Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in North Macedonia, choosing between FXTM and HYCM is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, platform experience, and deposit convenience. Both brokers are well-established globally and accept clients from North Macedonia, but they differ in key areas important to local traders. FXTM, with a strong score of 4.3/5, offers a broader range of account types, including Cent and ECN accounts, and supports local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. HYCM, rated 3.6/5, is known for its longer history and tight spreads on major pairs. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns better with your trading style and local needs in North Macedonia, considering regulatory oversight by the local financial regulator and international bodies.
| Instrument | FXTM | 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 | $200 | $20 | HYCM |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, HYCM often has a slight edge on spreads for major forex pairs like EUR/USD, starting from 0.2 pips on its Fixed account. FXTM’s spreads begin at 0.3 pips on its Cent account but can drop to 0.1 pips on its ECN account for high-volume traders. Commission structures also differ: FXTM charges from $2 per lot on ECN accounts, while HYCM’s Fixed account is commission-free. For retail traders in North Macedonia trading smaller volumes, HYCM’s lower spreads may result in lower overall costs, but active traders may benefit from FXTM’s ECN pricing.
| Account Type | FXTM | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $20 |
| Entity / Asset | FXTM | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FXTM | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXTM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXTM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FXTM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | HYCM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXTM | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FXTM offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, both widely used by North Macedonia traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. HYCM also provides MT4 and MT5, plus its proprietary trading platform for web and mobile. For local traders, FXTM’s additional support for copy trading and social trading features can be more appealing, especially for beginners. Both brokers offer mobile apps optimized for iOS and Android, ensuring seamless trading on the go. FXTM’s platform selection is slightly more comprehensive for diverse trading needs.
| Factor | FXTM | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | HYCM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXTM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FXTM offers ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring fast order execution and minimal slippage for North Macedonia traders. HYCM uses a mix of market execution and dealing desk for certain account types, which may result in occasional requotes. For scalpers and high-frequency traders, FXTM’s execution model is superior. Both brokers have average execution speeds under 50ms, but FXTM’s consistency is better.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXTM and HYCM are regulated by top-tier authorities like the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus), providing strong fund security and negative balance protection for North Macedonia traders. However, neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia. FXTM additionally holds licenses from the FSCA (South Africa) and CMA (Kenya), while HYCM has a longer operational history since 1977. For North Macedonia traders, this means both brokers offer a safe trading environment, but FXTM’s broader regulatory coverage may inspire more confidence in terms of dispute resolution.
| Payment Method | FXTM | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. | 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. |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for North Macedonia traders at both brokers. FXTM supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20, and credit/debit cards, with a minimum deposit of $10. HYCM offers the same methods, with a minimum deposit of $20. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant, while USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are generally processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-5 business days for bank transfers. FXTM has a slight advantage with lower minimum deposits and faster processing times for e-wallets.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXTM | 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 FXTM and HYCM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts to accommodate Muslim traders in North Macedonia who require Sharia-compliant trading. FXTM provides Islamic accounts on its Cent, Standard, and ECN accounts, with no swap fees on overnight positions. HYCM offers Islamic accounts on its Fixed and Floating accounts, also swap-free. Traders must request the account after registration and provide appropriate documentation. FXTM’s wider range of account types for Islamic accounts gives it an edge for traders seeking more flexibility.
| Support Feature | FXTM | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXTM |
FXTM offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with support available in English and local languages relevant to North Macedonia. HYCM provides similar support hours but has a more limited language selection. FXTM’s support team is generally more responsive, with average response times under 5 minutes for live chat. For North Macedonia traders, FXTM’s dedicated local phone line and multilingual support may be more convenient.
| Mobile Feature | FXTM | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXTM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXTM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FXTM | HYCM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FXTM |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXTM |
Choose FXTM if you...
Choose HYCM if you...
For retail traders in North Macedonia, FXTM emerges as the stronger overall choice, thanks to its higher rating (4.3 vs 3.6), lower minimum deposits, faster deposit options via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and more flexible account types including Islamic accounts. HYCM remains a solid alternative for traders seeking tight spreads and a longer track record, especially for standard forex trading. While both brokers are not regulated by the local financial regulator, they are overseen by reputable international bodies. Ultimately, FXTM offers better value for most North Macedonia traders, but HYCM is worth considering if cost efficiency on major pairs is your priority.