Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Markets.com 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.
Markets.com, established in 1999, and Octa, founded in 2011, are both prominent players in the online brokerage world. Neither company is publicly traded or operates as a bank. However, when it comes to regulatory standing and trust, there are some distinctions. Markets.com boasts three Tier-1 licenses, ensuring a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com's classification, and holds an impressive Trust Score of 93. Additionally, Markets.com also has one Tier-2 license, considered reliable by industry standards.
In contrast, Octa has one Tier-1 license and also holds a Tier-2 license, indicating it is trusted but not as highly as Markets.com. Octa’s Trust Score is 72, placing it at an average risk level according to ForexBrokers.com. These regulatory insights are crucial for investors looking to gauge the relative safety and reliability of each broker. Both platforms bring unique strengths to the table, but in terms of trust and regulation, Markets.com holds a stronger standing.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, Markets.com receives a 3.5-star rating, positioned at #50 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Unfortunately, specific details on average spread data for Markets.com are not available, which might make it challenging for traders seeking transparent pricing information. This absence can be a point of consideration for anyone evaluating the cost-effectiveness of Markets.com.
Octa fares better in the commissions and fees department with a 4-star rating, ranking #29 out of 63 brokers. In recent years, Octa has made significant strides in pricing, nearing the lower end of the cost spectrum for MetaTrader brokers. One of its key advantages is the absence of slippage on 97.5% of executed orders, alongside no overnight carry costs. However, it’s essential to note that Octa’s account type and the entity regulating your account can influence the commissions and fees you encounter. For European clients, only the MT5 account is available, while international clients benefit from a wider range, including MT4 and MT5 accounts.
Octa's spread offerings differ based on account regulation, with a slightly more favorable rate for the EUR/USD pair available through its EU entity at 0.5 pips, compared to 0.9 pips for offshore entities. Despite these improvements in pricing, the lack of date-specific spread data on its website means potential clients should exercise some caution. Even with this limitation, Octa maintains a competitive stance among MetaTrader brokers, making it a favorable choice for those looking at cost efficiencies in trading.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
Markets.com and Octa both excel in offering forex trading through CFDs, catering to the needs of traders looking to engage in currency markets. With Markets.com, investors can explore a wide selection of 2,179 tradeable symbols, significantly outpacing Octa's offering of 300 symbols. When it comes to forex pairs, Markets.com provides access to 57 pairs, surpassing Octa's 35 pairs, allowing for more varied trading strategies.
Neither broker offers the ability to trade actual shares on U.S. exchanges, but Octa stands out by allowing clients to access international securities. Both platforms facilitate copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Markets.com's comprehensive range of investment options earns it a 4-star rating and a #29 ranking in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Octa's 3.5-star rating and #52 ranking.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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.
When comparing Markets.com and Octa, both platforms provide a variety of options that cater to different trading needs. Each broker offers a free virtual demo account, helping newcomers gain experience without risk. Both Markets.com and Octa have developed their own proprietary platforms and offer Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based trading platforms. Additionally, they support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), two of the most popular trading platforms available. Copy trading is also supported by both brokers, though neither includes integrations with DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. While Markets.com offers 4 drawing tools for charting, Octa provides more extensive options with 15 drawing tools. It also offers the ability to trade directly from a stock chart, a feature not available with Markets.com.
Both brokers have substantial offerings for watch lists, with Markets.com providing 6 columns and Octa extending this to 7. In terms of awards and recognition, Markets.com holds a slight edge with a rank of #27 for Trading Platforms and Tools according to ForexBrokers.com, compared to Octa's rank of #37. However, both received an equal rating of 4 stars out of 5 in this category. This similarity suggests that while each platform has unique strengths, they align closely in terms of features and user satisfaction. Overall, traders would do well to consider their own priorities and preferences when choosing between these two capable brokers.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Markets.com and Octa provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, making accessibility convenient for traders on the go. They each allow users to receive stock or forex price alerts and leverage the capability to draw trendlines on charts within their apps. When it comes to creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both apps support this feature to enhance user experience. However, a notable difference is in watchlist synchronization; Markets.com offers this, enabling seamless syncing with the client’s online account, whereas Octa does not support this feature.
In terms of charting tools, Markets.com keeps it straightforward with the default options available on MT4, offering no additional technical studies on their app. Octa, on the other hand, provides 30 technical studies, catering to those who prefer more analysis options. Octa also offers the ability to view multiple time frames on charts and ensures that drawings on charts are auto-saved, unlike Markets.com. While both Platforms receive a 4-star rating for their mobile trading apps, Markets.com ranks slightly higher at #33 compared to Octa's #36 ranking according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Markets.com and Octa both provide daily market commentary and forex news sourced from prestigious platforms such as Bloomberg and Reuters, making them compelling choices for those who prioritize staying informed with reliable information. However, when it comes to technical analysis tools, there's a clear distinction. Octa supports the use of Autochartist, giving traders access to one of the most recognized analytical tools, whereas Markets.com does not have this particular feature. Additionally, neither of the platforms offers tools from Trading Central or Acuity Trading, nor do they utilize insights from TipRanks. Despite this, Markets.com incorporates a sentiment-based trading tool that helps investors understand the market mood by showing the ratio of long or short positions, a feature not present with Octa.
Both platforms include an economic calendar to track vital global news events, supporting traders in making timely decisions. In terms of overall research quality, both Markets.com and Octa receive a commendable 4-star rating. However, Markets.com has a competitive edge with a higher research rank of #17 out of 63 brokers, as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Octa's rank of #27. Thus, for traders who rely on sentiment tools and seek a slightly higher-rated research experience, Markets.com might be the preferable choice, while those looking for specific technical tools might lean towards Octa due to its partnership with Autochartist.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | 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, both Markets.com and Octa provide a range of tools to help newcomers get started in forex and CFD trading. Markets.com offers a solid collection of beginner and advanced educational videos, with at least ten in each category to guide traders at different skill levels. The platform also hosts regular online educational webinars, holding at least one every month, though it lacks an archive for these sessions for later viewing. However, Markets.com falls short in offering an investor dictionary and a comprehensive collection of educational articles or multimedia, providing fewer than ten pieces focused specifically on forex and CFDs.
Octa, on the other hand, excels in providing diverse educational materials, including a searchable archive of past webinars and over ten educational articles and videos tailored for those interested in forex and CFD trading. Beginners can benefit from Octa's monthly webinars and extensive dictionary with definitions of more than fifty investing terms, enhancing their understanding of the market. Both platforms achieve an equal education rating of four stars but differ in their ranking on ForexBrokers.com, where Markets.com is placed at #34 and Octa at #42 out of 63 brokers. Together, these features make Octa an attractive choice for beginners eager to dive into a treasure trove of learning resources.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Markets.com is better than Octa. Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
Thanks to its web-based MarketsX platform, Markets.com is easy to use and new trader friendly. However, Markets.com is pricey and lacks the feature-rich trading tools required to compete with the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Markets.com and Octa allow users to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
Both Markets.com and Octa provide Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, while neither offers ACH, SEPA, or PayPal as transaction methods.
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 | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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 | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Markets.com | 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) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Markets.com | 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | No | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | Markets.com | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Octa Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill