FBS vs XM Group: Complete Comparison for North Macedonia Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — North Macedonia Traders
For North Macedonia traders looking for a reliable forex broker, FBS and XM Group are two popular choices. Both brokers accept clients from North Macedonia and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, offers high leverage and a simple account structure, making it suitable for beginners. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, provides tighter spreads, a wider range of trading platforms, and stronger regulatory oversight from CySEC and FCA. This comparison breaks down the key differences for retail traders in North Macedonia, helping you choose the broker that fits your trading style and local needs.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | FBS | 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 | $5 | $5 | Tie |
For North Macedonia traders, XM Group offers lower overall trading costs. On the Standard account, spreads start from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, while FBS starts from 1.0 pip on the same pair. XM Group also charges no commission on Standard accounts, whereas FBS has a commission-free option but wider spreads. Over 100 trades per month, XM Group can save North Macedonia traders around 40% in spread costs. Both brokers offer competitive swap rates, but XM Group’s wider range of account types allows more flexibility to minimize costs.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | FBS | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $5 |
Leverage Comparison - North Macedonia Traders
| Entity / Asset | FBS | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | FBS | XM Group | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | FBS | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group provides a superior platform selection for North Macedonia traders, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary XM WebTrader. FBS offers MT4 and MT5 but lacks a dedicated web platform. For traders in North Macedonia, XM Group’s platforms are available in multiple languages and offer advanced charting tools. Both brokers have mobile apps, but XM Group’s apps are more feature-rich and stable on local internet connections.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | FBS | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| 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 |
XM Group uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with an average execution speed of under 1 second, ensuring minimal slippage. FBS uses a market execution model with speeds around 1-2 seconds. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group’s faster execution reduces the risk of requotes and slippage, especially during volatile market conditions.
Regulation & Safety for North Macedonia Traders
| Safety Factor | FBS | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group is regulated by multiple authorities including CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK), and ASIC (Australia), offering strong client protection. FBS is regulated by the FSC Belize, which provides less stringent oversight. For North Macedonia traders, neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, but XM Group’s multi-regulator status adds an extra layer of security. XM Group also offers negative balance protection, which is important for retail traders in North Macedonia.
Deposits & Withdrawals for North Macedonia
| Payment Method | FBS | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Both FBS and XM Group support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 for North Macedonia traders. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant with both brokers, while USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days. FBS charges no deposit fees, while XM Group also has no deposit fees for e-wallets and USDT. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 days for bank transfers. XM Group offers faster withdrawal processing for Skrill and Neteller, making it more convenient for local traders.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for North Macedonia Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | 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 FBS and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. FBS provides swap-free accounts upon request, with no additional fees. XM Group automatically offers Islamic accounts on Standard and Micro accounts, with no expiry date. XM Group’s Islamic accounts are more accessible and have clearer terms, making them a better choice for North Macedonia traders seeking Sharia-compliant trading.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | FBS | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with support available in Macedonian. FBS provides 24/7 support but only in English and a few other languages. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group’s dedicated local language support ensures faster issue resolution.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | FBS | XM Group | 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 |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | FBS | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
FBS
XM Group
Who Should Use Which Broker? - North Macedonia Guide
Choose FBS if you...
- Are a beginner trader looking for high leverage up to 1:3000.
- Prefer a simple account structure with minimal options.
- Need 24/7 customer support in English.
- Want to trade with USDT TRC20 deposits without fees.
Choose XM Group if you...
FAQ - FBS vs XM Group in North Macedonia
Final Verdict - North Macedonia 2026
For North Macedonia traders, XM Group (4.7/5) is the clear winner over FBS (3.7/5). XM Group offers tighter spreads, stronger regulation, faster execution, and better local language support. While FBS may appeal with high leverage and no deposit fees, XM Group’s overall package is more reliable and cost-effective for retail traders in North Macedonia. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring convenient local payments. For safety and value, choose XM Group.