Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Choosing between EasyMarkets and HotForex HFM as a forex trader in North Macedonia requires careful comparison of fees, platforms, and local payment options. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and user-friendly platform, making it attractive for beginners. HotForex HFM, scoring 4.4/5, offers tighter variable spreads, multiple account types (including Zero and Premium), and access to over 50 currency pairs—ideal for active retail traders. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, providing legal assurance for Macedonian residents. Local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 are supported by both, ensuring convenient funding in MKD or USD. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals in 2025.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | HotForex HFM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | HotForex HFM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | HotForex HFM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | HotForex HFM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | HotForex HFM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | HotForex HFM |
For North Macedonia traders, trading costs are critical. EasyMarkets applies fixed spreads starting from 1.0 pip on EUR/USD, which is higher but eliminates slippage surprises. HotForex HFM offers variable spreads from 0.1 pips on its Zero account (with a commission) and 0.6 pips on Premium accounts (no commission). Over a high-volume month (e.g., 10 lots), HotForex HFM can save Macedonian traders $50–$100 in spreads compared to EasyMarkets. Both brokers have no hidden fees on deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20, but EasyMarkets charges a small inactivity fee after 90 days.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | HotForex HFM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | HotForex HFM |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | HotForex HFM | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | HotForex HFM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | HotForex HFM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web and mobile platform, plus MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView integration. The proprietary platform features deal cancellation and guaranteed stop-loss, useful for novice traders in North Macedonia. HotForex HFM offers MT4, MT5, and WebTrader, with advanced charting tools and Expert Advisors (EAs). For Macedonian traders who prefer algorithmic trading or multiple timeframes, HotForex HFM’s MT5 is superior. Both platforms are available in English, but local support in Macedonian is limited.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | HotForex HFM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | HotForex HFM |
| 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 uses fixed spreads and a market execution model with no requotes, but may experience slippage during volatile periods. HotForex HFM offers variable spreads with ECN execution on Zero accounts, providing fast order processing and minimal slippage. For day traders in North Macedonia who need consistent execution during news events, HotForex HFM’s ECN model is preferable. EasyMarkets’ execution is more predictable for beginner scalpers but slower overall.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | HotForex HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and HotForex HFM are regulated by the financial regulator in North Macedonia, ensuring compliance with local laws. EasyMarkets is authorized by CySEC (EU) and also holds a license from the local regulator, providing dual oversight. HotForex HFM is regulated by the FSCA (South Africa) and the local regulator, offering additional investor protection. This regulation means Macedonian traders have access to dispute resolution and segregation of client funds. However, HotForex HFM’s higher regulatory score (4.4) reflects more extensive oversight across multiple jurisdictions.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | HotForex HFM |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | E-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller, FasaPay): Instant.WebMoney and PayRedeem: Up to 10 minutes.Cryptocurrencies: Up to 24 hours.Credit / Debit Cards: 2 to 5 business days.Bank Wires: 2 to 10 business days depending on the bank. |
North Macedonia traders can fund accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers, alongside credit/debit cards. EasyMarkets requires a minimum deposit of $100 (or equivalent in MKD), while HotForex HFM starts at $5 for Standard accounts. Withdrawals are processed within 1–3 business days, with no fees from the brokers. USDT TRC20 deposits are instant and ideal for tech-savvy traders. EasyMarkets supports MKD-based bank transfers, while HotForex HFM primarily operates in USD. Both brokers allow free deposits via Skrill and Neteller, but withdrawals to these e-wallets may incur small fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | HotForex HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in North Macedonia can open swap-free (Islamic) accounts with both brokers. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts upon request, with no overnight interest on forex pairs, but applies a modest administration fee after a certain holding period. HotForex HFM offers dedicated Islamic account types (Standard, Premium, Zero) with true swap-free conditions and no hidden charges. For active Muslim traders, HotForex HFM’s Islamic accounts are more transparent and cost-effective, while EasyMarkets offers a simpler alternative for occasional traders.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | HotForex HFM | 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 24/5 via live chat, email, and phone for both brokers. EasyMarkets offers support in English and limited Macedonian, while HotForex HFM provides a multilingual team with English, Arabic, and Balkan languages. HotForex HFM’s response time is faster (under 30 seconds on live chat) and includes a comprehensive FAQ section. EasyMarkets’ support is adequate but may have longer wait times during peak hours. Both brokers are responsive to queries from Macedonia.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | HotForex HFM | 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 | HotForex HFM | 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 HotForex HFM if you...
For most retail traders in North Macedonia, HotForex HFM (4.4/5) is the superior choice due to tighter spreads, advanced platforms, and a wider range of account options. It better suits active and experienced traders who can leverage the Zero account’s low costs. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) remains a solid option for beginners or those who value fixed spreads and simplicity. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and are regulated by the local financial regulator. If you prioritize cost-efficiency and flexibility, choose HotForex HFM; if you prefer simplicity and risk-control tools, EasyMarkets is sufficient.