Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in North Macedonia, choosing between HotForex HFM and Libertex is a key decision that impacts trading costs, platform experience, and deposit convenience. HotForex HFM, with a strong 4.4/5 rating, is a well-established broker offering deep liquidity, low spreads from 0.1 pips, and support for popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Libertex, rated 3.7/5, is a user-friendly broker with a proprietary platform and simplified trading, but it lacks some advanced tools and has fewer deposit options. Both brokers are accessible from North Macedonia and accept clients globally, but their differences in regulation, costs, and features matter for local traders. This comparison helps you decide based on your trading style, whether you prioritize low costs and advanced platforms (HFM) or simplicity and ease of use (Libertex).
| Instrument | HotForex HFM | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $10 | HotForex HFM |
For North Macedonia traders, trading costs are a major factor, especially for those trading frequently or in higher volumes. HotForex HFM offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips on its Zero account with a commission of $3 per lot per side, making it cost-effective for scalpers and day traders. In contrast, Libertex has spreads starting from 0.5 pips on major forex pairs, with no commission but wider spreads that increase with market volatility. Over 100 trades per month, HFM can save a trader $50-$100 in spread costs compared to Libertex. For traders using MKD-denominated accounts or converting via Bank Transfer, HFM's lower spreads mean better net returns.
| Account Type | HotForex HFM | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | HotForex HFM | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:999 |
| 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 | HotForex HFM | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | HotForex HFM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | HotForex HFM |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | HotForex HFM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | HotForex HFM | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
HotForex HFM provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are popular among North Macedonia traders for their advanced charting tools, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and custom indicators. Libertex offers its own proprietary web and mobile platform, which is simpler and more intuitive but lacks the depth of MT4/MT5. For retail traders in North Macedonia who want to use EAs or advanced technical analysis, HFM is the clear choice. Libertex is better for beginners who prefer a streamlined trading experience without the complexity of third-party platforms.
| Factor | HotForex HFM | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | HotForex HFM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
HotForex HFM uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with low latency, offering average execution speeds under 40ms. This is ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders in North Macedonia. Libertex uses market maker execution, which can lead to requotes and slippage during volatile markets. For traders who need reliable execution, especially during major news events, HFM's NDD model is superior.
| Safety Factor | HotForex HFM | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
HotForex HFM is regulated by multiple tier-1 authorities including the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSCA (South Africa), providing strong client fund protection and negative balance protection. Libertex is regulated by CySEC and the FSC, but its oversight is less comprehensive. For North Macedonia traders, the local financial regulator does not directly oversee these brokers, so relying on international regulation is key. HFM's FCA regulation offers additional security with compensation schemes up to £85,000, which is important for traders who deposit larger sums via Bank Transfer or Skrill.
| Payment Method | HotForex HFM | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller, FasaPay): Instant.WebMoney and PayRedeem: Up to 10 minutes.Cryptocurrencies: Up to 24 hours.Credit / Debit Cards: 2 to 5 business days.Bank Wires: 2 to 10 business days depending on the bank. | 5 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for North Macedonia traders with both brokers. HotForex HFM supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with minimum deposits starting at $10 and no fees for most methods. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 business days for bank transfers. Libertex also accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but does not support USDT TRC20, which may be a drawback for crypto users. Both brokers process withdrawals efficiently, but HFM's additional crypto option gives more flexibility. For local traders, using Skrill or Neteller is the fastest and most cost-effective method.
| Islamic Account Feature | HotForex HFM | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in North Macedonia can benefit from Islamic (swap-free) accounts at both brokers. HotForex HFM offers Islamic accounts across all account types (Standard, Zero, and Premium) with no swap or interest charges on overnight positions. The request is processed quickly via customer support. Libertex also provides swap-free accounts, but availability is limited to certain account types and may require manual approval. HFM's straightforward policy and broader availability make it a better choice for North Macedonia Muslim traders who trade long-term positions or hold overnight trades.
| Support Feature | HotForex HFM | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | HotForex HFM |
HotForex HFM offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team that can assist in Macedonian or Serbian. Libertex provides support 24/5 via live chat and email, but phone support is limited. For North Macedonia traders, HFM's faster response times and local language support give it an edge, especially when dealing with deposit issues via Skrill or Neteller.
| Mobile Feature | HotForex HFM | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | HotForex HFM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | HotForex HFM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | HotForex HFM | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | HotForex HFM |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | HotForex HFM |
Choose HotForex HFM if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For North Macedonia retail traders, HotForex HFM is the superior choice overall, with its 4.4/5 rating, lower trading costs, and broader payment options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. It offers a more professional trading environment with MT4/MT5, strong regulation, and Islamic account support. Libertex, while simpler and good for beginners, falls short in deposit flexibility and cost efficiency. If you trade actively, use EAs, or need crypto deposits, HFM is the better pick. If you're a novice trader who values simplicity, Libertex can work, but for most North Macedonia traders, HFM offers better value and security.