Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in North Macedonia comparing EasyMarkets and FBS Max in 2025, the choice depends on trading style, cost sensitivity, and preferred deposit methods. Both brokers are widely accessible from North Macedonia, supporting local payments via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is known for its fixed spreads, no slippage guarantee, and user-friendly web platform, making it a solid choice for beginners. FBS Max (score 3.7/5) offers tighter variable spreads, more account types, and higher leverage options that appeal to active traders. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, but both hold international licenses. This comparison focuses on what matters most to North Macedonia traders: costs, deposit convenience, and platform reliability.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FBS Max |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FBS Max |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FBS Max |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FBS Max |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | FBS Max |
For North Macedonia traders, trading costs differ significantly between the two brokers. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads averaging 1.0–1.5 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission on standard accounts. FBS Max offers variable spreads from 0.0 pips on ECN accounts but adds a commission of $6 per lot round turn. Over 100 trades per month, FBS Max can save active traders up to 30% in costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, for low-volume traders, EasyMarkets’ predictable costs can be easier to manage. Both brokers support USD-denominated accounts, which is convenient for North Macedonia traders.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FBS Max |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and a mobile app, both designed for simplicity and speed. FBS Max offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are more advanced and widely used by North Macedonia traders for automated trading and custom indicators. If you prefer a straightforward, no-install experience, EasyMarkets is better. For charting, expert advisors, and algorithmic strategies, FBS Max with MT4/MT5 is the clear winner.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FBS Max |
| 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 |
EasyMarkets guarantees no slippage on market orders, which is rare and beneficial for high-volatility trading. FBS Max uses ECN execution with variable slippage, but offers faster order speeds (under 30ms). For scalpers and day traders in North Macedonia, FBS Max’s speed is preferable. EasyMarkets’ no-slippage guarantee appeals to traders who prioritize price certainty over speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while FBS Max holds an FSC (Belize) license. Neither broker is overseen by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, meaning traders do not have local investor protection. However, CySEC regulation (for EasyMarkets) offers up to €20,000 compensation under the ICF, which is a stronger safety net than FBS Max’s Belize license. North Macedonia traders should weigh the importance of regulatory protection against other features.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 5 to 7 business days |
Both EasyMarkets and FBS Max support deposits and withdrawals via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, which are popular in North Macedonia. EasyMarkets processes withdrawals within 1–3 business days and charges no internal fees. FBS Max offers instant USDT TRC20 deposits and withdrawals, with most requests processed within 24 hours. Minimum deposit at EasyMarkets is $100, while FBS Max starts at $10. For North Macedonia traders, FBS Max’s lower entry barrier and faster crypto withdrawals are advantageous. Bank transfers may take 2–5 days with both brokers.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. EasyMarkets provides a straightforward swap-free account with no extra fees, automatically applicable upon request. FBS Max also offers Islamic accounts, but requires a manual request and may charge a small administrative fee if positions are held beyond a specified period (typically 7–10 days). EasyMarkets’ policy is more favorable for long-term traders, while FBS Max suits shorter-term strategies.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English. FBS Max provides 24/7 live chat and multilingual support, including some Eastern European languages. For North Macedonia traders, FBS Max’s round-the-clock availability is an advantage, especially for those trading outside standard European hours. Both brokers have responsive support teams.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | FBS Max | 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 | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose FBS Max if you...
For North Macedonia traders in 2025, FBS Max (score 3.7/5) is the stronger overall choice due to its lower spreads, flexible deposit methods including USDT TRC20 and Skrill, and advanced MT4/MT5 platforms. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) remains a good option for beginners and those who value fixed costs and no-slippage guarantees. Both brokers accept local payments like Bank Transfer, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, but FBS Max’s lower minimum deposit ($10 vs $100) and faster crypto withdrawals give it an edge. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, EasyMarkets’ CySEC license offers slightly better protection. Ultimately, active traders in North Macedonia will benefit more from FBS Max, while cautious beginners may prefer EasyMarkets.