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 | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, FOREX.com tends to be pricier in the U.S. unless you opt for its RAW account, while Octa has markedly improved and now competes closely with low-cost MetaTrader brokers. For ratings and rankings: FOREX.com earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #15 of 63 for Commissions and Fees; Octa earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #26 of 63.
FOREX.com’s Standard account (the only MetaTrader option) shows typical EUR/USD spreads of about 1.4 pips in the U.S. based on July 2023 data, with lower averages of 0.74 pips outside the U.S. The discontinued DMA account has been replaced by the commission-based RAW account, which posted typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.13 pips in February 2024. RAW pricing adds a $7 commission per standard lot ($3.50 per side), which is roughly a 0.7-pip equivalent on top of the quoted spread, and includes six volume tiers with rebates of $2–$9 per million. Unless you trade more than about $50 million per month (with the biggest savings kicking in at very large volumes), the all-in cost often ends up similar to the Standard account for U.S. traders.
Octa’s costs depend on your account type and which entity you open with. EU clients (MT5 only) see a listed average EUR/USD spread of 0.5 pips, while international entities list about 0.9 pips; however, Octa does not provide a date range for these averages. Octa also advertises no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight carry costs, though some rules can limit high-frequency strategies. Overall pricing has improved and can be competitive, especially if you’re comfortable with its entity-based differences and the lack of timestamped spread data.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing the range of investments, both FOREX.com and Octa let you trade forex as CFDs or spot. FOREX.com offers far more to choose from, with 5,500 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, versus Octa’s 300 symbols and 35 pairs. According to ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments, while Octa holds 3.5 stars and ranks #33.
For exchange-traded securities (not CFDs), FOREX.com lets clients buy shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, so investors can purchase companies like Apple and Vodafone directly. Octa does not support U.S.-listed shares, but does offer international exchange-traded shares. Neither broker offers actual, delivered cryptocurrency, though both provide cryptocurrency CFDs. If copy trading is important, Octa includes it; FOREX.com does not.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 35 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
Comparing trading platforms and tools, FOREX.com and Octa both check key boxes: free demo (paper) accounts, proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and lets you place orders straight from a chart. The key difference is copy trading—Octa offers it, while FOREX.com does not—so social traders may lean toward Octa, while others can focus on platform choice and charting.
In expert testing by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com earns 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers, while Octa earns 4 stars and ranks #30. In short, both deliver broad platform coverage and paper trading, but if top-rated tools are your priority, FOREX.com comes out ahead; if copy trading matters most, Octa has the edge.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing the mobile trading apps from FOREX.com and Octa is straightforward. Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, and both support price alerts so you can stay on top of market moves. A key difference is watchlists: FOREX.com syncs your watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while Octa does not, which can matter if you switch between devices.
For charting, FOREX.com provides 90 technical studies versus 30 with Octa. Both apps let you draw trendlines and automatically save your drawings. In independent reviews, FOREX.com earns 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Octa earns 4 stars and ranks #29. If you want deeper chart tools and synced watchlists, FOREX.com is the stronger pick; if you just need the basics on both iPhone and Android, Octa gets the job done.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FOREX.com and Octa both cover the essentials for forex market research: each offers daily market commentary, an economic calendar, and forex news from major sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. That foundation makes it easy to track events and stay informed no matter your experience level.
The key differences are in their research tools. Octa includes Autochartist for pattern and setup scanning, while FOREX.com integrates Trading Central and adds a sentiment tool that shows the long/short ratio across instruments—features Octa does not provide. Neither broker offers TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools. In independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com earned 4.5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranked 7th out of 63 brokers, while Octa received 4 stars and ranked 24th. If you want Autochartist, Octa is the pick; if you value Trading Central insights and sentiment data, FOREX.com has the edge.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing FOREX.com vs Octa for beginner education: both brokers provide forex and CFD learning resources that are easy to follow. Each offers monthly client webinars and a video lineup with at least 10 beginner lessons plus at least 10 advanced lessons, so new traders can start with the basics and grow into more complex topics over time.
If you want the stronger education track, FOREX.com stands out with a 4.5/5 Education rating and a #4 ranking out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Octa earns a solid 4/5 and ranks #32 out of 63. In short, both cover the essentials with regular webinars and sizable video libraries, while FOREX.com edges ahead for overall depth and structure.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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 #4, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #34.
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
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Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 |
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In this FOREX.com vs Octa comparison, neither online broker lets you buy and hold actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading so you can speculate on crypto prices without owning the underlying asset.
FOREX.com vs Octa: FOREX.com supports ACH/SEPA and PayPal deposits and withdrawals alongside Skrill and bank wire transfers, whereas Octa provides Skrill and bank wires but does not support ACH/SEPA or PayPal; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | 1 | 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 (FSA 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. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 account | 1.00 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 30 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| 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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