Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Malta, choosing between FXTM and Admirals is a key decision in 2026. Both brokers are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), ensuring a secure trading environment. FXTM, with a score of 4.3/5, offers a wider range of local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making it convenient for Maltese users. Admirals, scoring 4.1/5, is known for its tight spreads and strong educational resources. Malta traders benefit from both brokers’ adherence to MiFID II standards, providing negative balance protection and segregated client funds. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities, this comparison highlights the specific advantages for Malta-based traders, including local deposit options and regulatory peace of mind.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, Admirals generally offers lower spreads on major forex pairs like EUR/USD, with spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account. FXTM’s standard account has spreads from 1.3 pips, but its commission-free structure can be beneficial for smaller traders. For high-volume traders in Malta, Admirals’ lower spreads reduce overall costs significantly. However, FXTM’s fixed spreads on some accounts provide predictability during volatile sessions. Both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20, but FXTM has a slight edge with more flexible account tiers to match different trading volumes.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (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 FXTM and Admirals offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard platforms preferred by Malta traders. FXTM also provides its proprietary FXTM Trader app for mobile trading, which is user-friendly for on-the-go Maltese users. Admirals stands out with its WebTrader platform, which requires no download and works smoothly on local internet connections. For Malta traders who value advanced charting and automated trading, both brokers support Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5. Admirals’ platform includes built-in risk management tools like guaranteed stop-loss, which can be crucial for volatile markets in Malta.
| 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 |
Both brokers offer fast execution speeds suitable for Malta traders. FXTM uses STP/ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring transparency. Admirals has a similar model with average execution speeds under 0.5 seconds. For scalpers and day traders in Malta, both brokers provide reliable execution, but Admirals’ lower spreads may benefit high-frequency strategies. Slippage is minimal on both platforms during normal market conditions.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXTM and Admirals are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), providing Malta traders with strong local oversight. This means client funds are held in segregated accounts, and traders benefit from negative balance protection under MiFID II rules. FXTM also holds licenses from the FCA and CySEC, while Admirals is regulated by the FCA and BaFin. For Malta traders, this multi-jurisdictional regulation adds an extra layer of security. Both brokers participate in the Investor Compensation Scheme, covering up to €20,000 per client. This regulatory framework ensures that Malta traders can trade with confidence, knowing their investments are protected.
| 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. |
Malta traders enjoy flexible deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. FXTM supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with instant processing for crypto deposits. Admirals offers the same methods, plus credit/debit cards and PayPal. For USDT TRC20, both brokers process deposits within minutes, ideal for quick funding. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days, while Skrill and Neteller are instant. Withdrawals at FXTM are typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, while Admirals may take up to 48 hours. No fees are charged by either broker for these methods, but bank intermediary fees may apply for wire transfers. Malta traders should note that FXTM has a higher minimum deposit ($10) vs Admirals ($100), making FXTM more accessible for beginners.
| 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 Malta Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying interest. FXTM provides swap-free accounts on all account types, including Standard, Cent, and ECN, with no additional fees. Admirals offers Islamic accounts on request, available on its Trade.MT4 and Trade.MT5 accounts. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging swap fees on overnight positions. For Malta traders, FXTM’s wider availability of Islamic accounts may be more convenient, while Admirals requires a simple request process. Both brokers ensure that Islamic accounts have the same trading conditions as standard accounts, including spreads and leverage.
| 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 |
FXTM offers 24/5 customer support in English, with a dedicated Maltese team available via live chat, email, and phone. Admirals provides similar support hours but with a faster response time for live chat. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections in English. For Malta traders, FXTM’s local presence in Malta ensures quicker resolution of queries, while Admirals relies on international support. Overall, both are responsive, but FXTM has a slight edge for local language assistance.
| 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 Malta traders in 2026, both FXTM and Admirals are excellent choices regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. FXTM scores higher overall (4.3 vs 4.1) due to its lower minimum deposit, wider Islamic account availability, and support for USDT TRC20 and other local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller. Admirals excels in low spreads and educational tools, making it ideal for cost-conscious traders. If you prioritize convenience and accessibility, FXTM is the better fit. If you focus on trading costs and advanced features, choose Admirals. Both brokers offer strong regulation and client protection, ensuring a safe trading experience for Maltese retail traders.