Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When choosing between Forex.com and IG for forex and CFD trading in Malta, local traders need a clear comparison tailored to the Maltese market. Both brokers are well-established, but they differ in regulatory oversight, trading costs, and payment methods available. Forex.com earns a 3.4/5 rating, offering USDT TRC20 deposits and competitive raw spreads, but its regulatory framework relies on the UK FCA rather than direct MFSA oversight. IG, with a 4.2/5 rating, holds an MFSA licence and provides tighter spreads on major pairs, plus a broader platform ecosystem with ProRealTime and L2 Dealer. Maltese retail traders often prioritise local regulation and cost efficiency, which gives IG an edge. However, Forex.com appeals to those who favour crypto deposits and a more straightforward account structure. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and local regulatory protections to help you decide based on your trading profile in Malta.
| Instrument | Forex.com | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IG |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IG |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IG |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IG |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 | IG |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a key differentiator between Forex.com and IG. IG offers average spreads of 0.1 pips on EUR/USD for active accounts, while Forex.com’s standard spreads start around 0.2 pips. Over 100 standard lots per month, IG can save Malta traders up to $200 in spread costs. Forex.com’s commission-based raw pricing on its direct account is competitive but still slightly higher than IG’s lowest tiers. Both brokers charge no deposit fees, but IG has no withdrawal fee for Bank Transfers, whereas Forex.com may deduct a small fee for international wires. Maltese traders trading major pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/USD will find IG more cost-effective, especially during European trading hours.
| Account Type | Forex.com | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 1:30 |
| 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 | IG | 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+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IG provides Malta traders with a superior platform selection, including its award-winning web platform, ProRealTime (advanced charting), and L2 Dealer for direct market access. Forex.com offers TradingView integration and its own WebTrader, but lacks the depth of IG’s tools. Both support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) on desktop and mobile. For Malta-based traders who rely on automated strategies or require advanced charting, IG’s ProRealTime is a clear advantage. Forex.com’s platforms are simpler and more suitable for beginner retail traders. Mobile app performance is strong on both, but IG’s app offers faster order execution and more order types.
| Factor | Forex.com | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| 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 |
IG executes trades in milliseconds using its own low-latency infrastructure, with no requotes on market orders. Forex.com also offers fast execution (typically under 100ms), but IG’s direct market access and liquidity aggregation result in fewer slippages during high volatility. For Malta traders trading during European sessions, IG’s execution quality is noticeably superior, especially for scalping or news trading. Forex.com’s execution is reliable but not as consistent as IG’s.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Malta traders, and IG holds a distinct advantage by being directly authorised by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under a Category 3 licence. Forex.com operates under the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and does not have a dedicated MFSA entity for Malta. Both brokers offer negative balance protection and client fund segregation, but IG’s local oversight means Malta clients can lodge complaints with the Malta Arbiter for Financial Services. Forex.com clients rely on the UK Financial Ombudsman Service, which may be less accessible for Maltese residents. For peace of mind, IG’s local regulatory footprint is stronger.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
Malta traders can fund accounts via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 (only on Forex.com). IG supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but not crypto deposits; it also accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal. Minimum deposits: Forex.com requires $100 via Bank Transfer, while IG has no minimum for cards and e-wallets. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets on both brokers. Bank transfers may take 3-5 days. Forex.com charges a $25 fee for international wire withdrawals, while IG offers free withdrawals for EUR transfers. Neither broker charges fees for Skrill or Neteller withdrawals. USDT TRC20 deposits on Forex.com are processed instantly with zero network fees, a unique advantage for crypto-savvy Maltese traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Forex.com and IG offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Malta Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. Forex.com provides these accounts on request, usually with no holding period or additional charges, though spreads may be slightly wider to compensate. IG also offers Islamic accounts, but eligibility is subject to religious declaration and account verification. Malta-based clients should contact each broker’s support team to confirm availability and terms. IG’s Islamic accounts are available on its web platform and MT4, while Forex.com offers them across all platforms. Both brokers maintain standard margin requirements for Islamic accounts.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
IG offers 24/5 multilingual customer support with a dedicated Malta phone line and live chat. Forex.com provides 24/5 support in English via live chat and email, but no local Malta phone number. IG’s Malta-specific support is faster and more responsive, with an average wait time under 30 seconds. Forex.com’s support is competent but lacks local representation. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources tailored to retail traders.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | IG | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
| Resource | Forex.com | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose IG if you...
For Malta retail traders, IG is the superior choice in 2025, earning a 4.2/5 rating compared to Forex.com’s 3.4/5. IG’s direct MFSA regulation, tighter spreads, advanced platform options, and localised customer support make it ideal for serious forex and CFD traders. While Forex.com offers USDT TRC20 deposits and a simpler platform appeal, its reliance on UK regulation and higher spreads for average volume traders are drawbacks. Maltese traders who use Bank Transfer, Skrill, or Neteller will find both brokers accessible, but IG provides better value overall. If you trade high volumes or need local regulatory assurance, IG is the recommended broker for Malta.