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 of Octa and Alpari, both brokers earn a 4-star rating out of five. Octa has made significant strides in pricing, closely approaching some of the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers available. One of its standout features is its assurance of no slippage on 97.5% of executed orders along with no overnight carry costs. However, it does impose certain restrictions that may limit high-frequency trading. The exact commissions and fees at Octa vary depending on the account type and regulating entity, which can range from European regulation to offshore entities in Mwali and South Africa.
Octa's spread pricing is another factor to consider; its EU entity offers slightly better spreads for the EUR/USD pair at 0.5 pips, whereas its offshore counterparts average around 0.9 pips. It's important to note that Octa does not specify a date range for its spread data, limiting the precision of their comparison to other brokers. Overall, Octa is ranked 29th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category, indicating a competitive standing.
In contrast, Alpari does not provide average spread data, which can be a drawback for those who require detailed pricing information. While Alpari shares the same 4-star rating for commissions and fees, it is ranked lower at 41st out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. This ranking suggests that while both brokers offer similar fee structures, Octa has a slight edge in competitiveness within the industry.
| 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.
When it comes to the variety of investments, Octa and Alpari both offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. Octa stands out with a larger selection of 300 tradeable symbols compared to Alpari's 105. However, Alpari edges out in the forex pairs category, offering 46 pairs, whereas Octa provides 35. Neither broker offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges; however, they both enable trading on international exchanges, allowing clients to buy stocks like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. In terms of cryptocurrency, both platforms offer cryptocurrency derivatives but do not support purchasing actual cryptocurrencies.
Octa and Alpari both provide copy trading, catering to newer or less active investors. Despite having similar features, Octa is rated slightly better for its range of investments with 3.5 stars, compared to Alpari's 3 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Octa ranks at #52 out of 62 brokers in the investment range category, whereas Alpari is placed at #62. Depending on your needs, Octa may offer a slightly wider selection of trading opportunities, but both platforms provide a similar array of basic services.
| Feature |
Octa
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 300 | 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 from Octa and Alpari, both brokers offer dedicated apps for iPhone and Android users, catering to the needs of traders on-the-go. They also provide stock and forex price alerts, allowing users to stay updated with market changes anytime, anywhere. Another common feature is the ability to draw trendlines and view various time frames on charts, which enhances analytical capabilities for traders using either app. However, when it comes to syncing watchlists between the mobile app and the online account, neither Octa nor Alpari offers this functionality.
There are some differences too. Both brokers support users with 30 different technical studies on their charting tools, yet only Octa allows these drawings to be auto-saved, offering greater continuity and ease of use. While both apps let you create real-time quote watchlists, overall mobile app ratings are equal at 4 stars. Notably, Octa stands out in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, being positioned at #35, significantly higher than Alpari, which holds the #56 spot among 62 brokers reviewed. This suggests a slight edge for Octa in the competitive landscape of mobile trading apps.
| 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.
For beginners seeking educational resources in forex and CFDs, Octa and Alpari both offer a variety of tools to help kickstart their trading journey. Octa provides more than ten educational materials, including articles and videos, similar to Alpari. However, Octa goes a step further by hosting at least one educational webinar every month, whereas Alpari does not conduct such regular online webinars. Furthermore, Octa provides a searchable archive of their past webinars, offering easy access to a wealth of information whenever needed, a feature not available with Alpari.
Both brokers offer an extensive range of beginner educational videos, but Octa also includes advanced content for seasoned traders, which Alpari lacks. Additionally, both brokers offer an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, catering to traders trying to understand the language of trading. Overall, Octa's educational resources earn it a four-star rating, while Alpari receives three stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Octa ranks 42nd out of 62 brokers in the education category, surpassing Alpari, which is ranked 48th. This comparison highlights Octa's more comprehensive approach to supporting traders, especially beginners.
| 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 |
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| Trust Score | 72 | 68 |
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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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Octa | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 72 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Octa | Alpari | |
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| 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) | 300 | 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 72 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
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