Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
North Macedonia has a growing retail forex community, with traders in Skopje, Bitola, Tetovo, and Kumanovo increasingly comparing international brokers before opening accounts. Moneta Markets and XM Group are two well-known options, but they serve different needs. XM Group holds a significantly higher Trustpilot-style score of 4.7/5, backed by over a decade of global operations and millions of registered clients. Moneta Markets, scoring 3.3/5, is a newer broker that appeals to traders seeking modern platforms and crypto-friendly deposit methods like USDT TRC20. For Macedonian traders, the key decision factors are regulation, spread costs, local payment options, and withdrawal reliability. While neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, both operate under international licences that allow them to accept clients from the country. This comparison focuses on what actually matters for retail traders in North Macedonia, from EUR/USD spreads to deposit speed with Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20.
| Instrument | Moneta Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $50 | $5 | XM Group |
For North Macedonia retail traders, trading costs directly affect long-term profitability. XM Group offers a Standard account with spreads from 1.0 pips on EUR/USD and a commission-free model, which suits casual traders. Its Ultra-Low account starts from 0.6 pips but charges a small commission on certain asset classes. Moneta Markets offers a Standard account starting at 1.2 pips and a Razor account with raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus commission. For typical Macedonian retail positions of 1–2 standard lots, XM Group is cheaper on standard accounts, saving roughly $4 to $8 per round turn. However, active traders who use the Razor account may find Moneta Markets competitive. Also factor in swap fees if you hold positions overnight, but both brokers are similar in that regard for non-Islamic accounts.
| Account Type | Moneta Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $50 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | Moneta Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Moneta Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Moneta Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Moneta Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Moneta Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Moneta Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers deliver excellent platform options for North Macedonia traders. XM Group offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard platforms available in English, and also provides a web-based XM WebTrader that works without installation. Moneta Markets also offers MT4 and MT5, plus a mobile app that is optimised for Android and iOS. For North Macedonia traders, both brokers support stop-loss, take-profit, and charting with minimal setup. XM's platform stability is well documented, especially on slower internet connections common in smaller municipalities. Moneta Markets does not offer a proprietary platform like XM's WebTrader, so traders who prefer a streamlined browser experience may lean toward XM. Overall, XM Group has the edge in platform readiness and multilingual support.
| Factor | Moneta Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Moneta Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
XM Group has a strong execution reputation with no requotes on market orders and an average execution speed of under 1 second on their MetaTrader servers. Moneta Markets also uses low-latency servers in London and Singapore, and execution is generally acceptable for retail traders. However, XM Group's larger liquidity pool means tighter spreads during volatile market hours, which is important for North Macedonia traders who trade during the London-New York overlap. While both brokers offer market execution, XM Group's proven infrastructure with over 10 years of live trading reduces the risk of slippage significantly.
| Safety Factor | Moneta Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical concern for North Macedonia traders because the local financial regulator does not directly license international forex brokers. Moneta Markets is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa and also holds a licence from the VFSC in Vanuatu, which is considered weaker oversight. XM Group is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and the IFSC. ASIC protects clients under strict Australian rules, while CySEC provides European-level investor compensation for European clients. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group is the safer choice because its ASIC and CySEC oversight offers additional transparency and audit requirements. Neither broker has a licence from the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, so traders should rely on the strength of the international regulatory framework.
| Payment Method | Moneta Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Internal Processing: Generally handled within 24 hours by the finance team.Credit/Debit Cards: 1 to 5 business days to fully reflect.Bank Wire / International Transfers: 3 to 5 business days to complete. | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
North Macedonia traders can deposit and withdraw at both brokers using local-friendly methods. For Bank Transfer, both brokers accept transfers in MKD equivalent via regional banks, though XM Group processes SEPA-like transfers faster for Macedonian banks that support EUR. Skrill and Neteller are supported by both brokers, with XM typically processing withdrawal requests within 24 hours to these e-wallets. Moneta Markets also offers USDT TRC20 deposits, which is a strong option for local traders who prefer crypto because it avoids bank fees and takes only 10–20 minutes to appear on the trading account. XM Group does not currently support USDT deposits for North Macedonia clients. Withdrawal minimums are similar, but XM's faster processing and clearer fee structure make it more dependable for Macedonian traders who need consistent access to their funds. Always verify that your selected deposit method also works for withdrawals to avoid payout delays.
| Islamic Account Feature | Moneta Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
North Macedonia has a significant Muslim population, especially in regions like Polog and western parts of the country, so Islamic accounts matter. XM Group offers swap-free accounts on both Standard and Ultra-Low accounts with no overnight interest on any positions. The swap-free status is applied automatically for clients requesting it at onboarding, with no documentation required for most countries. Moneta Markets also offers Islamic accounts but requires clients to contact support to activate the swap-free feature. Moneta's policy is less transparent, and some traders have reported delays in activation. For Macedonian Muslim traders, XM Group is more straightforward and better documented, especially for those trading longer-term positions.
| Support Feature | Moneta Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Moneta Markets |
XM Group provides 24/5 multilingual support in English and several regional languages, including Albanian and Serbian, which is useful for traders in North Macedonia. Their live chat response time averages under 2 minutes, and phone support is available for immediate assistance. Moneta Markets also offers 24/5 support via live chat and email, but response times can be slower, and there is no dedicated phone line for North Macedonia. For retail traders who need help with deposits, withdrawals, or platform issues, XM Group offers a more reliable support experience, with a comprehensive FAQ section in English.
| Mobile Feature | Moneta Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Moneta Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Moneta Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Moneta Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Moneta Markets |
Choose Moneta Markets if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For North Macedonia retail traders, XM Group is the clearer winner with a 4.7/5 rating, stronger regulatory oversight, tighter average spreads, and faster local payment processing via Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller. Moneta Markets remains a decent alternative for traders who specifically value USDT TRC20 deposits or who want to pay lower commissions on a raw spread account. However, given that no broker is directly overseen by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, XM Group's ASIC and CySEC licences offer an additional layer of safety. Most traders in Skopje and larger urban centres will find XM Group easier to use, cheaper, and more reliable for long-term trading success.