Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in North Macedonia, choosing between FP Markets and HYCM in 2025 is a critical decision that directly impacts trading costs, platform experience, and deposit convenience. FP Markets holds an impressive 4.7/5 rating, known for its ultra-low spreads and diverse payment options including Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—methods widely used by local traders. HYCM, with a 3.6/5 score, is a well-established broker but trails in cost efficiency and local payment flexibility. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier authorities, but FP Markets’ superior execution and competitive pricing make it the preferred choice for active North Macedonia traders seeking value and reliability in their forex and CFD trading.
| Instrument | FP Markets | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | HYCM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | HYCM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | HYCM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | HYCM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $20 | FP Markets |
For North Macedonia traders, trading costs are a major differentiator. FP Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account with a $7 round-turn commission per lot, while HYCM’s standard spreads start at 1.2 pips with no commission. On a typical 10-lot trade per month, FP Markets can save traders up to $120 in spread costs compared to HYCM. Additionally, FP Markets charges no deposit or withdrawal fees for Skrill and Neteller, whereas HYCM may apply small processing charges. For cost-conscious traders in North Macedonia, FP Markets clearly offers the lower total trading costs.
| Account Type | FP Markets | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $20 |
| Entity / Asset | FP Markets | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | FP Markets | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FP Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FP Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FP Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | HYCM |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FP Markets | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FP Markets and HYCM both support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the platforms most familiar to North Macedonia traders. FP Markets also offers its proprietary WebTrader and mobile apps with advanced charting tools and one-click trading. HYCM provides cTrader in addition to MT4/5, which appeals to traders preferring ECN-style execution. For local traders who value speed and customization, FP Markets’ MT4/5 integration with low latency servers in Europe ensures reliable performance. Both brokers offer demo accounts, but FP Markets’ platform suite is more comprehensive for active retail traders.
| Factor | FP Markets | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | HYCM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FP Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FP Markets offers institutional-grade execution with an average order execution speed of 40ms and no requotes on its Raw account. HYCM provides reliable execution but has slightly higher latency at around 100ms due to its liquidity aggregation model. For scalpers and day traders in North Macedonia, FP Markets’ faster execution and deep liquidity from multiple banks reduce slippage. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, but FP Markets’ execution quality is superior for high-frequency trading.
| Safety Factor | FP Markets | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FP Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), offering strong client fund protection and negative balance protection. HYCM is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and CySEC, providing similar safeguards. For North Macedonia traders, these regulations ensure that funds are kept in segregated accounts and that brokers adhere to strict financial standards. While neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, both comply with international norms that protect retail clients from excessive risk. FP Markets’ ASIC regulation is particularly robust for forex traders.
| Payment Method | FP Markets | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | E-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney): 1 hour to 1 business day.Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 3 to 5 business days (after broker processing).Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 7 business days depending on your bank and location. |
North Macedonia traders can fund their accounts at both FP Markets and HYCM using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FP Markets processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly with no fees, while USDT TRC20 deposits are credited within minutes. Bank transfers take 1–3 business days. HYCM also supports these methods but may charge a 1% fee on Neteller deposits and has a minimum deposit of $200 vs FP Markets’ $100. Withdrawals at FP Markets are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, while HYCM may take 1–2 business days. For quick and low-cost deposits, FP Markets is the better option for North Macedonia traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | FP Markets | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FP Markets and HYCM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. FP Markets provides swap-free accounts upon request, with no overnight interest charges on forex and metal pairs, but charges a small administrative fee after a holding period. HYCM offers Islamic accounts automatically for eligible clients with no swap fees and no holding period restrictions. Traders must provide proof of Muslim faith (e.g., a certificate from a local mosque) to qualify. For long-term position holders, HYCM’s policy is slightly more favorable, while FP Markets suits shorter-term traders.
| Support Feature | FP Markets | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FP Markets |
FP Markets offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone with dedicated account managers for premium clients. HYCM provides 24/5 support in multiple languages including English, but response times can be slower during peak hours. For North Macedonia traders, FP Markets’ faster live chat response (under 30 seconds on average) and comprehensive FAQ section give it an edge. Both brokers offer support in English, which is widely understood by local traders.
| Mobile Feature | FP Markets | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FP Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FP Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Resource | FP Markets | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FP Markets |
Choose FP Markets if you...
Choose HYCM if you...
For North Macedonia traders in 2025, FP Markets is the superior choice overall, offering lower spreads, faster execution, and more flexible deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its 4.7/5 rating reflects strong cost efficiency and reliability, while HYCM’s 3.6/5 rating shows it lags in key areas. While HYCM has its merits—especially for Islamic account holders and cTrader users—FP Markets’ combination of low costs, fast deposits, and robust regulation makes it the best fit for most retail traders in North Macedonia. We recommend FP Markets for active traders seeking value and convenience.