Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
North Macedonia traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2026 often compare Exness and XM Group, two globally recognized platforms with strong local appeal. Exness holds a stellar 4.8/5 rating, praised for its ultra-low spreads and unlimited leverage, while XM Group scores 4.7/5 for its comprehensive educational tools and $30 no-deposit bonus. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring compliance with Macedonian trading laws. They also support popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned trader in Skopje or Bitola, this comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and financial goals.
| Instrument | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $5 | Exness |
For North Macedonia traders, trading costs can significantly impact profitability, especially when trading high volumes. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account with a $3.50 commission per lot, ideal for scalpers and day traders. XM Group starts at 0.6 pips on its Ultra-Low account with no commission, which is better for swing traders. At a trading volume of 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, Exness costs approximately $35 in commissions plus spreads, while XM Group costs around $60 in spreads alone. Exness is the clear winner for cost-conscious traders in North Macedonia.
| Account Type | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are widely used by North Macedonia traders for their advanced charting tools and automated trading capabilities. Exness also provides a proprietary web platform and mobile app with one-click trading, while XM Group offers XM WebTrader for browser-based trading. For Macedonian traders who trade on the go, both platforms have fully functional mobile apps with real-time quotes and order management. Exness’s platform supports more order types, which is beneficial for advanced strategies.
| Factor | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Exness boasts an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds on its raw spread accounts, thanks to its deep liquidity pool and no dealing desk (NDD) model. XM Group executes orders in about 0.2 seconds with no requotes, using a combination of NDD and STP execution. For North Macedonia traders who scalp or trade news events, Exness’s faster execution reduces slippage risk. XM Group’s execution is still reliable for most trading styles.
| Safety Factor | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness is regulated by the local financial regulator in North Macedonia, along with top-tier licenses from the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus). XM Group is also regulated by the local financial regulator and holds licenses from ASIC (Australia) and IFSC (Belize). For North Macedonia traders, this dual regulation means your funds are protected under local investor compensation schemes. Exness offers negative balance protection, while XM Group provides segregated accounts. Both brokers are compliant with Macedonian anti-money laundering laws, ensuring a safe trading environment.
| Payment Method | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds as a North Macedonia trader is straightforward with both brokers. Exness and XM Group accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Exness processes withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, while XM Group typically takes 1-2 business days. Bank Transfer withdrawals at Exness are free for the first withdrawal per month, whereas XM Group charges a small fee for local bank transfers. USDT TRC20 deposits are particularly useful for crypto-savvy traders in North Macedonia, offering near-instant confirmation. Both brokers have no deposit fees, making them cost-effective for local traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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 seeking Sharia-compliant trading, both Exness and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. Exness provides these accounts indefinitely upon request, with no additional fees, making them ideal for long-term position traders. XM Group also offers Islamic accounts, but they are available for a limited period (typically up to 30 days) before reverting to standard conditions, unless the trader is a long-term client. Exness is the better choice for North Macedonia Muslim traders who require perpetual swap-free trading.
| Support Feature | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness offers 24/7 customer support in English and several other languages, with a dedicated live chat and phone support for North Macedonia traders. XM Group provides 24/5 support with a local phone number for Macedonia and a comprehensive FAQ section. Exness’s support is slightly more responsive, with average response times under 30 seconds via live chat. Both brokers have helpful support teams, but Exness edges ahead for around-the-clock availability.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For North Macedonia traders, Exness is the better overall choice due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and superior Islamic account terms. Its acceptance of local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, along with regulation by the local financial regulator, makes it highly accessible and trustworthy. XM Group is an excellent alternative for beginners and traders who value educational tools and bonuses. Ultimately, if you prioritize cost and speed, choose Exness; if you prefer learning resources and a bonus, go with XM Group.