Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM 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.
FXCM, founded in 1999, is a long-established online broker that enjoys a high Trust Score of 95 according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating a high level of trustworthiness. FXCM is publicly traded, which can offer added transparency for investors, and holds an impressive four Tier-1 licenses, highlighting its strong regulatory compliance. Additionally, it has two Tier-2 licenses, further bolstering its trusted status in the industry.
In contrast, Octa, established in 2011, presents a Trust Score of 72, categorizing it as an average-risk broker. Unlike FXCM, Octa is not publicly traded, which might limit some investor insight. When it comes to regulatory standing, Octa holds one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, signifying a moderate level of regulatory trust. While both brokers are not banks, the regulatory setup suggests FXCM provides a more reassuring safety net for traders through its multiple high-trust licenses and transparency.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
For commissions and fees, both FXCM and Octa earn 4/5 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s 2024 ranking, FXCM places #26 out of 63 brokers, while Octa ranks #30. FXCM’s pricing can be slightly above the industry average on some accounts, whereas Octa has tightened its pricing and now competes more closely with lower-cost MetaTrader brokers. Exact costs at both brokers vary by account type and which regional entity holds your account.
FXCM’s EUR/USD spreads in May 2024 averaged 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings, and 1.38 pips under its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Its commission-based accounts averaged a 0.28‑pip core spread (excluding commissions), with an effective spread around 0.74 pips after commissions. FXCM’s Active Trader Rebate Program offers $5–$25 per million traded (available outside the U.K. and EU) once you trade at least $10 million monthly; program availability and requirements vary by entity. In the U.K., meeting certain balance and volume thresholds (e.g., $25,000 balance and $50 million monthly volume) can drop the commission to $2.50 per side ($5 round‑turn), putting the effective spread near 0.78 pips based on a 0.28‑pip core. As with many brokers, spreads can widen at rollover or in unusual market conditions.
Octa’s costs depend on your account type and which entity you use. EU clients get a single MT5 account, while non‑EU options include MT4, MT5, and OctaTrader. Octa lists an average EUR/USD spread of 0.5 pips in the EU and 0.9 pips for its foreign entities; however, it does not provide a date range for these averages, limiting apples‑to‑apples comparisons. Octa reports no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight carry costs, though certain rules may limit high‑frequency trading. Overall, Octa’s pricing has improved meaningfully and now keeps pace with many low‑cost MetaTrader brokers, while FXCM remains competitive—especially for higher‑volume traders who qualify for discounts. FXCM: 4/5 stars, #26; Octa: 4/5 stars, #30.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 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.
FXCM offers a wider overall selection with 440 tradeable symbols compared to Octa’s 300. For forex, FXCM lists 46 tradeable currency pairs while Octa provides 35, and both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts. If you’re focused on currencies and CFDs, FXCM’s larger lineup may appeal; if you want a simpler list, Octa still covers the most-followed pairs.
Neither broker lets you buy U.S.-listed shares directly, but Octa stands out by offering access to exchange-traded securities on international exchanges—something FXCM does not provide. Both support copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows purchasing actual (delivered) crypto. According to ForexBrokers.com, each earns 3.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments, with FXCM ranked #48 out of 63 brokers and Octa ranked #53.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 35 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
FXCM and Octa each offer free demo accounts, their own proprietary platforms, Windows desktop downloads, and easy-to-use web platforms. Both support copy trading and MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Octa also supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while FXCM does not. Neither broker supports DupliTrade; however, FXCM integrates with ZuluTrade and Octa does not. Both let you place trades directly from charts and include a range of technical indicators. For charting tools, FXCM lists 10 drawing tools, while Octa lists 15. If watchlists matter to you, FXCM offers 13 fields versus Octa’s 7.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, FXCM earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Octa earns 4 stars and ranks #38. In short, pick FXCM if you value ZuluTrade integration and more detailed watchlists; choose Octa if MT5 access and extra drawing tools are priorities. Both make it easy to get started with a risk-free demo.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and Octa both deliver mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, covering the basics traders expect: real-time watchlists, price alerts, multiple time frames, trendline drawing, and auto-saved chart annotations. Whether you trade forex or follow stocks, each app lets you manage positions and monitor markets on the go with a familiar toolset.
The key differences show up in depth and syncing. FXCM’s mobile app includes 59 technical studies versus 30 on Octa, and FXCM syncs watchlist symbols with your online account while Octa does not. That extra charting breadth and cross-device consistency help explain why FXCM earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks 16th out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, compared with Octa’s 4/5 stars and 37th place. In short, FXCM suits traders who want richer analysis and seamless syncing, while Octa covers the essentials for straightforward mobile trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 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 the market research services offered by FXCM and Octa, both platforms provide users with daily market commentary and high-quality forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed with the latest updates. However, they differ significantly in the research tools available. FXCM excels by offering tools from Trading Central, providing Technical Analytics and sentiment-based trading tools that display long or short positions ratios across currency pairs. Additionally, FXCM enhances its research offerings with insights from TipRanks. In contrast, while Octa does include tools from Autochartist to assist with technical analysis, it doesn't provide equivalent resources from Trading Central or TipRanks.
Both FXCM and Octa include an economic calendar to keep users updated on global news events. Despite these shared features, FXCM stands out with a research rating of 4.5 stars compared to Octa’s 4 stars. Furthermore, according to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is ranked #11 out of 63 brokers for research, while Octa is placed at #27. This ranking indicates FXCM's broader and more diverse research tool offerings, making it a preferable choice for those looking to leverage comprehensive market insights in their trading strategies.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | Yes | 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 in forex and CFDs trading, both FXCM and Octa deliver substantial offerings tailored to help new traders. FXCM shines with a comprehensive suite of educational materials, providing a range of articles, videos, and webinars that cover both foundational and advanced trading topics. Accessible online webinars are conducted regularly, enriching the learning experience. Furthermore, FXCM impresses with a comprehensive and searchable archive of past webinars as well as a detailed investor dictionary, offering a resourceful compendium of over 50 investing terms. This thorough approach is reflected in FXCM’s commendable 4.5-star rating for Education and its notable #14 ranking among 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com.
Similarly, Octa provides a solid educational platform aimed at beginner traders. It includes a variety of educational pieces that explore the intricacies of forex and CFDs trading. Just like FXCM, Octa also offers online webinars monthly and a searchable archive of these sessions for continued learning. Their inventory of beginner-focused and advanced videos serves as a versatile tool for traders of all levels. An investor dictionary is available to help new traders familiarize themselves with important trading terms. With a 4-star rating for Education, Octa ranks #42 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Both platforms provide valuable educational content, yet FXCM slightly edges out Octa with a higher rating and rank in this important category.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 FXCM is better than Octa. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
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Octa
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 72 |
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Both FXCM and Octa do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
FXCM provides a wider range of deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal, which are not available with Octa, though both brokers support Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transactions.
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 | FXCM | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Octa Review |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 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 | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | 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) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $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 | FXCM | 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | 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 | 59 | 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 | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | 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 | FXCM | 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 | FXCM Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Octa Review |
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