Quick Verdict — Malta Traders
Best Overall
IG
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
IG
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
IG
Swap-free for Malta Muslims
Best for Beginners
IG
Better education & support
Head-to-head comparison
For traders in Malta, choosing between CMC Markets and IG means weighing two of the world’s most established online brokers. Both are heavily regulated, offer deep liquidity, and provide advanced platforms, yet they differ in pricing structures, product ranges, and platform nuances. This comparison breaks down the key factors for Maltese investors, from local regulatory oversight to specific trading costs.
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Overall Scores Comparison

CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS
4.2
CompareBroker score
VS

IG
FCA · ASIC · MAS
4.3
CompareBroker score
Winner
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
💹
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | CMC Markets | IG | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IG |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IG |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IG |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IG |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 | Tie |
📂
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 |
⚖️
Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders
| Entity / Asset | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:1 | Up to 1:200 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1 | 1:200 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Leverage Warning for Malta Traders
Traders in Malta typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
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Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | CMC Markets | IG | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | CMC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | CMC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | CMC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
⚡
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | CMC Markets | IG | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | CMC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
🛡️
Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders
| Safety Factor | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Malta traders may differ by entity.
💳
Deposits & Withdrawals for Malta
| Payment Method | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
☪️
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | CMC Markets | IG | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | CMC Markets |
| Mobile Feature | CMC Markets | IG | Winner |
|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | CMC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | CMC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | CMC Markets | IG | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | CMC Markets |
⭐
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
⚖️
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
CMC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
IG
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+TradingView integration
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide
Choose CMC Markets if you...
Are a beginner trader in Malta
Want TradingView integration
Have less than $200 to start
Choose IG if you...
Are a beginner trader in Malta
Are a scalper or EA trader
❓
FAQ - CMC Markets vs IG in Malta
Are CMC Markets and IG regulated in Malta?
+Which broker offers lower spreads for traders in Malta?
+Can Maltese traders use MetaTrader 4 with CMC Markets or IG?
+Final Verdict - Malta 2026
IG wins overall
After comparing 12 categories, IG comes out ahead for most Malta traders.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of October 2026.