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 Tickmill depends on your trading style and priorities. XM Group, with a 4.7/5 rating, stands out for its extensive educational resources, multiple account types, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. This makes it a strong choice for beginners and those who value flexibility. Tickmill, rated 4/5, appeals to cost-focused traders with its ultra-low spreads and fast execution, ideal for scalping and high-volume strategies. Both brokers are well-regarded globally and accept clients from North Macedonia, offering platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5. However, they are not regulated by the local financial regulator, so traders should consider their international licensing from CySEC and FCA. This comparison breaks down costs, platforms, and local deposit options to help you decide based on your specific needs as a North Macedonia trader.
| Instrument | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | Tickmill |
When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, Tickmill has a clear edge on spreads, especially on its Raw Account with spreads starting at 0.0 pips plus a $3 commission per lot. XM Group's Standard Account offers spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, making it cheaper for smaller trades but more expensive for high-volume scalping. For example, a North Macedonia trader executing 10 standard lots per month on EUR/USD would pay around $100 with XM Group versus $30 with Tickmill (including commission). Tickmill also has lower swap rates, benefiting long-term position traders. XM Group compensates with no deposit or withdrawal fees and occasional spread discounts. Overall, Tickmill suits cost-sensitive traders, while XM Group is better for those who prefer simplicity and no hidden charges.
| Account Type | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Tickmill | 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+ | ✗ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and Tickmill offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are widely used by North Macedonia traders for their advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and mobile access. XM Group additionally provides its proprietary XM WebTrader for quick browser-based trading, which can be useful for traders in North Macedonia who want to avoid downloads. Tickmill focuses on MT4/5 with fast execution speeds, appealing to algorithmic traders. Both platforms support local payment method integrations for deposits and withdrawals. For North Macedonia traders, the choice comes down to whether you value XM Group's extra tools and educational content or Tickmill's streamlined, high-performance platform experience.
| Factor | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 |
Tickmill is known for its ultra-fast execution speeds, averaging under 40 milliseconds on its Raw Account, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in North Macedonia. XM Group also offers reliable execution with no requotes on its Standard accounts, but its speeds are slightly slower due to higher liquidity aggregation. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution on most accounts, ensuring transparency. For North Macedonia traders who prioritize speed, Tickmill is the better choice; for those who value stability and order flow, XM Group performs well.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and the FCA (UK), while Tickmill is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and the Seychelles Financial Services Authority. Neither broker is directly supervised by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia. This means North Macedonia traders rely on the brokers' international licenses for investor protection, including negative balance protection and segregated accounts. XM Group's FCA regulation offers up to £85,000 compensation under the FSCS, while Tickmill's CySEC license provides €20,000 coverage under the ICF. For North Macedonia traders, it's important to verify the broker's licensing and understand that local regulatory oversight is absent, though both brokers maintain strong compliance records globally.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
North Macedonia traders can fund their accounts at both XM Group and Tickmill using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, among other methods. XM Group processes deposits instantly with no fees, and withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours, with USDT TRC20 offering near-instant transfers. Tickmill also supports these methods, with Bank Transfers taking 1-3 business days and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller being instant. USDT TRC20 is particularly advantageous for traders in North Macedonia who prefer cryptocurrency payments due to low costs and fast settlement. Both brokers require account verification before withdrawals, following standard KYC procedures. Minimum deposits are low: $5 for XM Group and $100 for Tickmill, making XM Group more accessible for new traders in North Macedonia.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia who require Sharia-compliant trading. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all its account types (Standard, Micro, XM Ultra Low) without any additional fees, and they are available to all clients upon request. Tickmill also offers swap-free accounts but may charge a fee after a holding period (e.g., 30 days) on certain instruments. For North Macedonia's Muslim traders, XM Group's policy is more straightforward and cost-effective, while Tickmill's option is still viable for shorter-term trading. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged or paid on overnight positions, aligning with Islamic finance principles.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Tickmill | 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 customer support in multiple languages, including English and regional languages, with live chat, email, and phone support. Tickmill provides similar support hours but with a slightly smaller team. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group's extensive FAQ and educational resources in English are a plus, while Tickmill's support is efficient but less comprehensive. Both brokers respond quickly to queries, but XM Group edges ahead with its dedicated account managers for VIP clients.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 Tickmill if you...
For North Macedonia traders, the choice between XM Group and Tickmill depends on your trading profile. XM Group (4.7/5) is the better overall broker for retail traders due to its lower minimum deposit ($5), wider range of deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and comprehensive educational tools. It’s ideal for beginners and those who value flexibility. Tickmill (4/5) excels in cost efficiency and execution speed, making it the preferred choice for experienced scalpers and volume traders. Both brokers are safe and regulated internationally, but since they are not overseen by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, traders should exercise due diligence. Ultimately, XM Group offers more versatility for most North Macedonia traders, while Tickmill is a specialist tool for cost-focused active traders.