XM Group vs IG for North Macedonia Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — North Macedonia Traders
Choosing the right forex broker is crucial for retail traders in North Macedonia, where access to global markets and local-friendly payment methods can make or break your trading experience. XM Group, rated 4.7/5, and IG, rated 4.2/5, are two leading brokers that accept clients from North Macedonia. Both offer robust trading platforms, competitive spreads, and support for local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, they cater to different trader profiles. XM Group is known for its low minimum deposit ($5), extensive educational resources, and zero-commission trading, making it ideal for beginners and intermediate traders. IG, on the other hand, is a global powerhouse with direct market access, a vast range of instruments (including 17,000+ markets), and advanced charting tools, suited for experienced traders. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals, budget, and local regulatory environment in North Macedonia.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | XM Group | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IG |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IG |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IG |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IG |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $0 | IG |
For North Macedonia traders, trading costs are a key factor. XM Group offers spreads starting from 1.0 pips on standard accounts with no commission, while IG's standard account spreads start at 1.1 pips, also commission-free. On a typical $10,000 trade (10,000 units), XM Group's spread cost is $10 per round turn, compared to IG's $11. However, IG's Raw Spread account (from 0.0 pips + $5 commission per lot) can be cheaper for high-volume traders. XM Group's Micro account is best for small traders, with spreads from 1.0 pips and no commission. Overall, XM Group is more cost-effective for most retail traders in North Macedonia, especially those trading smaller volumes.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | XM Group | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $0 |
Leverage Comparison - North Macedonia Traders
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | IG |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:30 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | XM Group | IG | 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+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | XM Group | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
North Macedonia traders need platforms that are reliable and easy to use. XM Group offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary XM WebTrader, all with mobile apps. IG provides its own award-winning web platform, plus MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime. IG's platform is more advanced, with integrated news, sentiment indicators, and direct market access. XM Group's MT4/MT5 are better for automated trading and custom indicators. For traders in North Macedonia who prefer simplicity and automation, XM Group is the better choice. For those needing advanced charting and research tools, IG excels.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | XM Group | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| 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 is critical for retail traders. XM Group offers STP (Straight Through Processing) execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring fast order execution with an average speed of 0.3 seconds. IG provides DMA (Direct Market Access) for advanced traders, with execution speeds as low as 0.1 seconds on its ProRealTime platform. For most retail traders in North Macedonia, XM Group's execution is reliable and sufficient. IG's DMA is better for high-frequency or scalping strategies.
Regulation & Safety for North Macedonia Traders
| Safety Factor | XM Group | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and IG are regulated by top-tier authorities: XM Group by CySEC and ASIC, IG by the FCA, ASIC, and others. Neither is regulated by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, but this is common for international brokers serving the region. This means North Macedonia traders are protected under the regulatory frameworks of these jurisdictions, including negative balance protection and segregated client funds. However, deposit protection schemes (like the FSCS) do not apply to non-UK residents. Traders should verify the specific entity they are trading under to understand their level of protection.
Deposits & Withdrawals for North Macedonia
| Payment Method | XM Group | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 to 5 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 no deposit fees and instant processing for e-wallets and crypto. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for most methods. IG also accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, but charges a 1% fee on Skrill and Neteller deposits. USDT TRC20 deposits are free and processed instantly at both brokers. For withdrawals, XM Group offers faster processing (typically within 24 hours) compared to IG (1-3 business days). XM Group is more cost-effective and faster for North Macedonia traders using these methods.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for North Macedonia Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Micro, Standard, and XM Zero) with no swap charges on overnight positions, and they are available to all clients. IG offers Islamic accounts but only on request and with a limited range of instruments (forex and major indices only). XM Group is more accommodating, with no restrictions on instrument availability and no additional fees. This makes XM Group the preferred choice for North Macedonia Muslim traders seeking flexibility and cost savings.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | XM Group | IG | 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 available in English and multiple languages at both brokers. XM Group offers 24/5 live chat, phone support, and email, with a dedicated account manager for VIP clients. IG also provides 24/5 support via phone, live chat, and email, with a comprehensive FAQ section. XM Group's support is generally faster and more responsive, with average response times under 1 minute for live chat. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group's support is more accessible and efficient.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | IG | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | XM Group | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
XM Group
IG
Who Should Use Which Broker? - North Macedonia Guide
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner or intermediate retail trader in North Macedonia
- Want low minimum deposit ($5) and low spreads (from 1.0 pips)
- Prefer fast and free deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20
- Need an Islamic account with no restrictions on instruments
Choose IG if you...
- Are an experienced trader needing direct market access
- Trade large volumes and want Raw Spread accounts (from 0.0 pips)
- Require advanced charting tools and a wide range of global markets (17,000+)
- Value a broker with a long-established reputation (50+ years)
FAQ - XM Group vs IG in North Macedonia
Final Verdict - North Macedonia 2026
For the majority of retail traders in North Macedonia, XM Group is the superior choice. It offers a higher Trustpilot score (4.7/5), lower minimum deposit, free and fast deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and flexible Islamic accounts. Its spreads are competitive for standard accounts, and its execution is reliable. IG is a strong alternative for advanced traders who need direct market access, a broader instrument range, and raw spreads. However, its higher minimum deposit and fees on some deposit methods make it less accessible. Considering local factors like the local financial regulator's lack of direct oversight, XM Group's user-friendly approach and cost efficiency make it the recommended broker for most traders in North Macedonia.