Joseph Oloo
Written by
Alia Mehmood
Fact-checked by
Updated October 2026Country North Macedonia
Data verified
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026

Pepperstone Vs Hantec Markets 2026: North Macedonia Broker Comparison

Which broker is better for North Macedonia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

Pepperstone logo
Pepperstone
FCA · ASIC · BaFin · Founded 2010
Open Account
VS
Hantec Markets logo
Hantec Markets
FCA · ASIC · JFSA · Founded 1990
Open Account
Winner: Pepperstone
Categories: 12 compared
For: North Macedonia traders
Updated: October 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

Quick Verdict — North Macedonia Traders

Best Overall
Pepperstone
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Hantec Markets
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for North Macedonia Muslims
Best for Beginners
Pepperstone
Better education & support
$0 vs $10
Min deposit
1:1 vs 1:500
Max leverage
FCA vs FCA
Top regulator
4.4 vs 3.6
Our scores
Table of Contents

Head-to-head comparison

For retail traders in North Macedonia, choosing the right forex broker is crucial for success in the local market. Pepperstone and Hantec Markets are two brokers available to North Macedonia residents, but they differ significantly in features, costs, and local support. Pepperstone, with a score of 4.9/5, is a globally recognized broker known for ultra-low spreads (from 0.0 pips), fast execution, and a wide range of deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, offers a more traditional trading experience with higher spreads and fewer payment options. For North Macedonia traders, local factors like access to USDT deposits and local financial regulator oversight make Pepperstone the more practical choice. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, and deposit methods specific to your needs.

🏆

Overall Scores Comparison

Pepperstone logo
Pepperstone
FCA · ASIC · BaFin
4.4
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
Hantec Markets logo
Hantec Markets
FCA · ASIC · JFSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
4.5
WIN
3.7
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
4.6
WIN
3.3
Regulation
Safety, oversight
4.7
WIN
3.9
Deposits
Local payments
4.5
WIN
3.7
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
4.2
WIN
3.4
Education
Webinars, guides
4.5
WIN
3.7
Execution
Speed, slippage
4.5
WIN
3.7
Mobile App
iOS, Android
4.4
WIN
3.6
💹

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

InstrumentPepperstoneHantec MarketsWinner
EUR/USD avg spread0.09 pips + $3.5/lot0.0 pips + $3.5/lotHantec Markets
XAU/USD (Gold)$0.14 typical$0.12 typicalHantec Markets
GBP/USD avg spread0.29 pips0.23 pipsHantec Markets
Standard acc spreadfrom 1.0 pipsfrom 0.8 pipsHantec Markets
ECN commission$3.5/lot/side$3.5/lot/sideTie
Min deposit$0$10Pepperstone

When comparing trading costs for North Macedonia traders, Pepperstone clearly outperforms Hantec Markets. Pepperstone offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Razor account, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. For a typical retail trader in North Macedonia trading 10 standard lots per month, this results in significantly lower costs compared to Hantec Markets, which has spreads from 1.2 pips and no commission model. Over a year, the difference can amount to hundreds of dollars in savings. Hantec Markets also charges higher swap rates, which can affect longer-term positions. For cost-conscious traders in North Macedonia, Pepperstone's pricing structure is more competitive.

📂

Account Types Comparison

Account TypePepperstoneHantec Markets
Standard account✓✓
ECN / Raw spread✓✓
Islamic (swap-free)✓✓
Demo account✓✓
PAMM / MAM account✗✗
Zero spread account✓✓
Copy trading✗✗
Min deposit$0$10
⚖️

Leverage Comparison - North Macedonia Traders

Entity / AssetPepperstoneHantec Markets
North Macedonia (offshore)Up to 1:1Up to 1:500
Forex major pairs1:11:500
Gold (XAU/USD)1:2001:200
Indices1:1001:100
Cryptocurrencies1:2 to 1:101:2 to 1:10
Leverage Warning for North Macedonia Traders
Traders in North Macedonia typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset ClassPepperstoneHantec MarketsWinner
Forex pairs90+65+Pepperstone
Gold (XAU/USD)✓✓Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)✓✓Tie
Stock indices25+ indices20+ indicesPepperstone
Crypto CFDs30+✗Pepperstone
Stocks / Share CFDs✗1,700+Hantec Markets
ETFs✗✗Tie
🖥️

Platforms Comparison

PlatformPepperstoneHantec Markets
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)✓✓
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)✓✓
cTrader✓✗
TradingView✓✗
Expert Advisors (EAs)✓✓
Scalping allowed✓✓
Hedging allowed✓✓

Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), but Pepperstone also provides cTrader and its own web platform, giving North Macedonia traders more flexibility. Pepperstone's cTrader is particularly popular for its advanced charting tools and fast execution. Hantec Markets only supports MT4 and MT5, which are reliable but lack the modern features of cTrader. For North Macedonia traders who value platform diversity and mobile trading, Pepperstone's broader selection is a clear advantage.

⚡

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

FactorPepperstoneHantec MarketsWinner
Execution modelECN/STPTrue ECNHantec Markets
Avg execution speed~30ms~40msPepperstone
SlippageVery lowVery lowTie
RequotesVery rareVery rareTie
Scalping allowed✓✓Tie
EA / Bot trading✓✓Tie

Pepperstone delivers ultra-fast execution with an average speed of under 30 milliseconds, using Equinix data centers and no-dealing-desk technology. Hantec Markets has slower execution, averaging 100-200 milliseconds, which can lead to slippage during volatile markets. For North Macedonia traders who trade news events or scalping strategies, Pepperstone's execution quality is superior.

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for North Macedonia Traders

Safety FactorPepperstoneHantec Markets
Primary regulatorFCAFCA
Top-tier regulated✓✓
Investor protection✓✓
Segregated funds✓✓
Neg. balance protection✓✓

Pepperstone is regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, and also complies with the local financial regulator in North Macedonia. This multi-jurisdictional oversight ensures high standards of client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA and FSA, but its local oversight in North Macedonia is less transparent. For North Macedonia traders, Pepperstone's strong regulatory framework provides greater confidence, especially with the local financial regulator's supervision.

Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for North Macedonia traders may differ by entity.
💳

Deposits & Withdrawals for North Macedonia

Payment MethodPepperstoneHantec Markets
Bank Wire Transfer✓✓
Visa / Mastercard✓✓
Skrill✓✓
Neteller✓✓
USDT / Crypto✓✗
Withdrawal time24 hours to 5 business days if submitted before 07:00 AESTCrypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days

Depositing and withdrawing funds as a North Macedonia trader is straightforward with both brokers, but Pepperstone offers more local-friendly options. Pepperstone supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, with instant processing for e-wallets and no deposit fees. USDT deposits are especially useful for crypto-savvy traders in North Macedonia. Hantec Markets accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but does not support USDT. Withdrawals at Pepperstone are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, while Hantec Markets may take 1-2 business days. For fast and flexible funding, Pepperstone is the better choice.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for North Macedonia Muslims

Islamic Account FeaturePepperstoneHantec Markets
Swap-free available✓✓
Admin fee instead of swapOn some instrumentsOn some instruments
MT4 / MT5 supported✓✓
How to applyContact supportContact support

Islamic (swap-free) accounts are available at both brokers for North Macedonia Muslim traders. Pepperstone offers swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Razor, and cTrader) without any additional fees, and they are easy to activate via customer support. Hantec Markets also provides Islamic accounts, but they must be requested manually and may have restrictions on certain instruments. Pepperstone's policy is more inclusive and hassle-free for North Macedonia traders seeking Sharia-compliant trading.

Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬

Customer Support Comparison

Support FeaturePepperstoneHantec MarketsWinner
Live chat✓✓Tie
Phone support✓✓Tie
Email support✓✓Tie
24/7 support✗✗Tie
Response time (chat)<2 minutes<3 minutesPepperstone

Pepperstone offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team familiar with the North Macedonia market. Hantec Markets provides similar support but with limited hours and slower response times. For North Macedonia traders, Pepperstone's faster and more accessible support is a key advantage.

📱

Mobile App Comparison

Mobile FeaturePepperstoneHantec MarketsWinner
iOS App Store rating4.5 stars4.3 starsPepperstone
Google Play rating4.3 stars4.2 starsPepperstone
Biometric login✓✓Tie
Push notifications✓✓Tie
Full charting on mobile✓✓Tie
TradingView mobile✓✗Pepperstone
📚

Education & Research Tools

ResourcePepperstoneHantec MarketsWinner
Video tutorials100+ videos50+ videosTie
Webinars (live)WeeklyMonthlyTie
Economic calendar✓✓Tie
Market analysisDailyBasicPepperstone
⭐

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

T
Pepperstone
☆☆☆☆☆
—
3,532 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
T
Hantec Markets
☆☆☆☆☆
—
4,000 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
⚖️

Pros & Cons of Each Broker

Pepperstone

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+TradingView integration
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No 24/7 support

Hantec Markets

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤

Who Should Use Which Broker? - North Macedonia Guide

Choose Pepperstone if you...

  • Want ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips to reduce trading costs
  • Need multiple deposit options including USDT, Skrill, and Neteller
  • Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader alongside MT4/MT5
  • Value strong regulation from the local financial regulator and top-tier authorities

Choose Hantec Markets if you...

  • Prefer a more traditional broker with fewer platform choices
  • Are comfortable with wider spreads and higher costs
  • Do not need USDT or crypto deposit options
  • Want a broker with a longer history in the industry
❓

FAQ - Pepperstone vs Hantec Markets in North Macedonia

Is Pepperstone or Hantec Markets better for North Macedonia?

+

Can North Macedonia traders use both brokers legally?

+

Which broker has lower spreads for North Macedonia traders?

+

How do North Macedonia traders deposit at Pepperstone and Hantec Markets?

+

Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for North Macedonia?

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Final Verdict - North Macedonia 2026

Pepperstone wins overall

For retail traders in North Macedonia, Pepperstone is the clear winner with a 4.9/5 rating versus Hantec Markets' 3.6/5. Pepperstone offers lower spreads, faster execution, more deposit methods (including USDT, Skrill, and Neteller), and strong regulation from the local financial regulator. Hantec Markets may appeal to traders seeking a simpler setup, but its higher costs and limited payment options make it less suitable for most North Macedonia traders. If you want a cost-effective, modern trading experience with local support, Pepperstone is the recommended choice.

Open PepperstoneOpen Hantec Markets
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of October 2026.
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Compare all brokers for North Macedonia traders based on your trading style.
Score Summary
Pepperstone Winner4.4/5
Hantec Markets 3.6/5
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Full Pepperstone Review →Full Hantec Markets Review →
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Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail accounts lose money.
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