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 Libertex is a critical decision that affects trading costs, platform experience, and access to local payment methods. IC Markets, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is known for its ultra-low spreads, fast execution, and extensive product range, making it ideal for active traders. Libertex, rated 3.7/5, appeals to beginners with its user-friendly interface and fixed spreads. Both brokers accept Macedonian traders and support local payment options like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, which are essential for convenient deposits and withdrawals. This comparison focuses on the specific needs of North Macedonia traders, including regulatory considerations from the local financial regulator and the impact of trading costs on profitability.
| Instrument | IC Markets | 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 | $200 | $10 | Libertex |
For North Macedonia traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, while Libertex uses fixed spreads that average 1.2 pips on major forex pairs. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets can save a Macedonian trader $50-$100 in spread costs, depending on volume. Libertex’s simplicity may appeal to low-volume traders, but for active scalpers, IC Markets’ lower costs are more advantageous.
| Account Type | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 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 | IC Markets | Libertex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, which are industry-standard platforms with advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. Libertex offers its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is simpler but less customizable. For North Macedonia traders who value flexibility and algorithmic trading, IC Markets’ platform suite is superior, while Libertex’s platform is easier for beginners who prefer a streamlined experience.
| Factor | IC Markets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 boasts ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms and no dealing desk intervention, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Libertex uses a market maker model, which can lead to requotes and slippage. For North Macedonia traders who prioritize speed and transparency, IC Markets’ execution quality is clearly superior.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by top-tier authorities like ASIC and CySEC, while Libertex holds licenses from CySEC and the FSC. Both brokers comply with international standards, but for North Macedonia traders, the local financial regulator does not directly oversee either broker. However, IC Markets’ stronger regulatory framework offers added security through negative balance protection and segregated accounts, which is reassuring for Macedonian traders seeking a trusted broker.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5 business days |
North Macedonia traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and Libertex using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. IC Markets also accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal, while Libertex supports additional local e-wallets. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are processed instantly, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are fast and low-cost, ideal for crypto-savvy traders. Withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers charge no deposit fees, but Libertex may have withdrawal fees for certain methods.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | 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 |
Both IC Markets and Libertex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. IC Markets provides swap-free status on all account types without additional charges, while Libertex requires a request and may apply conditions after a holding period. Traders should verify that the instruments they trade are eligible for swap-free treatment, as some commodities or indices may incur overnight fees after 7-10 days.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Libertex | 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 quick response times. Libertex provides support during business hours via live chat and email, with a slightly slower response. For North Macedonia traders, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is more reliable, especially for urgent issues during active trading hours.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | 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 Libertex if you...
For North Macedonia retail traders, IC Markets is the clear winner with its 4.8/5 rating, lower spreads, faster execution, and superior platform suite. It supports all local payment methods, including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and is regulated by top-tier authorities that align with the local financial regulator’s expectations. Libertex, while simpler and suitable for beginners, falls short on cost and execution quality. We recommend IC Markets for most Macedonian traders seeking a professional trading environment, though Libertex may be a good starting point for those new to forex.