Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in North Macedonia, choosing between EasyMarkets and Alpari can be challenging. Both brokers accept Macedonian clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its user-friendly fixed spreads and strong regulation under the local financial regulator. Alpari, scoring 3.1/5, offers more account types and lower variable spreads but has a slightly lower overall rating. This comparison focuses on what matters most to North Macedonia traders: costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit/withdrawal convenience. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader, understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision tailored to your needs in the Macedonian market.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Alpari |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Alpari |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Alpari |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Alpari |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 | EasyMarkets |
When comparing trading costs, EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads starting from 1.0 pips on EUR/USD, which is ideal for North Macedonia traders who want predictable costs regardless of market volatility. Alpari, on the other hand, provides variable spreads as low as 0.5 pips on the same pair but these can widen during news events. For a trader in Skopje trading 10 standard lots per month, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads may save money during volatile periods, while Alpari could be cheaper during calm sessions. Both brokers charge no commission on standard accounts, but Alpari's ECN account has a commission of $3 per lot. Overall, cost-conscious Macedonian traders should consider their trading style before choosing.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Alpari |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web and mobile platforms, which are intuitive and designed for retail traders in North Macedonia. The platform includes built-in risk management tools like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop loss. Alpari offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry standard for forex trading, along with a mobile app. For North Macedonia traders, MT4/MT5 on Alpari provides more advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. EasyMarkets' platform is better for beginners who want simplicity, while Alpari suits those needing powerful analysis tools. Both platforms are available in English and support local devices.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Alpari |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality varies between the two brokers. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with instant execution and no requotes on fixed spreads. This ensures reliable order filling for North Macedonia traders, especially during news events. Alpari offers both market execution and instant execution depending on the account type, with average execution speeds of 0.3 seconds. For scalpers and high-frequency traders, Alpari's ECN account may be better due to direct market access. EasyMarkets is more suitable for traders who prioritize stability and no slippage.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, which means it must comply with local client fund segregation and reporting standards. This provides Macedonian traders with strong investor protection. Alpari is regulated internationally by the FCA (UK) and CySEC, but does not have direct local oversight. For North Macedonia traders, EasyMarkets' local regulation offers peace of mind and easier dispute resolution. Alpari's international regulation still provides a high level of security, but may involve longer processes for local complaints. Both brokers offer negative balance protection.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) | Cryptocurrency / E-Wallets: Instant to 2 hours (after internal processing).Credit / Debit Cards: 2 to 10 business days.Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 5 business days. |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for North Macedonia traders at both brokers. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with no deposit fees and same-day processing. Minimum deposit is $100. Alpari also supports these methods plus credit/debit cards, with a minimum deposit of just $5. For withdrawals, EasyMarkets processes within 1-2 business days, while Alpari takes 1-3 days. USDT TRC20 is especially convenient for Macedonian traders who prefer crypto transactions. Both brokers process withdrawals back to the original payment method, ensuring security. Always check for any currency conversion fees, as both brokers operate in USD.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in North Macedonia, both EasyMarkets and Alpari offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest charges. EasyMarkets provides swap-free accounts on all account types with no extra fees or hidden costs. Alpari offers Islamic accounts upon request, but spreads may be slightly higher to compensate. EasyMarkets' approach is more transparent and accessible for Macedonian Muslim traders. Both brokers require a simple application process to activate the Islamic account. It is recommended to confirm current terms directly with each broker.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support is critical for North Macedonia traders. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with response times under 30 seconds on live chat. Alpari provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, also in English. EasyMarkets has a slight edge with faster response times and a more localized approach. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections on their websites. For Macedonian traders, support during European trading hours is readily available.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Alpari if you...
For North Macedonia traders, EasyMarkets is the better choice overall due to its higher score (3.4 vs 3.1), local regulation by the local financial regulator, and fixed spreads that offer cost certainty. It also excels in deposit convenience with support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Alpari is a solid alternative for traders who want lower spreads, advanced platforms like MT4/MT5, and a lower entry barrier. However, its lack of local regulation may be a concern for some. Consider your trading style and priorities: if you value security and simplicity, choose EasyMarkets; if you want flexibility and lower costs, Alpari may suit you better.