Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Admirals 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.
Admirals was established in 2001 and Octa in 2011, making Admirals the more seasoned player in the online brokerage landscape. Neither of the brokers is publicly traded or operates as a bank. When considering their regulatory strength, Admirals holds four Tier-1 licenses, recognized as highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com, along with three Tier-2 licenses. In contrast, Octa has one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license.
In terms of trust and reliability, Admirals receives a Trust Score of 93 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the highly trusted category. Octa, on the other hand, scores a Trust Score of 72, indicating average risk. As such, Admirals offers a more reassuring regulatory environment for traders compared to Octa.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Admirals offers competitive pricing with typical spreads of 0.8 pips on its Trade account. This pricing is consistent with its Zero account type, making Admirals an attractive option for traders looking for straightforward cost structures. Admirals earns a commendable 4.5-star rating in the commissions and fees category and is ranked 17th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
Octa has made significant improvements in its pricing strategy, gradually catching up with some of the most affordable MetaTrader brokers. Offering spreads as low as 0.5 pips for the EUR/USD pair under its EU entity, Octa appeals to traders seeking budget-friendly options. However, Octa's pricing does depend on account type and the regulatory entity, with its foreign entities offering spreads of 0.9 pips for the same currency pair. Octa is rated with 4 stars for commissions and fees and holds the 29th position out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its positive strides in this area.
Both Admirals and Octa offer compelling pricing, though Admirals maintains a slight edge with its clearer spread structure and higher star rating. While Octa has no slippage on 97.5% of executed orders and no overnight carry costs, it poses some restrictions that may affect high-frequency traders. For those prioritizing cost efficiency, Admirals is ranked higher, offering a more consistent pricing experience, while Octa remains a viable alternative with its own set of pricing advantages.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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 Admirals and Octa for their available range of investments, both brokerage platforms provide opportunities for forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. However, Admirals offers a significantly larger selection of tradeable symbols, with a total of 8702 compared to Octa's 300. Admirals also stands out with 82 tradeable forex pairs, more than double Octa's offering of 35 pairs. Another distinct advantage of Admirals is the access they provide to exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, allowing clients to buy shares, such as those of Apple. Octa, on the other hand, does not offer this feature, although both brokers support exchange-traded securities on international exchanges.
Both Admirals and Octa facilitate copy trading and offer cryptocurrency derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies. Yet, Admirals earns a higher rating in terms of the range of investments, receiving 4.5 stars compared to Octa's 3.5 stars. Additionally, in the ForexBrokers.com ranking for Range of Investments, Admirals is placed at a commendable #19 out of 63 brokers, while Octa ranks at #52. This evident difference in ranking underscores Admirals' broader and more diverse investment offerings, catering to a wider array of trading needs.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 35 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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.
Admirals and Octa are popular choices for online trading, providing a range of platforms and tools suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. Both brokers offer demo accounts for simulated trading, which is great for testing strategies without risking real money. They have in-house proprietary platforms alongside options to download a Windows-based desktop platform or to trade via a web browser. Admirals and Octa also support renowned platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and provide features such as copy trading. Although neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, the extensive availability of trading tools makes up for this gap.
When it comes to charting tools, Admirals stands out with 106 drawing tools compared to Octa's 15. Both brokers allow for direct trading from stock charts and share a similar setup with seven fields for watch lists. Admirals and Octa both hold a four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, Admirals takes the lead, positioned at #19 out of 63 brokers, while Octa ranks at #37. This suggests that while they are closely matched in many respects, Admirals may offer a slightly more comprehensive package for traders looking for diverse charting tools.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
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) | 106 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Admirals and Octa offer mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, allowing you to trade on-the-go no matter your smartphone choice. They are evenly matched in several areas, such as providing stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and view multiple time frames on their charts. Admirals and Octa also let users create watchlists with real-time quotes, however, neither app offers watchlist symbol syncing, meaning changes made on the mobile app won't sync with the online account. Both platforms support 30 technical studies for chart analysis, and conveniently auto-save chart drawings, ensuring your technical analysis efforts are not lost.
When it comes to ratings, both Admirals and Octa score a solid four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps, showing that users find them generally satisfactory. However, Admirals holds an edge in the rankings by ForexBrokers.com, placing at 23 out of 63 brokers, compared to Octa's 36th position. While both apps provide reliable features for market analysis and trading, Admirals’ slight lead in ranking indicates a somewhat more favorable user and industry reception.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
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 the market research offerings of Admirals and Octa, both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Admirals sets itself apart by offering a sentiment-based trading tool that displays trader positions across currency pairs, and it provides in-depth market research through TipRanks and Acuity Trading. On the other hand, Octa leverages technical analysis and research tools from Autochartist, which Admirals does not offer.
Both brokers feature economic calendars to help traders stay informed about global events. Admirals enriches its research suite with tools from Trading Central, while Octa excels with the inclusion of Autochartist tools. In terms of research quality, both brokers are awarded four-star ratings. However, Admirals ranks higher at #15, compared to Octa's rank of #27 among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Admirals and Octa stand out for their comprehensive offerings. Admirals provides a wealth of knowledge with a variety of educational materials, including over ten articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFDs. Octa matches this effort with its own broad selection of educational content, ensuring new traders have access to similar resources. Both platforms host regular online webinars at least once a month, which are invaluable for learning from experts in real-time. Additionally, they each offer searchable archives of these webinars, allowing users to revisit past sessions at their convenience.
In the realm of video content, Admirals and Octa each deliver an array of beginner-focused videos that are designed to simplify the complexities of trading. Moreover, seasoned traders aren't left behind, as both brokers provide advanced-level videos aimed at enhancing skills. Complementing these resources, Admirals and Octa offer investor dictionaries with over 50 key terms defined, aiding traders in gaining a solid grasp of essential concepts. Despite both being rated four stars for education, Admirals holds a higher rank, being placed at #12 compared to Octa's #42 among 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, indicating a slightly more nuanced edge in educational offerings.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
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 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Admirals is better than Octa. Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
Traders choose Admirals for its excellent investor education and advanced MetaTrader features – such as the Supreme add-ons – alongside an extensive range of shares, forex and CFD markets, and premium research content.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Admirals and Octa provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the ability to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
In comparing online brokers, Admirals provides greater flexibility for account funding by offering ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options, in addition to Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas Octa supports Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal integration.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Yes | No |
| Investments | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Admirals | 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 | Admirals | 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) | 106 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Admirals | 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 | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Admirals | 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 | Admirals | 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 | Admirals Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | Admirals | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review | Octa Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill