Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta-based retail traders comparing forex brokers, the choice between FBS (scored 3.7/5) and FxPro (scored 4.1/5) comes down to local regulation, trading costs, and payment convenience. Malta, as a European Union member with a strong financial services sector, has traders who prioritize safety and cost-efficiency. FxPro, headquartered in Malta and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), offers a clear advantage in local oversight and investor compensation up to €20,000 under the EU Investor Compensation Scheme. FBS, while globally popular with a 3.7 rating, operates under an international license (IFSC Belize) and is not MFSA-regulated, which may concern some local traders. Both brokers accept Malta clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, deposit options, and regulation specifically for the Malta market to help you decide which broker better suits your trading style.
| Instrument | FBS | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | FxPro |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, FxPro offers more competitive spreads on major forex pairs. On FxPro's Raw account, the EUR/USD spread averages 0.6 pips with a $6 per lot commission, while FBS's Standard account shows 1.2 pips with no commission. For a Malta trader executing 50 lots per month, FxPro's total cost is approximately $300 in commissions plus spread costs, versus $600 in spread costs on FBS. FBS does have a Zero Spread account but with higher commissions ($8 per lot). For traders using USDT TRC20 deposits, FBS offers lower deposit costs, but overall, FxPro is more cost-effective for frequent traders in Malta.
| Account Type | FBS | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FBS | FxPro | 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 | ✗ | 1,700+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and FxPro provide MT4 and MT5 platforms, which are popular among Malta traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. FxPro additionally offers cTrader, a platform favored for its depth of market and fast execution, especially by Maltese scalpers. FBS lacks cTrader but provides a proprietary web platform. For Malta traders using mobile devices, both apps are well-rated, but FxPro's cTrader app offers more advanced order types. If you trade on the go, FxPro's platform range is slightly more comprehensive.
| Factor | FBS | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| 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 |
FxPro offers superior execution quality for Malta traders, with an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds on its Raw accounts and no requotes on major pairs. FBS has variable execution speeds, averaging 0.3 seconds, with occasional slippage during high volatility. For Malta traders scalping or using automated strategies, FxPro's faster execution and deeper liquidity from multiple banks provide a clear edge.
| Safety Factor | FBS | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key differentiator for Malta traders. FxPro is authorized and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under license number IS/70178, offering full EU-level protection including negative balance protection and the Investor Compensation Scheme covering up to €20,000. FBS is regulated by the IFSC in Belize (license IFSC/60/413/TS/21) and is not supervised by the MFSA. This means Malta traders using FBS do not have access to local dispute resolution or compensation from the MFSA. For risk-averse traders in Malta, FxPro's local regulation provides significant peace of mind.
| Payment Method | FBS | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 1 business day |
Malta traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both FBS and FxPro. FxPro supports SEPA bank transfers in EUR, which is ideal for Malta-based accounts, with deposits processed within 1-2 business days and no fees. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant, though FxPro charges a 1% fee on Skrill withdrawals. FBS offers USDT TRC20 deposits with instant processing and zero fees, making it attractive for crypto users. For Bank Transfer withdrawals, FxPro typically processes within 1-3 days, while FBS can take 3-5 days. Overall, FxPro's local bank transfer integration is more convenient for Malta traders using traditional banking.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FxPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta's Muslim traders. FxPro provides swap-free accounts on all account types including MT4, MT5, and cTrader, with no additional fees or time limits. FBS offers Islamic accounts only on Standard and Cent accounts, excluding ECN and Zero Spread accounts. FxPro's Islamic accounts are more flexible, especially for traders who prefer cTrader. Both require a declaration of Muslim faith. For Malta traders seeking a wider range of trading conditions with swap-free status, FxPro is the better option.
| Support Feature | FBS | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FxPro offers Maltese traders dedicated support in English via live chat, phone, and email, with a Malta-based office in Ta' Xbiex. FBS provides 24/7 support but relies on a global team, which may result in slower response times for Malta-specific queries. FxPro's local presence ensures faster resolution of issues related to bank transfers and local regulations. For Malta traders, FxPro's support is more responsive and tailored.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | FxPro | 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 | FxPro | 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 FxPro if you...
For Malta traders, FxPro (4.1/5) is the clear winner over FBS (3.7/5) due to its local MFSA regulation, tighter spreads, and better platform variety including cTrader. While FBS offers advantages like high leverage and USDT TRC20 deposits, the lack of MFSA oversight and higher trading costs make it less suitable for most retail traders in Malta. FxPro's support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer via SEPA, Skrill, Neteller, and its Islamic account options further strengthen its position. If safety, cost-efficiency, and local regulation are your priorities, choose FxPro. However, if you need high leverage or crypto deposits, FBS remains a viable alternative. Always verify the latest terms with the local financial regulator before opening an account.