Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta-based retail traders, choosing between Oanda and RoboForex requires careful consideration of regulation, costs, and local payment options. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is a well-established broker regulated by top-tier authorities like the FCA and ASIC, offering strong investor protection. RoboForex, scoring 3.2/5, is a popular choice for traders seeking lower spreads and support for USDT TRC20 deposits—a method Oanda does not offer. Both brokers accept Maltese clients and provide access to major trading platforms. However, Oanda is better suited for traders who prioritize regulatory safety and consistent spreads, while RoboForex appeals to those looking for cost efficiency and flexible deposit methods like Skrill, Neteller, and cryptocurrency. This comparison breaks down how each broker meets the specific needs of Malta traders in 2025.
| Instrument | Oanda | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | RoboForex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | RoboForex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | RoboForex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | RoboForex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $10 | Oanda |
For Malta traders, trading costs vary significantly between Oanda and RoboForex. Oanda uses variable spreads starting from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, while RoboForex offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its ECN accounts but charges a commission per lot. For high-volume traders in Malta, RoboForex can be cheaper due to lower spreads, especially on major forex pairs. Oanda's spreads are more predictable, which benefits retail traders who prefer fixed costs. Both brokers offer competitive pricing, but RoboForex has an edge for frequent traders.
| Account Type | Oanda | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Oanda | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | RoboForex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Oanda | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Oanda and RoboForex offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Malta traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Oanda also provides its proprietary platform, Oanda Trade, which is web-based and mobile-friendly, ideal for traders who want a simple interface. RoboForex additionally supports cTrader and WebTrader. For Malta traders who value flexibility, both brokers cover essential platforms, but Oanda's proprietary platform is more user-friendly for beginners.
| Factor | Oanda | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | RoboForex |
| 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 offers instant execution with no requotes, making it reliable for Malta traders who need fast order fills. RoboForex uses market execution with low latency, but slippage can occur during volatile periods. For Malta traders trading major pairs, both brokers provide good execution quality, but Oanda is slightly more consistent. RoboForex's ECN accounts offer faster execution for high-volume traders.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key difference for Malta traders. Oanda is regulated by top-tier authorities such as the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CFTC (US), offering strong investor protection and negative balance protection. RoboForex is regulated by the IFSC (Belize), which provides less oversight. Neither broker is directly regulated by Malta's local financial regulator, the MFSA. For Malta traders, Oanda's higher regulatory status means greater safety, especially for larger deposits. RoboForex may appeal to those comfortable with offshore regulation.
| Payment Method | Oanda | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
Malta traders have several deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. Oanda supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, with no deposit fees and withdrawals typically processed within 1-2 business days. RoboForex goes further by also accepting USDT TRC20, a cryptocurrency method that Oanda does not offer. Both brokers process e-wallet deposits instantly. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. For Malta traders, RoboForex is more flexible if they prefer crypto payments, while Oanda is reliable for traditional methods.
| Islamic Account Feature | Oanda | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Malta's Muslim traders, both Oanda and RoboForex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating swap charges on overnight positions. Oanda provides Islamic accounts upon request for eligible clients, while RoboForex offers them automatically on certain account types. Both brokers require that Islamic accounts are used for genuine trading purposes to avoid abuse. Malta traders seeking swap-free trading will find both options viable, but RoboForex offers easier access.
| Support Feature | Oanda | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Oanda |
Oanda offers 24/5 customer support via phone, email, and live chat, with English-speaking representatives available. RoboForex provides 24/7 support via live chat and email, which is more convenient for Malta traders trading outside standard hours. Both brokers have responsive support, but RoboForex's round-the-clock availability is an advantage for active traders in Malta.
| Mobile Feature | Oanda | RoboForex | 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 | RoboForex | 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 RoboForex if you...
For Malta traders, Oanda is the safer, more reliable choice due to its strong regulatory oversight from top-tier authorities. It is ideal for retail traders who value protection and consistent trading costs. RoboForex, while less regulated, offers lower spreads and supports USDT TRC20 deposits, making it attractive for cost-conscious traders and those who prefer crypto payments. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but only RoboForex supports USDT TRC20. Ultimately, choose Oanda for security and simplicity, or RoboForex for lower costs and flexible deposits. Neither is regulated by Malta's local financial regulator, but both are accessible to Maltese clients.