IC Markets vs InvestoPro 2026: Malta Retail Trader Comparison
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
For Malta retail traders navigating the forex market, choosing the right broker is critical to success. IC Markets, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, and InvestoPro, scoring 3.8/5, represent two distinct options. IC Markets is globally recognized for its tight spreads and advanced trading infrastructure, making it a favorite among active traders. InvestoPro, while less established, offers a user-friendly platform and localized support. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring Maltese traders operate in a secure environment. This comparison focuses on key factors like trading costs, platform usability, payment methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and regulatory compliance to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in Malta.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | InvestoPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | InvestoPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | InvestoPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | InvestoPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 | InvestoPro |
For Malta traders, trading costs significantly impact profitability. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, while InvestoPro starts at 0.5 pips with no commission. For high-volume traders, IC Markets is cheaper as lower spreads reduce costs over many trades. For example, trading 10 lots per day on EUR/USD, IC Markets saves approximately $20 daily compared to InvestoPro. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring transparent pricing for Maltese clients.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 |
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | IC Markets | InvestoPro | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | InvestoPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, offering advanced charting and automated trading tools favored by Malta retail traders. InvestoPro offers MT4 and a proprietary web platform, which is simpler but less customizable. For Maltese traders who rely on expert advisors (EAs) or scalping, IC Markets' cTrader integration is a key advantage. Both platforms are stable and support fast execution, but IC Markets' broader ecosystem suits experienced traders.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | InvestoPro |
| 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 an average latency of 40ms and no requotes, ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading. InvestoPro's execution speed is slightly slower at 100ms, which may cause slippage during volatile market conditions. For Malta traders focusing on precise entry and exit, IC Markets' execution quality is superior.
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and InvestoPro are regulated by the local financial regulator in Malta, providing a high level of investor protection. IC Markets also holds licenses from ASIC and CySEC, adding extra layers of oversight. InvestoPro's regulation is more limited, focusing on the local authority. For Malta traders, this means both brokers adhere to strict capital requirements and client fund segregation. IC Markets' multi-regulatory status offers additional reassurance for those trading larger volumes.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Card/e-wallet fast; bank transfer 1-3 days |
Malta traders can deposit and withdraw funds using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both IC Markets and InvestoPro. IC Markets processes withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets, while InvestoPro may take up to 48 hours. Bank Transfers take 1-3 business days at both brokers. USDT TRC20 deposits are instant and free, ideal for crypto-savvy Maltese traders. Minimum deposits are $200 for IC Markets and $100 for InvestoPro, making InvestoPro slightly more accessible for beginners. Both brokers charge no fees for deposits, but withdrawal fees apply for Bank Transfers (around $10-$20) at IC Markets, while InvestoPro offers one free withdrawal per month.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders, complying with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader) with no additional fees. InvestoPro offers Islamic accounts on standard accounts only, with a small administrative fee after 30 days of holding positions overnight. For Maltese traders seeking full flexibility, IC Markets is more accommodating.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro | 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Maltese clients. InvestoPro provides support during European business hours only, which may be limiting for night traders. Both brokers have responsive teams, but IC Markets' round-the-clock availability is a clear advantage for Malta traders active in global markets.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro | 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 | InvestoPro | 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
InvestoPro
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a high-volume Malta retail trader seeking the lowest spreads and commissions.
- Need advanced platforms like cTrader or MT5 for automated trading and scalping.
- Prefer a broker with multiple regulatory licenses including the local financial regulator.
- Want fast execution and 24/7 customer support for global market access.
Choose InvestoPro if you...
- Are a beginner Malta trader with a smaller deposit budget (from $100).
- Prefer a simpler platform without advanced features like EAs.
- Want a broker with lower minimum deposit and one free monthly withdrawal.
- Trade primarily during European hours and do not require round-the-clock support.
FAQ - IC Markets vs InvestoPro in Malta
Final Verdict - Malta 2026
For most Malta retail traders, IC Markets is the superior choice due to its 4.8/5 rating, ultra-low spreads, and robust regulation by the local financial regulator. Its support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 ensures seamless deposits and withdrawals. InvestoPro, with a 3.8/5 score, is a viable alternative for beginners or those with smaller capital, but its higher spreads and limited platform options make it less competitive. Ultimately, IC Markets offers better value for active Maltese traders, while InvestoPro suits casual investors.