Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets 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.
Founded in 2007, IC Markets stands out as a trusted online broker with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 84, placing it in the trusted category. The firm holds two Tier-1 licenses, which signifies a high level of confidence in its operations. Even though it is not publicly traded and doesn’t operate as a bank, IC Markets has built a reputation in the industry for reliability.
Octa, established in 2011, carries a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 72, marking it as an average risk broker. It holds one Tier-1 license and also one Tier-2 license, which collectively contribute to its standing. Similar to IC Markets, Octa is neither publicly listed nor a banking institution. While Octa lags slightly behind IC Markets in terms of licensing and trust score, it still offers regulated services in the online brokerage space.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
IC Markets and Octa both compete on tight pricing, but they land in different tiers for commissions and fees. IC Markets (5/5 stars; ranked #5 of 63) earned Best in Class for Commissions & Fees in 2024. Octa (4/5 stars; ranked #26 of 63) has improved and now keeps pace with many low-cost MetaTrader brokers, though it still trails IC Markets overall.
IC Markets offers three account types: Standard (spread-only, no commission), Raw Spread on MetaTrader, and cTrader Raw Spread. On the commission-based accounts, cTrader charges $3.00 per side per 100,000 units ($6.00 round turn), while MetaTrader charges $3.50 per side ($7.00 round turn). Its quoted average spread on EUR/USD is 0.02 pips; after commissions, the all-in cost is about 0.62 pips on cTrader Raw or 0.72 pips on MetaTrader Raw. The Standard account averages about 0.62 pips with no commission, and active traders who exceed 100 standard lots per month can qualify for discounts. Spreads vary by platform, account, and whether you open with the EU, Australia, or Seychelles entity. IC Markets also pairs these prices with a low minimum deposit on its commission-based accounts.
Octa’s pricing depends on the entity and platform you choose. EU clients use MT5 with a listed average spread of 0.5 pips on EUR/USD, while its foreign entities list about 0.9 pips and also support MT4, MT5, and OctaTrader. Octa does not provide a date range for its typical spreads, making exact comparisons harder. Still, it advertises no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight carry costs, though there are rules that can limit high‑frequency trading. In short, Octa has made strides on costs, but IC Markets generally comes in lower on all-in pricing and holds the stronger rating and ranking for commissions and fees.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $25 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.62 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IC Markets offers a wider range of investments than Octa. You can trade forex as CFDs or spot with both brokers, but IC Markets lists 3,583 tradable symbols and 61 currency pairs, while Octa provides 300 symbols and 35 pairs.
Neither broker lets you buy U.S.-listed shares, but both give access to exchange-traded international shares (not CFDs). Each supports copy trading and offers cryptocurrency via CFDs only—not actual coins. For Range of Investments, IC Markets is rated 4.5/5 (ranked 22 of 63), while Octa is rated 3.5/5 (ranked 33 of 63). If you want more markets and forex pairs, IC Markets has the edge; if you need the essentials, Octa covers the basics.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 35 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | 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.
IC Markets vs Octa: both brokers make it easy to get started with a free demo account for paper trading. Each offers a Windows desktop platform and a web-based platform, plus copy trading and the ability to place trades directly from charts. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) are available at both brokers. One key difference is that Octa also provides its own proprietary platform, while IC Markets focuses on third‑party options like MetaTrader.
For trading platforms and tools, both IC Markets and Octa earn 4 out of 5 stars from ForexBrokers.com. In the same category, IC Markets ranks #17 out of 63 brokers, while Octa ranks #30. If you prefer the familiar MetaTrader experience across web and desktop, IC Markets is a strong fit. If you want MetaTrader plus access to a broker-built platform, Octa may appeal. (Specific counts for chart indicators and watchlist fields were not disclosed.)
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing IC Markets vs Octa for mobile trading, both brokers check the key boxes. Each offers an iPhone and Android app, supports forex or stock price alerts, and includes 30 technical studies (indicators) for charting. You can draw trendlines in both apps, and your chart drawings auto-save. One notable gap: neither broker syncs watchlists between the mobile app and the online platform, so changes made in one place won’t appear in the other.
In terms of quality scores, both IC Markets and Octa earn 4 stars for Mobile Trading Apps. However, their positions in ForexBrokers.com’s rankings differ: out of 63 brokers, IC Markets ranks #22 while Octa ranks #29. If you want similar charting tools and alerts on iOS or Android, both are on par; if rankings matter to you, IC Markets holds a slight edge.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IC Markets and Octa both deliver daily market commentary, along with forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Each broker includes Autochartist for pattern recognition and trade ideas, and both offer an economic calendar. The key differences: IC Markets also provides Trading Central research and a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions, while Octa does not. Neither broker features TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading.
For research quality, both IC Markets and Octa earn 4 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings out of 63 brokers, IC Markets places #21 and Octa is #24. If you want added depth from Trading Central and sentiment data, IC Markets has the edge; if you just need solid essentials like news, commentary, Autochartist, and a calendar, Octa covers the bases.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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.
IC Markets and Octa both provide beginner-friendly forex and CFD education. Each offers at least 10 educational pieces—covering articles, videos, and archived webinars—focused on trading basics. You’ll find 10+ beginner videos at both brokers, along with live client webinars held at least once per month. As you progress, both also include 10+ advanced videos to help you move beyond the fundamentals.
In terms of quality, both earn 4 out of 5 stars for Education. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks IC Markets higher (#16 of 63) than Octa (#32 of 63), suggesting IC Markets holds an edge for overall learning experience. If you want a higher-ranked education hub, IC Markets is a solid choice; if you simply need plenty of beginner lessons with regular webinars, Octa also fits the bill.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
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 IC Markets is better than Octa. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #21, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #34.
IC Markets’ competitive pricing and scalable execution make it an excellent option for algorithmic traders. Though it supports an impressive range of third-party tools and plugins, IC Markets’ research and education offerings are not as impressive as those offered by industry leaders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 84 | 72 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
IC Markets vs Octa: neither online broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both support trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
IC Markets vs Octa deposits and withdrawals: neither supports ACH or SEPA; both support Skrill and bank wire transfers; IC Markets supports PayPal while Octa does not; 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 84 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 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 | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | No | 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) | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | 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 | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.62 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | 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 | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 84 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Octa Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill