Both countries are having a moment as “next big thing” Balkan destinations, and both reward a visit — but they're not interchangeable. The honest answer to “which first” depends on what kind of trip you want.
What North Macedonia does better
A tighter, more efficient loop — canyon, lake, wine country, and mountains all within a few hours' drive of each other and the capital. Less coastline, but more variety packed into a smaller area, and generally calmer pacing.
What Albania does better
Coastline. The Albanian Riviera offers beach travel North Macedonia simply doesn't have, plus a longer, more developed tourism infrastructure along the coast for travelers prioritizing beach time.
Combining both
Many travelers do both in one trip — Ohrid sits close to the Albanian border, and Lake Ohrid itself is shared between the two countries, making a combined itinerary logistically straightforward.
Which to visit first
If you want lakes, wine, mountains, and a compact loop: start with North Macedonia. If beach time is the priority: start with Albania's coast. If you have 10+ days, doing both in sequence via Ohrid works well for either order.