Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Octa vs ATFX, 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.
Both Octa and ATFX were established in the 2010s, with Octa starting in 2011 and ATFX in 2017. Neither of these brokers is a publicly traded company or affiliated with a bank, offering pure online trading options. When it comes to regulatory strength, ATFX stands out with four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, indicating a strong level of trust. Octa, on the other hand, holds one each of Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses, which positions it at a moderate level of trust within the industry.
According to ForexBrokers.com's Trust Score, ATFX scores an 85 out of 99, categorizing it as a trusted broker. In contrast, Octa receives a score of 72, placing it in the average risk category. These scores reflect their standing in terms of customer confidence and regulatory oversight, with ATFX generally being seen as a more reliable option for traders seeking a higher level of regulatory assurance.
| Feature |
Octa
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2011 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When evaluating commissions and fees, Octa stands out for its improvements in cost-effectiveness, especially among MetaTrader brokers. It now offers no slippage on 97.5% of executions and no overnight carry costs, benefiting wide-ranging traders. However, some restrictions could be a drawback for high-frequency traders. The fees are largely influenced by the type of account and the regulatory entity. European clients access a single MT5 account type, whereas international clients can choose from MT4, MT5, and OctaTrader accounts through South Africa or Octa’s offshore entity in Mwali. With a focus on competitive spreads, Octa reports a 0.5 pips average on EUR/USD for its EU clients, although this data lacks a date range for added credibility. Rated 4 stars and ranked 28th out of 62 by ForexBrokers.com, Octa seems a solid contender in the market.
ATFX, on the other hand, does not provide detailed average spread information, leaving a gap in transparency that might concern fee-conscious traders. It struggles more in the commissions and fees department, holding a 3-star rating and ranking 59th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that ATFX may not be as financially accommodating as some competitors, making it less attractive for those prioritizing cost efficiency.
Overall, while both brokers offer viable trading platforms, Octa appears to offer more competitive pricing structures thanks to its updated fee schedule and lack of overnight costs. In contrast, ATFX’s limited data on average spreads and lower ratings suggest areas for improvement if it aims to appeal to cost-sensitive investors.
| Feature |
Octa
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $25 | $500 |
| 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 | No |
| 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 comparing the investment options available between Octa and ATFX, both online brokers provide clients the opportunity to trade forex as Contracts for Difference (CFDs) or spot contracts. Octa stands out with a total of 257 tradeable symbols, offering a diverse selection for investors, while ATFX provides 150 tradeable symbols. Although ATFX surpasses Octa in the number of tradeable forex pairs, with 44 pairs compared to Octa's 35, neither broker allows clients to buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, such as Apple shares. However, Octa does offer access to international exchange-traded securities, allowing the purchase of companies like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange, a feature ATFX lacks.
Both Octa and ATFX support copy trading, enabling users to mirror the trades of successful investors. For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, each broker provides the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the purchase of actual cryptos. Despite these offerings, Octa and ATFX both receive a 3.5-star rating for their range of investments, signaling a comparable breadth of options. In ForexBrokers.com's ranking of 62 brokers for investment variety, Octa ranks slightly higher at #52 while ATFX trails at #57, reflecting the nuanced differences in their available range of investment products.
| Feature |
Octa
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 257 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 35 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 ATFX in terms of their trading platforms and tools, both offer a free virtual demo account, which is highly beneficial for beginners or those looking to test strategies without financial risk. One key difference is that Octa provides a proprietary platform developed in-house, whereas ATFX does not. Nonetheless, both brokers deliver desktop download and web-based platforms, along with popular platforms MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). When it comes to copy trading, both brokers provide this feature, enhancing their appeal to traders interested in mirroring successful strategies.
For charting tools, both Octa and ATFX offer 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts, while also providing watch lists with seven customizable columns. Despite their similarities, Octa edges ahead with a higher platform rating of 4 stars compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars, likely due to its proprietary platform. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Octa is positioned at 37 out of 62 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, significantly higher than ATFX, which is ranked at 61. This suggests Octa may provide a slightly enhanced user experience in platform utilities.
| Feature |
Octa
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 it comes to mobile trading apps, both Octa and ATFX offer comprehensive solutions for iPhone and Android users, catering to the needs of traders on the go. Both platforms include handy features such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to create a watchlist with real-time quotes. However, neither broker syncs watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the online account. Despite the similar offerings in basic features, Octa provides a more detailed charting experience with 30 technical studies, compared to ATFX's seven. Both platforms allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple timeframes, with the convenience of auto-saving chart drawings.
In terms of user ratings and industry rankings, Octa outshines ATFX slightly with a four-star rating for its mobile trading apps, while ATFX stands at 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Octa secures the 36th spot among 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, while ATFX ranks at 62. This suggests that while both platforms deliver competitive mobile trading experiences, Octa may offer a more versatile and user-friendly app according to user feedback and industry assessments.
| Feature |
Octa
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing online brokers Octa and ATFX, it's clear both offer valuable resources for market research, but there are notable differences. Both platforms provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed, and each includes access to technical analysis tools from Autochartist. However, Octa stands out by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while ATFX does not provide this feature. In contrast, ATFX includes technical analysis tools from Trading Central, a service Octa doesn’t supply. Neither Octa nor ATFX offers sentiment-based trading tools, research from TipRanks, or resources from Acuity Trading at the moment.
Both brokers include an economic calendar that highlights significant global news events, aiding traders in staying abreast of crucial economic developments. Despite these similarities, Octa scores higher in overall research quality, receiving a 4-star rating compared to ATFX’s 3 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Octa ranks 26th out of 62 brokers in the Research category, while ATFX is positioned at 54th. These rankings reflect the more comprehensive research features provided by Octa, making it a preferred choice for those seeking extensive market insights.
| Feature |
Octa
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginner traders, Octa emerges as a more comprehensive option compared to ATFX. Both brokers offer a solid foundation with a variety of educational content focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, Octa goes a step further by providing monthly online webinars and a rich collection of archived sessions that can benefit those just starting out. Additionally, Octa features an investor dictionary packed with definitions of over 50 investing terms, making it easier for newbies to grasp essential trading concepts.
On the other hand, while ATFX also provides a similar range of educational materials and a searchable archive of webinars, it falls short in a couple of key areas. Unlike Octa, ATFX does not offer regular monthly webinars or advanced educational videos specifically designed for more experienced traders. While both platforms earn high marks for the quality of their beginner education videos, Octa's offerings are more rounded, as reflected in its education rating of four stars compared to ATFX's three-star rating. Interestingly, despite these differences, ATFX is ranked slightly higher at #28 over Octa’s #41 spot in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers.
| Feature |
Octa
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 ATFX. Octa finished with an overall rank of #47, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
Octa offers a basic, low-cost MetaTrader platform experience alongside its social copy-trading platform.
| Feature |
Octa
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 72 | 85 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Octa and ATFX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they each provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both online brokers, Octa and ATFX, do not support ACH or SEPA transfers nor PayPal for deposits or withdrawals, but they both offer Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options for funding accounts.
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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 72 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Octa | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Octa | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 72 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2011 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Octa | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Octa | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Octa | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 257 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 35 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Octa | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $25 | $500 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Octa | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Octa | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Octa | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 72 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill