Pepperstone vs Exness: Which Broker Suits Malta Traders Best?
Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders looking for a reliable forex broker face a strong choice between Pepperstone and Exness, two globally respected brands with high scores of 4.9/5 and 4.8/5 respectively. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring your funds are protected under Maltese and EU law. Whether you trade from Sliema or Valletta, you’ll benefit from local payment options like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. Pepperstone stands out with its razor-sharp spreads and fast execution, while Exness offers higher leverage and more flexible account types. This comparison dives into spreads, platforms, regulation, and local support to help you decide which broker fits your trading style best in 2026.
| Instrument | Pepperstone | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Exness |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Exness |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Exness |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Exness |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $10 | Pepperstone |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a critical factor. Pepperstone’s Razor account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $7 commission per lot round-turn, ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. Exness’s Zero account starts from 0.1 pips with a $3.5 commission per lot, making it slightly cheaper per lot but with a wider raw spread. On a 10-lot EUR/USD trade, Pepperstone costs $70 in commission vs Exness’s $35, but the tighter spread often offsets this. For low-volume traders, Exness may be cheaper, while active Maltese traders will prefer Pepperstone’s overall lower cost structure.
| Account Type | Pepperstone | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $10 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | Pepperstone | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | Pepperstone | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Pepperstone |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Pepperstone |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Pepperstone |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Exness |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Pepperstone | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ Exclusive | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular among Maltese traders for their advanced charting and automated trading. Pepperstone also provides cTrader for those who prefer a modern interface with depth-of-market, while Exness offers its proprietary WebTerminal and mobile app. For Maltese traders who value mobile trading on the go, both apps support local language and fast order execution. Pepperstone’s cTrader is a bonus for algorithmic traders, while Exness’s platform is simpler for beginners.
| Factor | Pepperstone | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Exness |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Pepperstone |
| 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 |
Pepperstone boasts ultra-fast execution with an average latency of 40ms on its Razor account, using Equinix NY4 servers. Exness execution averages 50ms, still competitive but slightly slower. For Maltese traders trading news events or scalping, Pepperstone’s lower latency and no requotes give it an edge. Exness offers good execution but may re-quote during volatile markets.
| Safety Factor | Pepperstone | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Reg number | #684312 | #730729 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Pepperstone and Exness are regulated by the local financial regulator in Malta, ensuring compliance with MiFID II and EU investor protection rules. Pepperstone holds an FCA license in the UK and is authorized by the MFSA in Malta, while Exness is regulated by CySEC and the FCA. For Maltese traders, this means negative balance protection, segregated client funds, and access to the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) ombudsman in case of disputes. This regulatory oversight provides peace of mind for retail traders in Malta.
| Payment Method | Pepperstone | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | Same business day if submitted before 07:00 AEST; otherwise next business day; bank wire several days | 24/7 automated; 98% instant to 24hrs; mobile money often instant; bank transfer 1-3 days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Malta traders can fund their accounts easily using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both brokers. Pepperstone supports instant deposits via Skrill and Neteller with no fees, while Bank Transfer takes 1-2 business days. Exness also accepts these methods plus Perfect Money and local bank transfers. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT at both brokers, while Bank Transfer may take 1-3 days. USDT deposits are particularly useful for Maltese traders wanting fast, low-cost transfers. Minimum deposits are $200 for Pepperstone and $10 for Exness, making Exness more accessible for beginners.
| Islamic Account Feature | Pepperstone | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Pepperstone and Exness offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Maltese Muslim traders. These accounts comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying swap fees on overnight positions. Pepperstone requires a request via support, while Exness offers it automatically for Standard accounts. For Maltese traders, this ensures ethical trading without interest, available on all major asset classes. Note that some instruments may have a holding period limit to prevent abuse.
| Support Feature | Pepperstone | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✓ | Exness |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Pepperstone |
Pepperstone provides 24/5 live chat, phone, and email support with a dedicated Maltese team available during EU hours. Exness offers 24/7 support via live chat and email, with multilingual agents including English and Maltese. Both brokers have detailed FAQ sections on their websites, but Pepperstone’s local presence in Malta means faster resolution for local issues.
| Mobile Feature | Pepperstone | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | Pepperstone |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | Pepperstone |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | Pepperstone |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | Pepperstone | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Pepperstone |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Pepperstone |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Pepperstone |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | Pepperstone |
Choose Pepperstone if you...
- Want the tightest spreads for high-volume trading in Malta.
- Prefer cTrader for its advanced depth-of-market features.
- Value ultra-fast execution for scalping strategies.
- Need local Maltese customer support during EU hours.
Choose Exness if you...
- Need higher leverage up to 1:2000 for larger positions.
- Want a lower minimum deposit of $10 to start trading.
- Prefer unlimited account types for flexible trading.
- Trade with USDT or other crypto deposits frequently.
For Malta traders in 2026, both Pepperstone and Exness are excellent choices, but your decision hinges on your trading style. Pepperstone wins on cost and execution, making it ideal for active scalpers and high-volume traders. Exness offers greater flexibility with higher leverage and lower entry barriers, perfect for beginners or those trading larger sizes with USDT. Both are regulated by the local financial regulator and support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT deposits. If you prioritize spread savings and local support, choose Pepperstone. If you value flexibility and low minimum deposits, Exness is your broker.