Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Pepperstone 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.
Pepperstone and Octa are both well-known players in the online trading industry, having been established in 2010 and 2011, respectively. While neither is publicly traded or operates as a bank, there are significant differences in their regulatory standings. Pepperstone holds three Tier-1 licenses, which is a sign of high trust according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Octa has just one Tier-1 license. Additionally, Pepperstone possesses two Tier-2 licenses, reflecting its trustworthy status further, whereas Octa maintains only one Tier-2 license.
The ForexBrokers.com Trust Score highlights these differences clearly. Pepperstone scores an impressive 95 out of 99, categorizing it as highly trusted. On the other hand, Octa has a Trust Score of 72, placing it in the average risk category. This information reflects the strong regulatory framework supporting Pepperstone, making it a more trusted choice among online brokers when compared to Octa.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Pepperstone and Octa are two online brokers that cater to traders looking for competitive commissions and fees, albeit with different strengths. Pepperstone offers a Razor account that stands out due to its commission-based pricing integrated with spreads, particularly when combined with the Active Trader program for high-volume clients. The Razor account sees an average spread of 0.10 pips for EUR/USD, adding up to an all-in cost of 0.80 pips with commissions, which aligns with the industry average. Meanwhile, the Standard account features no commissions but higher spreads at 1.1 pips, making it a pricier choice compared to the Razor account. Professional clients in the UK, EU, and Australia can benefit from rebates, further lowering their cost under certain trading volumes.
On the other hand, Octa has made strides in improving its pricing structure, positioning itself closer to some of the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers. It offers zero slippage on the majority of executed orders and no overnight fees, although high-frequency traders might face some hindrances. Customers' fees vary depending on their account type and the governing entity—they could be under Europe's entity or offshore in Mwali, with spreads starting from 0.5 pips for EUR/USD for the EU entity and 0.9 pips for others. Octa does not provide a specific timeframe for its spread data, which might impact confidence in these figures.
For those comparing the two brokers, Pepperstone earns a higher rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 for commissions and fees, ranking #10 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Octa receives a 4-star rating, placing it at #29 in the same category. With these rankings, traders seeking cost efficiency in their trading platform might find Pepperstone a more appealing option, though Octa's improved cost structure remains a noteworthy contender in the market.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
Pepperstone and Octa are both prominent online brokers that provide forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts. Pepperstone stands out with a more extensive array of 1,726 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs, compared to Octa's offering of 300 tradeable symbols and 35 forex pairs. While both brokers facilitate cryptocurrency derivatives, neither provides the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies. In the realm of exchange-traded securities, neither Pepperstone nor Octa allows trading on U.S. exchanges, although Octa does provide access to international markets, unlike Pepperstone.
Additionally, both platforms support copy trading, catering to traders interested in mimicking successful strategies. When evaluating the range of investments, Pepperstone secures a higher rating of 4 out of 5 stars, while Octa receives 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Pepperstone holds the 26th rank out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category, whereas Octa is ranked 52nd. These aspects make Pepperstone a preferred choice for those seeking a broader spectrum of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 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.
Pepperstone and Octa are both popular choices for online trading, offering a similar set of features to enhance the trading experience. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice without financial risk. They each offer proprietary trading platforms and Windows-based desktop platforms, as well as web-based platforms for flexibility. Traders looking to use popular platforms will find MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) available at both brokers, along with support for copy trading. However, only Pepperstone provides access to DupliTrade. While both brokers lack ZuluTrade integration, they excel in providing multiple tools for technical analysis and trading directly from stock charts.
In terms of charting capabilities, Pepperstone offers 30 drawing tools, compared to Octa's 15. Both brokers provide the ability to trade directly from charts and offer seven columns for watch lists. These features are designed to help traders make informed decisions. In ratings, both Pepperstone and Octa earn four out of five stars in Trading Platforms and Tools. Pepperstone ranks higher at #22, while Octa comes in at #37, among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. This marginal ranking advantage might steer some towards Pepperstone, although both brokers provide strong platforms for trader engagement.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
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 | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Pepperstone and Octa have made significant strides. Each broker offers apps for iPhone and Android, ensuring flexibility for users on different platforms. They provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Users will appreciate that both platforms support 30 technical studies for charting and allow you to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames, from daily and weekly to intraday, on their stock or forex charts. Additionally, the apps save your chart drawings automatically, which can help streamline your trading experience.
However, the standout difference lies in the watchlist symbol syncing feature. Pepperstone excels by providing syncing between its mobile app and the client's online account, ensuring that any changes update across both platforms seamlessly. On the other hand, Octa lacks this capability. Despite both apps receiving a solid four-star rating for mobile trading, this missing feature might impact Octa's ranking, as seen in its #36 position by ForexBrokers.com compared to Pepperstone's stronger #21 spot. This difference gives Pepperstone a slight edge in ensuring a more cohesive trading experience across devices.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
If you're deciding between Pepperstone and Octa for your market research needs, both brokers provide some essential tools. They each offer daily market commentary and access to forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. For technical and fundamental insights, both platforms integrate Autochartist tools but neither offers Trading Central. While Pepperstone stands out with a sentiment-based trading tool, Octa does not provide this feature. Both brokers offer an economic calendar to keep track of global events, although neither utilizes research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
Pepperstone receives a slightly higher research rating, earning 4.5 stars, compared to Octa's 4 stars. This higher rating coincides with Pepperstone's superior research ranking at #12, while Octa is positioned at #27 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Overall, while both offer a solid foundation of research tools, Pepperstone's additional sentiment analysis capability might appeal to users looking for deeper market insights.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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.
Pepperstone and Octa are both commendable choices for beginners seeking educational resources in forex and CFDs. Both online brokers provide over 10 educational materials, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They host online webinars for clients at least once a month and maintain a searchable archive of recorded sessions. Catering to both beginners and advanced traders, they offer more than 10 educational videos for each level, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Additionally, they feature an investor dictionary with over 50 investing term definitions, expanding the knowledge base for newcomers.
While both brokers offer substantial educational resources, Pepperstone slightly edges out with a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Octa's 4 stars. When evaluating rankings for educational offerings among 63 brokers, Pepperstone stands at #17 according to ForexBrokers.com, overshadowing Octa, which ranks at #42. Although both brokers provide a strong foundation for beginner traders, Pepperstone is rated slightly higher, making it a more favorable option for those prioritizing educational support.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Pepperstone is better than Octa. Pepperstone finished with an overall rank of #16, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
Pepperstone offers a growing range of tradeable markets, good-quality research, and support for multiple social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
Pepperstone
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Octa
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 95 | 72 |
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Both Pepperstone and Octa do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Pepperstone stands out in terms of fund transfer options, offering a wider range than Octa, with support for ACH, SEPA, and PayPal on top of the Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire services that both brokers provide.
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 | Pepperstone | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | Octa Review |
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| Regulation | Pepperstone | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 72 | |
| 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 | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Pepperstone | 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) | 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) | Pepperstone | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Pepperstone | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1726 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 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 | Pepperstone | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Pepperstone | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Pepperstone | 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Pepperstone | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Pepperstone | 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 | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Pepperstone | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Pepperstone | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Pepperstone | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Pepperstone Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | Pepperstone | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Pepperstone Review | Octa Review |
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