Which broker is better for Malaysia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Malaysia, choosing between FXTM and Admirals can be challenging. Both brokers are well-established globally and cater to the local market with MYR-friendly features. FXTM, with a score of 4.3/5, stands out for its extensive local payment options including FPX, Bank Transfer, Skrill, and USDT, making deposits and withdrawals seamless for Malaysian traders. Admirals, scoring 4.1/5, is known for its robust regulatory framework and advanced trading platforms. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Malaysian traders: spread costs, Islamic account availability, deposit methods, and regulatory safety. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities, understanding how these brokers serve Malaysia traders will help you make an informed decision. Both brokers accept Malaysian clients and offer support in English and Malay, but their approaches to local needs differ significantly.
| Instrument | FXTM | 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 | $200 | $1 | Admirals |
For Malaysia traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for high-volume experienced retail traders. FXTM offers spreads from 0.1 pips on its ECN account with a commission of $2 per lot per side, while Admirals’ Zero account starts from 0.5 pips with a $3 commission. On a typical 10-lot trade, FXTM’s total cost is approximately $40 (spread + commission) compared to Admirals’ $80, making FXTM more cost-effective for frequent traders. However, Admirals’ standard account has no commission but wider spreads (from 1.0 pips), which may suit lower-volume traders. Both brokers offer competitive pricing in MYR terms, but FXTM’s lower spreads give it an edge for active Malaysian traders.
| Account Type | FXTM | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Entity / Asset | FXTM | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FXTM | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXTM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXTM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FXTM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | FXTM | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers provide MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Malaysian traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. FXTM also offers its proprietary FXTM Trader app for mobile trading, while Admirals provides the Admirals WebTrader platform. For experienced retail traders in Malaysia who rely on expert advisors (EAs) and algorithmic trading, both platforms are equally capable. However, Admirals’ integration with TradingCentral and advanced risk management tools may appeal to traders looking for additional analysis resources. Overall, platform choice is a tie, but FXTM’s mobile app is slightly more user-friendly for on-the-go trading.
| Factor | FXTM | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXTM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is crucial for experienced retail traders. FXTM uses Straight Through Processing (STP) on its ECN accounts, offering low latency and no requotes. Admirals also uses STP execution with access to multiple liquidity providers. In practice, both brokers deliver fast execution speeds under 100ms on most trades. However, FXTM’s ECN model provides deeper liquidity and tighter spreads during volatile market conditions, which benefits Malaysian traders who trade during overlapping sessions (e.g., London-Asia). Admirals’ execution is reliable but may occasionally experience slippage on major news events.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Malaysia traders, especially given the presence of unlicensed brokers. FXTM is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSCA (South Africa), while Admirals is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC (Australia). Neither broker holds a license from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC Malaysia), which means they are not directly supervised by local authorities. However, both operate under strict international standards that protect client funds through segregation and negative balance protection. For Malaysia traders, this means you are trading with reputable entities, but you should be aware that dispute resolution may fall under foreign jurisdictions. Always verify the entity you are registering with to ensure compliance with your trading needs.
| Payment Method | FXTM | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
For Malaysia traders, deposit and withdrawal convenience is a major differentiator. FXTM supports FPX (instant bank transfer), Bank Transfer, Skrill, and USDT, allowing you to fund your account in MYR directly from local banks like Maybank, CIMB, and Public Bank. Withdrawals via FPX are processed within 24 hours, and USDT deposits are fee-free. Admirals accepts Bank Transfer and Skrill but does not offer FPX or USDT, which means Malaysian traders may face longer processing times and higher currency conversion fees. For example, depositing MYR 5,000 via bank transfer at Admirals may incur intermediary bank charges, whereas FXTM’s FPX option is free and instant. Overall, FXTM’s broader range of local payment methods makes it the clear winner for Malaysian traders who value speed and low cost.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXTM | 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 FXTM and Admirals offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Malaysia, in compliance with Sharia law that prohibits interest (riba). FXTM provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, ECN, and Cent) with no swap charges on overnight positions. The account is automatically swap-free upon request, with no hidden fees. Admirals also offers swap-free accounts but requires a request after account opening and may apply a small administrative fee after a certain number of days. For Malaysian Muslim traders who hold positions overnight, FXTM’s straightforward Islamic account policy is more favorable. Both brokers ensure that trading remains compliant with Islamic principles, but FXTM’s zero-fee approach is more attractive.
| Support Feature | FXTM | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXTM |
Customer support is available 24/5 for both brokers, with English and Malay language options. FXTM offers live chat, email, and phone support, while Admirals provides similar channels plus a dedicated account manager for higher-tier clients. Malaysian traders report faster response times with FXTM, especially via live chat during Asian trading hours. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources, but FXTM’s localised support for Malaysia (including MYR-specific queries) gives it a slight edge.
| Mobile Feature | FXTM | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXTM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXTM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FXTM | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXTM |
Choose FXTM if you...
Choose Admirals if you...
For experienced retail traders in Malaysia, FXTM is the stronger choice overall, thanks to its higher score (4.3 vs 4.1), lower spreads, and superior local payment options including FPX, Bank Transfer, Skrill, and USDT. The ability to deposit and withdraw in MYR without hefty conversion fees is a game-changer for Malaysian traders. Admirals remains a solid option, particularly for those who prioritise regulatory diversity (FCA, ASIC) and advanced analysis tools. However, when considering local convenience, Islamic account flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, FXTM aligns better with the needs of Malaysian traders. Both brokers are reputable and safe, but FXTM’s tailored approach to Malaysia makes it the recommended broker for 2026.