Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in North Macedonia, choosing between IC Markets and InvestoPro requires careful consideration of trading costs, platform features, and local payment options. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 rating, is a globally recognized ECN broker known for tight spreads and fast execution. InvestoPro, scoring 3.8/5, is a smaller broker that offers a user-friendly interface but higher costs. Both brokers accept traders from North Macedonia and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. The local financial regulator does not directly oversee either broker, but they operate under reputable international licenses. This comparison focuses on what matters most for North Macedonia traders: spreads, deposit convenience, regulatory safety, and platform reliability.
| Instrument | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | InvestoPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | InvestoPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | InvestoPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | InvestoPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 | InvestoPro |
IC Markets offers significantly lower trading costs for North Macedonia traders, with spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs and a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. In contrast, InvestoPro has spreads starting from 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. For a trader in Skopje executing 10 standard lots per month, IC Markets saves approximately $200 in costs. Scalpers and day traders in North Macedonia will benefit from IC Markets' tighter spreads, while InvestoPro may suit occasional traders who prefer simplicity over cost efficiency.
| Account Type | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 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 | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | InvestoPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all available in Macedonian language via third-party translations. These platforms offer advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and VPS support for North Macedonia traders. InvestoPro offers a proprietary web platform and mobile app, which is simpler but lacks the depth of MetaTrader. For traders in North Macedonia who use Expert Advisors or need advanced tools, IC Markets is the clear winner. InvestoPro may appeal to beginners who prefer a straightforward interface without complex features.
| Factor | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | InvestoPro |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets has an average execution speed of 40ms and uses Equinix NY4 servers, ensuring low latency for North Macedonia traders. InvestoPro's execution speed is around 100ms, which is slower but still adequate for most retail traders. Scalpers and high-frequency traders in North Macedonia will prefer IC Markets for its faster fills and minimal slippage. Both brokers offer No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, but IC Markets' ECN model provides deeper liquidity.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), providing strong client fund protection. InvestoPro is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which offers limited oversight. For North Macedonia traders, the local financial regulator does not have jurisdiction over these brokers. IC Markets' stricter regulatory framework offers greater security, including negative balance protection and segregated accounts, which is important for retail traders in North Macedonia.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Card/e-wallet fast; bank transfer 1-3 days |
Both IC Markets and InvestoPro support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 for North Macedonia traders. IC Markets also accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal, while InvestoPro adds local bank options. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed instantly with zero fees, making it a popular choice for crypto-savvy traders in North Macedonia. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days, while Skrill and Neteller are almost instant. Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 24 hours, while InvestoPro may take 1-2 business days. No deposit fees are charged by either broker, but bank intermediary fees may apply for wire transfers.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
IC Markets offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader) for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. These accounts have no overnight interest charges and are available upon request. InvestoPro also provides Islamic accounts but requires a written request to support and may take longer to activate. Both brokers comply with Sharia law, but IC Markets' seamless activation process is more convenient for North Macedonia traders. It's important to note that Islamic accounts may have restrictions on certain instruments or holding periods.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Macedonian language support available through translation services. InvestoPro provides support during business hours (Monday to Friday) via live chat and email, with limited language options. For North Macedonia traders who need timely assistance, IC Markets' round-the-clock support is more reliable, especially during volatile market hours.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose InvestoPro if you...
For most retail traders in North Macedonia, IC Markets is the superior choice due to its higher 4.8/5 rating, tighter spreads, faster execution, and stronger regulation. The availability of Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits makes funding easy, while Islamic accounts cater to Muslim traders. InvestoPro may suit beginners who value simplicity, but its higher costs and weaker regulation are drawbacks. Given the local financial regulator's limited oversight, IC Markets' international licenses provide better protection. We recommend IC Markets for North Macedonia traders seeking cost efficiency and reliability in 2025.