Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Octa vs Alpari, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Founded in 2011, Octa provides online trading services with a moderate level of trustworthiness, as indicated by its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 72 out of 99. Although Octa is neither publicly traded nor a bank, it holds one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, demonstrating a commitment to regulatory standards that help protect its clients. This positions Octa in the average risk category for potential investors.
Alpari, established in 1998, operates with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 68, marking it as a high-risk broker. Like Octa, Alpari is not listed on any stock exchange and does not function as a bank. However, the absence of both Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses can be concerning for potential clients, making Alpari a less trusted choice according to industry benchmarks.
| Feature |
Octa
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2011 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees between online brokers Octa and Alpari, it's essential to consider their unique offerings and limitations. Octa has made significant strides in improving its pricing structure, closing in on the most affordable MetaTrader brokers. One of Octa's distinguishing features is its claim of no slippage on 97.5% of executed orders, along with no overnight carry costs. However, restrictions exist that could impact high-frequency traders. Octa's commissions and fees vary based on account type and the regulatory entity. Clients in Europe can access a MetaTrader 5 account, while international clients have broader options. Octa's spread pricing is entity-specific, with the European entity offering a slightly better average spread of 0.5 pips for the EUR/USD pair. However, Octa does not provide a date range for its spread data, affecting the reliability of these figures. Despite these uncertainties, Octa earns a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking #28 out of 62 brokers in this category.
On the other hand, Alpari's commissions and fees overview is not as detailed, with average spread data not publicly available. This lack of transparency might present a challenge for traders attempting to assess the full cost of trading with Alpari. While both Octa and Alpari receive a 4-star rating for their commissions and fees category, the rankings provide further insight into their competitive status. Alpari is ranked lower at #41 out of 62 brokers, indicating that it might not be as cost-effective as Octa, according to ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, while both brokers score equally in terms of star ratings for commissions and fees, Octa's recent improvements and specific features provide it with a competitive edge over Alpari. With a higher ranking and more information on their pricing structure, Octa emerges as the slightly more favorable choice for traders seeking a cost-effective broker.
| Feature |
Octa
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $25 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.9 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Octa and Alpari provide a selection of investment opportunities catering to different trading needs. Both brokers offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, granting access to the forex market. Octa offers a wider array of tradeable symbols, featuring 257 options compared to Alpari's 105. However, Alpari surpasses Octa in offering more tradeable forex pairs, with 46 pairs compared to Octa’s 35. When it comes to exchange-traded securities, neither broker provides options on U.S. exchanges like Apple shares, but they do offer international exchange options, including companies like Vodafone.
For cryptocurrency enthusiasts interested in derivatives, both Octa and Alpari extend these offerings, though neither supports purchasing actual cryptocurrencies. On the copy trading front, both brokers offer this service, providing a means for traders to mimic the strategies of others. Performance-wise, Octa earns a 3.5-star rating for its Range of Investments, ranking 52nd among 62 brokers. Alpari, while suitable for several trading purposes, holds a slightly lower 3-star rating and ranks last in this category. These ratings reflect the breadth and variety of investment opportunities each broker makes available to its clientele.
| Feature |
Octa
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 257 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 35 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing online brokers Octa and Alpari, both provide a comprehensive range of trading platforms and tools appealing to traders of all levels. Octa and Alpari offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading strategies without financial risk. Each broker has its proprietary platform and supports the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms for those preferring more established systems. They provide Windows-based desktop as well as web-based trading platforms, ensuring flexibility for users who want to trade on different devices. Additionally, both Octa and Alpari support copy trading, but neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade at this time.
In terms of charting capabilities, Octa and Alpari each offer 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts, catering to traders who rely on technical analysis. Their watch lists are also customizable, boasting seven columns for traders to monitor their chosen assets efficiently. Despite having similar offerings, Octa edges out Alpari in terms of user ratings and rankings for trading platforms and tools, garnering four stars and ranking 37th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared to Alpari's identical four-star rating but lower rank at 55th. Traders choosing between these brokers can expect a solid platform experience, though Octa may offer a slight advantage in user satisfaction and reputation.
| Feature |
Octa
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Octa and Alpari, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android devices, allowing traders to access their platforms on the go. Each offers price alerts and stock or forex alerts, ensuring users stay informed on market movements. Both apps support 30 technical studies for comprehensive chart analysis and allow users to draw trendlines and view different time frames. Unfortunately, neither app supports syncing watchlists between the mobile app and desktop versions, which could be a downside for traders who frequently switch between devices.
Octa's mobile app stands out with its ability to auto-save drawings on charts, simplifying the trading process by preserving your valuable insights, a feature not found in Alpari's app. Both platforms enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, helping traders keep track of their preferred stocks or forex pairs. The apps are similarly rated with 4 stars for mobile trading experience; however, Octa ranks higher, coming in at #36 compared to Alpari's #56 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, suggesting a slightly more favorable overall user experience with Octa.
| Feature |
Octa
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, Octa stands out by offering daily market commentary, a feature Alpari does not provide. Both Octa and Alpari deliver forex news from respected sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, and offer tools from Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis. However, neither broker includes tools from Trading Central, nor do they provide sentiment-based trading tools, TipRanks research, or offerings from Acuity Trading. Each broker supports traders with an economic calendar that showcases key global news events.
In the realm of research capabilities, Octa edges ahead with a 4-star rating compared to Alpari's 3 stars. On ForexBrokers.com's ranking of 62 brokers, Octa holds the 26th spot for research, while Alpari is positioned at 57th. This suggests that although Alpari covers some basic research needs, Octa offers a more comprehensive package for those looking to delve deeper into market analysis.
| Feature |
Octa
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing Octa and Alpari in terms of educational resources for beginners, both brokers provide a variety of materials to help aspiring traders learn about forex and CFDs. Octa offers a wide range of resources, exceeding the ten-article minimum, which includes engaging videos and recorded webinars. In contrast, while Alpari also provides over ten educational pieces, it does not offer the added benefit of monthly webinars or a searchable archive of past webinars, which are available with Octa. This makes Octa a more dynamic choice for those who value live educational experiences and access to past sessions.
Both Octa and Alpari cater to beginner traders with a collection of beginner-focused videos, and they each offer a comprehensive investor dictionary explaining over 50 trading terms. However, Octa stands out for its addition of advanced educational videos geared toward more experienced traders, a feature Alpari lacks. This varied educational content earns Octa a higher rating of four stars compared to Alpari's three stars. Moreover, in a ranking of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Octa is positioned slightly higher at #41, whereas Alpari sits at #48, reflecting its broader array of educational opportunities for traders at all levels.
| Feature |
Octa
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Octa is better than Alpari. Octa finished with an overall rank of #47, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #57.
Octa offers a basic, low-cost MetaTrader platform experience alongside its social copy-trading platform.
| Feature |
Octa
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 72 | 68 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Octa and Alpari do not offer the ability to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Octa and Alpari lack options for ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal for depositing or withdrawing funds, but they do offer Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires as viable methods for transactions.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 72 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 72 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2011 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 257 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 35 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.9 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $25 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | Octa | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 72 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill