Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
FOREX.com, founded in 1999, stands out as a highly regarded online broker with a stellar Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. Despite not being a bank, it is publicly traded, which adds a layer of trust for its users. The broker boasts an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, which are regarded as highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license, ensuring its strong regulatory standing. These elements underline FOREX.com’s firm position as a highly trusted broker.
In contrast, Octa, established in 2011, has a Trust Score of 72, categorizing it as having an average risk. Like FOREX.com, Octa is not a bank, nor is it publicly traded, which may influence its perceived reliability. Octa holds one Tier-1 license, which is highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license, reflecting its compliance with standard regulatory practices. While Octa provides a viable service, its regulatory credentials are notably less extensive than those of FOREX.com.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
FOREX.com earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #14 out of 63. In the U.S., its Standard account (the only option for MetaTrader) lists typical EUR/USD spreads around 1.4 pips (July 2023). Outside the U.S., average EUR/USD spreads were lower at 0.74 pips in July 2023. The newer RAW Spread account (available in the U.S., Canada, and the EU) shows typical EUR/USD spreads near 0.13 pips (Feb 2024) plus a $7 per standard lot commission ($3.50 per side). Active traders can earn volume rebates from $2 to $9 per million, but unless you trade more than roughly $50 million per month, the all‑in cost for the RAW account tends to be similar to the Standard account for U.S. clients.
Octa earns 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #30 out of 63. Pricing depends on your account type and which Octa entity you use. EU clients (MT5 only) see an average EUR/USD spread listed at 0.5 pips, while foreign entities list about 0.9 pips; note that Octa doesn’t provide date ranges for these averages. Octa also highlights no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight carry costs, though some rules can limit high‑frequency strategies. Outside the EU, you can choose MT4, MT5, or OctaTrader accounts.
Comparison: FOREX.com provides dated, transparent spread and commission details and offers active‑trader rebates, but can be pricier than the industry average unless you use its RAW pricing and trade meaningful volume. Octa’s posted spreads—especially in the EU—can look lower and its no‑swap policy can help longer‑term traders, but the lack of time‑stamped spread data makes direct cost comparisons harder. If you prize clear, published pricing with optional rebates, FOREX.com is compelling; if you want potentially lean headline spreads and no overnight costs, Octa may be attractive depending on your region and platform needs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
FOREX.com vs Octa: Both brokers support forex trading via CFDs or spot. FOREX.com offers a far wider lineup with 5,500 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, compared with Octa’s 300 symbols and 35 pairs. Both provide cryptocurrency derivatives but do not let you buy actual crypto, and neither offers direct access to U.S.-listed stocks.
Key differences: Octa lets you buy exchange-traded international shares (not CFDs) and also offers copy trading, while FOREX.com does not. According to ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #7 of 63 brokers, whereas Octa scores 3.5 stars and ranks #53. If you want the widest market selection, FOREX.com stands out; if international stock access and copy trading matter more, Octa has those features.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 35 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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.
FOREX.com and Octa both make it easy to get started with a free demo account. Each broker offers its own proprietary platform alongside MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and you can trade on Windows desktop or in your browser. Both also let you place orders straight from charts. The key difference: Octa includes copy trading, while FOREX.com does not. Neither broker connects to DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
For platform tools, FOREX.com pulls ahead on customization: it offers 239 drawing tools for charting and up to 20 watchlist columns, compared with Octa’s 15 drawing tools and seven watchlist fields. In independent ratings for Trading Platforms and Tools, FOREX.com earns 5 stars and ranks 7th out of 63 brokers, while Octa earns 4 stars and ranks 38th. If you want copy trading, Octa is the pick; if you value richer charting and more detailed watchlists, FOREX.com is the stronger choice.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FOREX.com and Octa both offer iPhone and Android trading apps with essentials like real-time watchlists, price alerts, trendline drawing, multiple time frames, and auto-saved chart drawings. One key difference is watchlist syncing: FOREX.com syncs symbols between the mobile app and your online account, while Octa does not—handy if you switch between phone and desktop.
For charting depth, FOREX.com provides 88 technical studies versus Octa’s 30, which can matter for traders who rely on indicators. Independent ratings echo this gap: ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com 5 stars and ranks it #3 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while Octa earns 4 stars and ranks #37. In short, choose FOREX.com if you want richer analytics and seamless syncing; Octa covers the basics for straightforward mobile trading.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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, both FOREX.com and Octa provide daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. However, they differ in the specific tools and resources they offer to traders. FOREX.com includes resources like Trading Central's technical analytics and a sentiment-based trading tool that helps traders understand market positions. In contrast, Octa provides technical analysis tools from Autochartist but lacks the sentiment-based tools that FOREX.com offers.
Both platforms offer an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global news events, making them comparable in this regard. Despite this, FOREX.com outshines Octa in its research offerings, earning a 4.5-star rating compared to Octa's 4 stars. In rankings, FOREX.com holds the 9th position in research out of 63 brokers, significantly higher than Octa, which stands at 27th. Therefore, traders searching for comprehensive market insights may find FOREX.com more aligned with their needs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 FOREX.com and Octa stand out by offering comprehensive materials. Each platform provides over 10 articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. They also organize at least one online educational webinar per month, ensuring a steady flow of learning opportunities. Beginners can benefit from more than 10 tailored educational videos from both brokers, covering essential trading topics to help new traders find their footing. Each platform also maintains a searchable archive of past webinars, making it easy for newcomers to catch up or revisit sessions. Furthermore, they both offer an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, providing valuable background knowledge to those new to trading.
Despite the similarities, FOREX.com edges out Octa with an education rating of 4.5 stars compared to Octa's 4 stars, according to customer reviews. In terms of rankings by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com leads with a #4 position out of 63 brokers for the Education category, while Octa sits at #42. Beyond the basics, advanced traders can access over 10 educational videos on each platform designed for more experienced individuals. If educational resources are a significant consideration for you, FOREX.com appears to offer a slightly superior educational experience for traders at all levels.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than Octa. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 |
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Both FOREX.com and Octa do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
FOREX.com vs Octa: FOREX.com supports ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal (plus Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires), while Octa supports Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA or 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 | FOREX.com | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Octa | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | 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 | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Octa Review |
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