Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs Octa, 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.
AvaTrade, established in 2006, holds a strong position in terms of trust and regulatory oversight, demonstrated by its four Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. With a high Trust Score of 94 from ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade is considered highly trusted, reflecting its stringent regulatory compliance. Although not publicly traded and not functioning as a bank, AvaTrade stands out for its reliable regulatory credentials.
Founded in 2011, Octa presents a different regulatory profile with one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license. It holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 72, indicating an average risk level. Like AvaTrade, it is not listed on a stock exchange and does not operate as a bank. While both brokers are trustworthy, AvaTrade offers a higher level of regulatory assurance compared to Octa.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
AvaTrade offers competitive spreads that are just under one pip, specifically 0.9 pips as of June 2024, which aligns with industry averages. However, these spreads are slightly higher compared to entry-level accounts from CMC Markets and Tickmill. Professional traders who meet specific qualifications can benefit from more competitive rates on AvaTrade’s Professional account, with spreads set at 0.6 pips that rival those of FP Markets. AvaTrade is well-regarded in terms of cost-effectiveness, earning a commendable 4.5-star rating for its commissions and fees, and is ranked #12 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Octa has significantly enhanced its pricing strategy, becoming more competitive among the low-cost MetaTrader broker segment. A notable advantage is the absence of slippage on 97.5% of its executed orders and no overnight carry costs. Nevertheless, the broker has certain restrictions that might affect high-frequency traders. Octa’s fees and commissions are influenced by the specific account type and the regulatory jurisdiction of your account. European clients, for example, deal exclusively with the broker’s EU entity, whereas international clients can choose between those based in South Africa or Mwali. Octa holds a 4-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked #29 among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
As for spreads, Octa demonstrates variability based on its regulatory entity. The EU entity offers an average spread of 0.5 pips for the EUR/USD pair, while the foreign entities list it at 0.9 pips. It is important to note that Octa does not specify a date range for its spread data, which slightly undermines the reliability of this information when compared to brokers who provide dated spread figures. Despite this, Octa is catching up to the most cost-efficient MetaTrader brokers, thanks to its improved pricing model, although an exact head-to-head comparison remains challenging due to the absence of specified spread periods.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 AvaTrade and Octa for their selection of investments, AvaTrade stands out with a wider variety of trading options. AvaTrade offers a total of 1,260 tradeable symbols compared to Octa’s 300, giving traders access to a broader range of investment opportunities. In the realm of forex trading, AvaTrade provides 53 forex pairs while Octa offers 35, both as CFDs or spot contracts. AvaTrade and Octa both provide cryptocurrency derivatives but do not support buying actual cryptocurrencies. Unfortunately, neither broker allows trading of exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges like Apple shares. However, Octa has an advantage in offering exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, such as shares in Vodafone.
Both AvaTrade and Octa support copy trading, allowing traders to mirror the strategies of experienced investors. While AvaTrade scores 4 stars for its range of investments, Octa receives 3.5 stars. Ranking-wise, AvaTrade ranks 32nd out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for its range of investments, whereas Octa ranks 52nd. This suggests that AvaTrade provides a slightly more comprehensive selection of investment options, appealing to those who are looking for varied trading opportunities in the online broker space.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 35 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
AvaTrade and Octa both offer a range of trading platforms and tools that cater to diverse trading needs. Both brokers provide simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts and make use of proprietary platforms developed in-house. Additionally, they support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. For those who prefer trading on-the-go or via desktop, both brokers offer Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based browser platforms. Besides, traders looking to replicate the strategies of successful investors can engage in copy trading with both AvaTrade and Octa. Notably, AvaTrade also extends its offering with platforms like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, options not available with Octa.
When it comes to charting capabilities, Octa slightly edges AvaTrade with 15 drawing tools compared to AvaTrade's 13. However, both provide the essential ability to trade directly from stock charts and cater equally with watch list customization through seven columns. In terms of expert evaluations, AvaTrade scores higher in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, securing 4.5 stars, compared to Octa's 4 stars. This distinction is underscored by ForexBrokers.com rankings, where AvaTrade stands at the 13th position, significantly outperforming Octa, which comes in at 37th out of 62 brokers.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both AvaTrade and Octa provide mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, offering users the flexibility to monitor their investments anytime, anywhere. Both platforms grant real-time price alerts and have the capability to annotate charts with trendlines and switch between different timeframes such as daily or weekly views. While AvaTrade stands out with 73 technical studies available for charting, Octa offers 30. Importantly, AvaTrade allows for syncing watchlists between the app and the online account, a feature missing from Octa. In contrast, Octa's app auto-saves drawings on charts, which can be particularly useful for frequent users.
Users can enjoy creating watchlists with real-time quotes on both apps, ensuring they stay updated on market movements. However, AvaTrade takes a slight edge in ratings with 4.5 stars compared to Octa's 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade occupies the 13th spot out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, while Octa ranks at 35. This positioning reflects AvaTrade's broader range of features and higher user satisfaction, making it a popular choice for traders who prioritize advanced charting capabilities and seamless account integration.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing AvaTrade and Octa for accessing market research resources, each platform presents unique advantages. Octa stands out by providing daily market commentary, helping traders stay informed with timely insights. Both AvaTrade and Octa deliver forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring vital news coverage for their users. In terms of analytical tools, Octa offers advanced technical analysis from Autochartist, while AvaTrade partners with Trading Central for comprehensive market analytics. AvaTrade enhances strategy options with sentiment-based tools, catering to traders looking to gauge market sentiment, a feature not available with Octa.
Both AvaTrade and Octa provide an economic calendar to track significant global events, making it easier for traders to anticipate market movements. Despite their various offerings, neither broker incorporates market research from TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading. When evaluated for research capabilities, both brokers boast a four-star rating, yet Octa is ranked slightly higher at #26, compared to AvaTrade's #34 ranking out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. This information positions Octa as a slightly more favored choice in terms of research availability and its appeal to traders seeking reliable market insights.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | 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 beginners, both AvaTrade and Octa provide a solid foundation to help new traders learn the ropes of forex and CFDs. Each platform offers more than ten educational pieces that include articles, videos, and archived webinars, ensuring comprehensive exposure to trading concepts. New traders have access to monthly online educational webinars with the option to revisit past sessions, thanks to each broker's searchable archive. Additionally, both platforms cater to beginners and seasoned traders alike with at least ten videos for each experience level. To help demystify trading jargon, both AvaTrade and Octa provide an investor dictionary with over 50 definitions of key investing terms.
Although AvaTrade and Octa both score 4 out of 5 stars for their educational offerings, a significant difference lies in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com. AvaTrade ranks impressively at #2 out of 62 brokers for education, while Octa comes in at #41. This ranking suggests that AvaTrade may have an edge in the consistency or quality of its educational resources, making it a potentially stronger choice for those seeking top-notch learning materials as they begin their trading journey.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 AvaTrade is better than Octa. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
AvaTrade is a trusted global brand best known for offering an extensive selection of trading platforms for forex and CFD traders, as well as exceptional educational content that helped it nab Best in Class honors for Beginners in the ForexBrokers.com 2025 Annual Awards.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
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Octa
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| Trust Score | 94 | 72 |
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Both AvaTrade and Octa allow investors to engage in cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform provides the option to purchase the actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing the online brokers AvaTrade and Octa, it's important to note that both platforms do not support ACH or SEPA transfers; however, AvaTrade stands out by offering PayPal along with Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, while Octa provides similar options excluding PayPal, but includes Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | AvaTrade | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | Octa | |
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| Regulation | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | Octa Review |
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