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 |
Admirals offers competitive pricing with its Trade account, featuring typical spreads of 0.8 pips and similar pricing on the Zero account type. This effective rate positions Admirals favorably among other online trading platforms. As a result, Admirals is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, ranking #17 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Their overall approach to pricing makes them an attractive option for those seeking a cost-effective trading solution.
In contrast, Octa has made significant strides in its commission and fee structure. Although it has faced pricing challenges in the past, it now competes closely with some of the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers. Octa provides no slippage on 97.5% of its executed orders and no overnight carry costs, although some restrictions can affect high-frequency traders. The cost structure varies depending on account type and the entity under which your account is regulated. For EU clients, only one account type is available, which offers slightly better spreads for the EUR/USD pair at approximately 0.5 pips compared to 0.9 pips for foreign entities. Despite these improvements, Octa does not offer a date range for their spread data, affecting its credibility. Currently, Octa holds a 4-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked #29 out of 62 by ForexBrokers.com.
| 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.
Admirals and Octa both offer extensive opportunities for forex trading, providing clients with access to forex CFDs and spot contracts. Admirals shines with a much broader selection, offering 8,702 tradeable symbols compared to Octa's 300. In the landscape of forex pairs, Admirals also takes the lead, presenting 82 pairs while Octa offers 35. Admirals provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to directly invest in companies like Apple and Vodafone. Meanwhile, Octa offers access to international exchange-traded securities but doesn't extend this to U.S. markets.
Both brokers enable investors to explore the world of cryptocurrency derivatives, although purchasing actual cryptocurrencies isn't an option. Copy trading is available on both platforms, offering users a chance to emulate successful strategies. Admirals has earned a rating of 4.5 stars for its range of investments, ranking 19th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, Octa has a rating of 3.5 stars, placing 52nd in the same category. Overall, Admirals presents a more extensive suite of investment opportunities, making it an appealing choice for investors seeking variety and accessibility across global markets.
| 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.
When comparing Admirals and Octa for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide a comprehensive trading environment suited for various trader needs. Admirals and Octa alike offer simulated or virtual demo accounts, proprietary platforms alongside popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 access, and support for Windows-based as well as web-based trading platforms. Both platforms also facilitate copy trading, allowing users to replicate the trades of seasoned investors. Despite these similarities, Admirals distinguishes itself with an impressive array of 106 drawing tools for charting, compared to Octa's 15. Both brokers provide users the ability to trade directly from stock charts and share a similar watch list configuration with 7 columns for fields.
In terms of overall performance, Admirals and Octa both earn a respectable four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, they differ in industry recognition, with Admirals ranked 19th by ForexBrokers.com out of 62 brokers, while Octa ranks 37th in the same category. This distinction may reflect Admirals' advanced charting capabilities which could be a deciding factor for traders who prioritize more comprehensive analytical tools. Regardless of these nuances, each broker offers a reliable and feature-rich environment for online trading.
| 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 provide traders with mobile apps for iPhone and Android, featuring essential tools like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Users of both platforms can explore charts with 30 technical studies and different time frames, which makes analyzing market trends more accessible. Additionally, the mobile apps auto-save chart drawings, ensuring that your technical analysis remains intact without the need for manual saving. Admirals and Octa also allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, crucial for traders who want to monitor market movements efficiently.
Despite their similarities, there are key differences when considering Admirals and Octa for mobile trading. Admirals takes the edge with a higher ranking at #23 compared to Octa's #35 in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, even though both are rated with four out of five stars. However, neither app currently supports watchlist symbol syncing between mobile and online accounts, which might be a consideration for traders wanting a fully synchronized experience. This comprehensive comparison helps users weigh the options for mobile trading apps, highlighting both platforms as capable options for today's traders.
| 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.
Admirals and Octa both excel in providing daily market commentary and offer forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. When it comes to advanced trading tools, Admirals stands out by offering tools from Trading Central and a sentiment-based trading tool to guide traders on market trends. Admirals also integrates market research from TipRanks and provides resources from Acuity Trading, which Octa does not. On the other hand, Octa provides technical and fundamental analysis tools powered by Autochartist, which Admirals lacks. Both brokers include an economic calendar for tracking global news events, ensuring that traders stay informed.
Despite these differences in tools and resources, both Admirals and Octa receive a research rating of four out of five stars. However, Admirals achieves a higher ranking of 15th among 62 brokers in the Research category on ForexBrokers.com, while Octa holds the 27th position. This indicates that Admirals offers a more comprehensive suite of resources for those prioritizing research and market analysis in their trading strategy.
| 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.
Admirals and Octa provide commendable educational resources for beginner traders interested in forex or CFDs. Both platforms feature over 10 educational pieces such as articles and videos, making a wealth of foundational knowledge accessible to new traders. Admirals and Octa also conduct regular online educational webinars, at least once a month, and each offers a searchable archive of past webinars, allowing users to learn at their own pace. For beginners looking to delve deeper into trading concepts, both brokers present over 10 beginner-focused educational videos and offer an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, enhancing the learning experience.
When it comes to content for more seasoned traders, Admirals and Octa both offer over 10 advanced educational videos. Despite their similarities in offerings, Admirals ranks higher for education according to ForexBrokers.com, coming in at number 12 out of 62 brokers, compared to Octa's ranking at number 42. Both brokers earn a solid 4-star rating for their educational services, affirming their role as valuable learning platforms for traders at different stages in their journey.
| 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 62 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
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Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 |
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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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Admirals | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
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| Review | Admirals Review | Octa Review |
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| 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review | Octa Review |
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