IC Markets Vs Tickmill 2026: Best Broker For Malta Traders

IC Markets offers the lowest spreads for Malta traders, with the Raw Spread account starting from 0.0 pips and a $3.50 commission per lot. Tickmill’s Pro account also starts from 0.0 pips but with a $2 commission per side, making it slightly cheaper for smaller volumes. For standard accounts, IC Markets has spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, while Tickmill’s Classic account starts at 1.6 pips. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets saves Maltese traders approximately $150 in costs due to tighter spreads and lower commissions.

Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Malta traders for automated trading and advanced charting. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a modern platform with depth-of-market and faster execution, ideal for scalpers. Tickmill limits its platform choice to MT4/MT5 and WebTrader. For Maltese traders using mobile devices, both have well-rated apps, but IC Markets’ cTrader offers superior order management and customization.

IC Markets offers ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms on its Raw Spread account, thanks to Equinix NY4 servers and no dealing desk intervention. Tickmill’s execution averages 50ms on its Pro account, also with no requotes. Both brokers use Straight Through Processing (STP) models, ensuring transparency. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Malta, IC Markets has a slight edge in speed.

IC Markets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Tickmill is regulated by CySEC and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, providing similar safeguards. For Malta traders, this means funds are held in segregated accounts and protected up to €20,000 under the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) via CySEC. Neither broker is directly regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), but they comply with EU MiFID II standards.

Malta traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and Tickmill using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Deposits via e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) and USDT TRC20 are processed instantly with no fees, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary charges. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, but bank transfers can take 2-5 days. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $100, while Tickmill requires $100. Both brokers support EUR deposits, which is convenient for Maltese traders using euro-based bank accounts. USDT TRC20 is a popular option for fast, low-cost transfers.

Both IC Markets and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Malta. These accounts do not charge or pay overnight interest, aligning with Sharia law. IC Markets applies a small admin fee after 10 days for long-held positions, while Tickmill charges no fees for the first 30 days, then a nominal fee. Both accounts are available on all platform types and require no additional documentation beyond standard verification.

IC Markets provides 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with quick response times (under 1 minute via chat). Tickmill offers similar 24/5 support with live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. For Malta traders, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is advantageous for after-hours trading or urgent issues.