Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
North Macedonia traders looking for a reliable forex broker face a choice between two well-established names: HYCM and EasyMarkets. Both brokers accept clients from North Macedonia and support popular local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals seamless in USD. HYCM, founded in 1977, boasts a strong global reputation with a score of 3.6/5, offering advanced trading platforms like MT4 and MT5, plus competitive variable spreads. EasyMarkets, established in 2001, scores 3.4/5 and is known for its user-friendly web trader platform, fixed spreads, and innovative risk-management tools like dealCancellation. While neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, both operate under top-tier international licenses. This comparison will help you decide which broker fits your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $20 | $25 | HYCM |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, HYCM holds an edge with variable spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw account (plus a small commission). EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, which are typically higher—around 1.2 pips on EUR/USD—but offer predictability. For a trader executing 10 standard lots per month, HYCM’s lower spreads can save hundreds of dollars annually. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads protect you from widening during volatile news events, which may appeal to risk-averse traders. Consider your trading volume and frequency: active scalpers and day traders will likely benefit more from HYCM’s cost structure.
| Account Type | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $20 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | HYCM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | HYCM |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | HYCM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
HYCM provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, available on desktop, web, and mobile—ideal for North Macedonia traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) or advanced charting tools. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform and a mobile app, which is intuitive but lacks the depth of MT4/MT5. For traders in North Macedonia who value flexibility and automation, HYCM is the better choice. If you prefer simplicity and a clean interface without needing to install software, EasyMarkets’ platform is straightforward and efficient.
| Factor | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | HYCM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
HYCM uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with low latency, suitable for scalping and algorithmic trading. EasyMarkets operates a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, which can prevent slippage but may result in requotes during volatile conditions. For North Macedonia traders who prioritize fast, raw execution, HYCM is preferable. If you value trade certainty and fixed costs, EasyMarkets’ execution model is more predictable.
| Safety Factor | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
HYCM is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), providing strong investor protection. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). While neither broker holds a license from North Macedonia’s local financial regulator, these international regulators enforce strict standards like segregated client funds and negative balance protection. For North Macedonia traders, this means your funds are generally safe, but you should be aware that FCA and CySEC protections may have limitations for non-EU residents. Always check the specific entity you open an account with.
| Payment Method | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 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. | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) |
North Macedonia traders can fund their HYCM or EasyMarkets accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—all supported by both brokers. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant and free, while USDT TRC20 offers a fast, low-cost crypto option. Bank transfers are reliable but may take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers may take up to 5 business days. Neither broker charges deposit fees, but your bank or payment provider may apply small charges. For active traders, using e-wallets or USDT ensures quick access to funds. Both brokers accept deposits in USD, which is convenient for avoiding conversion fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | HYCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 HYCM and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia who require compliance with Sharia law. These accounts eliminate overnight interest (swap) charges on positions held beyond the daily rollover. HYCM’s Islamic account is available on all account types, while EasyMarkets offers it on its standard account. To open an Islamic account, simply request it during registration or contact customer support. This feature ensures that North Macedonia traders can trade without conflicting with their religious beliefs.
| Support Feature | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | HYCM |
HYCM offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with quick response times. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support through live chat, email, and phone, with a reputation for friendly, helpful service. For North Macedonia traders, both brokers offer support in English, but neither has dedicated local language support. Response times are generally under 5 minutes for live chat, making both reliable options.
| Mobile Feature | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | HYCM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | HYCM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | HYCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | HYCM |
Choose HYCM if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For most North Macedonia traders, HYCM is the stronger choice due to its higher overall score (3.6/5), lower spreads, and advanced platforms. It suits active traders who need flexibility and cost efficiency. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) is a solid alternative for those who value simplicity, fixed costs, and risk-management features. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and while they aren’t regulated by the local financial regulator, their international licenses provide adequate safety. Ultimately, HYCM offers more for serious traders, while EasyMarkets is ideal for cautious beginners. Test both with a demo account to see which fits your style.