Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
North Macedonia traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare Admirals and HYCM. Both brokers are well-established, with Admirals scoring 4.1/5 and HYCM 3.6/5 in our ratings. Admirals is known for its low spreads, advanced platforms, and strong educational resources, while HYCM offers a longer operational history and robust regulation. For retail traders in North Macedonia, factors like local payment methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20) and regulatory oversight by the local financial regulator are crucial. This comparison breaks down trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit options to help you choose the right broker for your needs.
| Instrument | Admirals | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | HYCM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | HYCM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | HYCM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | HYCM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $20 | Admirals |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, Admirals has a clear edge. Its Zero account offers spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3 per lot. HYCM's fixed spreads start at 1.2 pips on standard accounts, which is higher. For active traders executing multiple lots daily, Admirals can save significant costs. Additionally, Admirals charges no deposit or withdrawal fees for Skrill and Neteller, reducing overall trading expenses for North Macedonia users.
| Account Type | Admirals | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $20 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | Admirals | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | HYCM |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are popular among North Macedonia traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Admirals also provides its proprietary WebTrader and a mobile app with integrated news and analysis. HYCM offers MT4 and MT5 but lacks a proprietary platform. For traders in North Macedonia who value flexibility and modern tools, Admirals is the better choice, especially with its free VPS for high-volume traders.
| Factor | Admirals | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | HYCM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Admirals |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Admirals offers ECN execution with no requotes and fast order processing, ideal for scalpers and day traders in North Macedonia. HYCM uses a market maker model, which can lead to slippage during high volatility. Admirals' execution speed is superior, with average execution under 50ms, compared to HYCM's 100ms. For North Macedonia traders who prioritize speed and reliability, Admirals is the better choice.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and other top-tier authorities, while HYCM is regulated by the FCA and DFSA. Both brokers comply with international standards, but for North Macedonia traders, the local financial regulator also provides oversight. Admirals offers negative balance protection and segregated client funds, which adds a layer of security. HYCM also follows strict regulatory guidelines, but Admirals' broader regulatory coverage may inspire more confidence among North Macedonia traders.
| Payment Method | Admirals | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. | E-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney): 1 hour to 1 business day.Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 3 to 5 business days (after broker processing).Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 7 business days depending on your bank and location. |
North Macedonia traders can deposit and withdraw funds using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Admirals processes deposits instantly and withdrawals within 1-2 business days, with no fees for Skrill and Neteller. HYCM also supports these methods but may charge a small fee for bank transfers. Minimum deposits are $50 at Admirals and $100 at HYCM. For crypto users, USDT TRC20 is a fast and low-cost option at both brokers, with Admirals offering faster processing times. Overall, Admirals provides more cost-effective and faster payment solutions for North Macedonia traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Admirals and HYCM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. Admirals provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including the Zero account, with no additional fees. HYCM offers Islamic accounts only on standard accounts, which may limit access for traders who prefer low-spread accounts. For North Macedonia Muslim traders, Admirals is more flexible, allowing them to benefit from tight spreads while complying with Sharia law.
| Support Feature | Admirals | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Customer support is available 24/5 at both brokers via live chat, email, and phone. Admirals offers support in multiple languages, including English and local languages relevant to North Macedonia. HYCM also provides multilingual support but has limited hours on weekends. Admirals' support team is generally faster and more responsive, which is crucial for North Macedonia traders who need quick assistance during trading hours.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Admirals |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Admirals |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Admirals | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose HYCM if you...
For retail traders in North Macedonia, Admirals is the superior choice overall, with a higher score (4.1 vs 3.6), lower spreads, faster execution, and better support for local payment methods like Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its Islamic account flexibility and proprietary platform also add value. HYCM remains a solid option for those who prioritize regulatory history and fixed spreads, but its higher costs and slower execution make it less competitive. Given the local financial regulator's oversight, both brokers are safe, but Admirals offers better value for most North Macedonia traders.