Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta traders navigating the forex market in 2025, choosing between Forex.com and FP Markets requires a deep dive into fees, platforms, and local payment support. Forex.com, with a global reputation and regulatory oversight from the FCA, has long been a reliable choice for retail traders. However, its overall score of 3.4/5 reflects higher costs and fewer tailored features for Maltese clients. FP Markets, scoring an impressive 4.7/5, has emerged as a preferred alternative, offering razor-thin spreads, multiple trading platforms, and seamless support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Malta’s active trading community values both brokers, but the differences in execution quality and cost efficiency are stark. This comparison breaks down every aspect, from regulation by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) standards to deposit flexibility, helping you decide which broker aligns best with your trading style in the Maltese Islands.
| Instrument | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, FP Markets clearly outperforms Forex.com. FP Markets offers raw ECN spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a low commission of $3 per lot per side. In contrast, Forex.com standard account spreads average around 1.2 pips with no commission, but for high-frequency traders this adds up quickly. For a Malta trader executing 50 lots per month, FP Markets could save over $500 in spread costs versus Forex.com. Additionally, FP Markets charges no withdrawal fees for most methods, while Forex.com may impose fees on certain transfers. Considering the euro-based economy in Malta, lower transaction costs directly boost net profitability for retail traders.
| Account Type | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 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 | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Forex.com |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Forex.com |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Malta traders benefit from FP Markets’ extensive platform choice, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and WebTrader. Forex.com offers its proprietary platform alongside MT4, but lacks cTrader which many scalpers in Malta prefer for advanced charting. FP Markets’ cTrader platform provides depth of market and fast execution ideal for day traders. Both brokers offer mobile trading apps, but FP Markets’ apps are more intuitive for local traders. For Malta users who value flexibility in trading instruments, FP Markets covers over 10,000 assets across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto, while Forex.com offers fewer choices, especially in cryptocurrency CFDs.
| Factor | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Forex.com |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality differs significantly. FP Markets uses Equinix NY4 data centers for ultra-low-latency execution, with average speeds under 50ms on cTrader and MT4. Forex.com also offers fast execution, but its proprietary platform can experience slippage during volatile news events. For Malta traders who scalp or trade major pairs during overlapping sessions, FP Markets’ ECN environment with no requotes is superior. Forex.com’s execution is reliable for swing trading but less ideal for high-frequency strategies where every millisecond counts.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Malta traders. Forex.com is regulated by top-tier bodies like the FCA (UK) and CFTC (US), but it does not hold a direct license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). This means local traders rely on the broker’s international compliance. FP Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), and its CySEC authorization allows it to serve EU clients under MiFID II, offering negative balance protection and investor compensation schemes. While neither broker is MFSA-regulated, FP Markets’ CySEC license provides stronger protections for Maltese retail traders, including access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000. Always verify current regulatory status, as rules change.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | 24 hours |
Malta traders have convenient deposit and withdrawal options with both brokers, but FP Markets offers more variety. FP Markets supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, along with credit/debit cards and PayPal. Forex.com accepts Bank Transfer, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, but does not currently support Skrill for Maltese clients. Minimum deposits are lower at FP Markets ($100 vs Forex.com’s $100 on basic accounts, but Forex.com’s premium accounts require more). Withdrawal processing times are similar – typically 1-3 business days for e-wallets and 3-5 for bank transfers. FP Markets charges no withdrawal fees, while Forex.com may apply a fee for bank transfers under $2,000. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes, ideal for crypto-friendly traders in Malta.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Malta who require swap-free accounts per Sharia law, both Forex.com and FP Markets provide Islamic accounts. FP Markets offers swap-free accounts on request for all account types, with no additional charges or time limits – a strong advantage. Forex.com also offers Islamic accounts, but they may be subject to eligibility checks and are only available on certain account types. Malta’s Muslim community can benefit from FP Markets’ transparent policy, which waives overnight swap fees completely. It is recommended to confirm with customer support before opening an account, as conditions can vary. Both brokers ensure compliance with Islamic finance principles, but FP Markets’ offering is more accessible.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Customer support is vital for Malta traders. FP Markets offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support in English and multiple languages. Their Malta-focused support team responds within minutes. Forex.com provides 24/5 support (limited on weekends) with live chat and phone lines. Forex.com’s support is professional, but availability is less convenient for traders who trade weekend markets or need immediate help. FP Markets also has a dedicated Maltese account manager for larger clients, enhancing the local experience.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Forex.com |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Forex.com |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose FP Markets if you...
For Malta retail traders in 2025, FP Markets is the stronger choice overall, scoring 4.7/5 compared to Forex.com’s 3.4/5. FP Markets delivers lower trading costs, better platform diversity (especially cTrader), and seamless support for local payment methods like Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its CySEC regulation offers robust EU protections, while Forex.com’s brand recognition and research tools are appealing but come at a higher cost. While Forex.com remains a solid option for those valuing institutional-grade analysis, the majority of Maltese traders will benefit more from FP Markets’ cost efficiency and deposit flexibility. Always test both brokers with a demo account to confirm which aligns with your specific trading needs under Malta’s tax and regulatory framework.