IC Markets vs FXTM 2026: Malta Broker Comparison for Retail Traders
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders seeking a reliable forex broker have two top contenders: IC Markets and FXTM. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 rating, is globally recognized for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, making it a favorite among scalpers and algorithmic traders in Malta. FXTM, rated 4.3/5, is a well-established broker offering a user-friendly platform with extensive educational resources, appealing to retail traders in Malta who prefer a guided trading experience. Both brokers accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring seamless deposits and withdrawals. This comparison focuses on key aspects relevant to Malta traders, including regulation by the local financial regulator, trading costs, platforms, and support. Whether you are new to trading or an experienced professional, understanding these differences will help you choose the best broker for your needs in 2026.
| Instrument | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | FXTM |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a critical factor. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot round-turn, while FXTM's spreads start from 0.1 pips on its ECN account with a similar commission structure. For high-volume traders in Malta, IC Markets provides a slight edge due to tighter spreads, reducing overall costs significantly over time. FXTM's standard accounts have wider spreads but no commission, which may suit lower-volume traders. Both brokers are competitive, but IC Markets is generally more cost-effective for active Malta traders.
| Account Type | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | FXTM | 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+ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Malta traders can choose from MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader with IC Markets, offering advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. FXTM also provides MT4 and MT5, plus its proprietary FXTM Trader app for mobile users. IC Markets' cTrader platform is ideal for scalpers in Malta due to its depth of market and fast execution. FXTM's platforms are more beginner-friendly, with integrated educational tools. Both brokers support desktop, web, and mobile trading, ensuring flexibility for Malta traders.
| Factor | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets is known for its ultra-fast execution, with average speeds under 40 milliseconds, ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading in Malta. FXTM offers reliable execution but with slightly higher latency, averaging 50-60 milliseconds. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, but IC Markets' use of Equinix data centers ensures minimal slippage. For Malta traders executing large volumes, IC Markets provides a clear advantage.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Reg number | #335692 | #600475 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring compliance with EU MiFID II standards, which Malta traders benefit from. FXTM is regulated by CySEC, the FCA (UK), and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius. Both brokers adhere to strict client fund segregation and negative balance protection, providing Malta traders with a secure trading environment. The local financial regulator in Malta recognizes these licenses, ensuring legal operations for residents.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Cards instant (up to 2h EU); e-wallets instant-2h; bank/local transfer 1 business day; crypto up to 24h |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Malta traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT with both IC Markets and FXTM. IC Markets processes e-wallet and USDT deposits instantly, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are also fast, with e-wallets typically processed within 24 hours and bank transfers taking 1-5 days. FXTM offers similar timelines, with no deposit fees for most methods. Both brokers support multi-currency accounts, including USD, which is the base currency for this comparison. For Malta traders, USDT deposits provide a crypto-friendly alternative, while Skrill and Neteller offer convenience for smaller transactions.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | — |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on its Raw Spread and Standard accounts, with no swap charges on overnight positions. FXTM offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and ECN accounts, also swap-free. However, both brokers may apply a small administrative fee for positions held beyond a certain period (e.g., 7-10 days). Malta traders should check each broker's policy to ensure compliance with Sharia law. Overall, both options are suitable, with IC Markets having a slight edge due to its lower spreads on Islamic accounts.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual agents including English, which is widely spoken in Malta. FXTM also provides 24/5 support with live chat, email, and phone, plus a dedicated Maltese-language support team for local traders. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections and educational resources. For Malta traders, FXTM's local language support may be beneficial, but IC Markets' round-the-clock availability is a plus for global trading sessions.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or high-frequency trader needing ultra-low spreads and fast execution.
- Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader for in-depth market analysis.
- Trade large volumes and want to minimize costs with tight spreads.
- Value 24/7 customer support and automated trading capabilities.
Choose FXTM if you...
- Are a beginner or retail trader seeking educational resources and guidance.
- Prefer a user-friendly platform with integrated learning tools.
- Want local Maltese language support and a trusted brand in Europe.
- Need a broker with multiple account types, including fixed spread options.
For Malta retail traders, IC Markets is the superior choice for those focused on low costs and high performance, especially scalpers and algorithmic traders. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects its tight spreads, fast execution, and comprehensive platform support. FXTM, with a 4.3/5 rating, is better suited for beginners or traders who prefer a guided experience with local language support. Both brokers accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and are regulated by CySEC and the local financial regulator, ensuring safety. Ultimately, IC Markets wins for active traders, while FXTM is ideal for those starting out or needing educational resources.