Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Choosing between Exness and FxOpen for forex trading in Malta requires careful consideration of local payment methods, regulatory oversight, and cost efficiency. Exness, with a 4.8/5 rating, dominates the Maltese market with ultra-low spreads, instant withdrawals, and full support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FxOpen (3.7/5) offers reliable ECN execution and a solid reputation but trails in speed and local convenience. For Malta’s retail traders, especially those using e-wallets or crypto, Exness provides a more streamlined experience. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a safe trading environment. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, and deposit/withdrawal processes to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in 2025.
| Instrument | Exness | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxOpen |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxOpen |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxOpen |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxOpen |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a critical factor. Exness offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account with a commission of $3.5 per lot round turn. FxOpen’s ECN account also starts from 0.0 pips but charges a higher commission of $7 per lot round turn on standard pairs. On a $10,000 account trading 10 lots per month, Exness saves approximately $35 in commissions. Swap rates are competitive at both brokers, but Exness has a slight edge for overnight positions. For Maltese scalpers and day traders, Exness is the more cost-effective choice, especially when using USDT TRC20 for funding.
| Account Type | Exness | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FxOpen |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Malta traders. Exness also provides its proprietary WebTerminal and mobile app with advanced risk management tools. FxOpen supports cTrader alongside MT4/MT5, appealing to traders who prefer a modern interface. For Malta traders using mobile devices, Exness’s app is faster and more intuitive. Both platforms support automated trading via Expert Advisors, but Exness’s VPS hosting is more reliable for low-latency execution. Overall, Exness offers a broader platform ecosystem tailored to retail needs.
| Factor | Exness | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxOpen |
| 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 a hybrid model with NDD execution, achieving average execution speeds of under 50ms on major pairs. FxOpen offers ECN execution with speeds around 100ms. For Malta traders using high-frequency strategies, Exness’s lower latency reduces slippage. Both brokers have no dealing desk intervention, but Exness’s infrastructure is more advanced, especially during volatile news events.
| Safety Factor | Exness | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and other top-tier bodies like the FCA and CySEC. FxOpen is also regulated by the MFSA and the FCA. For Malta traders, this means both brokers adhere to strict capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules. Exness provides negative balance protection and investor compensation up to €20,000 under the Investor Compensation Scheme. FxOpen offers similar protections but with a smaller compensation cap. Malta traders can trade with confidence knowing both brokers are under the local financial regulator’s oversight, ensuring fair treatment and dispute resolution.
| Payment Method | Exness | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 24 hours |
Malta traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both Exness and FxOpen. Exness processes e-wallet and crypto deposits instantly, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals at Exness are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, with no fees. FxOpen’s withdrawal times range from 24 hours to 5 business days for bank transfers. For USDT TRC20, Exness supports 0 fee deposits, while FxOpen charges a small network fee. Exness also offers local EUR deposits via SEPA, which is convenient for Maltese traders using euro accounts. Overall, Exness is faster and more cost-effective for local payment methods.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both Exness and FxOpen provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders. Exness offers swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Zero, Raw Spread) with no time limit, though a small administration fee applies after 30 days for certain instruments. FxOpen offers Islamic accounts only on Standard and ECN accounts, with a maximum holding period of 90 days before conversion to standard accounts. For Malta traders seeking long-term swap-free trading, Exness is more accommodating. Both require a declaration of faith, but Exness’s policy is more flexible for active traders.
| Support Feature | Exness | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Maltese language option. FxOpen provides 24/5 support with English and Arabic options. Exness’s response times are under 30 seconds on live chat, while FxOpen may take 2-3 minutes. For Malta traders, Exness’s round-the-clock support and local language availability give it a clear advantage.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | FxOpen | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | FxOpen |
| Resource | Exness | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose FxOpen if you...
For Malta retail traders, Exness is the superior broker overall, scoring 4.8/5 versus FxOpen’s 3.7/5. Exness offers lower trading costs, faster execution, and more convenient local payment options like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its regulation by the local financial regulator ensures safety, while 24/7 support adds peace of mind. FxOpen remains a solid choice for traders who value cTrader or prefer ECN pricing, but its slower withdrawals and higher commissions make it less competitive. If you trade actively in Malta, Exness provides the best balance of cost, speed, and local convenience in 2025.