Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 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.
Trading 212 and Octa are both online brokers that offer trading services. Founded in 2004, Trading 212 holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, while Octa, established in 2011, has one Tier-1 license. This gives Trading 212 a slight edge in regulatory standing. Neither company is listed on a stock exchange, nor do they operate as banks, which is common in the industry for brokers of their size and focus.
When looking at trustworthiness, Trading 212 has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 79 out of 99, placing it at average risk. Octa, on the other hand, has a Trust Score of 72, also making it an average risk option per ForexBrokers.com guidelines. Each broker has different licenses and year of establishment, but both offer solid, regulated options for traders to consider.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing online brokers Trading 212 and Octa, it's essential to consider their commissions and fees. Trading 212 offers two main account types: Invest and CFD. While the Invest account has a low minimum deposit of 1 euro, the CFD account requires a 10 euro deposit. Promising zero-commission trading, Trading 212 still applies a spread, notably with an average of 1.9 pips for the EUR/USD pair as of January 2024. This spread is higher than the industry standard, placing Trading 212 at a competitive disadvantage. On ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 earns a 4-star rating for commissions and fees but ranks 43rd out of 62 brokers.
Octa, meanwhile, has greatly improved its pricing strategy, boasting no slippage on 97.5% of executed orders and no overnight carry costs, though it does present some limitations for high-frequency traders. The fees you encounter with Octa depend on your account type and the entity regulating your account. In the EU, a single MT5 account is available, while foreign entities offer both MT4 and MT5 accounts. Octa impresses with a lower average spread of 0.5 pips for the EUR/USD pair within the EU, further demonstrating its competitive edge. Like Trading 212, Octa also earns a 4-star rating for commissions and fees but secures the 28th spot on ForexBrokers.com's list of 62 brokers.
In summary, although both Trading 212 and Octa provide some advantages, Octa seems to offer more favorable conditions for traders, especially when it comes to spreads and order execution. However, potential investors need to carefully evaluate how their location and trading strategy might influence the costs involved, considering the different entities these brokers operate under.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | 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.
Trading 212 and Octa both offer opportunities for forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, but Trading 212 stands out with a significantly larger range of tradeable assets. With 8,025 tradeable symbols, Trading 212 offers a vast selection compared to Octa’s 257. Forex enthusiasts will find Trading 212 particularly appealing due to its 146 tradeable forex pairs, far surpassing Octa’s 35 pairs. While both platforms allow users to engage in trading cryptocurrency derivatives, neither offers the service for purchasing actual cryptocurrencies.
In terms of traditional securities, Trading 212 provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone. Octa, meanwhile, does not offer U.S. exchange-traded securities but does provide access to international markets for companies like Vodafone. For those interested in copy trading, Octa has the feature while Trading 212 does not. Overall, Trading 212 receives a higher rating in the range of investments, earning 5 stars and ranking 15th by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Octa's 3.5-star rating and 52nd rank.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 257 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 35 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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.
Trading 212 and Octa both offer user-friendly trading platforms, each with their own features to cater to traders' needs. Trading 212 provides a free virtual demo account for simulated trading, much like Octa, allowing users to practice without risk. Both brokers have developed their own in-house platforms and support trading directly from stock charts via their web-based platforms. While Trading 212 lacks a desktop download option, Octa provides a Windows-based platform for those preferring a more traditional setup. However, Trading 212 stands out with 20 drawing tools for charting, compared to Octa's 15. On the other hand, Octa supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), enriching its platform offerings, whereas Trading 212 does not. Furthermore, Octa facilitates copy trading, a feature not available on Trading 212. Both brokers share the same four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools.
When it comes to organizing and watching selected stocks and other financial instruments, Trading 212 offers five columns for watch lists, while Octa surpasses this with seven options. Ratings and rankings further highlight their features: Trading 212 is ranked 21st among 62 brokers for its trading platforms and tools according to ForexBrokers.com, edging out Octa, which rests at 37th place. Ultimately, the choice between these platforms depends on a trader's particular needs, such as preferred trading tools, desktop requirements, and charting capabilities, with both having their unique strengths.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Trading 212 and Octa offer solid mobile trading capabilities on both iPhone and Android devices, making them accessible to a wide range of users. Both platforms support stock and forex price alerts, ensuring that traders stay updated on their investments. However, Trading 212 stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing feature, allowing for seamless updates between the mobile app and online account. In contrast, Octa does not provide this convenience, which could be a consideration for users who frequently switch between devices.
When it comes to charting tools, Trading 212 provides a much richer experience, offering 104 technical studies compared to Octa's 30. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and auto-save any chart drawings, which are helpful features for active traders. Both platforms also allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. Despite their differences, Trading 212 and Octa each hold a four-star rating for their mobile trading apps. Nonetheless, Trading 212 excels in the rankings, holding the 17th position out of 62 brokers, while Octa is placed at 36th, highlighting Trading 212's edge in mobile trading solutions.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 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 the market research capabilities of Trading 212 and Octa, there are several notable differences. Trading 212 provides access to top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, and offers a sentiment-based trading tool that shows the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. Additionally, Trading 212 includes an economic calendar to keep users updated on global news events. However, it does not offer daily market commentary or advanced research tools from companies like Autochartist or Trading Central. Trading 212 holds a 3.5-star rating for research and is ranked #46 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Octa, on the other hand, distinguishes itself with daily market commentary and provides advanced research tools from the company Autochartist. It, too, offers access to premium forex news and an economic calendar. Although Octa lacks a sentiment-based trading tool and research from Trading Central, it stands higher with a 4-star research rating and ranks at #26 out of 62 brokers in the same category. Both brokers have certain strengths, making the choice between them dependent on your specific research needs.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | 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.
Trading 212 and Octa both provide solid educational resources tailored for beginner investors looking to delve into forex or CFDs. Each platform exceeds the minimum requirement of offering 10 educational materials like articles, videos, and webinars centered on forex or CFDs. Both Trading 212 and Octa offer monthly online webinars aimed at educating their clients, and also provide searchable archives of past webinars, making it easy for users to access information anytime. For beginners specifically, both platforms have a selection of at least 10 trading videos, enabling new traders to get up to speed with fundamental concepts. Additionally, they cater to more seasoned traders by offering over 10 advanced educational videos, ensuring comprehensive learning experiences.
Both Trading 212 and Octa include an investor dictionary, defining at least 50 terms relevant to the trading world. However, when it comes to ratings, Octa slightly outshines Trading 212 with an educational score of 4 stars compared to Trading 212’s 3.5 stars. Despite Octa's higher star rating, Trading 212 is positioned at a better rank by ForexBrokers.com, standing at #20 out of 62 brokers, whereas Octa is at #41. This ranking highlights a slight edge for Trading 212, even though Octa's educational offerings are rated slightly higher.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 Trading 212 is better than Octa. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
Best known for its mobile trading app, Trading 212 offers an easy-to-use trading platform suite for CFD and share trading, as well as a large variety of forex pairs. However, despite its well-designed platform and wide range of symbols, its lack of advanced trading tools and flat research offerings hamper Trading 212’s bid to be considered a top broker.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 72 |
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Both Trading 212 and Octa do not provide the option to purchase actual cryptocurrency, but they do allow users to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives, making them similar platforms for trading crypto-related products without acquiring the physical asset.
Trading 212 and Octa offer a variety of methods for depositing or withdrawing account funds, with Trading 212 supporting ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wires, while Octa provides options for Skrill and bank wires, both allowing Visa or Mastercard transactions, but only Trading 212 includes PayPal and ACH or SEPA transfers in its offerings.
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 | Trading 212 | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Octa | |
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| Regulation | Trading 212 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 79 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | 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) | Trading 212 | 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 | Trading 212 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8025 | 257 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | Trading 212 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.9 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Trading 212 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €10 | $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 | Trading 212 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Trading 212 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Trading 212 | 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 | 104 | 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 | Trading 212 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | 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 | Trading 212 | 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 | Trading 212 | 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 | Trading 212 Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | Trading 212 | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Octa Review |
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