IG vs Plus500 for Malta Traders (2026): Which Broker Fits You?
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
For Malta-based retail traders seeking reliable forex and CFD brokers, IG and Plus500 represent two distinct options regulated by the local financial regulator. IG, rated 4.2/5, is a market leader with over 17,000 instruments, advanced trading platforms, and deep liquidity. Plus500, scoring 3.7/5, appeals to simplicity-focused traders with a streamlined interface and competitive pricing. Malta traders benefit from both brokers' adherence to MiFID II standards and local regulation, ensuring fund segregation and negative balance protection. Whether you prioritize extensive market access (IG) or ease of use (Plus500), this comparison for 2026 covers spreads, deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and regulatory safeguards specific to Malta.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IG | 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 | $0 | $100 | IG |
For Malta traders, trading costs differ notably between IG and Plus500. IG's standard account spreads on EUR/USD average 0.8 pips, while Plus500 offers tighter 0.6 pips on the same pair. However, IG's Pro account (raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3 commission per lot) becomes more cost-effective for high-volume traders. Plus500 charges no commission but includes costs in the spread. For Maltese traders trading 10+ lots per month, IG's commission-based model can save up to 20% in total costs. Both brokers offer competitive swap rates, but IG provides more transparency through its spread breakdown tool.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 |
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:30 | 1:300 |
| 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 | IG | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IG |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IG |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IG |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
IG provides Malta traders with multiple platform options, including the proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), and the advanced L2 Dealer platform for professionals. This variety suits traders who want advanced charting, automated trading, or direct market access. Plus500 focuses exclusively on its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is intuitive and fast but lacks MT4 support. For Maltese traders who prefer algorithmic trading or custom indicators, IG is the clear choice. Plus500's platform is ideal for beginners or those who value a clean, straightforward interface without extra features.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IG | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IG |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
IG offers superior execution quality with no requotes on 95% of trades and an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds, thanks to its direct market access (DMA) model. Plus500 executes trades instantly but may apply slippage during volatile markets. For Malta traders trading major pairs like EUR/USD, IG's execution is more reliable, especially during news events. Plus500's execution is adequate for casual traders but may not suit scalpers or high-frequency strategies.
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IG and Plus500 are regulated by the local financial regulator in Malta, providing strong investor protection. IG holds additional licenses from the FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia), offering extra layers of oversight. Plus500 is also regulated by the FCA and CySEC, ensuring compliance with European standards. For Malta traders, this means both brokers offer negative balance protection, segregated client funds, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. IG's multi-regulatory status may offer more robust dispute resolution, while Plus500's local regulation ensures familiarity with Maltese financial laws.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 3 business day |
Malta traders can fund accounts at both IG and Plus500 using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank Transfers are free but take 1-3 business days for processing. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and typically free, though some withdrawal fees may apply. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes with zero fees, making them ideal for crypto-savvy traders. IG also supports credit/debit cards and PayPal, while Plus500 accepts cards and PayPal as well. Withdrawals at both brokers are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 days for bank transfers. IG has a slight edge with faster withdrawal processing for larger amounts.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IG | 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 IG and Plus500 offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Maltese Muslim traders, complying with Sharia law that prohibits interest (riba). IG provides Islamic accounts with no overnight swap charges on all forex and CFD positions, but some instruments may have administrative fees. Plus500 offers swap-free trading on all positions with no additional charges. Both require a declaration of faith during account opening and are available for retail traders in Malta. IG's Islamic account includes access to its full range of platforms and tools, while Plus500 keeps the same streamlined interface. Neither broker charges extra for maintaining an Islamic account.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IG | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IG |
IG offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated Maltese phone line and English-speaking agents. Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited to business hours. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources. For Malta traders, IG's local phone support and faster response times (under 2 minutes) give it an advantage, while Plus500's round-the-clock chat is useful for after-hours queries.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | IG | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IG |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IG |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | IG |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IG | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | IG |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | IG |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IG |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IG
Plus500
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose IG if you...
- Need access to over 17,000 instruments including stocks, ETFs, and options.
- Prefer advanced platforms like MT4 and L2 Dealer for algorithmic trading.
- Trade high volumes and want lower costs via commission-based pricing.
- Value multi-regulatory oversight and dedicated local support in Malta.
Choose Plus500 if you...
- Want a simple, user-friendly platform without extra features.
- Prefer tight spreads with no commission on forex and CFDs.
- Are a beginner or casual trader with smaller account sizes.
- Need 24/7 customer support via live chat for quick assistance.
FAQ - IG vs Plus500 in Malta
Final Verdict - Malta 2026
For Malta retail traders in 2026, IG (4.2/5) is the superior choice due to its extensive instrument range, advanced platforms, and stronger regulatory framework from the local financial regulator. Its support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 ensures convenient funding, while lower costs for high-volume traders make it cost-effective. Plus500 (3.7/5) remains a solid alternative for beginners or those prioritizing simplicity and tight spreads. However, IG's overall value, local support, and execution quality give it the edge for most Maltese traders. Evaluate your trading style—IG for versatility, Plus500 for ease—and choose accordingly.