Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For North Macedonia traders in 2025, choosing between FBS and EasyMarkets involves weighing cost, platform flexibility, and local payment support. FBS, with a 3.7/5 rating, is a global broker known for low spreads and high leverage, appealing to active retail traders in cities like Skopje, Bitola, and Kumanovo. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, offers fixed spreads and a user-friendly web platform, suiting beginners and those who prefer predictable costs. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals convenient in MKD or USD. While neither is regulated by North Macedonia's local financial regulator, they operate under reputable international licenses. This comparison focuses on trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local payment methods to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals.
| Instrument | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $25 | EasyMarkets |
For North Macedonia traders, trading costs significantly impact profitability. FBS offers variable spreads starting from 0.5 pips on its ECN accounts with a $10 minimum deposit, ideal for high-volume USD-based trading. EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads from 1.0 pips, which protects against slippage during volatile markets but is slightly more expensive per trade. For a typical 10-lot EUR/USD trade, FBS costs around $50 in spread, while EasyMarkets costs $100. Additionally, FBS has lower commission fees on raw spread accounts, making it more cost-effective for frequent traders in North Macedonia.
| Account Type | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, industry-standard platforms with advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and mobile apps. This suits North Macedonia traders who use technical analysis or scalping strategies. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web platform and mobile app, featuring a simple interface, deal cancellation, and guaranteed stop-loss orders. For North Macedonia users on slower internet connections, EasyMarkets' web platform loads quickly, while FBS’s MT4 requires a stable connection for optimal performance. Both support desktop and mobile trading, but FBS gives more analytical tools.
| Factor | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FBS uses ECN/STP execution with an average order execution speed of 0.5 seconds, suitable for scalpers in North Macedonia. EasyMarkets uses market maker execution with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, preventing slippage but potentially slower during news events. For fast-paced trading, FBS’s execution is preferred; for risk-averse traders, EasyMarkets’ protection features are valuable.
| Safety Factor | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Belize and the CySEC in Cyprus, offering a degree of client fund protection. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and the FSA in Seychelles, ensuring compliance with EU standards. For North Macedonia traders, neither broker is directly supervised by the local financial regulator, meaning you rely on international oversight. FBS’s CySEC license provides negative balance protection and investor compensation (up to €20,000 under EU rules), while EasyMarkets’ ASIC regulation offers strict capital adequacy requirements. Always verify the broker's current license status before depositing.
| Payment Method | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | 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) |
North Macedonia traders can fund accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both FBS and EasyMarkets. FBS supports a $10 minimum deposit via e-wallets and crypto, with instant processing for USDT TRC20 and Skrill. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days. EasyMarkets requires a $100 minimum deposit, with Skrill and Neteller processed instantly, while Bank Transfer takes 2-5 days. Withdrawals at FBS are free via e-wallets, but bank transfers incur a small fee (around $30). EasyMarkets offers free withdrawals via Skrill/Neteller but charges $50 for bank transfers. USDT TRC20 withdrawals are fast (under 1 hour) at both, ideal for crypto-friendly traders in North Macedonia.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FBS and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. FBS provides swap-free accounts on all account types except Cent, with no additional fees for holding positions overnight. EasyMarkets offers swap-free accounts upon request via customer support, with the same conditions as standard accounts. These accounts comply with Sharia law by eliminating interest charges on overnight positions. For North Macedonia traders who observe Islamic finance principles, FBS’s automatic availability is more convenient, while EasyMarkets requires a proactive request.
| Support Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Balkan regions. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support in English and local languages via live chat and email. For North Macedonia traders, FBS’s round-the-clock availability is beneficial for after-hours trading, while EasyMarkets’ response time is slightly slower. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For North Macedonia traders, FBS is the stronger choice for active, cost-conscious traders due to its lower spreads, higher leverage, and flexible payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its 3.7/5 rating reflects better value for money. EasyMarkets, at 3.4/5, is ideal for beginners or those who prioritize simplicity and fixed costs. While neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, both offer international oversight. Consider your trading volume and risk tolerance: FBS for growth, EasyMarkets for safety. Test both with demo accounts before committing real funds.