Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in North Macedonia, choosing between FxOpen and XM Group depends on trading style and experience level. FxOpen, with a score of 3.7/5, is known for its ECN pricing model and raw spreads, appealing to scalpers and algorithmic traders. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, is a global broker offering tight spreads, extensive educational resources, and a user-friendly platform suitable for beginners and intermediate traders. Both brokers accept clients from North Macedonia and support local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, they hold licenses from respected authorities like CySEC and ASIC. This comparison will help North Macedonia traders understand which broker aligns better with their trading goals, considering factors like trading costs, platform features, and customer support tailored to the region.
| Instrument | FxOpen | 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 | $100 | $5 | FxOpen |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, XM Group offers more competitive spreads on standard accounts, with EUR/USD spreads starting from 0.6 pips and no commission. FxOpen's standard account has spreads from 1.2 pips, but its ECN account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn. For traders executing frequent or high-volume trades, FxOpen's ECN model can be cheaper. However, for most retail traders in North Macedonia trading smaller volumes, XM Group's lower spreads and absence of commission make it the more cost-effective choice. Swap rates also favor XM Group, which offers competitive overnight financing costs.
| Account Type | FxOpen | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | FxOpen | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | FxOpen | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FxOpen |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FxOpen |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FxOpen |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FxOpen | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers provide the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are widely used by North Macedonia traders. XM Group additionally offers its proprietary XM WebTrader and mobile apps, providing a seamless experience across devices. FxOpen also supports cTrader, a platform favored by ECN traders for its depth of market and advanced order types. For North Macedonia traders who prioritize advanced charting and automation, both brokers deliver. XM Group's platforms are slightly more beginner-friendly, while FxOpen's cTrader appeals to experienced traders needing direct market access.
| Factor | FxOpen | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FxOpen |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FxOpen offers ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring fast order execution and minimal slippage, ideal for scalpers. XM Group uses market execution with no requotes, but may have occasional slippage during volatile markets. For North Macedonia traders, FxOpen's ECN model is better for high-frequency trading, while XM Group's execution is reliable for standard retail strategies.
| Safety Factor | FxOpen | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FxOpen nor XM Group is regulated by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia. However, both brokers hold licenses from respected international authorities. XM Group is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), offering client fund segregation and negative balance protection. FxOpen is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, with additional oversight from the FSA (SVG). For North Macedonia traders, this means deposits are protected under EU investor compensation schemes for CySEC-regulated entities, but local legal recourse is limited. Traders should choose based on trust in these international regulators.
| Payment Method | FxOpen | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
North Macedonia traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both FxOpen and XM Group. Deposits via e-wallets and USDT are processed instantly, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. FxOpen requires a minimum deposit of $10 for USDT and $50 for bank transfers, while XM Group starts at $5 for all methods. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and within 2-5 business days for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but bank transfer fees may apply. USDT TRC20 is particularly convenient for North Macedonia traders due to low transaction costs and fast settlement.
| Islamic Account Feature | FxOpen | 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 FxOpen and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia who wish to trade in accordance with Sharia law. These accounts do not charge or pay overnight swap fees on positions held open past the daily rollover. XM Group provides swap-free status on all account types, including Micro, Standard, and XM Ultra Low accounts. FxOpen offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and ECN accounts, but not on demo accounts. No additional fees are applied for swap-free accounts, though some brokers may charge a service fee after a holding period (check terms). This makes both brokers suitable for North Macedonia's Muslim community.
| Support Feature | FxOpen | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FxOpen |
XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated support in English and other European languages. FxOpen provides 24/7 support via live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group's 24/5 live chat is more accessible, especially during European trading sessions. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | FxOpen | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FxOpen |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FxOpen |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FxOpen |
| Resource | FxOpen | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FxOpen |
Choose FxOpen if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For most retail traders in North Macedonia, XM Group is the better choice due to its higher score (4.7/5), lower spreads on standard accounts, strong regulatory framework, and comprehensive educational tools. It supports local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals straightforward. FxOpen is a solid alternative for experienced traders who want ECN pricing and cTrader, but its lower score and less beginner-friendly offering make it less suitable for the average trader. Ultimately, XM Group offers a more balanced package for North Macedonia traders seeking reliability and value.