Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta's retail trading community is small but sophisticated, with many traders balancing EU-wide regulation with fast digital payment methods. When choosing between FxPro and Interactive Brokers, Maltese traders are comparing two very different styles: FxPro is a retail-first broker known for its user-friendly MT4, MT5 and cTrader platforms, while Interactive Brokers is a global powerhouse focused on professional and high-volume traders. Both brokers accept clients from Malta and offer USD-denominated accounts, which matters if you trade major FX pairs without EUR conversions. The local financial regulator, MFSA, does not directly licence either broker, but both operate in Malta under EU MiFID passporting, so your exposure is covered by EU investor protection frameworks. For the typical Maltese retail trader who wants tight spreads without commission, fast support, and easy e-wallet deposits through Skrill or Neteller, FxPro’s 4.1/5 rating reflects a smoother overall experience. Interactive Brokers, with a 3.3/5 score, offers institutional-grade execution and enormous market access, but its complex interface and lack of local e-wallet support makes it less ideal for lower-volume traders in Malta.
| Instrument | FxPro | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Interactive Brokers |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Interactive Brokers |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Interactive Brokers |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Interactive Brokers |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 | Interactive Brokers |
For Maltese traders, the cost difference between FxPro and Interactive Brokers depends mainly on trade size and frequency. FxPro’s Standard account has spreads starting from 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, while its Raw account offers spreads from 0.0 pips plus a small commission per lot. Interactive Brokers uses a tiered commission model with raw spreads often below 0.1 pips, but you pay per share or per contract, making small trades less cost-efficient. A Maltese trader placing ten EUR/USD trades a month of 0.1 lots will likely pay less at FxPro. However, a scalper executing multi-lot trades daily will find IB’s marginal cost per trade significantly lower. Don't forget that Malta is in the eurozone, so if you deposit in USD, FX conversion fees can affect your net cost at both brokers.
| Account Type | FxPro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | FxPro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:100 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:100 |
| 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 | FxPro | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FxPro |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FxPro |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FxPro |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | Interactive Brokers |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | FxPro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Malta traders get a clear platform difference: FxPro provides the familiar MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader, all with full mobile versions that work well on Android and iOS. Interactive Brokers relies on its proprietary Trader Workstation (TWS), which is powerful but has a steep learning curve, alongside IBKR Desktop and a mobile app. For the retail Maltese trader, MT4’s expert advisors and cTrader’s depth-of-market are usually enough. IBKR’s platform appeals more to traders who need advanced risk tools, portfolio margin, and multi-asset routing. If you want a smooth transition from demo to live trading without watching tutorials, FxPro is far easier for Malta's retail audience.
| Factor | FxPro | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Interactive Brokers |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FxPro |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FxPro uses no-dealing-desk (NDD) execution with market execution on MT4/MT5 and a true ECN model on cTrader, providing fast fills and no requotes. Interactive Brokers uses a smart routing engine that seeks the best available price across multiple liquidity venues, offering excellent execution for larger volumes. For Malta traders trading standard lot sizes, both brokers deliver reliable execution, but FxPro’s execution is more transparent for retail-style trading. Interactive Brokers’ execution quality shines mainly when you are trading size or need advanced order types like algorithmic breaks and bracket orders.
| Safety Factor | FxPro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FxPro is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and Interactive Brokers is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland. Both have EU passports that allow them to offer services to Malta traders under MiFID II. The local financial regulator in Malta, the MFSA, is responsible for monitoring cross-border firms operating in Malta but does not directly authorise either broker. This means Malta traders receive protection under each regulator’s investor compensation scheme, up to €20,000, and are covered by negative balance protection. FxPro also holds UK FCA and other international licences, while IB has strong oversight from the SEC and CFTC in the US. For Maltese clients, the practical takeaway is that both are legitimate and highly regulated, but you should still verify the specific entity handling your account.
| Payment Method | FxPro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 business day | 1 to 4 business days |
Maltese traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller and USDT TRC20, but the acceptance of each method varies. FxPro supports Bank Transfer, Skrill and Neteller directly, with withdrawals usually processed within 24 hours. Interactive Brokers accepts Bank Transfer and a few other methods, but it does not support Skrill, Neteller or USDT TRC20. USDT TRC20 is a popular option for Malta traders who want low-cost and instant transfers, but neither broker accepts it directly, so you may need a crypto-friendly payment processor or an intermediary exchange. Keep in mind that PayPal and credit cards are also common in Malta, but for this comparison the four methods above are the most relevant local options. Always verify your verification documents are approved before making large deposits to avoid withdrawal delays.
| Islamic Account Feature | FxPro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Malta has a small but active Muslim trading community, and only FxPro offers a dedicated swap-free Islamic account. This account type eliminates overnight interest and is available on most instruments, including forex and metals, without changing the spread structure. Malta-based Muslim traders simply need to submit a standard declaration that they are of Islamic faith. Interactive Brokers does not offer an official Islamic account, and its standard cash account still applies overnight funding fees unless you hold no positions overnight. If Sharia compliance is important, FxPro is the only real choice between these two for Maltese traders.
| Support Feature | FxPro | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FxPro |
FxPro provides 24/5 multilingual customer support through live chat, email and phone, which is ideal for Malta traders operating across European trading hours. Support staff are generally responsive and can assist in English and other EU languages. Interactive Brokers offers a global support system with phone lines and a ticket-based system, but its response times can be slower outside US market hours. For Maltese retail traders who need quick assistance on deposits, withdrawals or platform issues, FxPro’s more localised and faster support is a significant advantage.
| Mobile Feature | FxPro | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FxPro |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FxPro |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | Interactive Brokers |
| Resource | FxPro | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FxPro |
Choose FxPro if you...
Choose Interactive Brokers if you...
For the majority of Malta-based retail traders, FxPro is the stronger option. Its 4.1/5 rating reflects a genuinely user-friendly experience with the platforms Maltese traders already know, direct support for Bank Transfer, Skrill and Neteller, and an Islamic account for Muslim clients. FxPro's pricing is transparent and fair at retail volumes, and its responsiveness to support requests is better suited to individual traders. Interactive Brokers, with a 3.3/5 rating, is a professional-grade broker that excels on cost per trade and market access, but only if you trade frequently enough to offset its complexity and limited local payment methods. Since Malta traders can use USDT TRC20 as a workaround only with third-party wiring, and neither broker directly supports it, we recommend FxPro for most, unless your volume and asset range clearly demand IB's power.