Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta retail traders comparing FP Markets vs Admirals in 2026, the choice hinges on trading costs, local payment support, and regulatory confidence. FP Markets, with a 4.7/5 rating, excels in tight spreads and fast execution, making it ideal for active traders. Admirals, rated 4.1/5, offers strong educational tools and a user-friendly interface. Both brokers accept Malta clients and support local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. The Malta financial regulator (MFSA) oversees FP Markets locally, while Admirals operates under CySEC, providing a solid regulatory framework. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | FP Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Admirals |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Admirals |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Admirals |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Admirals |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $1 | Admirals |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, FP Markets offers a clear advantage with spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account, compared to Admirals’ 0.5 pips on the Zero account. For a Malta trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, FP Markets saves approximately $50 in spread costs. Admirals charges a $3 commission per lot on its Zero account, while FP Markets charges $3.5 per lot on Raw accounts, but the lower spread offsets this. For scalpers and day traders, FP Markets’ tighter spreads reduce slippage, a key factor for Malta’s active trading community.
| Account Type | FP Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Entity / Asset | FP Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | FP Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FP Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FP Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FP Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | FP Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Malta traders will find both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and 5, plus proprietary platforms. FP Markets provides cTrader for advanced charting and fast order execution, ideal for scalping. Admirals offers its own WebTrader with integrated analysis tools. For Maltese traders, FP Markets’ cTrader is preferred for its depth of market and algorithmic trading capabilities, while Admirals’ platform suits beginners with its educational features. Both platforms are available in English and support local time zones.
| Factor | FP Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FP Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is a key differentiator. FP Markets uses Equinix NY4 data centers for ultra-low latency, with average execution under 30ms. Admirals’ execution averages 50ms. For Malta traders trading Forex pairs like EUR/USD, FP Markets’ faster execution reduces slippage, especially during high-impact news events. Both brokers offer no dealing desk (NDD) execution, but FP Markets’ infrastructure is superior for active traders.
| Safety Factor | FP Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Malta traders. FP Markets is licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), offering direct local oversight and investor protection under Maltese law. Admirals is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) under MiFID II, which provides EU-wide recognition but not local MFSA supervision. For Malta residents, FP Markets’ MFSA license means disputes can be handled locally, while Admirals requires engagement with the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, a key safety net for retail traders.
| Payment Method | FP Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
Malta traders can fund accounts at both FP Markets and Admirals using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FP Markets processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly with no fees, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are also instant and fee-free. Admirals accepts all four methods but may charge a 1% fee on Skrill deposits for amounts under €500. Withdrawals at FP Markets are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, while Admirals takes up to 2 business days. USDT TRC20 withdrawals are available at both brokers, offering a fast, low-cost option for Malta traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | FP Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FP Markets and Admirals offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders. FP Markets provides this option on all account types automatically upon request, with no additional fees. Admirals requires traders to contact customer support to activate the swap-free feature, which is available on standard accounts only. Neither broker charges overnight interest on Islamic accounts, complying with Sharia law. For Malta’s Muslim community, FP Markets offers a more streamlined process.
| Support Feature | FP Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FP Markets |
Customer support for Malta traders is available 24/5 from both brokers. FP Markets offers live chat, email, and phone support in English, with response times under 2 minutes. Admirals provides similar channels but has longer email response times (up to 4 hours). FP Markets also has a dedicated Malta phone line, while Admirals routes calls to its Cyprus office. For local queries, FP Markets’ support is more responsive.
| Mobile Feature | FP Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FP Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FP Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Resource | FP Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FP Markets |
Choose FP Markets if you...
Choose Admirals if you...
For Malta retail traders, FP Markets is the superior choice in 2026, with a 4.7/5 rating reflecting its lower spreads, faster execution, and MFSA regulation. It supports local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 without fees, making it cost-effective. Admirals (4.1/5) is a solid alternative for beginners due to its educational tools, but higher costs and slower execution limit its appeal for active traders. Consider your trading volume and preference for local regulation: FP Markets offers direct MFSA oversight, while Admirals provides EU-wide protection. For most Malta traders, FP Markets delivers better value.