Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders looking for a reliable forex broker have two strong options: InvestoPro and FXCM. Both are regulated and accept clients from Malta, but they cater to different needs. InvestoPro, with a score of 3.8/5, is a newer broker that focuses on low-cost trading and supports local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FXCM, scoring 3.5/5, is a globally established broker with a long track record and strong regulation from the FCA and CySEC. For Malta retail traders, the choice often comes down to cost versus brand trust. In this comparison, we’ll examine spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment options to help you decide which broker suits your trading style in 2025.
| Instrument | InvestoPro | FXCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXCM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXCM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXCM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXCM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $50 | InvestoPro |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a key factor. InvestoPro offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account, with a commission of $7 per lot. FXCM’s standard spreads start from 1.2 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission. For a Malta trader executing 10 lots per month, InvestoPro’s lower spreads save approximately $120 monthly, despite the commission. FXCM’s higher spreads make it more expensive for active traders, while InvestoPro is better for those who trade frequently or in larger volumes.
| Account Type | InvestoPro | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Entity / Asset | InvestoPro | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:400 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:400 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | InvestoPro | FXCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | InvestoPro |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | InvestoPro |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | InvestoPro |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXCM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | InvestoPro | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
InvestoPro provides MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and its proprietary web platform, both popular among Malta traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. FXCM offers Trading Station, MT4, and NinjaTrader, giving more platform variety. For Malta traders who prefer mobile trading, both brokers have robust apps. However, InvestoPro’s MT4 integration is more straightforward for retail traders, while FXCM’s Trading Station offers unique features like advanced order types.
| Factor | InvestoPro | FXCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXCM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | InvestoPro |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
InvestoPro uses Straight Through Processing (STP) with no dealing desk, ensuring fast execution and no requotes. FXCM uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with market execution, offering similar speeds. Both brokers have average execution times below 50ms, but InvestoPro’s STP model is slightly more transparent for Malta traders who value direct market access.
| Safety Factor | InvestoPro | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FXCM is regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus), which provides strong client fund protection and negative balance protection for Malta traders. InvestoPro is regulated by a local financial regulator, which may offer more localized oversight and faster dispute resolution for Malta residents. Both brokers segregate client funds, but FXCM’s regulation under the FCA adds an extra layer of security for risk-averse traders.
| Payment Method | InvestoPro | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet fast; bank transfer 1-3 days | Internal Processing: FXCM reviews and processes requests in 1–2 business days.Credit or Debit Card: Arrives within 5 business days, though statements can take up to 1 billing cycle to update.Domestic Bank Wire: Arrives in 1–2 business days after processing.International Bank Wire: Arrives in 3–5 business days after processing. |
Malta traders can fund their accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller. InvestoPro also supports USDT TRC20, a cryptocurrency-based deposit method that is fast and low-cost, ideal for traders who prefer crypto. FXCM does not offer USDT TRC20. Withdrawals at both brokers are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and 3-5 days for bank transfers. InvestoPro has no deposit fees, while FXCM charges a small fee for bank transfers. For Malta traders, USDT TRC20 on InvestoPro is a unique advantage for instant deposits.
| Islamic Account Feature | InvestoPro | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 InvestoPro and FXCM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders. These accounts eliminate swap fees on overnight positions, complying with Sharia law. To open an Islamic account, Malta traders simply request it during registration. FXCM requires a minimum deposit of $500 for Islamic accounts, while InvestoPro has no such minimum. Both brokers provide the same trading conditions on Islamic accounts as on standard accounts, except for the swap-free feature.
| Support Feature | InvestoPro | FXCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | InvestoPro |
InvestoPro offers 24/5 live chat and email support with quick response times, though phone support is limited. FXCM provides 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated team for Malta traders. FXCM’s phone support is a plus for urgent issues, while InvestoPro’s chat is efficient for most queries.
| Mobile Feature | InvestoPro | FXCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | InvestoPro |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | InvestoPro |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FXCM |
| Resource | InvestoPro | FXCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | InvestoPro |
Choose InvestoPro if you...
Choose FXCM if you...
For Malta traders, InvestoPro is the stronger choice in 2025 due to its lower spreads, support for USDT TRC20 deposits, and regulation by the local financial regulator. It offers better value for active traders and those who want to use crypto for deposits. FXCM remains a reliable option for traders who prioritize brand trust and top-tier regulation, but its higher spreads and lack of USDT TRC20 make it less competitive. For most Malta retail traders, InvestoPro’s combination of low costs and local payment methods makes it the recommended broker.