IC Markets vs Tickmill 2026: Best Broker for Malta Traders
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Malta choosing between IC Markets and Tickmill in 2026, the decision hinges on trading costs, platform features, and local payment convenience. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 rating, is a global leader known for ultra-low spreads and MetaTrader support, while Tickmill, rated 4/5, offers competitive pricing and a simpler experience. Both brokers accept Maltese clients and provide access to major forex pairs, indices, and commodities. The Malta trading environment benefits from fast internet and a growing fintech community, making reliable brokers essential. This comparison focuses on what matters most for Malta traders: spreads, regulation, and deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Whether you are a scalper or long-term investor, understanding these differences will help you choose the right broker for your needs.
| Instrument | IC Markets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | Tickmill |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets offers the lowest spreads for Malta traders, with the Raw Spread account starting from 0.0 pips and a $3.50 commission per lot. Tickmill’s Pro account also starts from 0.0 pips but with a $2 commission per side, making it slightly cheaper for smaller volumes. For standard accounts, IC Markets has spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, while Tickmill’s Classic account starts at 1.6 pips. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets saves Maltese traders approximately $150 in costs due to tighter spreads and lower commissions.
| Account Type | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | Tickmill | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Malta traders for automated trading and advanced charting. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a modern platform with depth-of-market and faster execution, ideal for scalpers. Tickmill limits its platform choice to MT4/MT5 and WebTrader. For Maltese traders using mobile devices, both have well-rated apps, but IC Markets’ cTrader offers superior order management and customization.
| Factor | IC Markets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 offers ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms on its Raw Spread account, thanks to Equinix NY4 servers and no dealing desk intervention. Tickmill’s execution averages 50ms on its Pro account, also with no requotes. Both brokers use Straight Through Processing (STP) models, ensuring transparency. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Malta, IC Markets has a slight edge in speed.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Reg number | #335692 | #717270 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Tickmill is regulated by CySEC and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, providing similar safeguards. For Malta traders, this means funds are held in segregated accounts and protected up to €20,000 under the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) via CySEC. Neither broker is directly regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), but they comply with EU MiFID II standards.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Malta traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and Tickmill using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Deposits via e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) and USDT TRC20 are processed instantly with no fees, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary charges. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, but bank transfers can take 2-5 days. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while Tickmill requires $100. Both brokers support EUR deposits, which is convenient for Maltese traders using euro-based bank accounts. USDT TRC20 is a popular option for fast, low-cost transfers.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Malta. These accounts do not charge or pay overnight interest, aligning with Sharia law. IC Markets applies a small admin fee after 10 days for long-held positions, while Tickmill charges no fees for the first 30 days, then a nominal fee. Both accounts are available on all platform types and require no additional documentation beyond standard verification.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill | 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 provides 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with quick response times (under 1 minute via chat). Tickmill offers similar 24/5 support with live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. For Malta traders, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is advantageous for after-hours trading or urgent issues.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | 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 day trader needing ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips
- Want access to cTrader for advanced order management and depth-of-market
- Trade high volumes and benefit from lower overall trading costs
- Prefer 24/7 customer support for round-the-clock trading
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Are a beginner or casual trader with lower trading volumes
- Want a lower minimum deposit of $100 to start trading
- Prefer a simpler platform choice (MT4/MT5) without extra complexity
- Value FCA regulation for additional peace of mind
For Malta traders in 2026, IC Markets is the stronger choice overall, scoring 4.8/5 versus Tickmill’s 4/5. It offers tighter spreads, faster execution, and cTrader support, making it ideal for active retail traders. Tickmill remains a reliable option for beginners or those with smaller accounts, thanks to its lower minimum deposit and FCA regulation. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals. While neither is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), both comply with EU standards through CySEC. For most Maltese traders, IC Markets provides the best value for cost and performance.