Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Markets.com vs Octa, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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Markets.com, established in 1999, and Octa, founded in 2011, are both prominent players in the online brokerage world. Neither company is publicly traded or operates as a bank. However, when it comes to regulatory standing and trust, there are some distinctions. Markets.com boasts three Tier-1 licenses, ensuring a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com's classification, and holds an impressive Trust Score of 93. Additionally, Markets.com also has one Tier-2 license, considered reliable by industry standards.
In contrast, Octa has one Tier-1 license and also holds a Tier-2 license, indicating it is trusted but not as highly as Markets.com. Octa’s Trust Score is 72, placing it at an average risk level according to ForexBrokers.com. These regulatory insights are crucial for investors looking to gauge the relative safety and reliability of each broker. Both platforms bring unique strengths to the table, but in terms of trust and regulation, Markets.com holds a stronger standing.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing Markets.com to Octa in terms of commissions and fees, notable differences emerge. Markets.com lacks available average spread data, making it difficult to assess its cost-effectiveness relative to other brokers. It has been rated 3.5 out of 5 stars for its commission and fees, earning it the 49th spot out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
Octa, on the other hand, has made significant strides in improving its fee structure and now ranks as a competitive choice among the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers. The broker boasts negligible slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight carry costs. However, high-frequency traders may find some of Octa's restrictions challenging. Octa is rated 4 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees, placing it 28th out of 62 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com rankings.
The pricing at Octa varies based on account type and regulation. European clients use only the MT5 platform, whereas international users can choose between MT4, MT5, and OctaTrader. For the EUR/USD pair, Octa's EU entity offers a slightly better average spread at 0.5 pips, compared to 0.9 pips for its foreign entities. Despite these improvements, the lack of specific date ranges for spread data makes direct comparisons challenging, though its enhanced pricing aligns it more closely with other low-cost brokers.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | 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.
Markets.com and Octa both offer the ability to trade forex using CFDs or spot contracts, making them appealing to forex traders. Markets.com presents a notably wider array of tradeable symbols, boasting 2,179 options compared to Octa's 257. This greater variety extends to forex pairs as well, where Markets.com offers 57 pairs in contrast to Octa's 35. However, neither platform provides access to exchange traded securities on U.S. exchanges, such as Apple shares. While Markets.com does not offer exchange traded securities on international exchanges, Octa allows clients to invest in international stocks like Vodafone.
In terms of additional features, both brokers support copy trading and offer the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither enables the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Markets.com is rated slightly higher for its range of investments, earning 4 out of 5 stars, while Octa receives 3.5 stars. Moreover, Markets.com ranks higher in the Range of Investments category according to ForexBrokers.com, placing 29th out of 62 brokers, whereas Octa stands at 52nd. This distinction highlights Markets.com as a more versatile choice for those seeking diverse investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 257 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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 evaluating Markets.com and Octa for their trading platforms and tools, both cater to traders seeking a versatile and accessible trading experience. They each provide a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice their strategies without financial risk. Furthermore, both brokers have developed proprietary platforms that can be accessed through a Windows-based desktop download or directly via a web browser. For traders interested in copy trading, both Markets.com and Octa have this functionality available. Additionally, they support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), but neither broker offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
While both platforms are rated four stars in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, there are subtle differences in their capabilities. Octa shines with 15 drawing tools and the unique ability to trade directly from a stock chart, compared to Markets.com’s four drawing tools and lack of direct trading from charts. Moreover, Octa enriches its watch lists with seven columns, one more than Markets.com. However, when looking at rankings from ForexBrokers.com out of 62 brokers, Markets.com edges out at #26, whereas Octa is ranked at #37. This nuance might influence traders prioritizing platform intricacy and organization in their decision-making.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
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) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Markets.com and Octa offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility no matter your device preference. Each app provides stock or forex price alerts and allows users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Markets.com excels in syncing watchlists between its mobile app and online account, adding seamless integration to your trading experience, unlike Octa which lacks this feature. However, Octa offers a richer charting experience with 30 technical studies, whereas Markets.com defaults to the basics offered by MT4 without additional studies on its API platforms.
When it comes to chart management, both apps allow drawing trendlines, but Octa stands out with the ability to view multiple time frames and auto-save drawings, a feature that Markets.com does not support. Despite Octa's edge in certain charting functionalities, both apps share a 4-star rating for mobile trading apps. Interestingly, Markets.com is ranked slightly higher (#33) compared to Octa (#36) out of 62 brokers in the category, according to ForexBrokers.com. Whether you prioritize syncing convenience or advanced charting tools, both platforms offer solid options for mobile traders.
| Feature |
Markets.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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Markets.com and Octa both provide commendable market research features for traders. Each offers daily market commentary, ensuring investors stay informed about daily market dynamics. Additionally, both brokers supply forex news from respected sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, giving their clients top-tier insights into currency markets. Notably, neither broker includes research tools from Trading Central or Acuity Trading, nor do they provide market research via TipRanks. However, an economic calendar is offered by both, displaying global news events affecting various economies.
When it comes to unique features, Markets.com includes a sentiment-based trading tool, offering insight into long or short positions across various instruments, whereas this is not a service provided by Octa. On the other hand, Octa distinguishes itself by incorporating technical analysis tools from Autochartist, absent in Markets.com's offerings. Despite these differences, both brokers earn a solid four-star rating for research. Yet, Markets.com holds a slight edge, ranking #17 in the research category out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Octa ranks at #26.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | 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, Markets.com and Octa offer varying strengths. While Markets.com provides monthly live webinars and a solid collection of beginner and advanced educational videos, it lacks a significant library of more than ten educational articles or videos focused on forex or CFDs. In contrast, Octa meets the requirement with a range of engaging educational pieces centered on these trading topics. Both platforms offer at least ten videos for both beginners and experienced traders, but only Octa provides an archive of previously recorded webinars for continuous learning and an investor dictionary with more than 50 investing terms to solidify user understanding.
Though both Markets.com and Octa are rated 4 out of 5 stars for education, they hold different rankings in the education category according to ForexBrokers.com, with Markets.com positioned at #34 and Octa at #41 among 62 brokers. This ranking disparity may reflect the diverse focus each broker has on their educational offerings, making both options viable depending on what specific resources a beginner values most in their trading education journey.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Markets.com is better than Octa. Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
Thanks to its web-based MarketsX platform, Markets.com is easy to use and new trader friendly. However, Markets.com is pricey and lacks the feature-rich trading tools required to compete with the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 |
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Both Markets.com and Octa allow users to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
Both Markets.com and Octa provide Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, while neither offers ACH, SEPA, or PayPal as transaction methods.
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 | Markets.com | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | Octa | |
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| Regulation | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 257 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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 | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Markets.com | 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 | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Markets.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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | No | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | Markets.com | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
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