IC Markets Vs Plus500 For Malta Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
Head-to-head comparison
For Malta traders looking to trade forex, CFDs, and commodities, choosing the right broker is critical. IC Markets (score 4.8/5) and Plus500 (score 3.7/5) are both popular options, but they cater to different needs. IC Markets is a global ECN broker known for raw spreads, deep liquidity, and advanced platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5. Plus500 is a user-friendly platform with a proprietary web trader, ideal for beginners. In Malta, traders benefit from local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, plus regulation by the local financial regulator. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Maltese retail traders: costs, regulation, deposit convenience, and platform suitability.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $50 | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers significantly lower trading costs for Malta traders. On the Raw Spread account, spreads start from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. For a typical Malta retail trader trading 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, this means spreads as low as 0.1 pips. Plus500 uses variable spreads that average around 0.6 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. However, Plus500’s wider spreads increase costs for active traders. For high-volume Malta traders, IC Markets’ cost advantage can save hundreds of dollars per month.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $50 |
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:30 |
| 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 | Plus500 | 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+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and WebTrader, offering powerful charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and custom indicators. Plus500 offers only its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which is intuitive but lacks advanced tools. For Malta traders who use automated strategies or need deep market analysis, IC Markets is superior. Plus500 suits those preferring simplicity and quick execution without complex features.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 speed of 40ms on ECN servers, ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading. Plus500 executes trades on its proprietary platform with speeds around 100ms, which is still fast but less suitable for scalping. For Malta traders who rely on quick order fills, IC Markets’ execution quality is superior.
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 362/18, and also by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles. Plus500 is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under license number IS/70104, plus the FCA in the UK and CySEC. Both brokers comply with EU MiFID rules, offering negative balance protection and segregated client funds. For Malta traders, Plus500’s MFSA regulation provides local oversight, while IC Markets’ CySEC license ensures EU-level protection.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to 3 business day |
Malta traders have several convenient deposit options at both brokers. IC Markets supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with deposits processed instantly except for bank transfers (1-3 days). Withdrawals are free and processed within 1 business day via Skrill and Neteller, while bank transfers take 2-5 days. Plus500 accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but not USDT TRC20. Deposit processing is similar, but Plus500 charges a withdrawal fee of $10 for bank transfers. For Malta traders who prefer crypto payments like USDT TRC20, IC Markets is the better choice.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Plus500 offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader) with no swap charges on overnight positions. Plus500 offers swap-free accounts upon request, but it may require approval from customer support. IC Markets’ Islamic accounts are more straightforward and available immediately, while Plus500’s process is less transparent. Malta traders seeking Sharia-compliant trading will find IC Markets more accommodating.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Plus500 | 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Maltese traders able to communicate in English. Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited. IC Markets’ support is more responsive and multilingual, while Plus500’s is adequate for basic queries. For Malta traders needing quick assistance during trading hours, IC Markets is more reliable.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IC Markets
Plus500
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are an active retail trader seeking low spreads from 0.0 pips to maximize profitability.
- Use automated trading strategies like Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 4 or 5.
- Prefer multiple deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20.
- Want a broker with strong regulation (CySEC) and high execution speed for scalping.
Choose Plus500 if you...
- Are a beginner trader who values a simple, intuitive platform without complex features.
- Want a broker regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) for local oversight.
- Trade infrequently and are less concerned about spread costs.
- Prefer a no-commission model and do not need advanced tools like EAs or cTrader.
FAQ - IC Markets vs Plus500 in Malta
Is IC Markets or Plus500 better for Malta?
+Can Malta traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Malta traders?
+How do Malta traders deposit at IC Markets and Plus500?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Malta?
+Final Verdict - Malta 2026
For Malta retail traders, IC Markets is the clear winner due to its higher score (4.8/5), lower spreads, diverse deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and advanced platforms. Plus500 (3.5/5) is a solid choice for beginners who prefer simplicity and MFSA regulation, but its wider spreads and limited payment options make it less cost-effective. Considering local factors like the local financial regulator and Malta’s active trading community, IC Markets offers better value. If you are a serious trader in Malta, IC Markets is recommended. For casual traders, Plus500 may suffice.
