IC Markets vs XM Group 2026: Which Forex Broker is Better for North Macedonia Traders?

IC Markets offers lower spreads, starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a $3.50 commission per lot, making it ideal for high-volume North Macedonia traders. XM Group has standard spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, which is cost-effective for smaller trades. For a North Macedonia trader executing 10 standard lots per month in USD pairs, IC Markets can save up to 30% on total costs compared to XM Group. However, XM Group’s zero-fee deposits and withdrawals compensate for slightly higher spreads, especially for beginners.

Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the most popular platforms among North Macedonia traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader and a proprietary web platform, giving advanced users more tools for automated trading. XM Group focuses on simplicity with MT4/MT5 and its XM WebTrader. For North Macedonia traders who value speed and customization, IC Markets is superior; for those preferring a straightforward interface, XM Group is sufficient.

IC Markets provides true ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, offering average execution speeds under 40ms. XM Group uses a hybrid model with some market-making elements, resulting in slightly slower execution (around 100ms). For scalpers and algorithmic traders in North Macedonia, IC Markets’ execution is superior, while XM Group is adequate for manual traders.

IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles), while XM Group holds licenses from CySEC, FCA (UK), and IFSC (Belize). Neither broker is regulated by North Macedonia's local financial regulator, but both comply with EU standards via CySEC, offering negative balance protection and investor compensation funds. This provides a safety net for North Macedonia traders, though they should verify the specific entity they register with to ensure adequate protection.

North Macedonia traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both brokers. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while XM Group allows as little as $5. XM Group processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly with no fees, and USDT deposits are also fast. IC Markets supports the same methods but may charge a small fee for bank transfers. Withdrawals are typically processed within 1-2 business days via Skrill/Neteller and 3-5 days via bank transfer. USDT withdrawals are available at both, offering a crypto-friendly option for North Macedonia users.

Both IC Markets and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in North Macedonia. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader) with no swap charges on overnight positions. XM Group offers Islamic accounts on Micro and Standard accounts, with a condition that positions held longer than 7 days may incur a fee. North Macedonia traders should review each broker’s policy to avoid unexpected charges, especially for long-term trades.

XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and email, with dedicated teams for Balkan regions including North Macedonia. IC Markets provides 24/7 live chat and email support but lacks regional language support. For North Macedonia traders, XM Group’s customer service is more accessible, though IC Markets’ round-the-clock availability benefits those trading after-hours.