Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets, established in 2014, and Octa, founded in 2011, are online brokers that are not publicly traded or banks. When it comes to trust ratings from ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets garners a Trust Score of 78, placing it in the average risk category. Meanwhile, Octa scores a slightly lower Trust Score of 72, also categorizing it as an average-risk broker. This highlights that both are generally considered to pose a similar level of investment risk.
Regarding regulation, both BlackBull Markets and Octa hold one Tier-1 license each, reflecting a high level of trust in their regulatory standing. However, Octa holds one additional Tier-2 license, which denotes a trusted level of regulation, while BlackBull Markets does not possess any Tier-2 licenses. This adds another layer of regulatory oversight for Octa, potentially providing a bit more assurance to its users.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 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 | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers BlackBull Markets and Octa, you'll find distinct advantages with each. BlackBull Markets ranks #18 out of 63 brokers and offers a star rating of 4.5 for its competitive fee structure. Depending on the account type, trading costs vary, with the Prime account providing an attractive option for lower spreads at an average of 0.16 pips for EUR/USD, plus a commission of $6 for every 10,000 units traded. Although the Standard account is commission-free, it features higher spreads and no minimum deposit requirement. For high-volume traders, the ECN Institutional account stands out, requiring a $20,000 deposit with a reduced commission rate of $4 per round turn.
On the other hand, Octa, rated with 4 stars and ranked #29, has made notable strides in reducing its trading costs, now nearing some of the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers. It offers no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight fees, although it does place restrictions that might affect high-frequency trading. Octa's account types vary based on regulatory entities, with EU clients having access to only MT5, while other locations offer a choice between MT4, MT5, and OctaTrader. Spreads also vary, with the EU entity averaging 0.5 pips for EUR/USD, compared to 0.9 pips for accounts regulated elsewhere.
In summary, both BlackBull Markets and Octa provide noteworthy options for different trading needs. BlackBull Markets excels with its structured pricing across distinct account types, especially for traders who prioritize lower spreads in Prime and ECN Institutional accounts. Meanwhile, Octa's improvements position it as a competitive choice, especially for traders looking for no overnight charges and diverse account options across different regions. However, the lack of date-specific spread data on Octa's website may limit precise spread comparisons.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | 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 BlackBull Markets and Octa in terms of available investment options, BlackBull Markets stands out with an impressive 26,000 tradable symbols, dwarfing Octa's offering of 300. While both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, BlackBull Markets offers more with 72 forex pairs compared to Octa's 35. Furthermore, BlackBull Markets provides access to U.S. exchange-traded securities, allowing investors to buy shares like Apple, an option not available with Octa. Both brokers do, however, allow trading on international exchanges.
In addition to traditional investments, both BlackBull Markets and Octa offer cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither supports purchasing actual cryptocurrencies. For investors interested in mimicking trades, both platforms provide copy trading. Overall, BlackBull Markets earns a higher rating for its range of investments, receiving 5 stars and ranked 6th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Octa scores 3.5 stars and ranks 52nd, highlighting BlackBull Markets as a more versatile option for a diverse investment portfolio.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 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 BlackBull Markets and Octa in terms of trading platforms and tools, both brokers present a compelling range of features. Both offer the convenience of simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing new traders to hone their skills before diving into live markets. However, a key difference is that Octa offers its own proprietary trading platform, while BlackBull Markets extends its services via well-known third-party platforms. Both brokers provide traders with versatile access through Windows-based desktop, web-based trading platforms, and support popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and 5. Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets shines with its offering of ZuluTrade for copy trading, while Octa does not currently support this option.
In terms of technical analysis, both brokers offer similar capabilities with their charting tools, although BlackBull Markets pulls ahead slightly with 60 drawing tools compared to Octa’s 15. This may be beneficial for traders who enjoy a more granular level of chart details. Both platforms facilitate trading directly from stock charts and support comprehensive watchlists, with Octa offering a slight edge with seven fields compared to BlackBull Market’s six. Review-wise, both brokers receive four out of five stars for trading platforms and tools. However, BlackBull Markets ranks higher, situated at #29 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, compared to Octa's #37 position.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both BlackBull Markets and Octa offer mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, ensuring accessibility for traders on the go. For those keen on tracking market movements, each app provides stock and forex price alerts. BlackBull Markets stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing feature, allowing seamless integration between the mobile app and online accounts—a feature that Octa unfortunately lacks. When it comes to charting capabilities, both apps offer an impressive range of 30 technical studies, supporting comprehensive analysis for keen traders.
In terms of functionality, both platforms allow users to draw trendlines on charts and view multiple time frames to assist in trading decisions. The auto-save feature enhances usability by retaining chart drawings, and creating a watchlist with real-time quotes adds another layer of convenience for users. Both BlackBull Markets and Octa receive a solid rating of four stars for their mobile trading apps. However, BlackBull Markets is ranked higher at #31 compared to Octa's #36 in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, subtly suggesting a preference among users for BlackBull Markets' mobile offering.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | 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 it comes to market research offerings, both BlackBull Markets and Octa provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed. However, Octa distinguishes itself by delivering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while BlackBull Markets does not. Both platforms offer tools from Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis, but neither features Trading Central tools. BlackBull Markets offers a unique sentiment-based trading tool that Octa lacks, helping traders understand market positioning in various currency pairs. While neither broker provides research tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, they both offer comprehensive economic calendars with insights into global events.
In terms of ratings, both BlackBull Markets and Octa receive a solid 4-star rating for their research capabilities. Nonetheless, BlackBull Markets takes a lead in rankings, holding the 18th position out of 63 brokers as assessed by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Octa stands at 27th. This ranking suggests that BlackBull Markets might be a preferred choice for traders who value sentiment tools and a slightly higher overall satisfaction in research offerings.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both BlackBull Markets and Octa provide comprehensive offerings. Each platform delivers more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, which include a mix of articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, they each host monthly online educational webinars, ensuring that traders have ongoing learning opportunities. Both brokers offer an archive of previously recorded webinars, allowing users to access past content with ease. Beginner traders can find plenty of content tailored for them, as both brokers offer over 10 beginner-focused educational videos. Furthermore, for those with more experience, each broker provides more than 10 advanced educational videos.
BlackBull Markets and Octa cater to traders looking to expand their knowledge with valuable resources like an investor dictionary comprising over 50 investing terms. Educationally, both brokers are rated four stars for their content. Despite their similar offerings, BlackBull Markets is ranked higher by ForexBrokers.com at #29 compared to Octa's #42 out of 63 brokers for education, suggesting a slightly stronger emphasis or reputation in educational quality or presentation. Ultimately, both brokers offer solid educational foundations but with a slight edge going to BlackBull Markets in terms of industry rankings.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
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 BlackBull Markets is better than Octa. BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
BlackBull Markets is a plain-vanilla MetaTrader broker with a growing range of products and support for a handful of third-party social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
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Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 72 |
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Both BlackBull Markets and Octa do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both BlackBull Markets and Octa provide several options for depositing and withdrawing funds, including Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, but neither supports ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transactions.
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 | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
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| Regulation | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 78 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | 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) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 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 | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | BlackBull Markets | 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 | 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 | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | BlackBull Markets | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review | Octa Review |
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