Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in North Macedonia, choosing the right forex broker is critical for success. EasyMarkets (rated 3.4/5) and XM Group (rating 4.7/5) are both globally recognized, but their suitability differs for local conditions. North Macedonia traders benefit from access to USD-denominated accounts and popular payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. The local regulatory framework, while not directly supervising these brokers, allows residents to trade under international bodies like CySEC. This comparison dives into spreads, platforms, regulation, and deposit/withdrawal methods tailored to Macedonian traders. Whether you are a beginner or an active trader, understanding how these brokers perform locally is essential. XM Group’s superior score reflects its lower costs, broader instrument range, and flexible leverage, while EasyMarkets appeals with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders. Both accept North Macedonia residents, but XM Group emerges as the stronger choice for most retail traders. Below, we break down each aspect in detail.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $5 | EasyMarkets |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, XM Group consistently offers tighter spreads. On the standard account, EUR/USD spreads average around 1.0 pips, while EasyMarkets fixes spreads at 1.2 pips for the same pair. For traders executing higher volumes, XM’s Ultra-Low account provides spreads from 0.0 pips with a small commission. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads can be beneficial in volatile markets where variable spreads widen. However, the overall cost structure of XM is more competitive, especially for scalpers and day traders. Commissions and swap rates are similar, but XM also offers occasional zero-swap promotions. Given that North Macedonia traders often face currency conversion costs when depositing in MKD, using USD accounts helps minimize extra fees. Over 100 trades per month, XM’s lower spreads can save tens of dollars.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | XM Group | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MT5 platforms, which are widely used by North Macedonia traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. EasyMarkets also offers its proprietary web platform with simplified features and dealCancellation tool. XM Group provides MT4 and MT5 for desktop, web, and mobile, with options for Mac users. For traders who prefer simplicity, EasyMarkets’ platform is easier to navigate. However, MT4/MT5’s flexibility and EA support make XM more suitable for serious retail traders. Both platforms operate reliably in North Macedonia, with fast connection speeds via local internet. XM also offers a multi-account manager (MAM) for those managing client funds, which is useful for local signal providers.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| 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 |
Order execution quality impacts profitability, particularly for scalpers. EasyMarkets uses market execution with no requotes on its proprietary platform, but slippage can occur during volatile periods. XM Group employs No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with advanced liquidity providers, resulting in faster fills and minimal slippage. XM also supports news trading without restrictions, while EasyMarkets may widen spreads. For North Macedonia traders who rely on quick entries and exits, XM Group’s execution is superior. Both brokers offer stop-loss and take-profit orders, but XM’s execution consistency across all account types is a notable advantage.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), and other authorities. XM Group holds licenses from CySEC, FCA (UK), and ASIC, offering a stronger multi-jurisdictional oversight. For North Macedonia traders, CySEC regulation means coverage under the Investor Compensation Fund (up to €20,000), which provides a safety net. However, the local financial regulator in North Macedonia does not directly supervise these brokers, so traders must rely on international protections. XM’s FCA license is particularly robust, offering additional security. Both brokers segregate client funds and participate in compensation schemes. While neither is locally regulated, XM’s broader regulatory footprint gives North Macedonia traders greater confidence in capital protection and dispute resolution.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Deposits and withdrawals for North Macedonia traders are seamless with both brokers, as they support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets also accepts credit/debit cards and local bank deposits, while XM Group adds options like WebMoney and UnionPay. Minimum deposits: EasyMarkets requires $100 for bank transfers and $10 for e-wallets; XM has a $5 minimum for most methods. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed in under 5 minutes on both platforms, with no deposit fees. Withdrawals via Skrill/Neteller are instant, while bank transfers take 1-3 days. XM Group offers free withdrawal fees, while EasyMarkets offers one free withdrawal per month. For local traders, using USDT TRC20 avoids currency conversion entirely, as accounts are USD-based. Both brokers process withdrawals quickly, but XM’s lower thresholds are more accessible for retail traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. EasyMarkets automatically applies swap-free conditions upon request, with no additional charges or time limits. XM Group also provides Islamic accounts, but requests are reviewed, and an admin fee may apply if the account is open for more than 365 days. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged on overnight positions, complying with Sharia principles. For North Macedonia Muslim traders who wish to trade major currency pairs without riba, both are suitable. However, EasyMarkets’ first-year waiver on forex pairs makes it slightly more favorable for long-term holdings. XM Group’s broader instrument selection, including commodities and indices, remains available on Islamic accounts.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | XM Group | 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 crucial for North Macedonia traders, especially when dealing with time-sensitive deposits or technical issues. XM Group offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and email, with response times under 30 seconds. EasyMarkets provides phone and email support from 8 AM to 6 PM GMT (weekdays), with a live chatbot available 24/5. Neither broker specifically offers Macedonian language support, but English support is fluent and widely available. XM’s 24/7 availability is a definite advantage for traders in North Macedonia who may trade evenings or weekends.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | XM Group | 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 | XM Group | 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 XM Group if you...
For North Macedonia retail traders, XM Group is the clear winner with a 4.7/5 rating against EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. XM offers lower spreads, faster execution, 24/7 support, and a broader range of instruments. Its acceptance of local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 makes deposits and withdrawals convenient. The strong regulatory framework (CySEC, FCA) provides investor protection despite the absence of a local financial regulator overseeing these brokers. EasyMarkets remains a good choice for beginners who value fixed spreads and simple platforms. However, for most North Macedonia traders seeking cost-effective trading and advanced features, XM Group is the recommended option. We advise testing both via demo accounts with USD base currency to see which better fits your personal trading style.