Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of OANDA 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 1996, OANDA is a well-established online broker with a strong reputation. It is not publicly traded, nor is it a bank, but it holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses. This places OANDA in the highly trusted category, as per ForexBrokers.com's Trust Score rating, where it garners a score of 93 out of 99. This high trust score reflects OANDA's commitment to maintaining industry-leading regulatory standards, providing clients with confidence in their trading experience.
In comparison, Octa was founded in 2011 and, like OANDA, is neither publicly traded nor a bank. Octa holds one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, showing a more modest regulatory backing compared to OANDA. With a Trust Score rating of 72, Octa falls into the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. While Octa offers certain protections for its clients, its regulatory credentials are less extensive than those of OANDA, offering a different level of trust and assurance for traders.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, OANDA tends to be pricier overall while Octa has improved and now competes more closely with low-cost MetaTrader brokers. Both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees; however, Octa ranks higher at #30 of 63 brokers, while OANDA sits at #35 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com). Your actual costs will vary by platform, account type, and which regulatory entity serves you.
OANDA’s published spreads are on the higher side versus the cheapest brokers. Its average non-core spread on EUR/USD was 1.61 pips in July 2024. Traders can opt for “core pricing,” which lowers the spread but adds a commission of $5 per side per $100,000 traded (about $10 round turn per standard lot) and requires a $10,000 minimum deposit. In a common scenario, default pricing at 1.6 pips compares to core pricing at 0.4 pips plus a commission equivalent of 1.0 pip for a 1.4-pip all-in cost. Notable perks include extremely small trade sizes (down to 1 unit), an Elite Trader rebate program ($5–$17 per million, in select regions), and extensive – though not period-fixed – spread transparency.
Octa’s pricing varies by entity and account type. As listed, the EU entity shows a 0.5-pip average spread on EUR/USD versus about 0.9 pips for its foreign entities; Octa does not publish date ranges for these typical spreads, which limits apples-to-apples comparisons. Octa also advertises no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight carry costs, though certain rules can limit high-frequency strategies. Choice of platform and account differs by region (EU: MT5; international: MT4, MT5, and OctaTrader). Overall, Octa’s recent pricing gains help it edge OANDA in this category, while both maintain a 4-star rating.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.69 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | 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.
Comparing OANDA and Octa on investment range: both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot. OANDA stands out for breadth, with 4,172 tradeable symbols and 69 forex pairs, versus Octa’s 300 symbols and 35 forex pairs. Both also offer copy trading for those who want to follow other traders’ strategies.
For stocks and crypto, OANDA lets clients buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. markets as well as international exchanges, while Octa offers exchange-traded securities on international exchanges but not in the U.S. In crypto, OANDA supports both actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and crypto CFDs; Octa offers crypto CFDs only. According to ForexBrokers.com, OANDA earns 4 stars and ranks 28th out of 63 for range of investments, while Octa earns 3.5 stars and ranks 53rd.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 35 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
Comparing OANDA vs Octa for trading platforms and tools, both brokers check the key boxes: free demo (paper) accounts, proprietary platforms, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each also supports copy trading and the popular MetaTrader suites (MT4 and MT5), plus the ability to trade directly from charts. While both offer technical charting and watchlists, exact counts for built-in indicators and watchlist fields were not provided. In short, feature coverage is very similar, so most traders will find familiar tools at either broker.
When it comes to quality scores, both OANDA and Octa earn 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools from ForexBrokers.com. However, OANDA holds a higher category ranking, placed 15th out of 63 brokers, compared with Octa at 38th out of 63. If a higher industry ranking matters to you—alongside access to MT4/MT5, copy trading, and both web and desktop platforms—OANDA may have the edge, though Octa delivers a comparable lineup for everyday trading needs.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
OANDA and Octa both check the key boxes for mobile trading. Each broker offers iPhone and Android apps, plus stock and forex price alerts. Their charting tools are evenly matched, with 30 technical studies, the ability to draw trendlines, and auto‑saving of drawings. One notable gap for both: watchlist symbol syncing isn’t available, so changes made on mobile won’t carry over to the online platform.
Where they differ is in overall quality scores. OANDA earns 5 stars and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Octa holds 4 stars and ranks #37. If you want a higher-rated mobile trading experience, OANDA has the edge; if you only need the essentials like alerts and solid charting tools, Octa can still get the job done.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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.
When it comes to market research, both OANDA and Octa deliver the essentials traders expect. Each provides daily market commentary, forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, Autochartist-powered tools for technical ideas, and a full economic calendar to track key events. Neither broker includes Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools, so their add-on research suites are similar in that regard.
The main difference is sentiment data: OANDA offers a sentiment-based tool that shows the ratio of long and short positions, while Octa does not. That extra insight helps explain OANDA’s stronger results in independent testing—OANDA earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, compared with Octa’s 4-star rating and #27 ranking. If you want deeper sentiment insight and higher-rated research, OANDA has the edge; if you just need solid news, commentary, and Autochartist, Octa still covers the basics well.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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 | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners exploring forex and CFD trading, both OANDA and Octa provide structured education you can start using right away. Each broker hosts online client webinars at least once a month and offers a large catalog of videos, including 10+ beginner lessons that cover core topics like order types, risk management, and platform how‑tos. As your skills grow, both OANDA and Octa also supply 10+ advanced videos for experienced traders, so you can move from basics to more complex strategies without switching providers.
Where they differ is in third‑party evaluations of their education. OANDA is rated 5 stars for Education and ranks #19 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Octa is rated 4 stars and ranks #42 out of 63. If you want the higher‑rated learning experience, OANDA gets the nod; if you simply need frequent webinars and plenty of beginner and advanced videos, Octa also delivers solid value.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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 OANDA is better than Octa. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #12, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
| Feature |
OANDA
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Octa
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 |
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In the OANDA vs Octa online broker comparison, OANDA lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and also trade crypto CFDs, whereas Octa offers only cryptocurrency CFDs and does not support purchasing real, delivered crypto.
Comparing OANDA vs Octa for deposits and withdrawals: OANDA supports ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires, while Octa offers Skrill and bank wires but 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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | OANDA | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | OANDA | Octa | |
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| Regulation | OANDA | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | OANDA | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.69 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | OANDA | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | OANDA | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | OANDA Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | OANDA | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | Octa Review |
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