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 |
FXCM’s commissions and fees land slightly above the industry average overall, but its commission-based pricing can be competitive for active traders. In May 2024, average EUR/USD spreads were 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia entities, and 1.38 pips for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. On commission-based accounts, the average core spread was 0.28 pips, translating to about 0.74 pips after adding the commission equivalent of 0.50 pips per round turn. FXCM offers active-trader discounts (availability and terms vary by entity; the rebate program isn’t offered in the U.K. or EU). Example: in the U.K., a $25,000 balance and at least $50 million in monthly volume can reduce the commission to $2.50 per side ($5 round turn), implying about 0.78 pips effective on EUR/USD (using January 2024 core pricing). Note: spreads can widen during rollover or volatile markets. FXCM is rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com.
Octa has improved its pricing and now competes more closely with low-cost MetaTrader brokers. Typical EUR/USD spreads are listed at 0.5 pips under its EU entity and 0.9 pips for its foreign entities, though Octa doesn’t provide a date range for these averages. Octa also advertises no slippage on 97.5% of executed orders and no overnight carry costs, but it imposes rules that can limit high-frequency trading. Pricing and available platforms vary by entity: EU clients use a single MT5 account, while international clients can access MT4, MT5, and OctaTrader. Octa is rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #26 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com.
Head-to-head on costs, FXCM’s commission-based setup can deliver around 0.74 pips all-in on EUR/USD after commissions, while its standard account averaged 0.78 pips in major regulated regions (both with dated references). Octa’s quoted 0.5 pips in the EU could be cheaper than FXCM’s typical effective rates, but outside the EU its 0.9 pips may be higher than FXCM’s commission-based pricing—yet still lower than FXCM’s 1.38 pips via St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Your actual costs will depend on your location, chosen platform, trading volume, and market conditions.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $25 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 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.
FXCM and Octa both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and each supports copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs (but not actual delivered crypto). FXCM stands out for breadth: it offers 440 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs, compared to Octa’s 300 symbols and 35 pairs.
When it comes to exchange-traded shares, neither broker offers U.S.-listed stocks, but Octa does provide access to real international shares, while FXCM does not. Both earn 3.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments, with FXCM ranked #21 of 63 brokers and Octa ranked #33. In short, pick FXCM for a wider overall selection of instruments, or Octa if you want international share dealing alongside CFDs and forex.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 35 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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 FXCM vs Octa for trading platforms and tools: both brokers offer free demo (paper) accounts, in-house proprietary platforms, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Copy trading is available at both, and each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4). A key difference is MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Octa offers MT5, while FXCM does not. Both also let you place trades directly from charts, which helps you act quickly on your ideas.
For quality scores, FXCM earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools on ForexBrokers.com, while Octa receives 4 stars and ranks #30. If MT5 access is essential, Octa is the pick. If you want a higher-rated overall platform experience backed by strong tools and easy chart trading across web and desktop, FXCM stands out.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM vs Octa: both mobile trading apps are available on iPhone and Android, send forex and stock price alerts, let you draw trendlines, and auto-save your chart drawings. Where they differ most is charting depth—FXCM packs 59 technical studies, while Octa offers 30—making FXCM the stronger pick if you lean on indicators for analysis.
Another key edge for FXCM is watchlist syncing: changes you make on mobile carry over to your online account, and vice versa. Octa doesn’t sync watchlists across devices. Reflecting these differences, FXCM earns 4.5 stars and ranks #16 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while Octa scores 4 stars and ranks #29. Choose FXCM for richer chart tools and seamless watchlists; pick Octa if you want the essentials with alerts on both iOS and Android.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FXCM and Octa both cover the basics of market research well: each provides daily market commentary, top-tier forex news (from sources like Bloomberg or Reuters), and an economic calendar to track key events. The key differences are in their extra tools. FXCM includes Trading Central analytics, a handy sentiment gauge that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions, and research from TipRanks. Octa, on the other hand, stands out for offering Autochartist for pattern recognition. Neither broker offers tools from Acuity Trading.
In independent reviews, FXCM earns a higher research score at 4.5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Octa holds 4 stars and ranks #24. If you value sentiment data and added third-party insights like Trading Central and TipRanks, FXCM is the stronger fit. If you prefer Autochartist for technical pattern spotting, Octa may suit your style.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
FXCM vs Octa for beginners: both brokers provide forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces, plus ongoing client webinars held at least once a month. Each also offers 10 or more beginner-friendly videos to help you learn the basics, along with 10 or more advanced videos for when you’re ready to take the next step. If you’re starting from scratch and want clear guidance through videos and webinars, either broker will cover your needs.
In terms of quality and recognition, FXCM earns a 4.5 out of 5 for Education and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers, while Octa scores 4 out of 5 and ranks #32 out of 63. That means FXCM edges ahead overall for education, though Octa still delivers a strong learning experience with plenty of content for new traders.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 FXCM is better than Octa. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #10, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #34.
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
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 72 |
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FXCM vs Octa: Neither broker allows you to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both support trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
Compared to Octa, FXCM stands out by supporting ACH/SEPA and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals—options Octa lacks—while both brokers offer Skrill and bank wire transfers; Visa/Mastercard availability was not specified for either.
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 |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Octa | |
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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 (FSA 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, FSRA, or SCA 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. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $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 | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| 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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