Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta traders navigating the forex market in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and FxPro is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, platform experience, and regulatory safety. Both brokers are well-regarded globally, but they cater to different trader profiles within Malta’s retail trading community. IC Markets, with a score of 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-tight spreads, high execution speed, and extensive platform options, making it a favorite among active traders. FxPro, scoring 4.1/5, offers a more traditional, regulated environment with strong local recognition through its CySEC license, which aligns with Malta’s financial regulatory standards. Local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT are supported by both, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals for Maltese traders. This comparison focuses on key factors such as trading costs, regulation, platform usability, and deposit methods to help you decide which broker fits your trading style best in Malta’s unique market.
| Instrument | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | FxPro |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, IC Markets clearly outperforms FxPro, especially for those trading in USD. IC Markets offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn, while FxPro’s Standard account spreads start at 0.6 pips with no commission. For a Malta trader executing 10 lots per month, IC Markets’ cost is approximately $35, whereas FxPro’s cost is around $60, assuming average spreads of 0.6 pips. This difference is significant for active retail traders who prioritize minimizing expenses. Additionally, IC Markets provides negative balance protection, a critical feature for Malta traders under local regulatory expectations, ensuring you never lose more than your deposited funds.
| Account Type | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 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 | IC Markets | FxPro | 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+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer robust trading platforms tailored to Malta traders’ needs. IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and its own WebTrader, giving you flexibility across desktop, web, and mobile. This variety suits Maltese traders who may switch between devices or prefer advanced charting tools. FxPro offers MT4, MT5, and its proprietary FxPro Edge platform, with a focus on user-friendly interfaces. For Malta traders, IC Markets’ cTrader is a standout for its depth of market and one-click trading, while FxPro’s platforms are more streamlined for beginners. Both support automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), a common requirement for retail traders in Malta.
| Factor | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| 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 |
Execution quality is a key differentiator for Malta traders. IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 data centers and offers low-latency execution with an average speed of 40ms, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. FxPro provides execution speeds of around 50ms via its Equinix LD4 servers, which is still fast for most retail traders. For Malta traders, IC Markets’ tighter spreads and faster execution reduce slippage, especially during volatile news events. FxPro’s execution is reliable but may have slightly higher requote rates during peak times. Overall, IC Markets edges ahead for execution-focused traders.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Malta traders, and both brokers offer strong oversight. IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which is recognized by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) through EU passporting. FxPro is regulated by CySEC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB). For Malta traders, FxPro’s CySEC regulation provides direct alignment with local financial regulator standards, including negative balance protection and investor compensation up to €20,000 under the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF). IC Markets’ ASIC regulation also offers strong client fund segregation and negative balance protection, but its CySEC entity is the most relevant for Malta residents. Both brokers are legally accessible, but FxPro offers more direct regulatory comfort for Malta-based traders.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 business day |
Malta traders benefit from multiple deposit and withdrawal options at both IC Markets and FxPro, all supporting USD accounts. IC Markets accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, with e-wallet deposits processed instantly and free of charge. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary fees, while USDT deposits are fast and low-cost via the TRC20 network. FxPro similarly supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, with instant e-wallet deposits and withdrawals. However, FxPro charges a 1% fee on Skrill and Neteller deposits, whereas IC Markets does not. For withdrawals, IC Markets processes e-wallet requests within 24 hours, while FxPro may take 1-2 business days. Bank transfers to Maltese banks typically take 2-5 business days at both brokers. For Malta traders using USDT, both brokers offer competitive processing, but IC Markets’ zero-fee e-wallet deposits give it an edge for frequent depositors.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FxPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders who wish to trade in accordance with Sharia law. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader) upon request, with no swap charges on overnight positions. FxPro offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw accounts, but not on its cTrader platform. Both brokers require a simple request via customer support, and accounts are typically activated within 24 hours. For Malta traders, IC Markets’ broader platform support for Islamic accounts is advantageous, especially for those using cTrader for advanced trading. Neither broker charges additional fees for swap-free accounts, ensuring compliance with Islamic finance principles.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
Customer support is accessible for Malta traders at both brokers. IC Markets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with response times under 30 minutes on average. FxPro provides 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated Maltese English-speaking team. For Malta traders, FxPro’s local time zone alignment (CET) and direct phone line may be slightly more convenient, but IC Markets’ quick live chat is equally effective for most queries. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections covering local payment methods and account management.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FxPro | 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 |
| Resource | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose FxPro if you...
For Malta traders, the choice between IC Markets and FxPro ultimately depends on your trading priorities. IC Markets is the clear winner for cost-conscious, active retail traders who want the lowest spreads, fastest execution, and flexible platform options. Its support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT with zero-fee e-wallet deposits makes it ideal for frequent depositors. On the other hand, FxPro offers stronger local regulatory alignment through CySEC, which provides direct recognition by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and investor compensation up to €20,000. For Malta traders who prioritize regulatory safety and a simpler trading experience, FxPro is a solid choice. Both brokers are legally accessible and meet local trading needs, but IC Markets’ higher score (4.8 vs 4.1) reflects its superior cost structure and platform versatility. Ultimately, if you are a retail trader in Malta focused on minimizing costs and maximizing execution quality, IC Markets is the recommended broker for 2026.