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City Index vs Octa 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of City Index vs Octa, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

City Index
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £100.00
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 13500
Octa
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $25
  • Trust Score: 72
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 300

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.

Regulation

City Index and Octa are both prominent online brokers, offering trading services across various financial markets. Established in 1983, City Index is a well-established broker that is publicly traded, while Octa, founded in 2011, remains privately held. Neither of the brokers operate as banks, but City Index stands out with a stellar ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, signifying a high level of trust amongst users.

In terms of regulatory credentials, City Index holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, recognized as highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com, alongside one Tier-2 license. In comparison, Octa possesses one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, earning it a Trust Score of 72, which is deemed to represent an average level of risk. These regulatory distinctions highlight City Index's commitment to secure and reliable trading services when compared to Octa.

Feature City Index logoCity Index
Octa logoOcta
Year Founded info 1983 2011
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 7 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 1

Fees

City Index earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #16 of 63, while Octa earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #26. On headline spreads, Octa’s EU entity lists an average 0.5-pip spread on EUR/USD (versus 0.9 pips for its foreign entities), which can look cheaper than City Index’s 0.74 pips on EUR/USD (as of July 2023). However, Octa does not provide a date range for its spread data, so its pricing is harder to verify, whereas City Index’s figure is time-stamped.

City Index pricing for CFDs, forex, and spread betting is around the industry average, with the best rates typically found on its own platforms or MetaTrader. Active traders can lower costs: the Premium Trader account (for deposits over £10,000) offers exclusive pricing and dedicated support. There are volume-based rebates too—U.K. professionals get £4 per million after £25M in monthly volume, rising to £7.5 per million above £300M; in Australia, rebates range from AUD 4.5 to AUD 14.5 per million across tiers.

Octa has improved its pricing and aims to keep pace with low-cost MetaTrader brokers, but fees vary by the entity that regulates your account. EU clients get a single MT5 account, while international clients can choose MT4, MT5, or OctaTrader. Octa also highlights 97.5% of orders without slippage and no overnight carry costs, which can help swap-sensitive strategies. That said, restrictions may affect high-frequency trading, and the lack of dated spread data makes apples-to-apples comparisons less certain.

Feature City Index logoCity Index
Octa logoOcta
Minimum Deposit info £100.00 $25
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.4 info 0.9 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.9 info N/A
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

City Index and Octa both offer forex trading (as CFDs or spot contracts), copy trading, and cryptocurrency CFDs—but neither lets you buy actual crypto. City Index stands out with 13,500 tradeable symbols and 66 forex pairs, while Octa offers 300 symbols and 35 forex pairs. For exchange-traded shares (not CFDs), City Index does not offer U.S. or international stocks. Octa does not offer U.S. shares, but it does provide access to some international exchange-traded securities.

For Range of Investments, City Index earns 5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Octa earns 3.5 stars and ranks #33. In short, City Index suits traders wanting a much wider selection of markets, while Octa may appeal if you want a smaller lineup plus access to certain international shares and copy trading.

Feature City Index logoCity Index
Octa logoOcta
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 13500 300
Forex Pairs (Total) info 66 35
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info No No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info No Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

City Index and Octa both cover the essentials for modern trading: free demo (paper) accounts, in-house proprietary platforms, Windows desktop downloads, web platforms, copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4). A key difference is MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Octa offers MT5, while City Index does not.

Details like the exact number of chart indicators and watchlist columns aren’t specified, but both brokers deliver versatile platform access and chart-driven trading. In independent testing, City Index earned 4.5/5 stars and ranked #11 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while Octa scored 4/5 stars and ranked #30. Choose City Index if higher-rated platform depth matters most, or pick Octa if MT5 access is a priority alongside MT4.

Feature City Index logoCity Index
Octa logoOcta
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 88 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

City Index and Octa both offer iPhone and Android apps, along with price alerts for forex and other markets. A key difference is watchlists: City Index syncs symbols between mobile and web, while Octa does not. For charting, both apps let you draw trendlines and automatically save your drawings, but City Index packs in more analysis with 88 technical studies compared to Octa’s 30.

Independent ratings back up the gap in features: City Index scores 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #9 of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Octa earns 4 stars and ranks #29. Choose City Index if you want deeper chart tools and synced watchlists; pick Octa if you’re fine with the essentials.

Feature City Index logoCity Index
Octa logoOcta
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 88 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

City Index and Octa both cover the basics well for market research, with daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and an easy-to-browse economic calendar. The key differences are in their added tools: City Index includes Trading Central and a handy sentiment gauge showing the share of long vs. short positions, while Octa stands out with Autochartist for pattern recognition. Neither broker provides TipRanks or Acuity Trading integrations.

For ratings, City Index earns 4.5 stars and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers for Research at ForexBrokers.com, while Octa scores 4 stars and ranks #24. Pick City Index if you want Trading Central insights and sentiment data alongside top-tier news. Choose Octa if Autochartist trade ideas are a priority and you’re fine without sentiment tools or Trading Central.

Feature City Index logoCity Index
Octa logoOcta
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info No Yes
Trading Central info Yes No
Client sentiment data info Yes No
TipRanks info No No
Acuity Trading info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

City Index vs Octa: both brokers provide beginner-friendly forex and CFD education with far more than the minimum 10 lessons. Each offers ongoing client webinars at least once a month and a sizable video library that includes 10+ beginner videos to help you learn basics like order types, charts, and risk control. If you’re just starting out, you’ll find step-by-step lessons and clear explanations at either broker.

As you advance, both also supply 10+ videos for experienced traders. That said, City Index takes the lead for overall quality and structure, earning 4.5/5 stars and ranking 9th out of 63 brokers for Education on ForexBrokers.com. Octa is still a strong choice with 4/5 stars and a 32nd-place ranking, especially if you value regular webinars and plenty of videos to build your skills at your own pace.

Feature City Index logoCity Index
Octa logoOcta
Webinars info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that City Index is better than Octa. City Index finished with an overall rank of #8, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #34.

Backed by StoneX Group, City Index is a trusted brand known for its versatile trading platforms, excellent mobile app, diverse market research, and extensive range of tradeable markets.

Feature City Index logoCity Index
Octa logoOcta
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 72
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with City Index or Octa?

In a head-to-head comparison, City Index and Octa do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both brokers offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.

What funding options does each broker offer?

City Index supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire deposits/withdrawals but not Skrill, while Octa supports Skrill and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal; Visa/Mastercard availability is unspecified for both brokers.

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Overall Rating City Index Octa
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 72
Winner check_circle
Review City Index Review Octa Review
Broker Screenshots City Index Octa
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
City Index MetaTrader 4 mobile trading app City Index web platform trading. City Index web platform research Trading Central City Index educational course advanced.
Octa web platform trade ticket. Octa OctaTrader Space research analysis. OctaFX educational articles
Regulation City Index Octa
Trust Score info 99 72
Year Founded info 1983 2011
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 7 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 1
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) City Index Octa
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes No
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info No No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes No
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) City Index Octa
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) info Yes No
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments City Index Octa
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 13500 300
Forex Pairs (Total) info 66 35
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info No No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info No Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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 City Index Octa
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.4 info 0.9 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.9 info N/A
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Order execution: Agency info No Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding City Index Octa
Minimum Deposit info £100.00 $25
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
Trading Platforms City Index Octa
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools City Index Octa
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 88 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading City Index Octa
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 88 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research City Index Octa
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info No Yes
Trading Central info Yes No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education City Index Octa
Webinars info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs City Index Octa
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review City Index Review Octa Review
Overall City Index Octa
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 72
Winner check_circle
Review City Index Review Octa Review
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