Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 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.
Plus500 and Octa are prominent online brokers, each with unique offerings and backgrounds. Founded in 2008, Plus500 is publicly traded and considered highly trusted, boasting a perfect Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. It is backed by 6 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, which align with industry standards for high levels of trust and security. Despite not being a bank, Plus500 provides a reputable platform for traders seeking peace of mind concerning regulation.
On the other hand, Octa, established in 2011, is a private company with a Trust Score of 72, indicating an average risk level as per ForexBrokers.com ratings. Octa holds one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license, reflecting its commitment to maintaining credibility in the trading market. Like Plus500, Octa is not a bank, but its lower number of licenses suggests a more moderate trust level compared to its counterpart. Users can weigh these regulatory factors to make informed decisions when selecting a broker.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, Plus500 and Octa land close to each other but for different reasons. Plus500 is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars and ranks #24 of 63 for Commissions and Fees, while Octa is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #26 of 63. Plus500’s overall pricing sits slightly above the industry average, whereas Octa has improved notably and is edging toward the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers.
Plus500’s spreads are higher than average: the EUR/USD averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024. It doesn’t offer retail discounts, though Professional clients who qualify can receive cash rebates that work like an active-trader program. Active-trader pricing still trails the cheapest brokers in the market.
Octa’s costs depend on your account type and which entity regulates your account. In the EU (MT5 only), the EUR/USD average spread is listed at 0.5 pips; in its foreign entities (serving international clients from South Africa or Mwali) typical EUR/USD spreads are listed at 0.9 pips. Octa does not provide a date range for these averages, so the figures are harder to verify. Notably, Octa cites no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight carry costs, but it enforces rules that can limit high-frequency trading.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $25 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 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.
Plus500 vs Octa: When it comes to range of investments, Plus500 offers far more variety. You can trade about 5,500 symbols at Plus500 compared with 300 at Octa, including 65 forex pairs at Plus500 versus 35 at Octa. Both brokers support forex trading (CFD/spot) and both offer crypto via CFDs, but neither sells actual, delivered cryptocurrency. For stocks, Plus500 lets you buy real shares on U.S. exchanges such as Apple, while Octa does not. Both provide access to real shares on some international exchanges.
Feature-wise, Plus500 does not have copy trading, while Octa does. Based on the Range of Investments category at ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers; Octa scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #33. If you want the widest selection of markets, Plus500 is the stronger pick, while Octa appeals if copy trading is a priority.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 35 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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.
Plus500 and Octa both offer free demo accounts for paper trading, along with proprietary platforms and web-based trading. The key differences show up in platform choices and tools: Plus500 does not provide a Windows desktop download, copy trading, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5), or the ability to trade directly from charts. Octa offers a Windows desktop platform, copy trading, MT4 and MT5 support, and order placement from charts, in addition to its web platform.
In our trading platforms and tools comparison, Plus500 is rated 4.5/5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Octa earns 4/5 stars and ranks #30. Choose Plus500 if you want a straightforward web platform with a demo account. Pick Octa if you need desktop trading, MetaTrader compatibility, copy trading, and chart-based order entry.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Plus500 vs Octa mobile trading apps: both offer iPhone and Android support, stock and forex price alerts, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. The key differences show up in charting depth and watchlist convenience. Plus500 includes 115 technical studies in its app compared with 30 on Octa, and Plus500 syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while Octa does not.
If keeping your annotations is important, Octa auto-saves chart drawings, whereas Plus500 does not. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 earns 4.5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while Octa earns 4 stars and ranks #29. Choose Plus500 if you want more indicators and seamless watchlist syncing; pick Octa if automatic saving of drawings and a simpler setup fit your workflow.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Plus500 and Octa cover the basics for market research with daily market commentary and an economic calendar. The difference shows up in third-party tools and news: Octa delivers forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones and includes Autochartist chart-pattern scans. Plus500 skips those, but adds Trading Central technical analytics and a helpful sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long and short positions across instruments. Neither broker offers research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
For ratings and rankings, Plus500 earns 4.0 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks 17th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Octa holds 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 24th. Choose Octa if you value headline news and Autochartist; pick Plus500 if Trading Central insights and crowd sentiment matter more to your trading style.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | 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.
For beginners, both Plus500 and Octa provide plenty of forex and CFD education. Each offers at least ten pieces of learning content and runs client webinars at least once a month. If you prefer to learn by watching, both brokers supply at least 10 beginner-friendly videos to cover the basics, along with 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go deeper. This mix helps new traders build a foundation and then progress at their own pace.
Both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for Education, but Plus500 holds a slightly higher placement in the category (#26 of 63) compared with Octa (#32 of 63), according to ForexBrokers.com. Choose Plus500 if you want a small edge in overall standing alongside frequent webinars, or pick Octa if a rich video library and regular live sessions are your priority. Either way, beginners get structured learning, on-demand videos, and ongoing webinars to build confidence in forex and CFD trading.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
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 Plus500 is better than Octa. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #34.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 |
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Online brokers Plus500 and Octa do not allow purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but both provide cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Plus500 vs Octa: for deposits and withdrawals, neither supports ACH or SEPA, both offer Skrill and bank wire transfers, but only Plus500 supports PayPal.
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 | Plus500 | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | Octa | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $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 | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | 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 | 115 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Octa Review |
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