Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
FOREX.com, founded in 1999, stands out as a highly regarded online broker with a stellar Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. Despite not being a bank, it is publicly traded, which adds a layer of trust for its users. The broker boasts an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, which are regarded as highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license, ensuring its strong regulatory standing. These elements underline FOREX.com’s firm position as a highly trusted broker.
In contrast, Octa, established in 2011, has a Trust Score of 72, categorizing it as having an average risk. Like FOREX.com, Octa is not a bank, nor is it publicly traded, which may influence its perceived reliability. Octa holds one Tier-1 license, which is highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license, reflecting its compliance with standard regulatory practices. While Octa provides a viable service, its regulatory credentials are notably less extensive than those of FOREX.com.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
FOREX.com provides a range of account types and transparent pricing statistics, offering a comprehensive service for forex traders. The Standard account is the only option for MetaTrader users and features average U.S. spreads of 1.4 pips on the EUR/USD, making it costly compared to industry standards. For active traders outside the U.S., FOREX.com's Raw account offers competitive spreads as low as 0.13 pips, though these lower spreads come with a commission. With the new RAW Spread account, higher volume traders benefit from tiered rebates, substantially lowering effective costs similar to leading low-cost brokers. FOREX.com is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and holds a ranking of #13 out of 62 brokers for their commissions and fees.
Octa has seen notable improvements in its pricing strategy, challenging some of the more affordable MetaTrader brokers. With an impressive record of 97.5% of its orders executed without slippage and no overnight charges, Octa offers an appealing option for many traders. The specific commissions and fees at Octa depend largely on which of its entities oversees your account. In the EU, the average spread for the EUR/USD pair is 0.5 pips, while international entities quote 0.9 pips. However, a lack of date-stamped spread data reduces the weight of their claims. Octa is rated 4 out of 5 stars and is ranked #28 in the Commissions and Fees category.
In a direct comparison, FOREX.com might appeal more to traders seeking transparency and a wide range of account options, albeit at a premium for U.S. market participants. Octa, meanwhile, offers competitive costs and favorable execution terms for those under its European or certain international entities. FOREX.com scores slightly higher in expert rankings, although both brokers provide valuable offerings depending on your trading location and preference for trading platforms.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing FOREX.com and Octa based on their range of investments, FOREX.com stands out with a much larger selection of tradeable symbols, offering 5,500 compared to Octa's 257. For forex pairs, FOREX.com also takes the lead, providing 91 compared to Octa’s 35 pairs. Both platforms allow forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, and they offer cryptocurrency derivatives; neither platform, however, offers direct cryptocurrency purchasing. In terms of exchange-traded securities, only Octa provides access to international markets, allowing clients to buy shares like Vodafone on exchanges outside the U.S., which FOREX.com does not offer.
Additional investment features differ between the two, with Octa supporting copy trading, a service unavailable through FOREX.com. These differences contribute to a significant gap in their ratings for the range of investments: FOREX.com boasts an impressive 5-star rating and ranks 7th out of 62 brokers, while Octa has a 3.5-star rating, placing it at 52nd. This disparity suggests that FOREX.com is better suited for traders seeking a wider range of trading options, although Octa may appeal to those interested in international securities and social trading features.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 257 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 35 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 FOREX.com and Octa, both brokers provide essential features like free virtual demo accounts, proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Moreover, they each support popular tools like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). However, Octa takes a step further by offering copy trading, a feature not available with FOREX.com. Despite this, FOREX.com shines with a broader range of tools, offering 239 drawing tools for charting, significantly more than Octa's 15. Additionally, FOREX.com provides 20 columns for watch lists, outperforming Octa's 7.
For overall performance in trading platforms and tools, FOREX.com is rated highly with a 5-star score, whereas Octa holds a 4-star rating. This higher rating is reflected in their ForexBrokers.com rankings, with FOREX.com securing the 7th spot out of 62 brokers, compared to Octa's position at 37. These differences highlight FOREX.com’s superior breadth in trading features and customer satisfaction in comparison to Octa.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When considering mobile trading apps for online brokerage services, both FOREX.com and Octa provide strong options for iPhone and Android users. Each platform offers key features like stock or forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and multiple time frame options for viewing charts. However, when it comes to syncing watchlists between mobile apps and online accounts, FOREX.com takes a step ahead, allowing seamless updates across devices. Octa, while maintaining competitive features, doesn’t offer this level of integration.
Charting capabilities further distinguish these apps. FOREX.com offers an impressive 88 technical studies compared to Octa’s 30, providing more extensive analytical options. Both platforms support auto-saving drawings on charts and creating watchlists with real-time quotes. As a result, FOREX.com’s mobile app receives a 5-star rating, ranking third among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Octa’s app scores a respectable 4 stars, ranking 36th. These differences reflect FOREX.com’s slightly more advanced offerings in the mobile trading space.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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 evaluating market research offerings, both FOREX.com and Octa provide valuable services to their users. Each platform offers daily market commentary and forex news sourced from leading agencies like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. While both brokers include economic calendars featuring global events, their key differences lie in the specific tools they offer. FOREX.com caters to technically inclined traders with tools from Trading Central, providing analytics that support strategic trading decisions. It also stands out by offering a sentiment-based tool that provides insights into long or short positions across currency pairs. Conversely, Octa distinguishes itself with Autochartist tools, known for assisting traders in visual market pattern recognition.
In terms of ratings and rankings, FOREX.com outperforms Octa, earning a notable 4.5 stars for its research features compared to Octa's 4 stars. Reflecting these strengths, FOREX.com is ranked 9th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for research quality, while Octa is at the 26th position. These distinctions highlight FOREX.com’s comprehensive research support for traders looking for a deeper analytical edge, whereas Octa provides specialized tools that may particularly benefit pattern-oriented traders. Each platform aligns with diverse trading needs, allowing users to choose based on their specific research preferences and strategies.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | 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.
FOREX.com and Octa both provide a wide array of educational resources aimed at traders who are just starting. They each offer over 10 educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Both platforms conduct at least one online educational webinar for clients every month and host a searchable archive of these recorded sessions. Beginners can benefit from the minimum of 10 educational videos specifically designed to guide them through trading concepts, ensuring a comprehensive introduction to the market.
For those looking to deepen their understanding, FOREX.com and Octa each offer at least 10 advanced trading videos. Moreover, they both provide an investor dictionary featuring definitions of over 50 investing terms, facilitating better understanding for learners. However, there is a notable difference in their overall educational ratings. FOREX.com scores 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks 4th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Octa earns 4 stars and ranks 41st. This suggests that while both brokers are equipped to support beginners, FOREX.com is rated more highly for its educational offerings.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than Octa. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 |
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Both FOREX.com and Octa do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
When comparing deposit and withdrawal options, FOREX.com stands out by offering ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while Octa differentiates itself with Skrill and also provides Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, but lacks support for ACH, SEPA, and 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 | FOREX.com | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Octa | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | 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) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 257 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | 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 | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | 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 | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Octa Review |
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