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 Hantec Markets involves weighing factors like costs, platform usability, and access to local payment methods. Both brokers are internationally recognized and welcome clients from North Macedonia, allowing deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets (scored 3.4/5) is known for its user-friendly platform and risk management tools like guaranteed stop loss, appealing to beginners. Hantec Markets (scored 3.6/5) offers competitive spreads and a wider range of trading instruments, making it suitable for cost-conscious traders. While neither is regulated directly by the local financial regulator, they hold reputable licenses. Trading is typically conducted in USD, so North Macedonia traders should consider currency conversion impacts. This comparison breaks down trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit/withdrawal procedures specifically for the North Macedonian market.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Hantec Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Hantec Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Hantec Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Hantec Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, Hantec Markets generally has the edge with lower spreads – often starting from 0.0 pips on major pairs with a commission, while EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads that can be wider (e.g., 1.0–1.3 pips on EUR/USD). For higher-volume traders in North Macedonia, Hantec Markets reduces overall costs. However, EasyMarkets includes guaranteed stop-loss orders which can justify slightly higher spreads for risk-averse traders. If you trade frequently or in larger sizes (e.g., 10+ lots per month), Hantec Markets becomes significantly more cost-effective. Also note that USD-based trading in North Macedonia may involve small conversion fees depending on your funding method.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web platform and mobile app, designed for intuitive use with built-in tools like DealCancellation (allowing you to reverse losing trades within 60 minutes). This suits North Macedonia retail traders who value simplicity and safety features. Hantec Markets offers MetaTrader 4 and MT5, industry-standard platforms with advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and greater flexibility. For North Macedonia traders who want to use custom indicators or EA strategies, Hantec Markets is better. Both platforms are accessible on desktop and mobile, but EasyMarkets has a lower learning curve. Consider your experience level: beginners favor EasyMarkets; experienced traders prefer Hantec Markets' MT4/5.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| 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 differs between the two brokers. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, which can lead to requotes in fast markets but eliminates slippage risk for stop losses. Hantec Markets offers ECN/STP execution with variable spreads and no dealing desk intervention, resulting in faster fills and lower latency for North Macedonia traders. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in North Macedonia, Hantec Markets is superior due to its straight-through processing. However, for traders who prioritize predictable execution and protection against sudden gaps, EasyMarkets' guaranteed stops are a solid choice.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor Hantec Markets is regulated by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia. Instead, they operate under international oversight: EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA (UK) and FSA (Japan). For North Macedonia traders, this means client funds are held in segregated accounts and protected by compensation schemes (e.g., FSCS in the UK for Hantec). However, the lack of local regulation means you may not have direct recourse through the Macedonian authorities. It is essential to verify the broker's license and check their track record. Both have been operating for over a decade, providing a degree of trust.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds as a North Macedonia trader is straightforward with both brokers. You can use Bank Transfer (typically 1-3 days), Skrill and Neteller (instant), or USDT TRC20 (crypto, fast and low-cost). EasyMarkets requires a minimum deposit of $100 via e-wallets and crypto, while Hantec Markets has a $500 minimum for most methods. Withdrawals methods mirror deposits, and both brokers process requests within 1-2 business days. E-wallet and crypto withdrawals are usually fastest, while bank transfers may take longer. No specific fees are charged by the brokers for deposits, but your local bank or e-wallet provider may impose small charges. For North Macedonia traders, USDT TRC20 is a popular choice due to its speed and minimal costs, especially when moving larger amounts. Always verify the broker's current withdrawal policy.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for North Macedonia Muslim traders who need to comply with Sharia law prohibiting interest. These accounts do not charge rollover/swap fees on positions held overnight. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts upon request – you need to contact support to activate it. Hantec Markets automatically considers traders from Muslim-majority regions (including North Macedonia) for swap-free status, but you may still need to opt in. Neither broker imposes extra spreads or commissions on Islamic accounts. However, some long-held positions may incur administrative fees after a certain period. North Macedonia traders should confirm the specific terms with each broker before opening an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | 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 available in English from both brokers. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support, with a reputation for responsive service. Hantec Markets also provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, but with slightly longer response times during peak hours. Neither broker offers dedicated Macedonian language support, but the standard English support is sufficient for most traders. For urgent issues, EasyMarkets has a slight advantage due to faster chat response. North Macedonia traders should note that phone support may be limited to local UK/Cyprus numbers, incurring international call charges.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | 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 | Hantec Markets | 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 Hantec Markets if you...
For North Macedonia retail traders, Hantec Markets (3.6/5) edges ahead of EasyMarkets (3.4/5) due to superior trading costs, better platform flexibility with MT4/5, and strong regulation. However, EasyMarkets is an excellent choice for beginners who value safety features and a simple start with a low minimum deposit. Both brokers support essential local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making funding convenient. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, Hantec Markets' FCA protection provides extra peace of mind. Ultimately, your choice depends on your experience level and cost sensitivity. For cost-effective, professional trading, pick Hantec Markets; for a beginner-friendly experience with risk control, choose EasyMarkets.