Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Malta traders, choosing the right forex broker is crucial. This Exness vs IG comparison is tailored specifically for you, covering local deposit methods, regulation, and trading conditions. Exness, with a score of 4.8/5, is a top-rated broker known for low spreads and support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. IG, scoring 4.2/5, is a UK-based giant with a long history and strong educational resources. Both are regulated by top-tier authorities and accept Malta clients. However, your choice depends on your trading style: Exness excels in cost-efficiency and local payment flexibility, while IG offers a comprehensive platform for research-focused traders. This guide breaks down every aspect to help you decide.
| Instrument | Exness | 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 | $100 | $0 | IG |
When comparing trading costs for Malta traders, Exness clearly leads. On its Raw Spread account, EUR/USD spreads start from 0.1 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn. IG's standard spreads start from 0.6 pips with no commission. For a Malta trader executing 10 lots per month, Exness costs around $35 in commission plus $10 in spreads, totaling $45, while IG costs $60 in spreads alone. This difference becomes more significant with higher volumes. Exness also offers zero spreads on certain accounts for smaller traders. Overall, Exness provides lower costs for active Malta traders.
| Account Type | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:30 |
| 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 | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer powerful platforms for Malta traders. Exness provides MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTerminal, all optimized for fast execution and mobile trading. IG offers its own web platform, MT4, and the advanced ProRealTime platform. For Malta traders who value speed and simplicity, Exness's platforms are ideal. IG's platform is richer in research tools and charting features, but may be overwhelming for beginners. Both support market analysis and automated trading, but Exness's MT5 is better for multi-asset trading.
| Factor | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is vital for Malta traders. Exness uses a hybrid STP/ECN model with execution speeds under 100 milliseconds and no requotes. IG also offers fast execution, but its dealing desk model can lead to slippage during volatile markets. For Malta traders trading news events or scalping, Exness's execution is superior. Both brokers have 99.9% uptime, but Exness's infrastructure is more advanced for high-frequency trading.
| Safety Factor | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Malta traders. Exness is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), which offers negative balance protection and client fund segregation under EU law. IG is regulated by the FCA (UK), providing similar protections. Both are authorized by the local financial regulator in Malta to offer services to residents. This means your funds are safe with either broker. However, Exness's CySEC license covers all EU clients, while IG's FCA license may have different leverage rules. For Malta traders, both offer strong regulatory safety.
| Payment Method | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
Malta traders have several deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. Exness supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with instant processing and no fees for most methods. IG accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but does not support USDT TRC20. Exness also offers local EUR account transfers for faster processing. Both brokers process withdrawals within 1-2 business days for bank transfers and instantly for e-wallets. For Malta traders who use cryptocurrency, Exness is the better choice due to its USDT TRC20 support. Bank transfers are reliable at both brokers, but Exness offers more flexibility.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | 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 |
Both Exness and IG provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Malta Muslim traders. Exness offers Islamic accounts on all account types without any swap fees, and they are available immediately upon request. IG also offers Islamic accounts, but they require a manual application and may have restrictions on certain instruments. For Malta traders, Exness is more accommodating, with no extra conditions. Both brokers comply with Sharia principles, so you can trade forex without interest charges.
| Support Feature | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support for Malta traders is available in English at both brokers. Exness offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, with quick response times. IG provides 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email. Exness's 24/7 support is advantageous for Malta traders who trade during non-standard hours. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections, but Exness's support is more accessible.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
| Resource | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose IG if you...
For Malta traders, Exness is the clear winner. Its higher score (4.8/5), lower spreads, support for local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and 24/7 support make it ideal for retail traders. IG is a reliable alternative with strong regulation and educational tools, but its higher costs and lack of USDT TRC20 support put it behind. Considering the local financial regulator's approval and Malta-specific needs, Exness offers better value and flexibility. Start with Exness for a cost-effective trading experience.