Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta-based retail traders, choosing between Oanda and EasyMarkets is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, platform experience, and regulatory safety. Both brokers are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), offering a high level of investor protection under local law. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is known for its tight spreads and advanced tools, while EasyMarkets (3.4/5) appeals to traders seeking fixed spreads and risk management features like guaranteed stop-loss. Malta traders benefit from local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Maltese traders: cost efficiency, regulatory compliance, and accessible support. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities, understanding these differences will help you align your choice with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $25 | Oanda |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a key differentiator between Oanda and EasyMarkets. Oanda offers variable spreads starting from 0.1 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $5 per 100k USD traded on its core pricing tier. This structure benefits active traders who execute high volumes, as costs scale with market conditions. In contrast, EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads starting from 1.2 pips with no commission, which suits traders who prefer predictable costs regardless of volatility. For a Malta trader executing 10 standard lots per month, Oanda’s lower spreads could save up to 30% in costs compared to EasyMarkets, but during news events, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads offer protection against widening. Consider your trading frequency and risk tolerance when evaluating these cost structures.
| Account Type | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:100 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Oanda |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Oanda |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Oanda |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Oanda and EasyMarkets cater to Malta traders with distinct platform offerings. Oanda provides its proprietary web and mobile platforms, plus full integration with MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView, giving Maltese traders flexibility for charting and automated trading. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform, as well as MT4 and MT5, with a focus on simplicity and risk management tools like dealCancellation. For Malta traders who value advanced analysis and third-party tools, Oanda’s platform ecosystem is stronger. However, if you prefer a streamlined interface with built-in protection features, EasyMarkets’ platform is more intuitive. Both platforms are available in English and support local time zones.
| Factor | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Oanda |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Oanda and EasyMarkets offer reliable execution for Malta traders, but with different approaches. Oanda uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with ECN pricing, providing average execution speeds of 40-50 milliseconds and minimal requotes. EasyMarkets operates a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, which prevents slippage but can lead to slightly slower execution during high volatility. For Malta traders trading news events, EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stops offer peace of mind, while Oanda’s faster execution suits scalpers and algorithmic strategies. Both brokers maintain low latency connections to European servers.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Oanda and EasyMarkets are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), ensuring compliance with EU financial directives and local investor protection laws. This means Malta traders benefit from client fund segregation, negative balance protection, and access to the Investor Compensation Scheme (ICS) covering up to €20,000 per client. Oanda operates under MFSA license number C110108, while EasyMarkets holds MFSA license C42233. For Malta traders, this dual regulation provides a safety net that unregulated brokers cannot offer. The MFSA’s oversight also ensures transparent pricing and dispute resolution mechanisms, making both brokers reliable choices for local retail traders.
| Payment Method | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) |
Malta traders can fund their accounts at both Oanda and EasyMarkets using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with no deposit fees from either broker. Bank Transfers are ideal for larger sums (€500+) and take 1-3 business days, while Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and free for amounts under €10,000. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes, appealing to crypto users. For withdrawals, Oanda processes bank transfers within 2-5 business days and e-wallet withdrawals within 24 hours. EasyMarkets offers faster e-wallet payouts, often same-day, and charges no withdrawal fees for the first withdrawal per month. Both brokers require account verification before processing withdrawals, which is standard under MFSA rules. Malta traders should note that USDT TRC20 withdrawals are subject to network fees, typically $1–$3 per transaction.
| Islamic Account Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Malta, both Oanda and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest charges. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts as a default option on all account types, with no additional fees or restrictions, making it a straightforward choice. Oanda offers swap-free accounts upon request, typically after a 30-day trial period, and applies them to standard accounts without extra costs. Both brokers require Malta traders to submit a declaration of faith or reason for the account. EasyMarkets’ immediate availability is advantageous, while Oanda’s process is slightly more bureaucratic. Ensure you confirm terms with customer support before opening an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Oanda |
Oanda and EasyMarkets both provide customer support tailored to Malta traders, with English-speaking teams available via live chat, email, and phone. Oanda offers 24/5 support with response times under 5 minutes for live chat, while EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support with a local Malta phone number for direct assistance. EasyMarkets also includes a dedicated account manager for clients with deposits over $5,000, which is beneficial for Maltese traders seeking personalized service. Oanda’s knowledge base is more extensive, but EasyMarkets’ local presence gives it a slight edge in accessibility.
| Mobile Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Oanda |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Oanda |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | Oanda |
| Resource | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Oanda |
Choose Oanda if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Malta traders, Oanda edges out EasyMarkets with a higher overall score of 3.6 vs 3.4, primarily due to lower trading costs and more advanced platform options. However, EasyMarkets excels in providing fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and immediate Islamic accounts, which are valuable for risk-averse traders. Both brokers are regulated by the MFSA, ensuring strong investor protection. When choosing, consider your trading style: if you trade actively and prioritize cost efficiency, Oanda is the better fit. If you prefer predictable costs and built-in risk management, EasyMarkets offers a compelling alternative. Local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 are supported by both, making deposits and withdrawals convenient for Maltese traders. Ultimately, your decision should align with your specific needs for spreads, platform, and support.