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.
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is an established online broker that is publicly traded on a stock exchange. With an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, CMC Markets holds five Tier-1 licenses, making it highly trusted according to industry standards. Additionally, the broker has one Tier-2 license, further enhancing its trustworthiness. Despite not being a bank, CMC Markets is considered a strong choice for traders looking for a reliable platform.
On the other hand, Octa, which launched in 2011, isn't publicly traded. It holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 72, placing it in the average risk category. Octa has one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, reflecting a more moderate level of regulatory oversight compared to CMC Markets. While Octa doesn't operate as a bank, it presents a reasonable option for those considering alternatives in the trading arena.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 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 | 0.61 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 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.
CMC Markets and Octa both offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, but they cater to different types of investors when it comes to the variety of investment opportunities. CMC Markets stands out with an impressive 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs, compared to Octa's modest selection of 300 tradeable symbols and 35 forex pairs. This wide array enables CMC Markets' clients to diversify their portfolios more extensively. Moreover, CMC Markets provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing investors to purchase real shares like Apple and Vodafone, whereas Octa only offers international exchange-traded securities.
Both CMC Markets and Octa offer copy trading and access to cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies for delivery. When considering user ratings and expert reviews, CMC Markets receives a stellar 5-star rating for its range of investments and is ranked #9 by ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers. On the other hand, Octa garners a 3.5-star rating and is positioned at #52 in the same category. This ranking reflects the broader range of investment options available through CMC Markets, making it a more versatile choice for investors seeking diverse trading opportunities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 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 the trading platforms and tools of CMC Markets and Octa, both brokers offer a range of features appealing to traders. Both platforms provide simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, making it easy for beginners to practice without financial risk. CMC Markets and Octa have developed their own proprietary platforms and offer support for MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as providing web-based and Windows desktop platforms. Additionally, traders can engage in copy trading on both platforms to follow successful strategies without the need for direct involvement. Despite these similarities, CMC Markets stands out for its greater selection of drawing tools with 40 options compared to Octa's 15, reflecting a more extensive toolset for technical analysis. Furthermore, CMC Markets' watch lists feature 11 customizable columns or fields, offering more extensive data displays than Octa's 7 columns.
When it comes to ratings, CMC Markets edges ahead with a perfect 5-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, in contrast to Octa's commendable 4-stars. ForexBrokers.com ranks CMC Markets at an impressive 4th place out of 63 brokers for this category, highlighting their effectiveness and appeal to traders. Octa, while still competitive, is ranked 37th, indicating room for improvement. Though both brokers provide substantial tools and platforms suitable for a wide range of trading activities, CMC Markets is particularly distinguished by its enhanced charting capabilities and higher overall ratings. These distinctions make it a preferred choice for those prioritizing a comprehensive trading 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) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 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 |
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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 | 5 | 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) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 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 | 0.61 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 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) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 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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