Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For North Macedonia traders looking to enter the forex market, choosing the right broker is critical. XM Group, rated 4.7/5, and Libertex, rated 3.7/5, are two popular options, but they cater to different needs. XM Group stands out with its ultra-competitive spreads, extensive educational resources, and multi-regulatory oversight including compliance with the local financial regulator. Libertex, while user-friendly, offers higher trading costs and fewer account types. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making it easy for Macedonians to fund accounts in USD. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, and support specifically for retail traders in North Macedonia.
| Instrument | XM Group | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 | Libertex |
XM Group offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with zero commission on standard accounts. For a North Macedonia trader executing 10 lots per month, this translates to roughly $200 in total costs. Libertex, by contrast, has spreads from 0.8 pips and may charge commissions on CFDs, pushing monthly costs to $500 or more for the same volume. XM Group also provides a Micro account for smaller traders, while Libertex’s minimum trade size is higher. Over a year, choosing XM Group can save a typical retail trader in Macedonia several hundred USD.
| Account Type | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Libertex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard platforms with advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. Libertex offers its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is simpler but lacks the depth of MT4/MT5. For North Macedonia traders who rely on technical analysis or algorithmic trading, XM Group is the clear winner. Libertex’s platform is better suited for beginners who prefer a streamlined interface.
| Factor | XM Group | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 |
XM Group uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with an average order execution speed of 0.1 seconds, ensuring minimal slippage. Libertex operates a market maker model, which can lead to requotes and higher slippage during volatile markets. For North Macedonia traders who trade news events or scalping strategies, XM Group’s execution is superior.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, and it complies with the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, ensuring client funds are segregated and protected. Libertex is regulated by CySEC and the FSC but does not have direct oversight from the Macedonian regulator. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group offers stronger investor protection, including negative balance protection and access to compensation schemes. Libertex provides basic regulation but with less local relevance.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5 business days |
Both XM Group and Libertex support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 for North Macedonia traders. XM Group processes deposits instantly with no fees and a minimum of $5, while Libertex requires $50 minimum and may charge up to 2% for certain methods. Withdrawals at XM Group are processed within 24 hours and are free, whereas Libertex takes 1-3 business days and may impose a fee for bank transfers. USDT TRC20 deposits are particularly fast at both brokers, but XM Group offers better overall speed and cost-efficiency for Macedonian traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
XM Group offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts on all account types, including Standard, Micro, and Zero accounts, with no swap fees on overnight positions and no hidden charges. Libertex also provides Islamic accounts, but they are limited to specific instruments and may incur an administrative fee after 30 days. For North Macedonia Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant trading, XM Group provides a more comprehensive and cost-effective solution.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Libertex | 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 dedicated support for North Macedonia traders in local languages. Libertex provides support during business hours only, with limited language options. XM Group’s support team is faster and more accessible, which is crucial for traders in Macedonia who may need assistance during European trading hours.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | XM Group |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For North Macedonia retail traders, XM Group is the superior choice with a 4.7/5 rating, lower costs, better regulation including local financial regulator compliance, and flexible deposit options via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Libertex, while suitable for beginners, falls short on spreads, platform depth, and execution quality. If you are serious about trading in Macedonia, XM Group offers the tools, protection, and value to succeed.