Which broker is better for Malaysia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Malaysia, choosing between XM Group and Admirals requires a close look at local trading conditions. Both brokers accept MYR deposits and support popular local payment methods like FPX, Bank Transfer, Skrill, and USDT, making fund management seamless for Malaysian traders. XM Group, with a 4.7/5 rating, is widely recognized for its ultra-tight spreads, fast execution, and extensive educational resources. Admirals, scoring 4.1/5, offers a robust trading environment with advanced research tools and a strong proprietary platform. While neither broker holds a direct SC Malaysia license, they operate under reputable international regulators (CySEC for XM, FCA/CySEC for Admirals) and accept Malaysian clients legally. This comparison focuses on key factors for Malaysia traders: spreads in MYR terms, deposit/withdrawal convenience, Islamic account availability, and customer support responsiveness. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities, understanding these differences will help you choose the broker that aligns with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Admirals |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Admirals |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Admirals |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Admirals |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $1 | Admirals |
When comparing trading costs for Malaysia traders, XM Group generally offers lower spreads than Admirals. On XM's Zero account, EUR/USD spreads start from 0.0 pips with a $3.50 commission per lot round turn, while Admirals' standard account averages 0.5 pips with no commission. For high-volume traders, XM's tighter spreads can reduce costs by 30-40% on major pairs. Admirals' Razor account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with $2 per lot commission, making it competitive for scalpers. Both brokers charge no deposit fees for MYR via FPX or Skrill. Malaysia traders should factor in swap rates (if not using Islamic accounts) and overnight financing costs, which are similar at both brokers. Overall, XM edges ahead for cost-conscious traders, especially those trading large volumes.
| Account Type | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| 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 | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard platforms favored by experienced traders for their advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and fast execution. Admirals provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary WebTrader platform, which includes advanced risk management tools and integrated research. For Malaysia traders, both platforms are accessible on desktop, web, and mobile. XM's platforms are more customizable with a wider range of indicators, while Admirals' proprietary platform offers a unique user experience with built-in market analysis. Both support hedging and scalping, essential for experienced traders. XM's platform performance is slightly faster in execution, which matters for high-frequency trading.
| Factor | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is critical for experienced traders. XM Group offers execution speeds of under 0.5 seconds on average, with no requotes on market orders. Admirals also provides fast execution, typically under 1 second, but some users report occasional slippage during high volatility. XM's use of multiple liquidity providers ensures deeper liquidity and better fill rates. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Malaysia, XM's faster execution and lower slippage give it a clear advantage. Both brokers support ECN and STP execution models, but XM's infrastructure is more robust.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
For Malaysia traders, regulatory oversight is crucial for fund safety. XM Group is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while Admirals is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Neither broker holds a direct license from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC Malaysia), but they are reputable international brokers that accept Malaysian clients legally under their international licenses. XM Group offers negative balance protection and segregated client accounts as required by CySEC. Admirals provides similar protections under FCA rules, including the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for UK clients, though this does not cover Malaysia traders. Both brokers comply with international standards, but Malaysia traders should verify current regulatory status and consider the lack of local SC Malaysia oversight when choosing.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
Both XM Group and Admirals offer convenient deposit and withdrawal options for Malaysia traders, including FPX, Bank Transfer, Skrill, and USDT. XM Group supports instant deposits via FPX and Skrill with no fees, and a minimum deposit of just $5. Bank transfers from local banks like Maybank, CIMB, and Public Bank are processed within 1-2 business days. USDT deposits are also supported with no fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-5 days for bank transfers. Admirals similarly supports FPX, Skrill, USDT, and bank transfers, with instant processing for e-wallets and USDT. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Admirals charges a small fee for some withdrawal methods, while XM offers free withdrawals for most methods. For Malaysia traders, XM's faster withdrawal processing (often same-day for e-wallets) gives it an edge. Both brokers allow MYR-denominated accounts, avoiding conversion fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM Group and Admirals offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders in Malaysia. XM provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Micro, Zero) with no swap charges on overnight positions, subject to eligibility and a one-time activation. The account is available for all trading instruments except cryptocurrencies. Admirals also offers Islamic accounts with no swap fees, but requires a minimum deposit of $100 and applies a small administration fee after holding positions for more than 7 days. XM's Islamic account is more flexible with no time limit on holding positions, making it preferable for long-term traders. Both brokers require a declaration of faith or confirmation of Muslim status. Malaysia traders should contact customer support to activate the Islamic account and confirm terms.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
Customer support is vital for Malaysia traders. XM Group offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English and Malay. Response times are under 30 seconds via live chat. Admirals provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, also with English and Malay language options. XM's support is slightly faster and more responsive, especially during Asian trading hours. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections on their websites. For Malaysia traders, XM's dedicated Malay-speaking support team is a notable advantage.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Admirals if you...
For experienced Malaysia traders, XM Group is the stronger choice with a higher rating (4.7/5 vs 4.1/5), lower spreads, faster execution, and more flexible Islamic accounts. Its support for FPX, Bank Transfer, Skrill, and USDT deposits makes fund management seamless for MYR-based traders. Admirals is a solid alternative, especially for those who value a proprietary platform and FCA regulation. However, XM Group's overall trading conditions, including zero-fee deposits and faster withdrawals, give it a clear edge for active traders in Malaysia. Both brokers are legally accessible, but XM's superior cost structure and execution quality make it the preferred option for most experienced retail traders in Malaysia. Always check current promotions and account terms before opening an account.