Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
North Macedonia traders seeking reliable forex brokers often compare VT Markets and XM Group for their strong global presence and local payment support. Both brokers accept deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making them accessible for Macedonian traders. VT Markets holds a 3.3/5 rating with competitive raw spreads, while XM Group scores 4.7/5 with robust regulation from CySEC and ASIC. Local traders benefit from the absence of strict local restrictions on foreign brokers, though the local financial regulator advises caution. This comparison covers trading costs, platforms, regulatory safety, and specific payment methods to help you choose the right broker for your trading style.
| Instrument | VT 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 |
XM Group offers lower average spreads for North Macedonia traders, especially on its Zero account with spreads from 0.1 pips on EUR/USD. VT Markets provides competitive spreads but slightly higher on standard accounts, typically 1.0-1.2 pips. For higher-volume traders, XM’s cost structure becomes more favorable. Both brokers charge no commission on standard accounts, but XM’s Zero account has a small commission per lot. Overall, XM Group delivers better value for cost-sensitive Macedonian traders.
| Account Type | VT 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 | VT Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | VT Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | VT Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | VT Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | VT Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | VT Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the preferred platforms for North Macedonia traders due to their advanced charting and automated trading. XM also provides a proprietary WebTrader and mobile apps with local language support. VT Markets focuses on MT4/MT5 with ECN pricing, suitable for scalpers. For traders needing flexibility, XM’s broader platform suite may be more appealing, while VT Markets excels in raw execution speed.
| Factor | VT Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | VT Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
VT Markets uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with ultra-low latency, ideal for scalpers. XM Group also offers NDD execution but with a slight delay on market orders. For North Macedonia traders using USDT or high frequency strategies, VT Markets may provide faster order fills. However, XM’s execution is still reliable for most retail strategies.
| Safety Factor | VT Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group is regulated by top-tier authorities including FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, offering strong client fund protection via segregation. VT Markets is regulated by CySEC and ASIC but lacks FCA oversight. For North Macedonia traders, neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, meaning traders rely on international regulation. XM’s multi-regulator oversight provides an extra layer of safety, while VT Markets still adheres to strict standards. The local financial regulator does not prohibit using such brokers, but traders should verify license status.
| Payment Method | VT Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Internal/E-Wallet: 20–30 minutes up to 1 business day.Bank Cards (Credit/Debit): 1 to 3 business days.Bank Wire/International Transfer: 3 to 5 business days (can extend up to 7 business days depending on intermediary banks). | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
North Macedonia traders can fund accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Deposits via e-wallets are processed instantly, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are fast and low-cost, ideal for crypto users. Withdrawals at XM Group are typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, while VT Markets may take up to 48 hours. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees for these methods, though bank intermediaries may apply. Skrill and Neteller withdrawals are free at XM, while VT Markets charges a small fee on certain methods. Overall, XM Group offers slightly faster and cheaper withdrawal options for Macedonian traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | VT 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 |
Both VT Markets and XM Group offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. These accounts waive overnight interest charges, complying with Sharia law. XM Group’s Islamic accounts are automatically available upon request with no extra conditions. VT Markets also provides Islamic accounts but may require a minimum deposit or active trading volume. For Macedonian Muslim traders, XM Group’s straightforward process is more convenient.
| Support Feature | VT Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | VT Markets |
XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, phone, and email, including support in South Slavic languages. VT Markets provides 24/7 support but primarily in English. North Macedonia traders may find XM’s localized assistance more helpful for account issues. Response times are generally under 5 minutes for live chat at both brokers.
| Mobile Feature | VT Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | VT Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | VT Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | VT Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | VT Markets |
Choose VT Markets if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For North Macedonia traders, XM Group is the superior choice with a 4.7/5 rating, lower spreads, stronger regulation, and faster e-wallet payouts. It accommodates local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 seamlessly. VT Markets (3.3/5) offers raw execution and crypto-friendly deposits but falls behind in overall safety and cost. Given the local financial regulator’s limited oversight of foreign brokers, XM Group’s multi-authority regulation provides greater peace of mind. Most retail traders in North Macedonia will benefit from XM Group’s comprehensive service and competitive trading conditions.