Exness vs Forex.com: Malta Trader Comparison (2026)
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
For Maltese retail traders looking to trade forex and CFDs in USD, choosing the right broker is crucial. Exness, with an overall score of 4.8/5, has become a popular choice due to its low spreads, fast withdrawals, and flexible leverage up to 1:2000. Forex.com, scoring 3.4/5, is a well-established broker with strong regulation and a wide range of platforms, but its costs are higher for frequent trading. Local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and even USDT TRC20 are supported by both brokers, making deposits and withdrawals convenient for Malta residents. While Exness does not hold a Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) licence, it is authorised by the FSCA and CySEC, which is acceptable for most retail traders. This comparison focuses on what matters to Maltese traders: trading costs, platform usability, local payments, and regulation.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Forex.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Forex.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Forex.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Forex.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. Exness offers spreads from 0.1 pips on EUR/USD in its Raw Spread account (with commission) or 0.3 pips on the Standard account (commission-free). Forex.com’s standard EUR/USD spread is around 0.8 pips, and its RAW account charges $5 per lot commission. A typical Malta retail trader executing 50 lots per month would save approximately $150-$250 with Exness due to tighter spreads. Additionally, Exness charges no withdrawal fees, while Forex.com may have wire transfer fees. Over a year, these savings add up significantly for active traders.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:50 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:50 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | Exness | Forex.com | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Maltese traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Exness also provides its proprietary web and mobile platforms, while Forex.com offers TradingView integration and its own Advanced Trading platform. For Malta traders who value customisation and algorithmic trading, Exness’s MT4/MT5 with raw spreads is excellent. Forex.com’s integration with TradingView is a plus for those who prefer modern charting tools. Both platforms are stable and localised for European users.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Forex.com |
| 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 uses an STP/ECN model, offering ultra-low latency execution with 99% of orders filled in under 1 second. Forex.com combines market maker and ECN execution depending on account type. For Malta traders, especially scalpers or algorithmic traders, Exness’s faster execution and minimal slippage (even during news events) is superior. Forex.com may sometimes re-quote during volatile markets. Overall, Exness provides better execution quality for active retail traders.
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
While neither Exness nor Forex.com is directly regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), both are authorised by reputable European regulators. Exness is regulated by the CySEC (Cyprus) and FSCA (South Africa), while Forex.com holds FCA (UK) and CFTC (US) licences. For Maltese traders, this means client funds are segregated and negative balance protection applies. However, leverage restrictions in Europe (up to 1:30) apply only to EU-regulated entities; Exness’s international entities offer higher leverage. If you trade under Exness’s CySEC entity, you are protected under MiFID II. Always check which entity you trade with to ensure alignment with your risk appetite.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 to 3 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Malta traders. Both Exness and Forex.com accept Bank Transfer (SEPA or SWIFT), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Exness processes withdrawals within 24 hours (often instantly), while Forex.com takes 1-3 business days. Exness has no withdrawal fees, whereas Forex.com charges $25 for wire transfers (waived for larger amounts). For crypto users, USDT TRC20 is a cheap and fast option with Exness (no fee) and Forex.com (small network fee). Minimum deposits are low: Exness starts at $10, Forex.com at $100. Bank transfers can take 1-2 days for both. Overall, Exness offers faster and cheaper local payment processing.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Islamic (swap-free) accounts are available at both brokers for Malta-based Muslim traders. Exness offers swap-free accounts on all account types with no holding period or extra conditions – simply request it after registration. Forex.com requires a written request and approval, and swap-free status may be limited to certain instruments (e.g., forex majors) and subject to review after 30 days. Exness is more transparent and flexible for Islamic traders in Malta, allowing indefinite holding of positions without swap charges. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging rollover interest.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | Exness | Forex.com | 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 live chat and email support, with Maltese traders able to communicate in English fluently. Response times are under 2 minutes. Forex.com offers support 24/5 (weekdays) via live chat, phone, and email, with English support. Exness’s around-the-clock availability is a clear advantage for Malta traders who trade outside traditional market hours. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Forex.com | 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 |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
Exness
Forex.com
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose Exness if you...
- Are a high-volume Malta trader looking for ultra-tight spreads and low commissions.
- Want instant withdrawals via Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20 without fees.
- Need high leverage (up to 1:2000) on international accounts for small accounts.
- Prefer a broker with 24/7 support and fast execution for scalping.
Choose Forex.com if you...
- Value maximum regulatory oversight from FCA/CFTC and are willing to pay higher costs for it.
- Want integrated TradingView charts and a robust advanced trading platform.
- Prefer a broker with a longer track record and strong brand reputation.
- Are a long-term investor who doesn’t need constant access to funds or lowest spreads.
FAQ - Exness vs Forex.com in Malta
Final Verdict - Malta 2026
For Malta retail traders, Exness is the clear winner with a score of 4.8 vs 3.4. Its lower trading costs, instant withdrawals using local payments (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and fast execution make it ideal for active and scalping strategies. While Forex.com offers strong regulation and TradingView integration, its higher spreads and slower withdrawals are less appealing. If you prioritise cost efficiency and flexibility, Exness is the better choice. Both brokers operate legally for Maltese residents, but Exness’s advantages in speed and savings are significant. Always consider your own trading style and check which entity you trade under, especially with respect to MFSA regulation or lack thereof.