Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trade Nation 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 2014, Trade Nation offers investors a sense of security, holding two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. Although not publicly traded or a bank, Trade Nation's regulatory prowess contributes to its respectable Trust Score of 85 out of 99, as assessed by ForexBrokers.com. This score places them comfortably in the "trusted" category, reflecting their reliable standing among online brokers.
In comparison, Octa, established in 2011, has a slightly different regulatory landscape. It holds one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license, supporting a Trust Score of 72. While also not publicly listed or a bank, Octa's score aligns it with the "average risk" category, suggesting a cautious approach for prospective investors. Both brokers offer secure environments, but Trade Nation edges out when considering regulatory trustworthiness and scores.
| Feature |
Trade Nation
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Trade Nation and Octa stand out in the online brokerage sphere with varied approaches to commissions and fees. Trade Nation emphasizes transparent, fixed-spread pricing across all tradable symbols on its proprietary platform, alongside flexible, variable-spread options on its MetaTrader platform. The broker maintains fixed spreads, notably offering a consistent 0.6 pips for the EUR/USD pair, with occasional adjustments during daily rollover periods. With account options that include a commission-based Raw Spread account and a commission-free account, Trade Nation's TN Trader account offers the lowest overall spreads. Rated 5 stars for commissions and fees, Trade Nation ranks #7 among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Meanwhile, Octa has made significant improvements in its pricing strategy, closing in on competitive rates among MetaTrader brokers. Offering no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight fees, Octa's pricing and fees are influenced by the regulatory entity governing a client's account—EU clients have access to the MT5 platform, while other clients can choose between MT4, MT5, and OctaTrader platforms. In the EU, Octa offers an average spread of 0.5 pips for the EUR/USD pair, while international entities list 0.9 pips for the same pair. Although lacking a date range for spread data, Octa demonstrates a strong effort to compete with lower-cost brokers, earning a 4-star rating and ranking #29 on ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, Trade Nation's fixed spread advantage and competitive pricing help secure a higher ranking in fees and commissions compared to Octa's improving but variable pricing model. Both brokers offer unique benefits to traders, making their platforms worth considering based on individual trading preferences and needs.
| Feature |
Trade Nation
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.6 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.6 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | 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.
Trade Nation and Octa both offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, catering to forex enthusiasts who are looking for varied options within this asset class. Trade Nation stands out with a broader selection, presenting 46 tradeable forex pairs compared to Octa's 35. Moreover, when it comes to the total number of tradeable symbols, Trade Nation provides about 1000 options, surpassing Octa's offering of 300 symbols. However, neither broker provides access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares. That said, Octa distinguishes itself by allowing clients to invest in international exchange-traded securities, such as Vodafone shares on the London Stock Exchange, unlike Trade Nation.
Both Trade Nation and Octa feature copy trading and the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, appealing to traders looking for versatile investment strategies. However, clients cannot purchase actual cryptocurrencies directly through either platform. In terms of customer ratings, both brokers receive 3.5 stars for their range of investments, though Trade Nation is ranked higher at #38 compared to Octa's #52 in the ForexBrokers.com ranking. Thus, while they have similar scores, Trade Nation offers a more extensive selection in certain areas, setting it apart in the competitive world of online brokerage platforms.
| Feature |
Trade Nation
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 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.
Trade Nation and Octa both offer a variety of trading platforms that cater to different types of traders, providing free simulated trading with virtual demo accounts. They each have proprietary platforms developed in-house, along with Windows-based desktop and web-based browser platforms to allow for flexible trading experiences. Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and emphasize copy trading, but Octa has an edge by also offering MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Neither broker supports third-party platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, but they provide ample tools for customization and strategy development.
When it comes to charting tools, Trade Nation surpasses Octa with 39 drawing tools compared to Octa's 15, although Octa provides the ability to trade directly from a stock chart—a feature Trade Nation lacks. Trade Nation also outshines in the organization of watch lists, offering more columns for customization. Both brokers share a four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, yet Octa is slightly better ranked by ForexBrokers.com, standing at #37 among 63 brokers, whereas Trade Nation is positioned at #44. These insights highlight that while each broker has its strengths, Octa may have a slight edge in terms of platform versatility and trading convenience.
| Feature |
Trade Nation
|
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) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 39 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 14 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Trade Nation and Octa both offer trading apps for iPhone and Android users, providing essential features for mobile traders. They both support stock and forex price alerts and let users draw trendlines on charts. However, Trade Nation stands out with an array of 99 technical studies for chart analysis, compared to Octa's 30. Another significant advantage of Trade Nation is its watchlist symbol syncing feature, ensuring changes you make on any device are seamlessly updated across platforms. This capability is missing in Octa's mobile trading experience.
Both brokers enable traders to view multiple time frames on charts and allow watchlists with real-time quotes. They also auto-save chart drawings, enhancing the convenience of mobile trading. In terms of user ratings, both apps receive a solid four stars for mobile trading, yet Octa holds a slightly better rank on ForexBrokers.com, coming in at 36th compared to Trade Nation's 45th. Whether you prioritize technical studies or cross-device synchronization, both platforms cater to various needs, making them viable choices depending on specific trading preferences.
| Feature |
Trade Nation
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 99 | 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 comparing Trade Nation and Octa in the realm of market research, both brokers provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed on market movements. However, Octa stands out by offering tools from Autochartist for enhanced technical and fundamental analysis, while Trade Nation does not provide this feature. On the other hand, Trade Nation enhances its offering with a sentiment-based trading tool that helps traders gauge market sentiment by showing the ratio of long or short positions, which Octa doesn't include.
Additional differences come into play with research tools from Acuity Trading. Trade Nation gives access to Acuity Trading's Signal Centre, whereas Octa does not offer any tools from this provider. For those who utilize economic calendars to track global news events, Octa has the advantage, providing a detailed calendar to keep traders updated on vital economic happenings, which Trade Nation lacks. Despite these variations, Octa is rated slightly higher for research with 4 stars compared to Trade Nation's 3.5, and is also better ranked by ForexBrokers.com, sitting at #27 out of 63 brokers, compared to Trade Nation's #42 ranking.
| Feature |
Trade Nation
|
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) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings for beginners from online brokers Trade Nation and Octa, both platforms provide a strong selection of resources with at least ten educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs. Each broker ensures that newcomers have access to a sizable collection of beginner-focused educational videos and advanced trading content. These include a variety of articles, videos, and archived webinars to aid in different learning preferences. Additionally, both Trade Nation and Octa offer an investor dictionary with over fifty defining terms, valuable for demystifying trading language for new investors.
Where Octa differentiates itself is through comprehensive online client webinars offered monthly, which go beyond the static content to engage learners in an interactive setting. Octa also provides a searchable archive of these webinars, enabling users to revisit past sessions. Trade Nation, in contrast, doesn't offer regular online webinars, nor do they maintain an archive of recorded sessions. While Octa edges out slightly with a higher educational rating of 4 stars compared to Trade Nation's 3.5 stars, Trade Nation is ranked just above Octa in the education category by ForexBrokers.com, highlighting the competitiveness between the platforms in educational offerings.
| Feature |
Trade Nation
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | 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 Trade Nation is better than Octa. Trade Nation finished with an overall rank of #34, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
Trade Nation’s well-designed, easy-to-use trading app is an innovative trading platform that’s great for beginner forex and CFD traders. However, if you’re a seasoned trader, you may find that Trade Nation lacks advanced features compared to the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Trade Nation
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Octa
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 72 |
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Both Trade Nation and Octa do not offer the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide opportunities to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Trade Nation and Octa provide deposit and withdrawal options such as Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither offers ACH, SEPA, or PayPal services.
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 | Trade Nation | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trade Nation Review | Octa Review |
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| Regulation | Trade Nation | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 85 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trade Nation | 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). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Trade Nation | 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 | Trade Nation | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 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 | Trade Nation | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.6 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.6 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Trade Nation | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | Trade Nation | 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Trade Nation | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 14 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 39 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | No | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Trade Nation | 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 | 99 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Trade Nation | 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 | No | Yes |
| Education | Trade Nation | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Trade Nation | 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 | Trade Nation Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | Trade Nation | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trade Nation Review | Octa Review |
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