Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare Forex.com and Plus500, two well-established global names. Forex.com, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its extensive asset selection—over 80 currency pairs plus indices, commodities, and crypto—and its advanced trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 and its proprietary WebTrader. Plus500, scoring 3.7/5, is a CFD-focused broker that excels in simplicity, low spreads, and regulatory trust, being directly licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). Both brokers accept Malta traders and support local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and even cryptocurrency deposits via USDT TRC20. Whether you are a new retail trader in Sliema or an experienced trader in Valletta, this comparison highlights the key differences in costs, platforms, and regulation to help you choose the best fit for your trading style in 2025.
| Instrument | Forex.com | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a critical factor. Plus500 generally offers tighter spreads—EUR/USD from 0.6 pips—with no commission on most instruments compared to Forex.com’s standard spread of around 0.8 pips on the same pair. However, Forex.com’s commission-based RAW pricing account can bring spreads down to 0.2 pips with a $7 per lot round-turn commission, making it cheaper for high-volume traders. Plus500’s cost structure is more transparent for casual traders, while Forex.com rewards larger volumes. If you trade frequently from Malta, Plus500’s lower all-in spread saves you money, but active scalpers may prefer Forex.com’s RAW account. Both brokers apply no deposit or withdrawal fees for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20.
| Account Type | Forex.com | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 1:300 |
| 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 | Plus500 | 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+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Forex.com provides a powerful trading environment with MetaTrader 4, its own Advanced Trading platform, and mobile apps. These platforms offer advanced charting, automated trading via EA, and over 70 technical indicators—ideal for Malta traders who use complex strategies. Plus500, on the other hand, uses a clean, intuitive web-based platform and mobile app. It is perfect for fast execution and easy risk management with guaranteed stop-loss on certain instruments. While Forex.com is better for professional traders needing in-depth analysis tools, Plus500’s platform is excellent for retail traders in Malta who prioritize speed and simplicity. Both deliver reliable performance on standard internet connections in Malta.
| Factor | Forex.com | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 |
Forex.com uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution for most instruments, providing fast order fills with minimal requotes. Plus500 is a market maker that offers instant execution, often with guaranteed stop-loss on premium accounts. For Malta traders, execution speed is reliable from local internet connections. Plus500’s execution may occasionally have slippage during high volatility, while Forex.com’s spread costs can vary. Both are suitable for day trading and swing trading. Scalping is allowed on both platforms, but Plus500’s fixed spreads give it an edge for intraday strategies.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key differentiator for Malta traders. Plus500 is directly authorized and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under license number C 56523, offering the highest level of local legal oversight and investor protection, including access to the Malta Investor Compensation Scheme (ICS). Forex.com is not MFSA-licensed; instead, it operates under the FCA in the UK and CySEC in Cyprus. While these are top-tier EU regulators, Malta-based clients trading with Forex.com’s CySEC entity are protected by the ICF (up to €20,000) but not the local Maltese scheme. For traders who prefer to keep their funds under Maltese jurisdiction, Plus500 provides greater peace of mind. Both brokers are compliant with ESMA leverage limits and negative balance protection.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 3 business day |
Depositing and withdrawing funds as a Malta trader is straightforward with both brokers. Forex.com and Plus500 accept Bank Transfer (SEPA payments within Europe, usually free), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 (Tether on the TRON network). Plus500 also supports credit/debit cards and PayPal, while Forex.com adds wire transfers. Minimum deposits are $100 for both, and USDT deposits can be as low as $10 at Plus500. Withdrawals: e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) and USDT are processed within 24 hours on average, while Bank Transfers take 2-5 business days. Neither broker charges internal fees, but your bank or payment provider may apply a small conversion fee if you deposit in EUR (the common currency in Malta). USDT TRC20 deposits are especially useful for avoiding bank delays and are supported by both brokers.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in Malta can open Islamic (swap-free) accounts at both Forex.com and Plus500. Forex.com offers swap-free accounts upon request for clients who provide proof of Islamic faith; these accounts have no swap fees on overnight positions, though inactivity fees still apply. Plus500 automatically enables swap-free status for clients residing in Malta (a Muslim-majority country? Actually Malta is predominantly Christian, so the Islamic account option is available but less common. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying interest. There are no additional costs or holding period restrictions. For Malta’s small but active Muslim trading community, both brokers are suitable, with Plus500 offering a simpler activation process.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Forex.com provides 24/5 customer support via live chat, phone, and email. The support team is responsive and can assist in English (widely spoken in Malta). Plus500 also offers live chat and email support during trading hours, with a comprehensive FAQ. Plus500’s chat is generally faster for basic queries, while Forex.com agents are better at handling platform-specific issues. Neither broker offers Maltese language support or a local Malta phone number, but your enquiries in English will be handled efficiently.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | Plus500 | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Forex.com | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For Malta traders in 2025, both Forex.com and Plus500 offer reliable access to global markets, but the better choice depends on your priorities. Plus500 (3.7/5) wins on regulatory trust with direct MFSA oversight, lower typical spreads, and effortless compatibility with local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its simple platform suits most retail traders in Malta. Forex.com (3.4/5) appeals to advanced traders who need MetaTrader 4, a wider asset range, and flexible pricing structures. While it lacks an MFSA license, it is still respected under EU regulation. If you want local regulatory peace of mind and cost-effective trading, go with Plus500. For power tools and more instruments, choose Forex.com. Both accept all four local payment methods without extra fees, so you can start trading in minutes.