Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC 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.
CMC Markets, established in 1989, stands out as a highly trusted online broker, boasting a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. It is a publicly traded company but is not a bank. CMC Markets holds an impressive array of six Tier-1 licenses, which are deemed highly trusted. Additionally, it possesses one Tier-2 license, further reinforcing its reputation in the financial sector. These credentials contribute to its strong standing as a reliable option for traders.
In comparison, Octa was founded in 2011 and carries a Trust Score of 72, indicating an average risk level according to ForexBrokers.com. Unlike CMC Markets, Octa is not publicly traded, although it also is not a bank. Octa has one Tier-1 license, reflecting a degree of trustworthiness with regulatory bodies, and one Tier-2 license. While Octa provides a platform with essential features, the difference in their regulatory profiles makes CMC Markets the stronger choice for those prioritizing robust oversight and credibility.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
CMC Markets shines as a cost-effective choice in the online brokerage world, proudly securing the top spot in our 2025 Annual Awards for Commissions and Fees. CMC Markets is celebrated for its low spreads that appeal to all customer groups and account types. The broker typically offers spreads of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD, surpassing the industry average. Additionally, their FX Active program introduces a new pricing model with a $2.50 commission per side, maintaining highly competitive spreads. Available in regions like Southeast Asia, Australia, and the UK, this pricing model sets CMC apart by offering minimal spreads of zero pips, optimizing trading costs for currencies like the EUR/USD. ForexBrokers.com rates CMC Markets with an impressive 5 stars, ranking it #1 out of 63 brokers.
Octa exhibits noteworthy progress, significantly improving its competitive standing in the pricing arena. Although it trails CMC Markets, Octa is closing in on the most affordable MetaTrader brokers. Impressively, Octa features no slippage on 97.5% of its orders and no overnight carry charges, though it enforces some restrictions that may inconvenience high-frequency traders. The commissions and fees at Octa vary according to the chosen account type and regulating entity. In the EU, the EUR/USD pair averages a spread of 0.5 pips, while foreign entities offer a slightly wider 0.9 pips. Despite missing a date reference for its spreads, Octa’s competitive edge is evident, earning it a 4-star rating in our analysis and placing it at #29.
In conclusion, both CMC Markets and Octa present compelling options for traders. CMC Markets remains a favorite due to its evolved pricing strategies and commitment to cost-effective trading, while Octa steadily gains ground by refining its cost structure, particularly on MetaTrader platforms. Ultimately, CMC Markets’ consistent leadership in the industry makes it a formidable choice for traders seeking low commissions and fees, whereas Octa’s growing presence offers an alternative with unique features that minimize trading costs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets and Octa for their range of available investments, it's clear that these two online brokers offer distinct options. CMC Markets boasts an impressive 12,029 tradeable symbols, including 141 forex pairs. In contrast, Octa offers 300 tradeable symbols and 35 forex pairs. Both platforms provide forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract, allowing clients to engage in the currency markets in a flexible manner. While neither broker offers the ability to buy actual cryptocurrency, they both provide options for cryptocurrency derivatives, offering investors the chance to speculate on crypto price movements without owning the digital assets.
CMC Markets further differentiates itself by giving clients access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, enabling direct investments, such as purchasing Apple shares. Octa, however, does not offer this capability for U.S. markets but does provide access to international exchanges. Both brokers support copy trading, which can be attractive to novice traders seeking to mirror more experienced investors. In terms of ratings, CMC Markets receives 5 stars for its range of investments, ranking #9 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas Octa has a 3.5-star rating and ranks #52. This illustrates CMC Markets' broader and more diverse range of investment options compared to Octa.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 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.
CMC Markets and Octa both offer a wide range of impressive features for traders, including proprietary platforms, popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and web and desktop trading platforms for Windows. You can easily test their platforms with free virtual demo accounts. Both provide copy trading, enabling users to replicate the trades of successful investors. However, neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. While both allow trades directly from a stock chart, CMC Markets stands out with a larger array of drawing tools and customizable options for watch lists, boasting 36 drawing tools and 11 columns for watch lists compared to Octa's 15 drawing tools and 7 columns.
In terms of recognition, CMC Markets is highly rated with five-star satisfaction and ranks 4th among 63 brokers for trading platforms and tools on ForexBrokers.com. Octa, meanwhile, is commendably rated with four stars and is placed 37th on the same list. While both brokers offer similar foundational trading tools and platforms, CMC Markets’ enhanced features and higher ratings make it particularly appealing to those who prioritize comprehensive trading toolkit and a highly regarded user experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
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) | 73 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of CMC Markets and Octa, both platforms provide essential features to facilitate trading on the go. Both apps are available on iPhone and Android, offering stock or forex price alerts. You can enjoy the convenience of creating watchlists with real-time quotes on both platforms. However, CMC Markets has an edge in watchlist symbol syncing, allowing changes made on mobile to reflect in the client's online account, a feature not available with Octa. Both apps support drawing trendlines on charts and offer multiple time frames for analysis, with each saving chart annotations automatically.
In terms of charting tools, CMC Markets offers 29 technical studies, while Octa provides 30. Despite this, CMC Markets outshines Octa in user ratings and industry rankings. It boasts a 5-star rating for mobile trading apps, whereas Octa holds a 4-star rating. Furthermore, CMC Markets is ranked 5th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, significantly higher than Octa's 36th place. These distinctions highlight CMC Markets as a more favorable option if you're seeking a more integrated and highly rated mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
CMC 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 | 29 | 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 market research offerings between CMC Markets and Octa, both online brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from esteemed sources such as Bloomberg or Reuters. They also share the benefit of Autochartist tools, which cater to traders seeking technical or fundamental research. However, while these platforms do not offer tools from Trading Central, users of CMC Markets gain an advantage with their sentiment-based trading tool, which Octa does not provide. Both brokers offer an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global news events. It's worth noting that neither offers market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools.
In terms of overall research quality, CMC Markets is highly acclaimed with a 5-star rating, securing the #6 spot among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Octa, while offering solid market research capabilities, holds a slightly lower 4-star rating and stands at #27 in the same ranking. This comparison highlights that while both brokers equip traders with valuable research tools, CMC Markets edges ahead with a more comprehensive suite, including the distinct sentiment-based tool, potentially providing traders with more insightful market perspectives.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | 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 evaluating CMC Markets and Octa for their educational resources tailored to beginners, both brokerages offer a comprehensive array of content. Each provides over ten educational items such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, all primarily focusing on forex and CFDs. CMC Markets excels with a five-star education rating, ranking 10th out of 63 brokers. Their offerings include over ten beginner-specific videos, an investor dictionary, and a searchable archive of recorded webinars. However, they fall short by not hosting monthly online webinars for clients.
Octa also delivers a solid educational platform, featuring more than ten beginner-focused videos, a substantial investing dictionary, and an archive of webinars. Unlike CMC Markets, Octa hosts monthly online webinars, which can be particularly beneficial for beginners looking to engage in real-time learning. Despite this advantage, Octa's education resources earn a four-star rating, placing them 42nd in the education category among peers. Overall, while both brokers provide valuable educational content, CMC Markets slightly outshines Octa in the rankings for educational offerings.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 CMC Markets is better than Octa. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 |
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Both CMC Markets and Octa do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets outshines Octa by offering more flexible funding options, including ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal, which Octa lacks, while both brokers support Visa/Mastercard and bank wires, with Octa standing out by accepting Skrill, which CMC Markets does not.
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 | CMC Markets | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | Octa | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | 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) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 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 | CMC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | 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 | CMC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC 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 | 29 | 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 | CMC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 | CMC 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 | CMC Markets Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | Octa Review |
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