Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote 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.
Swissquote and Octa are two established names in the online brokerage world, yet they differ significantly in their regulatory and trust credentials. Founded in 1996, Swissquote is not just a brokerage but also operates as a bank and is publicly traded, lending it an added layer of transparency. With five Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, Swissquote holds a rare ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, marking it as highly trusted. This positions Swissquote favorably for those valuing regulatory confidence and institutional reliability in their trading partner.
Founded in 2011, Octa operates without the backing of a banking institution and is not listed on a stock exchange, providing a more entrepreneurial atmosphere. Despite holding one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license, Octa has a Trust Score of 72 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating an average risk level. While it might attract traders looking for a different experience from a traditional banking setup, its regulatory standing makes it less preferable for those prioritizing high trust scores.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
In a comparison of trading costs between Swissquote and Octa, both brokers offer distinct pricing structures shaped by the location of their respective entities. Swissquote is generally known for its premium services owing to its Swiss banking roots, reflected in higher trading costs compared to many of its lower-cost competitors. The U.K. entity of Swissquote features the most competitively priced accounts, including the Elite and Professional accounts, which cater to active traders. Despite a $10,000 deposit requirement, the Elite account stands out with a $5 charge per round-turn trade and lower spreads. The commissions and fees structure of Swissquote results in a rating of 3.5 stars, ranking it 53rd out of 63 brokers.
On the other hand, Octa has made significant strides in enhancing its pricing competitiveness, drawing closer to some of the well-known low-cost MetaTrader brokers. With a commitment to no slippage on the majority of orders and an absence of overnight carry costs, Octa attracts traders looking for cost-effectiveness. The spread pricing for Octa fluctuates based on the regulatory entity, with its EU entity offering more favorable spreads for the EUR/USD pair. Octa earns a 4-star rating for its improved pricing structure, taking the 29th spot among 63 brokers.
While Swissquote offers the prestige of a Swiss financial institution with varied pricing across its international branches, Octa is gaining recognition for its cost-efficient solutions. Each has its unique set of offerings tailored to different trading preferences, but for those prioritizing low fees, Octa holds the edge with its contemporary pricing improvements and higher industry rankings.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $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 | 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.
Swissquote and Octa both offer forex trading, allowing you to engage in the market through either CFDs or spot contracts. However, Swissquote provides a wider selection of tradeable symbols, with a total of 472 compared to Octa's 300. When it comes to forex pairs, Swissquote again leads with 80 options, while Octa offers 35. Additionally, Swissquote delivers an edge by permitting investments in exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, such as Apple shares, whereas Octa does not offer securities on U.S. exchanges. Both brokers facilitate investments on international exchanges, so you can acquire shares like Vodafone on both platforms. Copy trading, a feature favored by many investors, is also available at both brokers.
Cryptocurrency investors might find Swissquote more appealing, as it offers both the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies and derivatives. In contrast, Octa's offerings are limited to cryptocurrency derivatives. Evaluating their range of investments, Swissquote receives a high 5-star rating, with a 2nd place ranking out of 63 brokers surveyed by ForexBrokers.com. Octa, on the other hand, holds a 3.5-star rating, ranking 52nd. This difference highlights Swissquote's more diverse investment options, making it a preferred choice for well-rounded investment portfolios.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 35 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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.
Swissquote and Octa offer traders a diverse array of trading platforms and tools, catering to both new and experienced investors. Both brokers provide simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without risking real money. Each broker has developed its proprietary platform in-house, complementing their full suite of offerings. Additionally, Swissquote and Octa support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, with trading available through Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms for increased accessibility. For those interested in copying successful traders, both services offer copy trading capabilities. However, neither provides access to third-party platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, keeping the focus on their core offerings.
When it comes to charting tools, Swissquote distinguishes itself with 75 drawing tools, significantly surpassing Octa's 15. Both allow trades to be executed directly from stock charts, enhancing user experience. In terms of watch lists, Swissquote offers 11 columns for personalized tracking, compared to Octa's 7. Ratings reflect these differences, with Swissquote earning a commendable 4.5 stars for its platforms and tools, while Octa receives 4 stars. Rankings by ForexBrokers.com place Swissquote at number 12 out of 63 brokers, indicating strong platform and tool offerings, whereas Octa finds itself at rank 37, highlighting room for improvement in this competitive landscape.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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) | 86 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
For traders seeking to leverage the power of mobile apps, both Swissquote and Octa offer iPhone and Android apps to facilitate trading on the go. Users will find a range of features including price alerts for stocks and forex, the ability to draw trendlines, and the convenient auto-saving of chart drawings. Moreover, both apps support multiple time frames for chart analysis and provide users with 30 technical studies to enhance their trading strategies. Despite these similarities, watchlist symbol syncing is notably absent from both offerings, meaning any changes made in the app will not automatically sync with the online account. However, they do provide the capability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, keeping traders updated with the latest market movements.
When it comes to user ratings and industry rankings, Swissquote edges ahead with a rating of 4.5 stars compared to Octa's 4 stars. This difference is also reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Swissquote is positioned at #12, ahead of Octa at #36 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps. These evaluations suggest that while both apps equip traders with necessary tools and features, Swissquote may offer a slightly more satisfying mobile trading experience overall.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | 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.
When it comes to online brokers, both Swissquote and Octa provide comprehensive research tools to assist traders in making informed decisions. Both brokers offer daily market commentary and deliver forex news from high-profile sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also provide access to technical and fundamental research tools from Autochartist. However, neither offers tools from Trading Central, nor do they provide sentiment-based trading tools or resources from TipRanks and Acuity Trading. Additionally, both brokers feature economic calendars to keep traders up to date with global events, helping them stay informed about market trends.
Swissquote and Octa both receive solid research ratings of four out of five stars. However, according to ForexBrokers.com's rankings, Swissquote holds a higher position at 16th out of 63 brokers, while Octa comes in at 27th in the research category. This difference in rankings may indicate a variance in customer satisfaction or slight distinctions in offering presentation, but both platforms remain reputable choices for traders seeking reliable market research tools.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 | No | 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 beginner traders, both Swissquote and Octa provide a comprehensive suite of materials designed to cater to clients eager to learn about forex and CFDs trading. Each broker offers over ten educational pieces, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars, specifically aimed at helping beginners understand the intricacies of trading. Additionally, they both conduct regular online webinars, at least once a month, which can be indispensable for continuous learning. A valuable feature provided by both platforms is access to a searchable archive of past webinars. This ensures that new traders can learn at their own pace, revisiting crucial educational resources whenever needed. Beginner-friendly videos are also plentiful, with both brokers offering over ten videos to help novices build a solid foundation in trading.
For those seeking to deepen their expertise, Swissquote and Octa also offer advanced educational videos, ensuring that seasoned traders can refine their strategies with over ten videos available on each platform. Both brokers also provide an investor dictionary with definitions of at least 50 investing terms, aiding in demystifying the jargon often associated with the trading world. Despite the similarities, there are notable differences in their rankings and ratings. Both Swissquote and Octa score 4 out of 5 stars in educational resources, but Swissquote is ranked higher at #21 compared to Octa's #42 by ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that while they offer similar educational content, Swissquote might have a slightly more favorable reception among experts in the field.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 Swissquote is better than Octa. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
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Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 |
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Swissquote provides investors with the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency as well as cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Octa only offers the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, not the actual cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers Swissquote and Octa, Swissquote stands out by offering a broader range of deposit and withdrawal options including ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal, alongside mutual support with Octa for Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while Octa lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options.
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 | Swissquote | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | Octa Review |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Swissquote | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Swissquote | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $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 | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | Octa Review |
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