Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta has become a hub for retail forex traders across the Mediterranean, with thousands of traders comparing brokers like Exness and RoboForex to find the right balance of cost, regulation, and execution. For Malta traders working in USD, both brokers offer direct USD-denominated accounts and support popular local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Exness leads with a 4.8/5 rating, known for ultra-low spreads, high-volume liquidity, and flexible leverage up to 1:2000 for retail traders. RoboForex follows at 3.2/5, offering a broader range of account types and its CopyFX platform, but with higher all-in costs and a less reassuring regulatory structure. While neither broker is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), both accept Maltese clients under international licenses, which raises important due-diligence questions. This comparison focuses specifically on what matters to Malta traders: real trading costs, speed of deposits and withdrawals via local payment options, quality of platforms, and how each broker handles Islamic accounts. We also look at the local financial regulator context and what protections are absent when trading with these offshore entities. By the end, you'll know which broker better matches the trading style of a typical Maltese retail trader, whether you trade part-time or full-time, or prefer manual trading over copy trading.
| Instrument | Exness | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | RoboForex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | RoboForex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | RoboForex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | RoboForex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 | RoboForex |
Trading costs are decisive for Malta retail traders, especially those trading EUR/USD and GBP/USD. Exness Raw accounts charge from 0.1 pips spreads plus a $3.50 commission per lot, making it consistently cheaper than RoboForex, whose Raw spreads average 0.5 pips with a $2 commission per side. On a standard 10-lot month, Exness saves Malta traders roughly $20-$30 in spread costs alone. RoboForex's Standard account has no commission but wider spreads that exceed 1.0 pip, pushing up costs for scalpers. Exness also offers zero spreads on certain USD pairs during high-liquidity periods, which is extremely attractive for Malta-based day traders. Volume impact matters: for traders under 5 lots per month, the difference is modest, but once you exceed 15 lots, Exness becomes the clear winner on total cost.
| Account Type | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | RoboForex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | RoboForex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which remain the preferred platforms for most Malta retail traders. Exness integrates MT4/MT5 with its powerful webterminal and a proprietary mobile app that supports one-tap trading, advanced charting, and direct deposits via Skrill and Neteller. RoboForex also offers MT4/MT5 but adds the proprietary R StocksTrader and CopyFX platforms, which are useful for traders who want social trading. For Malta traders who travel between Valletta and Gozo, mobile stability is essential. Exness has faster execution timestamps and fewer requotes in real market conditions, while RoboForex's platforms are stable but feel cluttered. If you rely on automated advisors, Exness includes better VPS options, whereas RoboForex provides a free VPS only for active accounts. Overall, Exness offers a cleaner and more reliable platform experience for Maltese retail traders.
| Factor | Exness | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | RoboForex |
| 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 a key differentiator. Exness runs a low-latency infrastructure with servers in London and Frankfurt, offering retail traders average execution under 50 milliseconds and a 99.9% order fill rate. RoboForex has acceptable execution but relies more on dealing desk intervention on standard accounts, leading to occasional requotes during high volatility. Exness provides true ECN execution on Raw and Zero accounts, which is essential for Malta traders who scalp or use expert advisors. RoboForex's ECN accounts are only available on Pro profiles. For a retail trader in Malta, Exness delivers faster fills and fewer slippage events, making it the better execution-focused broker.
| Safety Factor | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the FCA in the UK, while RoboForex operates under a Belize IFSC license. Neither broker holds a license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which is the local financial regulator Malta traders are most familiar with. This means Malta-based clients do not have access to the MFSA investor compensation scheme or the EU Ombudsman process. Exness maintains a stronger global trust record and publishes detailed trading volume data on its website, including monthly volume reports. RoboForex's Belize registration offers minimal oversight and has a thinner regulatory track record, though it does follow basic KYC and anti-money laundering rules. Malta traders should be aware that deposits sent via Bank Transfer or USDT TRC20 to these brokers are not ring-fenced by local authorities. The regulatory protections are weaker than opening with an MFSA-licensed broker, so choosing an established international name like Exness reduces counterparty risk for retail traders.
| Payment Method | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 5 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing as a Malta trader is fast with both brokers, but the experience differs. Bank Transfer works for both, but may take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary bank fees. For quicker funding, Skrill and Neteller are popular in Malta; Exness processes e-wallet deposits instantly and withdrawals in under an hour in most cases, with no internal fees. RoboForex also supports Skrill and Neteller, but charges a 1% commission on some e-wallet deposits after the first one each month. For crypto-savvy Malta traders, USDT TRC20 is available on both platforms: Exness has zero deposit fees and a $1 withdrawal fee, while RoboForex charges no deposit fee but a $2 withdrawal fee. The minimum deposit at Exness is $10; RoboForex requires $10 for standard accounts, but $100 for Pro accounts. For active Malta traders using USD accounts, Exness is clearly more efficient, especially with same-day withdrawals and instant deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. RoboForex remains acceptable but adds friction and small hidden costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Malta has a growing Muslim community, and both Exness and RoboForex offer Islamic accounts that comply with Sharia law by removing swaps and overnight interest. Exness provides swap-free conditions automatically on Standard and Raw accounts for Malta residents who request it, and keeps it permanently free. RoboForex also offers swap-free accounts on its Standard, Cent, and ECN accounts, but after 30 days, a small activation fee is charged every time the account is used for overnight positions. For long-term traders such as position traders in Malta, Exness is far more cost-effective because there are no hidden fees. Additionally, Exness allows holding open positions without paying interest, while RoboForex may close swap-free accounts if it detects arbitrage activity. Malta traders seeking fully compliant Islamic trading should choose Exness for its transparent, zero-cost swap-free structure.
| Support Feature | Exness | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support for Malta traders is more responsive at Exness. Exness offers 24/7 live chat and email support in English, with typical response times under two minutes. RoboForex also provides 24/7 live chat, but users frequently report slower replies during peak hours, especially on weekends. Both brokers have FAQ sections covering Malta-specific payment methods such as Skrill and Neteller. However, Exness's support team is better prepared to handle account verification and USDT TRC20 transaction queries quickly. Malta traders who value immediate problem resolution will have a smoother experience with Exness.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | RoboForex | 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 | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose RoboForex if you...
After a detailed comparison, Exness is the clear winner for Malta retail traders, with a 4.8/5 rating compared to RoboForex's 3.2/5. The decision comes down to lower total costs, faster deposits and withdrawals via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller and USDT TRC20, and stronger operational transparency. Exness also provides permanently free Islamic accounts and better execution, which directly benefits Maltese day traders. While RoboForex offers more account variety and copy trading, its overall value is diminished by higher commissions, slower support, and thinner regulation outside the local financial regulator's oversight. Malta traders who prefer a simple, reliable, cost-effective broker should open an Exness Standard or Raw account. Always do your own due diligence and remember the MFSA does not directly supervise either broker.