Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in North Macedonia, choosing between XM Group and Plus500 is a critical decision that affects trading costs, platform experience, and access to local payment methods. XM Group, with a strong score of 4.7/5, offers a comprehensive trading environment with over 1,000 instruments, including forex, CFDs on indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Plus500, scoring 3.7/5, is a well-known CFD broker focused on simplicity and user-friendly mobile trading. Both brokers accept clients from North Macedonia and support popular local deposit methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, differences in spreads, account flexibility, and regulatory oversight can significantly impact your trading results. This comparison provides detailed, country-specific insights to help you decide which broker aligns best with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | XM Group | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | Plus500 |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, XM Group generally offers lower spreads than Plus500. XM’s Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips on EUR/USD, while its Zero account starts from 0.1 pips plus a small commission. Plus500 uses a variable spread model, with EUR/USD spreads averaging around 0.8 pips but often widening during news events. For traders executing high volumes, XM Group is more cost-effective. Plus500 also charges a currency conversion fee for deposits in MKD or USD, which can add up. XM Group does not charge deposit fees and offers competitive swap rates.
| Account Type | XM Group | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:300 |
| 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 | Plus500 | 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+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
XM Group provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are popular among North Macedonia traders for their advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. Plus500 uses its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is intuitive and fast but lacks the depth of MT4/MT5. For traders in North Macedonia who rely on technical analysis or algorithmic trading, XM Group is the better choice. Plus500’s platform is ideal for beginners who prefer a streamlined experience with one-click trading.
| Factor | XM Group | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 provides fast execution with no requotes on most accounts, using STP/ECN technology. Plus500 uses a market maker model, which can lead to slippage during volatile markets. For North Macedonia traders who value speed and transparency, XM Group’s execution is superior. Plus500’s execution is adequate for casual traders but may frustrate scalpers.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and Plus500 are regulated by top-tier authorities like CySEC and FCA, and they comply with the requirements of the local financial regulator in North Macedonia. This means client funds are segregated and both brokers follow strict anti-money laundering procedures. XM Group offers negative balance protection for retail clients, while Plus500 also provides this feature. For North Macedonia traders, this regulatory framework ensures a safer trading environment, with transparent operations and dispute resolution mechanisms.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3 business day |
North Macedonia traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both XM Group and Plus500. XM Group supports additional methods like credit/debit cards and local bank transfers, with no deposit fees and instant processing for e-wallets and crypto. Withdrawals at XM are processed within 24 hours for most methods. Plus500 also accepts these methods but may charge a 0.5% currency conversion fee for deposits in USD. Minimum deposit at XM is $5, making it more accessible, while Plus500 requires $100. For crypto users, USDT TRC20 deposits are fast and low-cost at both brokers.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Plus500 offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. XM Group provides swap-free accounts on all account types automatically upon request, with no hidden fees or restrictions. Plus500 also offers Islamic accounts, but traders need to contact customer support to activate the feature. XM Group’s policy is more straightforward and widely appreciated by North Macedonia’s Muslim trading community. Both brokers ensure that no overnight interest is charged or credited, complying with Sharia principles.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Plus500 | 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, email, and phone, with dedicated support for North Macedonia traders in English and regional languages. Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections. XM Group’s support is generally more responsive and offers personalized assistance.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | XM Group |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | XM Group |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For retail traders in North Macedonia, XM Group is the superior choice overall, thanks to its higher score (4.7/5), lower spreads, broader platform options, and flexible deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. It offers a more cost-effective trading environment, especially for active traders, and complies with local financial regulator requirements. Plus500 remains a solid option for beginners who value simplicity and mobile trading, but its higher spreads and limited platform features make it less suitable for experienced traders. If you prioritize low costs and advanced tools, choose XM Group.