Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM 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.
HFM (founded 2010) and Octa (founded 2011) are online brokers with different levels of regulatory strength. According to ForexBrokers.com, HFM has a Trust Score of 85 (trusted) with 2 Tier-1 and 3 Tier-2 licenses, while Octa scores 73 (average risk) with 1 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 license. More top-tier licenses often mean tighter oversight and stronger client protections, which helps explain HFM’s higher rating.
Neither broker is publicly traded or a bank. If safety and regulation are priorities, HFM’s higher Trust Score and broader licensing footprint may be more appealing, while Octa’s lower score suggests using added care. Always confirm which local entity will hold your account and which regulator oversees it.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing HFM and Octa on commissions and fees, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars, but Octa is placed slightly higher in the category. ForexBrokers.com ranks HFM #29 out of 36 for Commissions and Fees, while Octa ranks #27 out of 36. In plain terms, both are reasonably priced, though neither is the very cheapest choice overall.
HFM’s trading costs are described as slightly above the industry average. Its standard accounts typically show a spread of 1.2 pips, while the Zero account advertises an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission. However, HFM does not provide a date range for these figures, so they may not reflect a true average over time.
Octa has improved a lot on pricing and is now moving closer to the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers. Its average EUR/USD spread is listed at 0.5 pips for the EU entity and 0.9 pips for the international entities, though Octa also does not give a date range for these numbers. One advantage is that Octa advertises no overnight carry costs and no slippage on 97.5% of executed orders, but some account rules may be less friendly for high-frequency traders.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.8 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, HFM gives traders a slightly wider selection than Octa. HFM offers 344 tradeable symbols and 38 forex pairs, while Octa provides 300 symbols and 35 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs, offer copy trading, and let clients trade cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither allows buying actual cryptocurrency or U.S.-listed exchange-traded shares such as Apple.
One key difference is that Octa offers access to exchange-traded securities on international markets, such as London-listed shares, while HFM does not. Based on ForexBrokers.com ratings, HFM scores 4 out of 5 stars for range of investments and ranks 29th out of 36 brokers, compared with Octa’s 3.5 stars and 34th place. Overall, HFM appears to have the edge for choice, while Octa stands out for offering a small amount of real-share access outside the U.S.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 344 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 38 | 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.
HFM and Octa both give traders plenty of platform choices, including free demo accounts for practice, their own in-house platforms, desktop downloads for Windows, web-based trading, copy trading, and access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each also lets users place trades directly from charts, which can make active trading feel quicker and easier to manage. On paper, the two brokers look very similar in terms of trading platform access and everyday tools.
Where they differ is in independent ratings: both are scored 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, but Octa is ranked slightly higher by ForexBrokers.com, at #31 out of 36 brokers versus HFM at #34. For traders comparing platform experience, that means both brokers cover the main essentials well, while Octa has a small edge in the overall category ranking.
| Feature |
HFM
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 38 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
HFM and Octa both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with stock and forex price alerts. Each app also lets users draw trendlines on charts and automatically saves those drawings, which can make chart analysis easier on the go. However, neither broker offers watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and online account, so updates do not carry over automatically between devices.
When it comes to charting tools, Octa has a clear edge with 30 technical studies in its mobile app, compared with HFM’s 5. Even so, both brokers receive the same 4-star rating for mobile trading apps. In ForexBrokers.com’s ranking of 36 brokers, Octa places slightly higher at #30, while HFM comes in at #33.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 5 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, HFM and Octa both give traders useful everyday tools. Each broker offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Autochartist tools, and an economic calendar with upcoming global events. Both are also rated 4 out of 5 stars for research, showing that each provides a solid research offering for most traders.
The main difference is that HFM includes a sentiment tool showing the share of long and short positions, plus research from Acuity Trading such as Signal Centre, while Octa does not offer these features. Neither broker provides Trading Central tools or TipRanks research. In ForexBrokers.com’s research ranking, HFM places higher at #18 out of 36 brokers, compared with Octa at #24, giving HFM the edge for research overall.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing HFM and Octa for beginners, both brokers give traders a strong starting point with forex and CFD learning content, regular online educational webinars, and plenty of video lessons for both new and more experienced users. Each broker offers at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so learners can move beyond the basics as their trading knowledge grows. In other words, neither broker leaves beginners without useful material to help them understand trading concepts and market terms.
Looking at the ratings, HFM and Octa each receive 4 out of 5 stars for Education, which shows that both are well regarded in this area. However, HFM has the edge in ForexBrokers.com’s education ranking, coming in at #29 out of 36 brokers, while Octa ranks #32. For beginners who want a broker with a slightly stronger education score, HFM has the advantage, though Octa still offers a good range of learning tools.
| Feature |
HFM
|
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 HFM is better than Octa. HFM finished with an overall rank of #27, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #35.
HFM (HF Markets) is a global broker best known for its MetaTrader offering, solid research tools, and proprietary copy trading platform, alongside a broad selection of forex pairs and CFDs.
| Feature |
HFM
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Octa
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| Trust Score | 85 | 73 |
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HFM vs Octa: neither broker supports buying real, delivered cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs for trading.
HFM vs Octa: both online brokers do not support ACH/SEPA or PayPal, but both offer Skrill and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, while Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
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 | HFM | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | Octa | |
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| Regulation | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 85 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | 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) | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 344 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 38 | 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 | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.8 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | 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) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 38 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 5 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | HFM Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | HFM | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Octa Review |
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