Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
XTB and Octa are two online brokers with different regulatory backgrounds and trust scores. Founded in 2002, XTB is a publicly traded company, which contributes to its higher level of transparency. Octa, established in 2011, is privately held, lacking the added scrutiny of a stock exchange listing. Neither broker operates as a bank. XTB boasts a high Trust Score of 96 on ForexBrokers.com, making it highly trusted. This rating is bolstered by its two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses. In contrast, Octa holds one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license, leading to a Trust Score of 72, categorizing it as an average risk according to ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, XTB's longer history, public company status, and greater number of Tier-1 licenses give it an advantage in terms of trust and regulatory compliance over Octa. For traders seeking higher trust, XTB stands out, although both brokers remain viable options for different types of investors.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of XTB and Octa, XTB presents two main account types: a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, which is primarily available for approved professionals in the U.K. and Europe. The average forex spread for the EUR/USD pair on XTB's Standard account is about 1 pip, positioning its pricing around the industry average, although not the most competitive. The minimum deposit starts at 250 base currency, and XTB offers active traders in the EU a rebate program to reduce costs. XTB receives a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking 11th out of 62 brokers.
Octa has enhanced its price offerings significantly, bringing them closer to the leading MetaTrader brokers. It boasts a no-slippage rate of 97.5% for executed orders and has no overnight carry costs. The fees you incur at Octa depend on the account type and the regulatory body overseeing your account. Their EU entity offers a slightly better average spread of 0.5 pips on the EUR/USD pair, versus 0.9 pips from their other entities. While Octa's improvements are noteworthy, the lack of specific date references for spread data is a consideration for potential users. Octa is rated 4 stars and is ranked 28th in the commissions and fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | 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 the investment offerings of XTB and Octa, it's clear that XTB provides a wider array of choices. With a selection of 7,184 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, XTB stands out in terms of variety, whereas Octa offers a more limited 257 tradeable symbols and 35 forex pairs. Notably, XTB allows its clients to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, providing opportunities to purchase stocks like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, while Octa supports international exchange-traded securities, it does not enable investment in U.S. stocks. Both brokers cater to clients interested in forex trading, cryptocurrency derivatives, and more traditional assets, but XTB takes the lead in overall diversity.
Octa does offer some features that might appeal to specific investors, such as copy trading, which is absent from XTB's toolkit. However, both platforms do not support the buying of actual cryptocurrencies, focusing instead on derivatives. In terms of expert ratings, XTB is rated 5 stars for its range of investments, while Octa falls slightly behind with a 3.5-star rating. Furthermore, XTB ranks 14th in the Range of Investments category on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Octa is positioned at #52. These details highlight XTB's superior breadth of investment options, appealing to those who prioritize a wider selection in their trading activities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 257 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of XTB and Octa, both brokers provide a range of options that cater to different types of traders. XTB stands out with a higher rating of 4.5 stars and ranks as the 9th out of 62 brokers for its offerings. It provides a proprietary platform and supports trading both through a Windows-based desktop and a convenient web-based platform. It facilitates a smooth trading experience with the ability to trade directly from stock charts and offers a more extensive selection of 32 drawing tools for charting. While XTB does not support copy trading or MetaTrader platforms, it still holds a strong position in the market.
Octa also presents a competitive suite of features, offering a proprietary platform and the option for both Windows-based and web-based trading. What's notable is Octa's support for MetaTrader platforms, including MT4 and MT5, as well as the popular copy trading feature. Although its charting tools offer fewer drawing options with 15 tools, Octa compensates with capabilities like trading directly from stock charts. Octa is rated 4 stars in its platform offerings and holds the 37th rank among 62 brokers. Each broker offers a free virtual demo account, allowing traders to explore these platforms without financial risk. With 7 columns available for watch lists, Octa's platform remains versatile yet slightly less customizable than XTB's offering.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both XTB and Octa offer mobile trading applications that are designed to provide traders with accessibility and convenience on the go. Available for both iPhone and Android devices, these apps boast essential features like price alerts for stocks and forex, the ability to view multiple time frames on charts, and tools for drawing trendlines, which cater to a variety of trading strategies. Users of both platforms appreciate these mobile capabilities, but there are distinct differences worth considering.
When it comes to technical analysis, XTB's mobile app has an edge with 39 technical studies available, compared to Octa's 30 studies. Additionally, XTB ranks higher in user reviews, receiving a rating of 4.5 stars, as compared to Octa’s 4 stars. This may be partly due to XTB's higher placement in ForexBrokers.com rankings, where it stands at #8 out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, while Octa holds the #36 position. However, neither app currently supports syncing watchlist changes between the mobile and online platforms, which might be a consideration for traders who frequently switch between the two.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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 it comes to market research, both XTB and Octa provide daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, XTB and Octa differ in their offerings of technical analysis tools. While Octa incorporates tools from Autochartist to enhance traders’ understanding, XTB does not provide these specific tools. On the other hand, XTB offers a sentiment-based trading tool that allows traders to see the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments, a feature not available with Octa. Both platforms provide an economic calendar to track global news events, yet neither offers research from companies like TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
In terms of ratings, XTB shines with a full 5-star rating for research, attributed to its comprehensive toolset and presentation, placing it at an impressive #7 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Octa, on the contrary, receives a 4-star research rating, securing the #26 rank. Despite Octa's provision of Autochartist tools, XTB's combination of sentiment analysis and detailed market tools gives it an edge, as reflected in its higher industry ranking. Both brokers are equipped to support informed trading decisions, yet XTB seems to offer slightly more depth for those seeking advanced insights.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 comparing the educational resources suited for beginners offered by XTB and Octa, both platforms stand out for providing quality content tailored to aid traders on their learning journey. Each broker supplies over 10 educational pieces, which may include articles, videos, or webinars primarily focusing on forex and CFDs. Both XTB and Octa present monthly online educational webinars and maintain a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, ensuring accessibility and convenience for new learners. Additionally, these platforms each offer a collection of at least 10 beginner-friendly educational videos, which cover key trading topics that help build a strong foundation for novices entering the forex market.
Despite their similarities, there are distinct differences in what XTB and Octa offer. While XTB delivers a comprehensive range of advanced educational videos for experienced traders, they lack an extensive investor dictionary. In contrast, Octa provides an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms, which can be a valuable resource for learners familiarizing themselves with industry jargon. In terms of educational quality, XTB receives a higher rating, boasting 5 stars and a ranking of #11 from ForexBrokers.com, compared to Octa's 4-star rating and position at #41. This indicates that XTB might slightly edge out Octa as a preferred choice for beginners seeking an expansive educational experience.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than Octa. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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Octa
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 72 |
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Both XTB and Octa do not offer the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing investors to engage in crypto market speculation without owning the digital assets directly.
While both XTB and Octa provide options to deposit or withdraw funds via Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, only XTB supports PayPal transactions, whereas neither broker offers ACH or SEPA transfer options.
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 | XTB | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Octa Review |
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| Regulation | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | 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) | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | 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 | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 257 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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 | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | 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 | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | 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 | 39 | 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 | XTB | 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 | XTB | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | XTB | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Octa Review |
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