Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For North Macedonia traders seeking a reliable forex broker, the choice between XM Group and AvaTrade is a common dilemma. Both brokers are globally recognized, offer robust trading platforms, and cater to retail traders with competitive conditions. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, is known for its low spreads, extensive educational resources, and support for multiple local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. AvaTrade, with a score of 4.6/5, stands out for its intuitive platform, fixed spreads on certain accounts, and strong regulatory framework. For traders in Skopje, Bitola, or anywhere in North Macedonia, understanding how these brokers serve your specific needs—from deposit options to regulatory safeguards—is crucial. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local requirements.
| Instrument | XM Group | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | AvaTrade |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | AvaTrade |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | AvaTrade |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | AvaTrade |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | AvaTrade |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, XM Group holds an edge with lower average spreads on major forex pairs. For example, the EUR/USD spread on XM’s Standard account starts from 0.6 pips, while AvaTrade’s standard account averages 0.9 pips. Over 100 trades per month, this difference can save you several dollars in costs. XM also offers zero commissions on standard accounts, whereas AvaTrade has no commissions but slightly wider spreads. For high-volume traders in North Macedonia, XM Group’s cost structure is more favorable. AvaTrade compensates with fixed spreads on some accounts, which can be beneficial during volatile markets.
| Account Type | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:400 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:400 |
| 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 | AvaTrade | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among North Macedonia traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. XM Group also provides its own XM WebTrader for browser-based trading. AvaTrade adds AvaTradeGO, a mobile app designed for ease of use, plus access to social trading platforms like ZuluTrade and DupliTrade. For traders in North Macedonia who prefer a simple, mobile-friendly experience, AvaTrade’s offerings may be more appealing. XM Group, however, excels in customization and third-party integration.
| Factor | XM Group | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | AvaTrade |
| 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 |
Both brokers offer fast execution with minimal slippage. XM Group uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model for most accounts, ensuring direct market access and average execution speeds under 0.5 seconds. AvaTrade uses a combination of NDD and market maker execution, which can result in slightly slower speeds during high volatility. For scalpers and day traders in North Macedonia, XM Group provides a more reliable execution environment.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CBI |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and AvaTrade are regulated by top-tier authorities like the CySEC (Cyprus) and FSCA (South Africa), ensuring client fund segregation and negative balance protection. For North Macedonia traders, this means your funds are held in separate accounts and you cannot lose more than your deposit. The local financial regulator does not directly oversee these brokers, but their international licenses provide a high level of security. XM Group also adheres to ASIC (Australia) regulations, while AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. This multi-jurisdictional oversight gives North Macedonia traders peace of mind.
| Payment Method | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 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, with most deposits processed instantly and no fees from the broker. Withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. AvaTrade also accepts these methods, including USDT TRC20, but charges a small withdrawal fee after the first free withdrawal per month. XM Group offers more flexibility with higher withdrawal limits and faster processing for e-wallets. Both brokers allow deposits in USD, which is convenient for North Macedonia traders avoiding currency conversion costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in North Macedonia, both XM Group and AvaTrade offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest charges. XM Group provides swap-free accounts on request for all account types, with no time limit on holding positions. AvaTrade also offers Islamic accounts, but they may have certain restrictions on long-term holding for specific instruments. Both brokers require a simple application process. Overall, XM Group’s policy is more flexible for traders who hold positions for extended periods.
| Support Feature | XM Group | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated team for the Balkan region. AvaTrade provides similar support hours but with a slightly less responsive live chat during peak times. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group’s support is generally faster and more accessible, including support in Macedonian and Serbian languages.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | AvaTrade | 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 | AvaTrade | 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 AvaTrade if you...
For North Macedonia traders, both XM Group and AvaTrade are excellent choices, but XM Group (4.7/5) slightly outperforms AvaTrade (4.6/5) due to its lower trading costs, faster execution, and more flexible deposit/withdrawal options, including support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. While AvaTrade’s fixed spreads and social trading features appeal to beginners and those who prefer stability, XM Group’s overall value proposition—especially for active traders—makes it the recommended broker. Both are regulated internationally and safe for use under the local financial regulator’s oversight. Ultimately, your choice should align with your trading style, but for cost-conscious traders in North Macedonia, XM Group is the clear winner.