Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG 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.
IG and Octa are two notable names in the realm of online brokerage, but they differ significantly in terms of trust and regulatory standing. IG, established in 1974, boasts a rich history and high credibility, being publicly traded and operating as a bank. It holds an impressive eight Tier-1 licenses, signifying maximum trust, alongside two Tier-2 licenses. IG's commitment to safety and reliability earns it a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, marking it as a highly trusted choice for clients seeking security in their financial ventures.
In contrast, Octa, founded in 2011, remains a private entity and does not operate as a bank. Its regulatory portfolio includes just one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license, which are modest compared to IG’s profile. This is reflected in its Trust Score of 72, suggesting an average risk level according to ForexBrokers.com standards. Overall, while Octa maintains a presence in the market, its regulatory assurances are less comprehensive compared to the well-established and highly trusted IG.
| Feature |
IG
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
IG vs Octa on commissions and fees: IG generally offers more transparent, volume-based pricing and stronger discounts for active traders, while Octa focuses on simple spreads and swap-free-style pricing. IG is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #8 of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees. Octa is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #30 of 63.
IG provides multiple execution methods, including DMA via its Forex Direct (L2 Dealer) account. In July 2023, the EUR/USD averaged 0.62 pips on Forex Direct; with commissions, the all-in cost can be about 0.82 pips at higher volume tiers. Commissions scale from $60 per million (lower volumes) down to $10 per million per side for very high volumes. On IG’s spread-only CFD account, typical EUR/USD spreads were about 0.69 pips during main trading hours and roughly 0.98 pips across all sessions. IG also offers active-trader rebates (10% to 20% spread discounts) for qualifying professionals, which can further lower costs.
Octa has improved its pricing and reports 97.5% of orders with no slippage, plus no overnight carry costs. Fees depend on your account type and regulated entity: in the EU (MT5-only), Octa lists an average 0.5-pip spread on EUR/USD, while its foreign entities show about 0.9 pips—though these averages don’t include a stated date range. Octa can be compelling if you want straightforward spreads and MetaTrader access, but IG is typically the better fit if you trade higher volumes, seek DMA access, or want dated, tiered pricing and volume-based discounts.
| Feature |
IG
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $25 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG offers a far wider range of investments than Octa. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while Octa provides 300 symbols and 35 forex pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex via CFDs and spot. Independent ratings reflect the gap in choice: IG earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments, whereas Octa is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #53.
When it comes to assets, IG lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, plus trade both real cryptocurrency and crypto CFDs. Octa supports exchange-traded shares on international exchanges (not U.S.) and offers crypto CFDs but not actual crypto. If you want the widest selection of markets, including U.S. stocks and real crypto, IG stands out. If copy trading matters more, Octa provides that feature while IG does not.
| Feature |
IG
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 35 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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.
IG vs Octa: Both brokers offer free demo (paper) accounts and provide their own proprietary platforms alongside web-based and Windows desktop trading. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Octa also supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and offers copy trading, while IG does not support MT5 or copy trading. Both let you trade directly from charts, and you can access platforms in your browser or via a download on either broker.
For platform quality, IG takes the edge: it’s rated 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools on ForexBrokers.com. Octa earns 4 stars and ranks #38. Choose IG if you want one of the highest-rated platform experiences; choose Octa if MT5 and built-in copy trading are must-haves alongside MT4 and an easy demo-to-live path.
| Feature |
IG
|
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) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing IG vs Octa for mobile trading, both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps with price alerts, so you can track markets on the go. IG earns 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and is ranked #1 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Octa holds 4 stars and ranks #37. If ratings and third-party recognition matter to you, IG leads in this category.
On features, IG provides 33 technical studies for charts compared with 30 at Octa. Both apps let you draw trendlines and automatically save your chart drawings, making it easy to revisit your work. A key difference is watchlist syncing: IG syncs symbols between the app and your online account, but Octa does not. If you switch between devices often or manage multiple watchlists, IG’s syncing can save time and reduce manual updates.
| Feature |
IG
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When exploring online brokers for market research, IG and Octa present strong offerings, yet IG distinguishes itself with a few unique resources. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also offer technical analysis from Autochartist and provide economic calendars for upcoming global events. However, IG goes a step further with additional tools and features that enhance a trader's experience. Notably, IG includes market research from TipRanks and insights from Acuity Trading, like the Signal Centre, resources that Octa does not offer. This extended support gives IG an edge in providing comprehensive market insights.
The differences between IG and Octa become clearer when looking at sentiment trading tools and overall research ratings. IG offers a sentiment-based trading tool showing the ratio of long or short positions, a feature that Octa lacks. These distinctions contribute to IG's higher ranking and rating. IG is rated with an impressive 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers in the Research category, according to ForexBrokers.com. This contrasts with Octa, which, while still strong, receives a 4-star rating and ranks #27. For traders prioritizing extensive market research tools, IG’s broader array of available resources makes it a compelling choice.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
IG and Octa both provide forex and CFD education that meets the mark for beginners. Each offers 10+ educational pieces—articles, videos, and archived webinars—and hosts online client webinars at least once a month. Both also feature at least 10 beginner videos that explain key trading topics, along with 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up.
For learners comparing IG vs Octa, IG stands out for quality and recognition: it earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Octa is rated 4 stars and ranks #42, making it a helpful option, but IG is the stronger pick if you want the most highly rated hub for forex and CFD education for beginners.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 IG is better than Octa. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Compared with Octa, IG lets you buy actual delivered cryptocurrency in addition to trading crypto CFDs, whereas Octa supports only cryptocurrency CFDs and does not offer delivered coins.
Comparing deposit and withdrawal methods, IG supports ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wires (not Skrill), while Octa offers Skrill and bank wires (not 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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 | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | 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 | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IG Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | IG | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Octa Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill