Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BDSwiss 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.
BDSwiss, founded in 2012, and Octa, established in 2011, are both well-known online brokers, neither of which is publicly traded or operates as a bank. When it comes to regulatory standing, each holds one Tier-1 license, signifying a high level of trust, according to ForexBrokers.com. While BDSwiss does not hold any Tier-2 licenses, Octa holds one, adding a layer of trust to its regulatory credentials.
Comparing trust scores, BDSwiss has an edge with a score of 73 out of 99, indicating an average risk, while Octa follows closely with a score of 72. Both brokers offer competitive trading experiences, but their regulatory nuances might influence a trader's choice based on their individual risk tolerance and regulatory priorities.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2012 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of BDSwiss and Octa, it's important to consider how both brokers stack up in terms of cost and service. BDSwiss offers good order execution, but its spreads are higher than many industry leaders. For example, the Classic account has a spread of 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD, which can be quite expensive. The Raw account provides slightly better value with a spread of 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side, totaling an effective spread of 1.3. The VIP account offers a spread of 1.2 pips. Overall, BDSwiss receives a rating of 4 stars and ranks #30 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
Octa, on the other hand, has shown significant improvements in pricing, rivaling some of the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers. Its standout feature includes no slippage on 97.5% of its orders and the absence of overnight carry costs. However, Octa does have limitations that could affect high-frequency traders. Account costs depend on the type and the regulatory entity you choose. For European clients, Octa offers a single MT5 account with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.5 pips, while international clients can choose from accounts available for both MT4 and MT5. Despite not offering a date range for its spread data, Octa's pricing is competitive. Like BDSwiss, Octa is rated 4 stars but ranks slightly higher at #29 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
In summary, both BDSwiss and Octa offer appealing features for traders, with each having distinct advantages. BDSwiss might attract those who prioritize order execution, despite its higher spreads. Octa has improved significantly, offering competitive spreads and unique benefits like no slippage and no overnight costs, making it an attractive option for traders mindful of cost efficiency. Both brokers share the same star rating, but Octa's slightly better ranking may sway some traders towards its services.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10-$5000 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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.
When comparing the investment offerings of BDSwiss and Octa, both platforms provide the ability to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, catering to those interested in currency trading. BDSwiss boasts a significantly larger selection with 1,081 tradeable symbols, including 53 forex pairs, whereas Octa offers 300 tradeable symbols and 35 forex pairs. However, when it comes to stock trading on U.S. or international exchanges, neither platform allows clients to directly purchase shares like Apple on the U.S. exchanges, although Octa stands out by providing opportunities to buy international securities, such as Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange.
Both BDSwiss and Octa enable users to engage in copy trading, as well as to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies. Despite these similarities, BDSwiss achieves a higher rating with 4 stars out of 5 for its range of investments, compared to Octa's 3.5 stars. This is reflected in their rankings, where BDSwiss holds the 34th position and Octa the 52nd out of 63 brokers assessed by ForexBrokers.com in this category. This evaluation highlights BDSwiss as a favorable option for those seeking a broader selection of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1081 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 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 comparing BDSwiss and Octa for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers present an array of options that cater to different trading needs. Each offers a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice trading strategies without risks. They both provide proprietary platforms, as well as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ensuring flexibility and familiarity for traders. Additionally, both brokers offer platforms available for Windows desktops and web-based access, making it convenient for traders to engage from numerous devices. Copy trading features are also available with both brokers, though neither offer integration with DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
For charting capabilities, BDSwiss and Octa are well-equipped, providing 15 drawing tools and enabling trading directly from stock charts. Watch lists are customizable, with seven fields available for personalization. Despite the similarities in tools and features, there are differences in their industry rankings. BDSwiss is ranked 24th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for Trading Platforms and Tools, while Octa is positioned at 37th. Both brokers receive a respectable four-star rating in this category, demonstrating their strong offerings to enhance the trading experience.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
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) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both BDSwiss and Octa provide mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, allowing traders to manage their investments on the go. Both apps include features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and multiple time-frame views for charts. Both BDSwiss and Octa support creating watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring users have access to up-to-date market information easily. Additionally, each app can auto save drawings on charts, reducing the need for repetitive actions.
While BDSwiss and Octa both offer 30 technical studies for their charting capabilities, neither provides watchlist symbol syncing between mobile apps and online accounts. In terms of user reviews, both apps have earned a 4-star rating for mobile trading. However, BDSwiss is ranked higher in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #24 out of 63 brokers, compared to Octa's ranking at #36. This difference in ranking might make BDSwiss a slightly more attractive option for traders prioritizing app performance.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
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.
Both BDSwiss and Octa provide daily market commentary, making it easier for traders to stay informed about the latest market trends. However, when it comes to accessing forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Octa has the edge as BDSwiss does not offer this service. Both platforms present users with vital technical and fundamental analysis tools from Autochartist, catering to traders who rely on these features for making informed decisions. Additionally, BDSwiss further enhances its research toolkit by offering resources from Trading Central, a feature that Octa does not provide.
In terms of sentiment-based tools, neither BDSwiss nor Octa incorporates a feature that shows the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. Both brokers lack market research from TipRanks and do not include tools from Acuity Trading. Nevertheless, they each provide an economic calendar displaying global news events, keeping users apprised of upcoming economic activities. Both BDSwiss and Octa have been rated four stars for their research capabilities, but BDSwiss holds a slightly higher position, ranked 24th compared to Octa's 27th place among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
BDSwiss and Octa both offer well-rounded educational resources aimed at helping beginners in forex and CFDs trading. Each platform provides over 10 educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, making it easier for newcomers to grasp essential concepts. Both brokers also host monthly webinars and maintain searchable archives of past sessions. For those who prefer visual learning, both BDSwiss and Octa offer a minimum of 10 beginner-friendly educational videos, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience from ground level.
In addition to beginner resources, BDSwiss and Octa cater to advanced traders, supplying over 10 videos specifically designed for more experienced users. They both feature investor dictionaries with definitions for more than 50 investment terms, aiding traders in expanding their financial vocabulary. While both brokers receive a 4-star rating for education, BDSwiss holds a higher educational ranking at #19 compared to Octa's #42, out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your trading knowledge, both platforms provide valuable tools and information to enhance your expertise.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
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 BDSwiss is better than Octa. BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
The BDSwiss brand caters to over 1.6 million registered forex and CFD traders, and offers the full MetaTrader platform suite alongside its own proprietary mobile app. BDSwiss demonstrates good order execution statistics and provides access to over 1,000 tradable symbols – though its spreads are higher than industry leaders.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
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Octa
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 73 | 72 |
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Both BDSwiss and Octa provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers BDSwiss and Octa, both offer Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for deposits and withdrawals, but only BDSwiss provides ACH or SEPA transfers, while neither supports PayPal.
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 | BDSwiss | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review | Octa Review |
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| Regulation | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 73 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2012 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BDSwiss | 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) | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1081 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 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 | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10-$5000 | $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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss | 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) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss | 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 | BDSwiss Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | BDSwiss | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review | Octa Review |
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