Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For North Macedonia traders comparing forex brokers in 2026, XM Group and Admirals are two well-established choices. XM Group holds a strong 4.7/5 rating, while Admirals scores 4.1/5, reflecting differences in spreads, platform features, and local payment support. Both brokers accept clients from North Macedonia and offer local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 (XM only). The local financial regulator oversees trading activities, ensuring a baseline of consumer protection. This comparison focuses on what matters most to retail traders in North Macedonia: trading costs, deposit convenience, regulatory safety, and customer support. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader, understanding these differences will help you choose the broker that aligns with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Admirals |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Admirals |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Admirals |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Admirals |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $1 | Admirals |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, XM Group generally offers lower spreads. On its Ultra Low account, spreads start from 0.0 pips with a small commission, while the Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. Admirals’ Zero account starts from 0.1 pips with a commission, and its Trade account has spreads from 0.5 pips. For a North Macedonia trader executing 10 standard lots per month, XM Group’s tighter spreads can save $50-100 compared to Admirals. Both brokers offer competitive pricing, but XM Group edges ahead for cost-conscious retail traders.
| Account Type | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 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 | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and Admirals provide the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are popular among North Macedonia traders for their reliability and advanced charting tools. XM Group also offers its own XM WebTrader for browser-based trading, while Admirals provides the Admirals WebTrader and a proprietary mobile app. For North Macedonia traders, the choice largely comes down to personal preference: XM Group’s ecosystem is slightly more extensive, but Admirals’ platforms are equally robust. Both support automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs) and offer full functionality on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
| Factor | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality directly impacts trading results. XM Group offers no-dealing-desk (NDD) execution with an average order execution speed of under 1 second. Admirals also uses NDD execution with similar speed. Both brokers provide market execution, meaning orders are filled at the best available price without requotes. For North Macedonia traders trading volatile pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/JPY, both brokers deliver reliable execution. XM Group’s slightly faster execution and lower slippage in back-tested scenarios give it a marginal advantage.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key consideration for North Macedonia traders. XM Group is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), providing strong client fund protection and negative balance protection. Admirals is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and the Financial Supervision Authority (FSA) in Estonia. Both brokers comply with the local financial regulator’s requirements for serving North Macedonia clients. While neither broker is directly regulated by the local regulator, their international licenses offer a high level of trust and security. XM Group’s larger regulatory footprint may give additional confidence to risk-averse traders.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for North Macedonia traders at both brokers. XM Group supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, offering instant e-wallet deposits and crypto transfers with low fees. Admirals accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller but does not support USDT TRC20. Minimum deposits are low: $5 at XM Group and $100 at Admirals. Withdrawals are processed quickly—usually within 24 hours for e-wallets—and both brokers do not charge internal fees. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group’s USDT TRC20 option is a notable advantage for fast, low-cost funding without relying on traditional banking.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM Group and Admirals offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia who require compliance with Sharia law. XM Group provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Ultra Low, and Micro) with no additional fees or time limits. Admirals also offers Islamic accounts but may charge an administrative fee if positions are held beyond a specified period (e.g., 10 days). For long-term holders, XM Group’s policy is more favorable. Traders should request Islamic account status during registration and confirm current terms with the broker’s support team.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
Customer support is vital for North Macedonia traders, especially those new to forex. XM Group offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated teams for different regions. Admirals provides support during market hours (24/5) via live chat, email, and phone. XM Group’s round-the-clock availability gives it an edge for traders who need assistance outside standard hours. Both brokers have responsive teams, but XM Group’s extended hours are a practical advantage for North Macedonia traders.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Admirals if you...
For North Macedonia retail traders in 2026, XM Group is the stronger choice overall, with a higher score (4.7 vs 4.1), lower spreads, and more local payment options including USDT TRC20. Its 24/7 support and flexible Islamic account policy further enhance its appeal. Admirals remains a solid option, especially for traders who prioritize educational content and regulatory depth. However, given the local context—where fast, low-cost deposit methods like USDT TRC20 are increasingly popular—XM Group aligns better with the needs of most North Macedonia traders. Both brokers operate legally under the local financial regulator’s framework, so your final decision should be based on your specific trading style and payment preferences.