Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BDSwiss 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.
BDSwiss, founded in 2012, and Octa, established in 2011, are both well-known online brokers, neither of which is publicly traded or operates as a bank. When it comes to regulatory standing, each holds one Tier-1 license, signifying a high level of trust, according to ForexBrokers.com. While BDSwiss does not hold any Tier-2 licenses, Octa holds one, adding a layer of trust to its regulatory credentials.
Comparing trust scores, BDSwiss has an edge with a score of 73 out of 99, indicating an average risk, while Octa follows closely with a score of 72. Both brokers offer competitive trading experiences, but their regulatory nuances might influence a trader's choice based on their individual risk tolerance and regulatory priorities.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2012 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, both BDSwiss and Octa have their unique advantages and drawbacks. BDSwiss provides impressive order execution statistics, though its spreads are on the higher side compared to industry leaders. For its Classic account, BDSwiss has a spread of 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD pair, which can be considered expensive. The Raw account offers a more competitive structure with a 0.3 pip spread with a $5 commission per side, leading to an effective spread of 1.3 pips. The VIP account is slightly better, featuring a spread of 1.2 pips. BDSwiss is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #29 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its commissions and fees.
Octa, on the other hand, has made significant strides in improving its pricing, becoming increasingly competitive among the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers. It offers no slippage on 97.5% of its executed orders and boasts no overnight carry costs, although there are restrictions that might affect high-frequency traders. The pricing varies based on the account type and regulatory entity, with European clients accessing different spreads compared to international clients. In the EU, the average spread for the EUR/USD pair is 0.5 pips, whereas, for the international entities, it is 0.9 pips. However, Octa does not provide a dated reference for its spread data, making exact comparisons challenging. Octa is also rated 4 out of 5 stars and sits slightly ahead of BDSwiss at #28 out of 62 brokers in its category.
Overall, both brokers receive similar ratings for commissions and fees, but their offerings cater to different needs. BDSwiss may appeal to those who value execution statistics, despite its higher spreads, whereas Octa could be a better fit for traders looking for competitive pricing without slippage and overnight costs. Choosing between them would depend on individual priorities regarding fees, account types, and trading strategies.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10-$5000 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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.
BDSwiss and Octa stand as notable online brokers offering diverse investment options to their customers. Both platforms support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, allowing traders to engage in the foreign exchange market. BDSwiss provides a wider selection, boasting 1,081 tradeable symbols, whereas Octa offers a more limited range with 257 symbols. When focusing specifically on forex pairs, BDSwiss again presents a broader variety with 53 pairs, compared to Octa's 35 pairs. Although neither broker provides access to U.S. exchange-traded securities, Octa extends the opportunity to invest in some international exchange-traded securities, like Vodafone shares, unlike BDSwiss.
Both BDSwiss and Octa support copy trading, enabling traders to mirror successful strategies from seasoned investors. However, direct purchases of actual cryptocurrencies are absent from both platforms, which only offer cryptocurrency derivatives. In terms of investment variety, BDSwiss is rated slightly higher at 4 stars versus Octa's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, BDSwiss ranks 34th out of 62 brokers in the Range of Investments category, while Octa is positioned at 52nd, suggesting BDSwiss is slightly better suited for those seeking a more extensive range of investment options.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1081 | 257 |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by BDSwiss and Octa, both brokers provide a comprehensive suite of features for traders. For those new to trading or wanting to test strategies without financial risk, each broker offers a free virtual demo account. BDSwiss and Octa have developed proprietary platforms that include access to Windows-based desktop and web-based trading. MetaTrader fans will find both MT4 and MT5 available with either broker, and there's support for popular trading practices like copy trading. However, additional third-party tools such as DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are not available with BDSwiss or Octa.
Both brokers offer 15 drawing tools for charting and allow trading directly from stock charts, while providing seven columns for watch lists. BDSwiss and Octa rate similarly at 4 stars out of 5 for their trading platforms and tools, highlighting their competitive offerings in the market. However, BDSwiss holds a higher ranking at 24th among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Octa comes in at 37th. Despite these differences in ranking, both platforms help facilitate trader success with their strong array of features.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
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 | 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 BDSwiss and Octa offer impressive options for traders using iPhones and Android devices. They provide useful features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and the capacity to view multiple time frames. Both apps are equipped with 30 technical studies for charting, and they allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. Additionally, both platforms automatically save chart drawings, making them convenient for users. However, neither BDSwiss nor Octa currently supports watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and online accounts.
Despite similarities in features, BDSwiss edges out Octa in ratings, scoring a higher position in ForexBrokers.com’s rankings with a #24 spot compared to Octa's #36. Both apps, however, are rated four out of five stars for their mobile trading capabilities, suggesting that traders will find strong performance regardless of choice. When deciding between these two brokers, potential users may want to consider personal preferences in other areas or perform their own tests on each app to see which suits their trading habits best.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing market research offerings, both BDSwiss and Octa provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed on current conditions. While Octa enhances its service by delivering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, BDSwiss does not offer this feature. Both platforms include tools from Autochartist, which aids in technical and fundamental analysis, but BDSwiss also offers Trading Central's respected Technical Analytics, a service not available on Octa.
Neither BDSwiss nor Octa includes a sentiment-based trading tool or research support from TipRanks and Acuity Trading within their arsenal. However, they both provide an economic calendar to track global news events. In terms of quality and ranking, both brokers have a solid four-star rating for research, although BDSwiss slightly edges out Octa, being ranked 24th compared to Octa's 26th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This difference reflects minor advantages offered by BDSwiss in terms of available research tools.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both BDSwiss and Octa provide a comprehensive array of tools to help aspiring traders. They each offer a minimum of ten educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, which can include articles, videos, and archived webinars. This ensures that beginners have a solid foundation from which to start their trading journey. Both platforms also host regular online webinars, at least once a month, catering to client education and interaction. Additionally, they offer a searchable archive of these webinars for further study and review. Beginners can also benefit from each broker's collection of at least ten videos tailored for those just starting out in trading.
For more advanced traders looking to deepen their knowledge, BDSwiss and Octa both provide ten educational videos at an advanced level. These resources cover complex trading topics, catering specifically to experienced traders wanting to refine their strategies. Each broker also offers an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, helping traders understand the terminology crucial for success in the market. While both brokers are rated four stars for education, BDSwiss stands out slightly with its higher ranking at #19 compared to Octa's #41, according to ForexBrokers.com's rankings of 62 brokers in the Education category.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
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 BDSwiss is better than Octa. BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
The BDSwiss brand caters to over 1.6 million registered forex and CFD traders, and offers the full MetaTrader platform suite alongside its own proprietary mobile app. BDSwiss demonstrates good order execution statistics and provides access to over 1,000 tradable symbols – though its spreads are higher than industry leaders.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
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Octa
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 73 | 72 |
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Both BDSwiss and Octa provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers BDSwiss and Octa, both offer Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for deposits and withdrawals, but only BDSwiss provides ACH or SEPA transfers, while neither supports PayPal.
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 | BDSwiss | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review | Octa Review |
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| Regulation | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 73 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2012 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | 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) | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1081 | 257 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10-$5000 | $25 | |
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | BDSwiss | 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 | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | BDSwiss | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review | Octa Review |
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