Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta traders seeking a reliable forex broker, the choice between Exness and Trade Nation is critical in 2026. Exness, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, leads in flexibility with ultra-low spreads, instant withdrawals, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Trade Nation, scoring 3.9/5, offers a user-friendly platform and strong regulatory compliance under the local financial regulator (MFSA). Both brokers cater to retail traders in Malta, but Exness stands out for its cost efficiency and advanced trading features, while Trade Nation appeals to those prioritizing simplicity and trusted branding. This comparison helps Malta traders decide based on costs, regulation, and payment convenience.
| Instrument | Exness | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Trade Nation |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Trade Nation |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Trade Nation |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Trade Nation |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 | Trade Nation |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a major factor. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on Raw Spread accounts, with a commission of $3 per lot, making it ideal for high-volume scalpers. Trade Nation’s spreads start at 0.6 pips with no commission, but overall costs are higher for frequent traders. For example, trading 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, Exness costs around $30 in commissions plus minimal spreads, while Trade Nation may cost $60 or more due to wider spreads. Malta traders using USDT TRC20 for deposits save on conversion fees with Exness.
| Account Type | Exness | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trade Nation | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Trade Nation |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary web platform, all optimized for Malta traders with fast execution and advanced charting tools. Trade Nation offers its own web-based platform and mobile app, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. For Malta traders, Exness is better for those needing automated trading or custom indicators, while Trade Nation suits beginners who prefer a straightforward interface without technical complexity.
| Factor | Exness | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Trade Nation |
| 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 provides ultra-fast execution with an average of 0.1 seconds and no requotes, ideal for Malta scalpers and news traders. Trade Nation’s execution is reliable but slower at around 0.3 seconds, with occasional slippage during volatile markets. For Malta traders, Exness offers superior execution quality, especially for high-frequency strategies.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). Exness holds an MFSA license (IS/70163), ensuring strict client fund segregation and negative balance protection for Malta traders. Trade Nation is also MFSA-authorised, but its regulatory coverage is more limited compared to Exness’s global licenses. For Malta traders, Exness offers stronger security with a compensation scheme under the MFSA’s Investor Compensation Scheme, covering up to €20,000 per client.
| Payment Method | Exness | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2 working days |
Malta traders can fund accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Exness stands out with instant deposits and withdrawals, processing USDT TRC20 transactions within minutes and Bank Transfers in 1-2 hours. Trade Nation processes Bank Transfers in 1-2 business days and e-wallets within 24 hours. For Malta traders, Exness’s speed is a key advantage, especially for those using Skrill or Neteller for frequent trading. Minimum deposits are $10 at Exness and $50 at Trade Nation.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Exness offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders on all account types, including Standard and Raw Spread, with no hidden fees or time limits. Trade Nation provides Islamic accounts upon request, but they require verification of Muslim faith and may have restrictions on certain instruments. For Malta traders, Exness is more accessible with automatic swap-free status, while Trade Nation’s process can be slower.
| Support Feature | Exness | Trade Nation | 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 dedicated support for Malta traders in English and Maltese. Trade Nation provides support from 8 AM to 6 PM CET on weekdays, with limited weekend hours. For Malta traders, Exness’s round-the-clock support is more reliable for urgent issues during off-hours trading.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Trade Nation | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Trade Nation |
| Resource | Exness | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Trade Nation if you...
For Malta traders, Exness is the clear winner in 2026, offering lower costs, faster payments via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and robust regulation by the local financial regulator. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects superior execution, Islamic accounts, and 24/7 support tailored to Maltese traders. Trade Nation is a solid alternative for beginners or those prioritizing simplicity, but its higher spreads and slower withdrawals make it less competitive. For active retail traders in Malta, Exness delivers the best overall value and convenience.