Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing Exness vs Global Prime for Malta traders in 2025, the choice largely depends on your trading style, volume, and cost preferences. Exness holds a strong rating of 4.8/5, making it one of the top-rated brokers worldwide, while Global Prime scores 3.6/5 and is better suited for traders who prefer simple pricing and a no-frills approach. Both brokers accept clients from Malta and support essential local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. The local regulatory environment in Malta, overseen by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), means that EU-regulated brokers like Exness (via CySEC) offer robust investor protection, including negative balance protection and access to the Financial Ombudsman. Global Prime, regulated by ASIC in Australia, is a reliable broker with a strong reputation but lacks EU-level safeguards. For retail traders in Malta, Exness generally offers more competitive spreads, a wider range of instruments, and better support for local payment methods, making it the preferred choice for most. However, Global Prime’s straightforward execution and transparency appeal to some traders. This comparison will help Maltese traders make an informed decision based on their specific needs.
| Instrument | Exness | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Global Prime |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Global Prime |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Global Prime |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Global Prime |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 | Global Prime |
Cost is a critical factor for Malta traders, especially those trading in USD. Exness offers tight spreads starting from 0.1 pips on its Raw Spread account (with a small commission) and 0.3 pips on the Standard account (no commission). For higher volume traders, Exness’s 0.0 pips on major pairs with a commission can lead to significantly lower total costs. Global Prime’s standard account has spreads from 0.5 pips on EUR/USD (no commission), while its Direct account offers spreads from 0.0 pips but adds a commission of $7 per standard lot. For a Malta trader executing 10 lots per month, Exness could save $20-30 compared to Global Prime, depending on the account type. Additionally, Exness does not charge deposit fees for e-wallets or USDT TRC20, whereas Global Prime may have minor fees on certain methods. Overall, Exness is more cost-effective for most retail traders in Malta.
| Account Type | Exness | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Global Prime |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are popular among Malta traders for their reliability and advanced charting tools. Exness also provides its own web trading platform and a mobile app with customisable widgets, making it easier for traders on the go. Global Prime focuses solely on MT4 and MT5, which may suit traders who prefer a clean setup without additional features. For Maltese traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) or require VPS access, both brokers support these, but Exness offers free VPS for accounts with higher trading volume. Global Prime charges for VPS. Additionally, Exness integrates with TradingView directly, a feature that many retail traders in Malta appreciate for social trading ideas. The choice of platform largely depends on whether you want extra features (Exness) or a minimalist experience (Global Prime).
| Factor | Exness | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Global Prime |
| 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 |
Execution quality is crucial for retail traders in Malta, especially those trading volatile pairs. Exness uses a hybrid execution model with ultra-low latency, achieving average execution speeds under 0.1 seconds. It also offers 0% requotes and slippage protection on most instruments. Global Prime provides ECN-like execution with speeds around 0.2 seconds, which is still excellent for most strategies. However, Global Prime may experience slight slippage during high-impact news events. For scalpers and EA users, Exness’s faster execution and larger liquidity pool from 14+ banks make it more reliable. Overall, Exness delivers superior execution for Malta traders.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key consideration for Malta traders due to the presence of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and EU harmonisation. Exness is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 178/12, which allows it to offer services to clients in Malta under MiFID II passporting. This means Malta traders benefit from negative balance protection, investor compensation schemes (up to €20,000), and strict compliance with EU financial laws. Global Prime is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and also holds a license in Vanuatu. While ASIC is a reputable regulator, it does not offer the same level of deposit protection as EU regimes. Malta traders using Global Prime should be aware that they may not have access to the EU complaint mechanisms. However, Global Prime is transparent and has not faced major regulatory issues. For enhanced protection, Exness is the safer regulatory choice for Maltese retail traders.
| Payment Method | Exness | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Global Prime processes withdrawals instantly on their end, but the time to receive your funds depends on your payment method: bank wire transfers take 1 to 5 business days, credit or debit cards take 1 to 10 days, and e-wallets are instant once completed. |
For Malta traders, deposit and withdrawal methods are straightforward at both brokers. Exness supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, along with credit/debit cards and local bank transfers (including EUR transfers). Deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT are processed instantly with no fees on Exness’s side. Global Prime also accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, plus PayPal and credit cards. However, Global Prime may charge a small fee for certain e-wallet deposits (e.g., 1% for Skrill in some cases). Withdrawals are also fast: both brokers process e-wallet withdrawals within 24 hours, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. USDT TRC20 is particularly useful for Malta traders who use crypto exchanges to fund their accounts, as it avoids banking delays and currency conversion costs. Overall, Exness offers slightly more flexibility with no deposit fees across all methods, making it better for frequent deposits.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Global Prime provide swap-free (Islamic) accounts for Malta traders who follow Sharia law. Exness offers Islamic accounts across all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, Zero) upon request, with no swap or interest charges on overnight positions. The request is usually processed within 24 hours after verification. Global Prime also offers Islamic accounts, but only on its standard account and requires direct contact with support. For Malta’s Muslim community, Exness’s quicker processing and availability on all account types (including high-leverage options) make it more convenient. Additionally, Exness allows swap-free accounts for an unlimited period, while Global Prime may restrict after a certain period or for specific instruments. Both brokers are compliant with Islamic finance principles, but Exness edges ahead in terms of flexibility and speed.
| Support Feature | Exness | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support is available 24/7 from both brokers, which is beneficial for Malta traders trading global markets. Exness offers multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, including English and other European languages. Their support team is highly responsive, often answering within seconds. Global Prime also provides 24/5 support with live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. Exness has a slight edge due to its 24/7 availability, which helps Malta traders who operate outside standard hours. Both have detailed FAQ sections on their websites, but Exness’s extensive knowledge base and video tutorials are more helpful for beginners.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Global Prime | 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 | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | Exness |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Global Prime if you...
For the majority of retail traders in Malta, Exness is the clear winner in this 2025 comparison. Its higher score (4.8/5), tighter spreads, faster execution, and better regulation (CySEC with EU passporting) outweigh Global Prime’s simplicity. Exness also excels in offering all four local payment methods—Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—without extra fees, making deposits and withdrawals seamless for Maltese users. The local financial regulator (MFSA) does not restrict either broker, but Exness’s compliance with EU standards provides additional peace of mind. Global Prime remains a solid choice for traders who prioritise a straightforward account structure and don’t mind ASIC regulation. However, given the overall advantages in cost, platform variety, and customer support, Exness is recommended for most Malta traders looking to maximise their trading potential in 2025.