Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta has become a prominent hub for forex trading in Europe, with the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) providing robust oversight. For Maltese retail traders comparing Forex.com and Tickmill, both brokers offer USD accounts and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Forex.com, established in 2001, is a globally recognized broker with a wide range of currency pairs and advanced research tools. Tickmill, founded in 2014 and regulated locally by the MFSA, is known for its tight spreads and low commission structure. Our comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, deposit options, and suitability for Malta traders. While Forex.com scores 3.4/5, Tickmill leads with 4/5, particularly appealing for cost-sensitive Maltese traders. However, the best choice depends on your specific trading style and preferences.
| Instrument | Forex.com | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
For Malta traders, trading costs are critical due to the competitive nature of retail forex. Tickmill excels with spreads from 0.0 pips on its Pro account, charging a low $3 per lot commission round-turn. On EUR/USD, typical spreads are 0.1–0.2 pips, making it ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders in Malta. Forex.com’s standard account spreads average 1.0–1.5 pips on majors with no commission, but its Raw Pricing account (commission-based) can offer spreads as low as 0.2 pips. Overall, Tickmill provides lower total costs for Malta traders, especially those trading multiple lots daily.
| Account Type | Forex.com | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Tickmill | 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+ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Forex.com offers its proprietary Web Trader, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, all available to Malta traders. Tickmill also provides MT4 and MT5, which are popular among Maltese retail traders for their customizability and automated trading capabilities. Forex.com’s proprietary platform includes advanced charting and news integration, but MT4/MT5 remain the standard. For Maltese traders using expert advisors or algorithmic strategies, both brokers offer VPS hosting and mobile apps. Tickmill’s platforms are more streamlined for cost-conscious traders, while Forex.com adds a proprietary option for those seeking unique features.
| Factor | Forex.com | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 is crucial for Maltese scalpers and day traders. Tickmill uses a low-latency infrastructure with deep liquidity from multiple banks, offering execution speeds under 20ms on MT4/MT5. Forex.com also has reliable execution with no requotes on most accounts but typical speeds are slightly higher. Tickmill’s focus on fast execution with minimal slippage gives it an edge for Malta traders who prioritize order precision.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is paramount for Malta traders. Tickmill is authorized and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under license number IS/71815, providing direct local oversight. Forex.com operates under multiple international licenses but does not hold an MFSA license; its main regulation for European clients comes from the UK’s FCA (now limited post-Brexit) and other entities. For Maltese retail traders, Tickmill’s MFSA membership ensures adherence to local client money protection rules and negative balance protection. Forex.com still offers strong global regulation but may not have the same direct MFSA jurisdiction. This gives Tickmill an edge in regulatory familiarity and trust among Malta traders.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Malta traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Tickmill also accepts credit/debit cards, Fasapay, and other e-wallets. Forex.com supports the same methods plus PayPal (subject to availability). Minimum deposits: Forex.com requires a $100 minimum for standard accounts (higher for Raw Pricing), while Tickmill’s minimum is just $100 on its Classic account and $25 for the Pro account. Withdrawals are processed within 1–2 business days for e-wallets and crypto, and 2–5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge internal fees, but bank intermediary fees may apply. USDT TRC20 is particularly convenient for Malta traders who prefer crypto-based transfers due to speed and low cost.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Maltese Muslim traders requiring swap-free accounts, both Forex.com and Tickmill offer Islamic accounts. Tickmill provides Islamic accounts on a permanent basis upon request, with no swap fees for overnight positions, covering all instruments except some indices. Forex.com offers Islamic accounts as well, but the availability may depend on the account type and regulatory entity. Maltese clients should verify with support. Tickmill’s straightforward Islamic account policy is more transparent, making it the preferred choice for Malta’s Muslim trading community.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | Tickmill | 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 offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated Maltese language option available. Tickmill provides 24/5 multilingual support through live chat, email, and phone, with English and other European languages. For Malta traders, Tickmill’s local time zone alignment (CET) ensures quick responses. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections. Tickmill’s support is slightly more responsive based on user feedback.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 Tickmill if you...
For Malta traders, Tickmill emerges as the stronger choice with a 4/5 rating compared to Forex.com’s 3.4/5. Tickmill’s lower trading costs, direct MFSA regulation, and attractive Islamic account options make it ideal for retail traders in Malta. Forex.com remains a viable option for those seeking a broader instrument selection and proprietary platform. Both brokers accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals in USD. Consider your trading style and volume when making a decision. Overall, Tickmill offers better value for most Maltese traders in 2025.