Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs Octa, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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When comparing online brokers XM Group and Octa, both established in the 21st century, there are clear distinctions in terms of regulatory trust. Founded in 2009, XM Group holds a notable position with four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, earning a Trust Score of 93 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com. This places XM Group in the highly trusted category, even though it is not publicly traded or a bank.
On the other hand, Octa, which began operating in 2011, has secured one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license. With a Trust Score of 72 out of 99, Octa falls into the average risk bracket. Like XM Group, Octa is also not publicly traded and isn't classified as a bank. These distinctions provide potential traders with valuable insights into each broker’s standing in the industry.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, both XM Group and Octa earn 4 out of 5 stars. Octa ranks higher at #26 of 63 brokers for this category, while XM Group is #34 of 63. XM Group’s Standard account spreads are on the expensive side, and the commission-based XM Zero account does not publish average spreads, which makes it harder to gauge typical trading costs.
Octa has improved its pricing and is catching up to the lowest-cost MetaTrader brokers. Your costs at Octa depend on the account type and the entity that regulates your account: EU clients use a single MT5 account under the EU entity, while international clients can choose MT4, MT5, or OctaTrader under its South Africa or Mwali entities. Octa also reports no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight carry costs, though it has restrictions that can limit high-frequency strategies.
Spread details at Octa vary by entity: the EU entity lists a 0.5-pip average spread on EUR/USD, versus 0.9 pips for its foreign entities. However, Octa does not provide a date range for its “typical” spread data, so precise comparisons are difficult. In short, Octa’s pricing looks sharper on paper with added perks, while XM Group’s Standard pricing is pricier and the XM Zero account lacks published average spread data—factors to weigh when comparing overall commissions and fees.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $25 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XM Group offers a wider range of investments than Octa: 1,394 tradeable symbols vs. Octa’s 300, and 55 forex pairs versus 35. Both brokers support forex trading (available as CFDs or spot, depending on region/account), provide copy trading, and let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs, but neither offers direct, delivered crypto. For stocks, XM Group lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, while Octa offers exchange-traded shares on international markets but not on U.S. exchanges.
Independent ratings reflect this breadth: XM Group earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #19 out of 63 brokers, while Octa scores 3.5 stars and ranks #33. If you want more symbols, more forex pairs, and access to U.S. and international stocks, XM Group is the stronger fit. If your focus is core forex, copy trading, and select international shares, Octa covers the essentials.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 35 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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 XM Group vs Octa for trading platforms and tools: both brokers offer free demo (paper) accounts, support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and provide Windows desktop and web-based platforms. Each also includes copy trading and lets you place trades directly from charts, making it easy to test ideas and act quickly without leaving your charts.
One key difference is that Octa also offers its own proprietary platform, while XM Group focuses on third‑party platforms like MetaTrader. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, both earn 4 out of 5 stars, with XM Group ranked #27 of 63 brokers and Octa ranked #30 of 63. If you want a broker-built platform alongside MetaTrader, Octa fits the bill; if you prefer sticking with the familiar MetaTrader experience, XM Group delivers that across web and desktop.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XM Group and Octa each deliver capable mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Both include price alerts, 30 technical studies for charting, and the ability to draw trendlines. In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, both scored 4 out of 5 stars. For overall placement in the Mobile Trading Apps category, XM Group ranked 26th out of 63 brokers, while Octa ranked 29th.
Key differences come down to convenience features. XM Group syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, so any changes carry over across devices. Octa does not sync watchlists, but it does auto-save your chart drawings, which XM Group’s app does not. Choose XM Group if keeping watchlists aligned across platforms matters most; choose Octa if saving chart annotations on the go is your priority.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XM Group vs Octa: both brokers deliver daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources (such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones), and a handy economic calendar. In independent ratings, XM Group earns 5 stars for research and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Octa holds 4 stars and ranks #24.
The biggest differences show up in the tools. XM Group provides Trading Central and a sentiment tool that displays the long/short ratio across markets, but it does not include Autochartist. Octa takes the opposite approach: it offers Autochartist but does not provide Trading Central or a sentiment tool. Neither broker includes TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Choose XM Group if you value Trading Central insights and sentiment data, or Octa if Autochartist pattern recognition is your priority.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | 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.
Both XM Group and Octa provide forex and CFD education with plenty of content to get you started. Each broker offers far more than 10 pieces of learning material, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. You’ll also find live online webinars at least once a month, plus at least 10 beginner trading videos and 10 advanced videos at both brokers—useful if you want to move from the basics into deeper strategies at your own pace.
Where they differ is in quality and structure. XM Group earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Octa receives 4 stars and ranks #32. In simple terms, both brokers deliver a full library for newcomers, but XM Group stands out for its overall learning experience. If you want the highest-rated forex education for beginners with frequent webinars and a large video catalog, XM Group is the stronger pick; Octa still offers a helpful path if you prefer its platform or style.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
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 XM Group is better than Octa. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #16, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #34.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
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Octa
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 |
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XM Group vs Octa: neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both allow traders to buy and trade cryptocurrency CFDs.
XM Group vs Octa: neither supports ACH/SEPA or PayPal for deposits or withdrawals, both support Skrill and bank wire transfers, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
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 | XM Group | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Octa Review |
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| Regulation | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | 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) | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 35 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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 | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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 | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | 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 | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XM Group Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | XM Group | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Octa Review |
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