 0.3 seconds with occasional slippage during news events. Exness uses a combination of ECN and STP models, while FBS uses a market maker model, which can affect trade transparency. For Malta traders prioritizing speed, Exness is the clear winner.
| Safety Factor | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | IFSC |
| Reg number | #730729 | #IFSC/60/230/TS/19 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness is regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring strict compliance with Malta’s financial laws and client fund segregation. FBS is regulated internationally but not directly by the local financial regulator, which means less local oversight. For Malta traders, Exness offers greater peace of mind with a local license and investor compensation schemes. FBS still operates legally in Malta but relies on its international regulatory framework.
| Payment Method | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | 24/7 automated; 98% instant to 24hrs; mobile money often instant; bank transfer 1-3 days | 15-20 minutes for most methods; up to 48 hours for bank transfer |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Malta traders can fund their accounts at both Exness and FBS using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Exness processes deposits instantly and withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, while FBS may take 1-3 business days for bank transfers. Both brokers charge no fees for deposits, but FBS has a $1 fee for withdrawals under $50. Exness supports USD accounts, making it easy for Malta traders to manage funds without conversion costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Malta Muslim traders, both Exness and FBS offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest. Exness provides Islamic accounts for all account types including Standard, Raw Spread, and Zero accounts, with no additional fees. FBS offers Islamic accounts only on Standard and Cent accounts, with a small administrative fee after 30 days. Exness is more accommodating for long-term Islamic traders in Malta.
| Support Feature | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness offers 24/7 multilingual customer support with live chat, email, and phone, including dedicated support for Malta traders in English. FBS also provides 24/7 support but response times can be slower during peak hours. Exness has a local office presence in Malta, which FBS lacks, making Exness more accessible for urgent queries.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Exness |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
- Are a high-volume trader needing low spreads and fast execution
- Want regulation by the local financial regulator for extra security
- Prefer instant deposits and fast withdrawals via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20
- Need an Islamic account with full swap-free features
Choose FBS if you...
- Are a beginner looking for a simple platform and low minimum deposit
- Want bonus promotions and trading contests
- Prefer a broker with a strong global presence
- Trade mostly with small lots and don’t need ultra-low spreads
For Malta traders, Exness is the superior choice with a 4.8/5 rating, direct regulation by the local financial regulator, and lower trading costs. It supports all local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. FBS is a decent alternative for beginners, but its higher spreads and lack of local regulation make it less attractive for serious traders. Overall, Exness offers better value, security, and execution for Malta-based retail traders.