Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
XTB and Octa are two online brokers with different regulatory backgrounds and trust scores. Founded in 2002, XTB is a publicly traded company, which contributes to its higher level of transparency. Octa, established in 2011, is privately held, lacking the added scrutiny of a stock exchange listing. Neither broker operates as a bank. XTB boasts a high Trust Score of 96 on ForexBrokers.com, making it highly trusted. This rating is bolstered by its two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses. In contrast, Octa holds one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license, leading to a Trust Score of 72, categorizing it as an average risk according to ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, XTB's longer history, public company status, and greater number of Tier-1 licenses give it an advantage in terms of trust and regulatory compliance over Octa. For traders seeking higher trust, XTB stands out, although both brokers remain viable options for different types of investors.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, XTB posts average EUR/USD spreads of 1.0 pip (Q4 2023) on its spread-only Standard account, which is the go-to for most retail traders now that the commission-based Pro option is largely being phased out and limited to elective professionals in the U.K. and EU. XTB’s pricing sits around the industry average—respectable but not the cheapest—while minimum deposits start at 250 in your base currency.
Octa has tightened its pricing and now lists average EUR/USD spreads at 0.5 pips under its EU entity and 0.9 pips for its international entities. Keep in mind Octa doesn’t provide a date range for these averages, so direct like-for-like comparisons are harder. Octa also advertises no slippage on 97.5% of orders and no overnight carry costs, though certain trading restrictions can limit high-frequency strategies. Account options and fees vary by regulator: EU clients get a single MT5 account, while international clients can choose MT4, MT5, or OctaTrader.
Bottom line on value: XTB offers an active trader rebate program (the Lower Spread Group) that returns 5%–30% of the spread once you trade 20–1,000 lots per month, which can narrow costs for high-volume traders. Ratings and rankings for commissions and fees: XTB earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #12 out of 63 brokers, while Octa earns 4/5 stars and ranks #30 out of 63.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 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.
XTB offers a much wider range of investments than Octa. You can trade 7,184 symbols at XTB versus 300 at Octa, and 71 forex pairs at XTB versus 35 at Octa. Both support forex trading, offered as CFDs or spot contracts. XTB also lets clients buy real exchange‑traded shares on both U.S. and international markets, while Octa offers real international shares but not U.S. shares. For crypto, neither broker offers actual coins, but both provide cryptocurrency CFDs.
If you want copy trading, Octa includes it and XTB does not. For overall range of investments, XTB is rated 5 stars and ranks #15 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Octa earns 3.5 stars and ranks #53. In short, XTB suits traders seeking broader market access and U.S. share dealing, whereas Octa may fit those who want copy trading with a more focused lineup.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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). | 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.
XTB vs Octa for trading platforms and tools: both brokers offer a free demo (paper) account, a web-based platform, a Windows desktop platform, and their own in-house platform. Each also lets you place trades directly from charts. Key differences: Octa supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and includes copy trading, while XTB does not support MT4/MT5 and does not offer copy trading. The number of technical indicators and watch list columns for each broker isn’t specified.
According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while Octa earns 4/5 stars and ranks #38. Choose XTB if you want a high-rated, in-house platform across web and Windows with chart trading. Choose Octa if MT4/MT5 access and copy trading are must-haves alongside its proprietary platform.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and Octa both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts available on each. Based on testing, XTB earns 4.5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while Octa scores 4 stars and ranks #37. If ratings and overall standing matter to you, XTB has the edge.
For charting, XTB includes 39 technical studies compared with 30 on Octa. Both apps let you draw trendlines and automatically save your drawings. One drawback for each is the lack of watchlist syncing with the web platform. If you want a wider set of indicators in your pocket, XTB’s mobile app is the stronger pick; if you only need the essentials, Octa covers the basics on both iPhone and Android.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When assessing market research offerings, both XTB and Octa demonstrate strong capabilities. They each provide daily market commentary and offer forex news from top-tier sources, ensuring that traders have access to timely and relevant information. In addition, both brokers include an economic calendar that highlights current and upcoming global events, which is crucial for those trading in volatile markets. However, XTB stands out by offering a sentiment-based trading tool that shows the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, a feature Octa lacks.
Although neither broker uses tools from Trading Central or offers research tools from Acuity Trading, Octa provides technical analysis tools from Autochartist, which traders might find beneficial. In terms of overall research ratings, XTB shines with a full 5-star rating compared to Octa's 4 stars, reflecting the depth and variety of its research offerings. According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB is ranked #7 out of 63 brokers in the research category, significantly ahead of Octa, which holds the #27 position. This suggests that XTB may be a more comprehensive choice for traders who prioritize advanced market research features.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing XTB vs Octa for beginner education: both brokers cater to new forex and CFD traders with monthly client webinars and at least 10 beginner-focused videos. Each also offers 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go further, so you can move from the basics into more complex topics at your own pace.
Independent ratings show a gap in overall quality. ForexBrokers.com gives XTB a 5-star education score and ranks it #11 out of 63 brokers, while Octa holds 4 stars and ranks #42. If you want the higher-rated learning experience, XTB has the edge; if you simply need steady webinars and plenty of beginner videos, Octa still covers the essentials.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 XTB is better than Octa. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Octa finished with an overall rank of #47.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 96 | 72 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
XTB vs Octa: neither online broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
XTB vs Octa: for account funding and withdrawals, neither online broker supports ACH or SEPA transfers, both offer Skrill and bank wire transfers, but only XTB supports PayPal while Octa does not.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 72 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | 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) | 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) | XTB | 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 | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 300 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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). | 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 | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XTB Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Octa Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill