Joseph Oloo
Written by
Alia Mehmood
Fact-checked by
Updated October 2026Country Malta
Data verified
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026

XM Group Vs AvaTrade: Malta Trader Comparison 2026

Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

XM Group logo
XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC · Founded 2009
Open Account
VS
AvaTrade logo
AvaTrade
CBI · ASIC · JFSA · Founded 2006
Open Account
Winner: Tied
Categories: 12 compared
For: Malta traders
Updated: October 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

Quick Verdict — Malta Traders

Best Overall
XM Group & AvaTrade
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
AvaTrade
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Malta Muslims
Best for Beginners
XM Group
Better education & support
$5 vs $100
Min deposit
1:1000 vs 1:30
Max leverage
CySEC vs CBI
Top regulator
4.3 vs 4.3
Our scores
Table of Contents

Head-to-head comparison

Malta has become a growing hub for forex trading, with local traders increasingly seeking reliable brokers that combine low costs, strong regulation, and convenient payment methods. XM Group and AvaTrade are two of the most popular choices among Maltese retail traders, both regulated by the local financial regulator and offering accounts in USD. XM Group scores 4.7/5 and is known for its tight spreads, extensive product range, and no re-quotes policy. AvaTrade, scoring 4.6/5, stands out for its user-friendly platforms, comprehensive educational resources, and fixed spread options. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader in Malta, understanding how these brokers compare on key factors like spreads, deposit methods (including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20), and regulatory protection is essential. This comparison helps you decide which broker aligns best with your trading style and local needs.

🏆

Overall Scores Comparison

XM Group logo
XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC
4.3
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
AvaTrade logo
AvaTrade
CBI · ASIC · JFSA
4.3
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
4.4
Tie
4.4
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
4.0
4.5
WIN
Regulation
Safety, oversight
4.6
Tie
4.6
Deposits
Local payments
4.4
Tie
4.4
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
4.1
Tie
4.1
Education
Webinars, guides
4.4
Tie
4.4
Execution
Speed, slippage
4.4
Tie
4.4
Mobile App
iOS, Android
4.3
Tie
4.3
💹

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

InstrumentXM GroupAvaTradeWinner
EUR/USD avg spread0.09 pips + $3.5/lot0.0 pips + $3.5/lotAvaTrade
XAU/USD (Gold)$0.14 typical$0.12 typicalAvaTrade
GBP/USD avg spread0.29 pips0.23 pipsAvaTrade
Standard acc spreadfrom 1.0 pipsfrom 0.8 pipsAvaTrade
ECN commission$3.5/lot/side$3.5/lot/sideTie
Min deposit$5$100AvaTrade

For Malta traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially when trading in USD. XM Group offers variable spreads starting from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD for standard accounts, with no commission on most instruments. AvaTrade’s spreads start from 0.9 pips on the same pair, with fixed spreads available on certain accounts. Over 100 trades per month, XM Group can save Malta traders approximately $30–$50 in spread costs compared to AvaTrade. However, AvaTrade charges no commission on most trades, while XM Group applies a small commission on its zero account. For high-volume traders, XM Group’s lower spreads are more cost-effective, while AvaTrade suits those preferring predictable costs.

📂

Account Types Comparison

Account TypeXM GroupAvaTrade
Standard account✓✓
ECN / Raw spread✓✓
Islamic (swap-free)✓✓
Demo account✓✓
PAMM / MAM account✓✗
Zero spread account✓✗
Copy trading✗✓
Min deposit$5$100
⚖️

Leverage Comparison - Malta Traders

Entity / AssetXM GroupAvaTrade
Malta (offshore)Up to 1:1000Up to 1:30
Forex major pairs1:10001:30
Gold (XAU/USD)1:2001:200
Indices1:1001:100
Cryptocurrencies1:2 to 1:101:2 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.
📈

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset ClassXM GroupAvaTradeWinner
Forex pairs90+65+XM Group
Gold (XAU/USD)✓✓Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)✓✓Tie
Stock indices25+ indices20+ indicesXM Group
Crypto CFDs30+20+XM Group
Stocks / Share CFDs✗✗AvaTrade
ETFs✗✓Tie
🖥️

Platforms Comparison

PlatformXM GroupAvaTrade
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)✓✓
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)✓✓
cTrader✗✓
TradingView✗✗
Expert Advisors (EAs)✓✓
Scalping allowed✓✓
Hedging allowed✓✓

Malta traders value platform reliability and ease of use. XM Group provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are industry standards with advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. AvaTrade offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary WebTrader and AvaTradeGO mobile app. For Maltese traders who trade on the go, AvaTrade’s mobile app is more intuitive and includes in-app education. XM Group’s platforms are better for algorithmic traders using Expert Advisors. Both brokers support VPS hosting for Malta traders with high trading volumes.

⚡

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

FactorXM GroupAvaTradeWinner
Execution modelECN/STPTrue ECNAvaTrade
Avg execution speed~30ms~40msXM Group
SlippageVery lowVery lowTie
RequotesVery rareVery rareTie
Scalping allowed✓✓Tie
EA / Bot trading✓✓Tie

Execution quality is crucial for Malta traders, especially during volatile markets. XM Group boasts no re-quotes and 99.35% execution within 1 second, with an average slippage of 0.1 pips. AvaTrade also offers fast execution with no re-quotes on most accounts, but its average slippage is slightly higher at 0.3 pips. For scalpers and day traders in Malta, XM Group’s superior execution speed and lower slippage provide a clear advantage.

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for Malta Traders

Safety FactorXM GroupAvaTrade
Primary regulatorASICCBI
Top-tier regulated✓✓
Investor protection✓✓
Segregated funds✓✓
Neg. balance protection✓✓

Both XM Group and AvaTrade are regulated by the local financial regulator, which provides Malta traders with a high level of protection. This regulation ensures client funds are held in segregated accounts, negative balance protection is in place, and brokers adhere to strict reporting standards. For Maltese residents, this means your deposits are safeguarded in case of broker insolvency. XM Group also holds licenses from CySEC and FCA, while AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions including Ireland and Japan. This multi-regulatory oversight adds an extra layer of security for Malta traders.

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 MethodXM GroupAvaTrade
Bank Wire Transfer✓✓
Visa / Mastercard✓✓
Skrill✓✓
Neteller✓✓
USDT / Crypto✓✗
Withdrawal timeVisa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several daysCard/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days

Malta traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 with both brokers. XM Group processes deposits instantly for e-wallets and USDT, with no fees, and bank transfers take 1-2 business days. The minimum deposit is $5, making it accessible for small traders. AvaTrade also supports these methods, with instant e-wallet and USDT deposits, but bank transfers may incur a small fee. AvaTrade’s minimum deposit is $5, which is higher than XM Group. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT at both brokers, while bank transfers take 2-5 business days. XM Group does not charge withdrawal fees, while AvaTrade may charge a small fee for bank transfers.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Malta Muslims

Islamic Account FeatureXM GroupAvaTrade
Swap-free available✓✓
Admin fee instead of swapOn some instrumentsOn some instruments
MT4 / MT5 supported✓✓
How to applyContact supportContact support

For Muslim traders in Malta, both XM Group and AvaTrade offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest. XM Group provides swap-free accounts on all account types without additional fees, making it a cost-effective choice. AvaTrade also offers Islamic accounts but may charge a small administration fee if positions are held for more than a few days. Both brokers require a simple request to activate the account. For Malta traders who trade long-term, XM Group’s zero-fee Islamic account is more advantageous.

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 FeatureXM GroupAvaTradeWinner
Live chat✓✓Tie
Phone support✓✓Tie
Email support✓✓Tie
24/7 support✗✗Tie
Response time (chat)<2 minutes<3 minutesXM Group

Malta traders can access customer support in English from both brokers. XM Group offers 24/5 live chat, phone, and email support, with response times under 30 seconds for chat. AvaTrade provides 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, plus a comprehensive FAQ section. XM Group’s support is slightly faster and more responsive, which is beneficial for Malta traders needing quick assistance during trading hours.

📱

Mobile App Comparison

Mobile FeatureXM GroupAvaTradeWinner
iOS App Store rating4.5 stars4.3 starsXM Group
Google Play rating4.3 stars4.2 starsXM Group
Biometric login✓✓Tie
Push notifications✓✓Tie
Full charting on mobile✓✓Tie
TradingView mobile✗✗Tie
📚

Education & Research Tools

ResourceXM GroupAvaTradeWinner
Video tutorials100+ videos50+ videosTie
Webinars (live)WeeklyMonthlyTie
Economic calendar✓✓Tie
Market analysisDailyBasicXM Group
⭐

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

T
XM Group
☆☆☆☆☆
—
2,978 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
T
AvaTrade
☆☆☆☆☆
—
12,700 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
⚖️

Pros & Cons of Each Broker

XM Group

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support

AvaTrade

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤

Who Should Use Which Broker? - Malta Guide

Choose XM Group if you...

  • Are a cost-conscious trader seeking the lowest spreads on major forex pairs.
  • Prefer a low minimum deposit of $5 to start trading with Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20.
  • Need fast execution with no re-quotes for scalping or high-frequency trading.
  • Want a swap-free Islamic account with no additional fees.

Choose AvaTrade if you...

  • Are a beginner trader who values comprehensive educational resources and fixed spreads.
  • Prefer a user-friendly mobile trading app with integrated learning tools.
  • Want a broker with a longer track record and multi-jurisdictional regulation.
  • Do not mind a higher minimum deposit of $100 for access to diverse account types.
❓

FAQ - XM Group vs AvaTrade in Malta

Is XM Group or AvaTrade better for Malta?

+

Can Malta traders use both brokers legally?

+

Which broker has lower spreads for Malta traders?

+

How do Malta traders deposit at XM Group and AvaTrade?

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Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Malta?

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Final Verdict - Malta 2026

XM Group & AvaTrade tied wins overall

For Malta traders, XM Group edges out AvaTrade with a higher overall score of 4.7 vs 4.6, driven by tighter spreads, lower minimum deposits, and superior execution. The ability to deposit via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 with no fees and a $5 minimum makes XM Group highly accessible. AvaTrade remains a strong choice for beginners and those who prefer fixed spreads and a more educational platform. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring safety. Ultimately, XM Group is the better pick for active, cost-focused traders in Malta, while AvaTrade suits those starting their trading journey.

Open XM GroupOpen AvaTrade
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.
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Score Summary
XM Group 4.3/5
AvaTrade 4.3/5
Full Reviews
Full XM Group Review →Full AvaTrade Review →
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