Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025, choosing between FBS and EasyMarkets comes down to trading style and local payment preferences. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, is a globally recognized broker offering low spreads, multiple account types, and support for popular Malta payment methods like Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is known for its user-friendly platform, fixed spreads, and strong regulation under the local financial regulator. Both brokers accept Malta residents and provide access to major forex pairs, commodities, and indices. However, FBS stands out for high-volume traders with its ECN accounts, while EasyMarkets appeals to beginners who value simplicity and predictable costs. This comparison covers trading costs, platforms, regulation, deposit methods (including Bank Transfer), and Islamic account options to help you decide which broker fits your Malta trading needs.
| Instrument | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $25 | EasyMarkets |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, FBS generally offers lower spreads, especially on its ECN and Zero Spread accounts, with EUR/USD spreads from 0.1 pips plus a commission. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on EUR/USD, which are higher but predictable. For a Malta trader executing 10 standard lots per month on EUR/USD, FBS can save approximately $100 in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, EasyMarkets charges no commission and offers guaranteed stop-loss orders, which may justify the higher spread for risk-averse traders. FBS also provides a loyalty program that reduces spreads over time, benefiting active Malta traders.
| Account Type | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, both popular among Malta traders for advanced charting, automated trading, and mobile access. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and a mobile app, which are simpler and more intuitive for beginners. For Malta traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) or require deep customization, FBS is the better choice. EasyMarkets’ platform includes built-in risk management tools like dealCancellation and free guaranteed stops, which are unique and useful for conservative traders. Both platforms support local payment methods like Skrill and Neteller for deposits.
| Factor | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FBS uses ECN/STP execution with no dealing desk intervention, offering fast order execution and minimal requotes. EasyMarkets operates a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, which can lead to slippage during volatile markets. For Malta traders who prioritize speed and transparency, FBS is preferable. EasyMarkets’ execution is reliable for low-frequency traders who value predictability over speed.
| Safety Factor | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and EasyMarkets are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment for Malta traders. FBS holds multiple international licenses, including from the FSC (Belize), but its local regulation provides additional protection. EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and also complies with the local financial regulator, offering negative balance protection and investor compensation funds. For Malta traders, this means both brokers adhere to strict anti-money laundering (AML) procedures and segregate client funds. Always verify the broker’s license on the regulator’s website before depositing.
| Payment Method | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) |
Malta traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both FBS and EasyMarkets. FBS supports a wider range of local payment methods, including direct bank transfers from Maltese banks and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, with deposits typically processed instantly. USDT TRC20 deposits are also instant and fee-free at FBS. EasyMarkets accepts the same methods but may charge a small fee for bank transfers (usually €5). Withdrawals at FBS are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, while EasyMarkets takes 1-3 business days for bank transfers. Both brokers require identity verification for withdrawals, which is standard for compliance with the local financial regulator.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FBS and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Cent, ECN) without any swap fees on overnight positions. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts upon request via customer support, with the same zero-swap condition. However, EasyMarkets may charge a small administration fee after a holding period (typically 10 days). FBS is more straightforward for Malta traders seeking an Islamic account, as the process is automatic and available for any new account. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged on positions held overnight, aligning with Islamic finance principles.
| Support Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Malta traders. EasyMarkets provides support 24/5 through live chat, email, and phone, with English and Maltese language options. FBS has a slight edge with round-the-clock availability, which is useful for traders active during off-hours. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Malta traders in 2025, FBS edges out EasyMarkets with a higher overall score (3.7 vs 3.4) and better cost efficiency for active traders. FBS supports popular local payment methods like Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, along with Bank Transfer, and offers lower spreads on its ECN accounts. EasyMarkets remains a strong choice for beginners or traders who prioritize fixed spreads and unique risk management features like dealCancellation. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring safety. If you trade frequently or use EAs, go with FBS. If you prefer simplicity and guaranteed protection, choose EasyMarkets. Ultimately, your decision should align with your trading volume and preferred deposit methods.