Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta has established itself as a prominent hub for forex and CFD trading, with a sophisticated regulatory environment led by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). For Maltese traders comparing XM Group and FxPro, both brokers are regulated locally, providing a layer of security and trust. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, is a global giant with over 10 million clients, offering a vast range of instruments, competitive spreads, and flexible deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FxPro, scoring 4.1/5, is a well-established broker known for its excellent execution quality, strong regulatory standing, and user-friendly platforms. Both brokers cater to retail traders in Malta, but their offerings differ in terms of cost, platform variety, and account types. This comparison examines spreads, deposit methods, regulation, and Islamic accounts to help you choose the right broker for your trading style.
| Instrument | XM Group | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | FxPro |
For Malta traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for those trading in USD. XM Group offers tighter spreads on its standard accounts, with average spreads on EUR/USD starting from 0.6 pips, and no commission on standard accounts. FxPro’s Raw+ account offers spreads from 0.7 pips with a commission, while its standard account has higher spreads. For high-volume traders, XM Group’s lower spreads can result in significant savings. Both brokers charge competitive swap rates, but XM Group’s zero-commission model is generally more cost-effective for retail traders in Malta.
| Account Type | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (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 | FxPro | 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+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group provides MetaTrader 4 and 5, plus its proprietary XM WebTrader, all available in English and Maltese-friendly interfaces. FxPro offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, and its own FxPro Edge platform. For Malta traders who value advanced charting and algorithmic trading, XM Group’s MT4/5 suite is comprehensive. FxPro’s cTrader is ideal for those preferring ECN-style trading with depth of market. Both platforms are stable and fast, but XM Group’s broader platform ecosystem gives it an edge for versatility.
| Factor | XM Group | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| 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 |
XM Group offers market execution with no re-quotes and average execution speed under 1 second, suitable for scalping. FxPro is renowned for its ultra-fast execution (as low as 0.1 seconds) using No Dealing Desk (NDD) technology, making it ideal for high-frequency traders. For Malta traders who prioritize speed, FxPro has a slight edge, while XM Group’s execution is still excellent for most retail strategies.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and FxPro are authorized and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which is a top-tier regulator within the EU. This ensures Malta traders benefit from strict client fund segregation, negative balance protection, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. XM Group also holds licenses from other regulators like CySEC and FCA, while FxPro is additionally regulated by the FCA and SCB. For Malta traders, local MFSA regulation means deposits are protected under the Investor Compensation Scheme (ICS) up to €20,000, offering peace of mind.
| Payment Method | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 business day |
Malta traders have access to multiple deposit and withdrawal methods at both brokers, including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. XM Group processes deposits instantly for e-wallets and USDT, with bank transfers taking 1-3 business days. Withdrawals at XM Group are typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers take 2-5 days. FxPro offers similar speed: instant deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and withdrawals processed within 1 business day for e-wallets. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but bank transfers may incur intermediary bank fees. XM Group has a slight edge with more frequent bonus promotions for Malta clients.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FxPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Micro, XM Ultra Low) without any hidden fees, and they are available instantly upon request. FxPro offers swap-free accounts on request, but they may apply an administrative fee after a certain holding period. For Malta’s Muslim traders, XM Group’s straightforward zero-swap policy is more favorable and transparent.
| Support Feature | XM Group | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
XM Group provides 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Maltese traders able to communicate in English. FxPro offers 24/5 support as well, but with a slightly smaller team. Both brokers have responsive support, but XM Group’s faster average response time (under 30 seconds) and dedicated account managers for larger deposits give it an advantage for Malta traders.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | FxPro | 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 | FxPro | 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 FxPro if you...
For Malta traders, XM Group is the overall better choice due to its higher score (4.7 vs 4.1), lower spreads, and more flexible deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its Islamic account policy is more favorable, and its regulation by the MFSA ensures local protection. FxPro remains a strong contender for those who prioritize execution speed and cTrader, but its higher costs and fewer deposit options make it less suited for the average retail trader in Malta. Considering local factors like the MFSA oversight and the need for diverse payment methods, XM Group is the recommended broker for most Malta traders in 2026.