IC Markets vs Capital.com 2026: Malta Broker Comparison
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
Malta traders looking to choose between IC Markets and Capital.com face a clear decision based on trading costs, platform features, and local payment support. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 score, is a top-tier broker known for raw spreads from 0.0 pips and fast execution, making it ideal for active retail traders. Capital.com, scoring 3.8/5, offers a simpler platform with built-in education tools but higher spreads. Both brokers accept Malta clients and comply with the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment. For Maltese traders, key factors include the availability of Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits, as well as local support. This comparison breaks down costs, platforms, regulation, and more to help you pick the best broker for your trading style in Malta.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Capital.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Capital.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Capital.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Capital.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $20 | Capital.com |
For Malta traders, IC Markets offers significantly lower trading costs with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs like EUR/USD, plus a small commission. Capital.com has spreads from 0.7 pips with no commission, but the total cost is higher for active traders. On a standard $100,000 trade, IC Markets costs around $7 round-turn, while Capital.com may cost $14 or more. This difference adds up for frequent traders in Malta, making IC Markets the cheaper option for high-volume strategies.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $20 |
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:200 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:200 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | IC Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Capital.com |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | IC Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4 and 5, plus cTrader, offering advanced charting and automated trading tools preferred by experienced Malta traders. Capital.com uses its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is intuitive but lacks the depth of MT4/5. For Maltese traders who need custom indicators or expert advisors, IC Markets is the better choice. Capital.com’s platform is simpler for beginners but limits advanced analysis.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Capital.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
IC Markets provides ultra-fast execution with average speeds under 40ms and no requotes, ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading. Capital.com has decent execution but may experience slippage during volatile markets. For Malta traders who prioritize speed, IC Markets is the clear winner.
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and Capital.com are regulated by the local financial regulator in Malta, ensuring compliance with EU MiFID II standards. This means client funds are segregated, negative balance protection is in place, and traders have access to the Financial Ombudsman. IC Markets also holds licenses from ASIC and CySEC, adding an extra layer of security. Capital.com is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, providing strong oversight. For Malta traders, this regulation guarantees a safe trading environment.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | 24 hours |
Malta traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both IC Markets and Capital.com. IC Markets also supports credit/debit cards and PayPal, while Capital.com offers additional e-wallets like Trustly. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant, while Bank Transfer takes 1-3 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are fast with low fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at IC Markets and up to 48 hours at Capital.com. Both brokers charge no internal fees, but bank transfers may incur intermediary charges. These options make it easy for Malta traders to fund accounts in USD.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 IC Markets and Capital.com offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Malta, eliminating overnight interest charges in compliance with Sharia law. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types, while Capital.com offers them on request. Malta traders should note that Islamic accounts may have longer holding periods before swap fees apply. This makes both brokers accessible to Malta’s Muslim community.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with local Malta phone lines available. Capital.com provides 24/5 support with live chat and email, but phone support is limited. For Malta traders needing quick assistance during local hours, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is more reliable.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IC Markets
Capital.com
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are an active retail trader seeking the lowest spreads starting from 0.0 pips.
- Need advanced platforms like MT4, MT5, or cTrader for automated trading.
- Prefer fast execution with no requotes for scalping or day trading.
- Want 24/7 customer support and local Malta payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20.
Choose Capital.com if you...
- Are a beginner trader looking for a simple, educational platform.
- Prefer a user-friendly interface with built-in market analysis tools.
- Trade less frequently and can accept slightly higher spreads for ease of use.
- Value strong regulation from the local financial regulator and FCA.
FAQ - IC Markets vs Capital.com in Malta
Final Verdict - Malta 2026
For Malta traders, IC Markets is the superior choice with its 4.8/5 score, lower spreads, and robust platform options. It supports all local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and is regulated by the local financial regulator. Capital.com, with a 3.8/5 score, is a solid alternative for beginners but falls short on cost and execution speed. If you’re an active retail trader in Malta, IC Markets offers better value and flexibility. Choose Capital.com only if you prioritize simplicity over trading costs.