Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders looking for a reliable forex and CFD broker face a clear choice: Exness, with a stellar 4.8/5 score, or Plus500, a well-known platform rated 3.7/5. Exness stands out for its ultra-low spreads, fast execution, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Plus500 is simpler but carries higher trading costs and fewer deposit options. For retail traders in Malta, Exness provides better value, while Plus500 suits those who prefer a no-frills interface. This comparison breaks down costs, regulation, and local features to help you decide.
| Instrument | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
Spread costs are critical for Malta traders. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3 per lot. Plus500 uses variable spreads averaging 0.6-1.2 pips with no commission, but overall costs are higher. For a 10-lot trade per day, Exness saves Malta traders approximately $300 monthly compared to Plus500. High-frequency traders benefit more from Exness’s low-cost model.
| Account Type | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:300 |
| 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 | Plus500 | 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+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Exness provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its own WebTerminal, all offering advanced charting and automated trading. Plus500’s proprietary platform is user-friendly but lacks depth in technical tools. Malta traders who value customization and EA support will prefer Exness, while beginners may like Plus500’s simplicity. Both have mobile apps with local language support.
| Factor | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 executes orders in under 20ms with 99.9% fill rates, ideal for scalpers in Malta. Plus500 averages 50-100ms execution with occasional requotes. For volatile markets like EUR/USD, Exness’s speed reduces slippage. Malta traders using VPS or automated strategies will benefit from Exness’s infrastructure.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness is regulated by CySEC (license 178/12) and the FCA, while Plus500 holds CySEC (license 221/13) and FCA licenses. Both are recognized by Malta’s local financial regulator, ensuring client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Exness’s additional FCA oversight adds a layer of security for Malta traders. Both comply with EU MiFID II standards.
| Payment Method | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 day |
Malta traders can fund accounts via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at Exness, with instant processing and no fees. Plus500 supports Bank Transfer and Skrill but not Neteller or USDT TRC20. Withdrawals at Exness are processed within 24 hours for crypto methods, while Plus500 takes 1-3 business days. Exness’s crypto option is faster and cheaper for local traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokers offer Islamic accounts for Malta Muslim traders. Exness provides swap-free accounts on all instruments without expiry, ideal for long-term positions. Plus500 offers Islamic accounts on request for forex and CFDs, with no swap charges. Exness’s broader coverage and no-questions-asked policy make it more accessible for Malta’s Muslim community.
| Support Feature | Exness | Plus500 | 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 live chat, email, and phone support in English and Maltese. Plus500 provides 24/7 chat and email but limited phone support. Exness’s local language support is a plus for Malta traders. Response times are under 2 minutes for Exness vs 5 minutes for Plus500.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | Exness |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For Malta traders, Exness is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 score, offering lower spreads, faster execution, and superior deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Plus500 (3.7/5) is simpler but costs more. Both are regulated by Malta’s local financial regulator, but Exness’s FCA oversight and 24/7 support in Maltese add trust. Choose Exness for value and flexibility, or Plus500 for simplicity.