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 | 1.00 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 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 and Octa both let you trade forex via CFDs or spot, but XTB offers a far wider range of investments. XTB lists 7,184 tradeable instruments and 71 forex pairs, compared with Octa’s 300 symbols and 35 pairs. Both brokers support cryptocurrency derivatives, while neither provides access to actual (delivered) crypto.
Stock access is another key difference: XTB lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international markets, while Octa offers exchange-traded shares on international exchanges but not in the U.S. Octa includes copy trading, whereas XTB does not. Reflecting this breadth, XTB is rated 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #15 out of 63 brokers, while Octa is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #53.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 300 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 35 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | 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.
XTB and Octa both check the core boxes for trading platforms and tools: each offers a free demo account, a proprietary (in‑house) platform, a Windows desktop download, a web-based platform, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. In independent ratings for Trading Platforms and Tools by ForexBrokers.com, XTB scores 4.5/5 and ranks #9 of 63 brokers, while Octa scores 4/5 and ranks #38.
The biggest differences come down to extras and platform choice. Octa supports copy trading and offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while XTB does not provide copy trading or MT4/MT5. If you want MetaTrader access or social/copy trading, Octa fits the bill. If you prefer a highly rated proprietary platform experience, XTB is the stronger pick for trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Octa
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / 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, real-time quotes, and the ability to build watchlists. Both apps also let you draw trendlines and will auto-save your chart drawings. Where they differ is in charting depth: XTB includes 39 built-in technical indicators, while Octa offers 30. Note that neither broker syncs watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the online account.
For overall quality, XTB earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com. Octa scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #37. In short, both apps cover the basics well, but XTB is better for traders who want more charting tools, while Octa suits those who prefer a simpler setup.
| 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 |
| Mobile Watchlist | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
If you’re new to forex and CFDs, both XTB and Octa offer beginner-friendly education. Each hosts monthly client webinars and provides at least 10 beginner videos, plus advanced videos for when you’re ready to go deeper. In ForexBrokers.com’s Education ratings, XTB earned 5 stars and ranked #11 out of 63 brokers, while Octa earned 4 stars and ranked #42—making XTB the higher-rated choice for learning.
Details weren’t specified in our data about whether either broker has a broader library of at least 10 forex/CFD articles or videos as a formal collection, a searchable archive of past webinars, or an investor dictionary with 50+ terms. If live sessions and on-demand videos are your priority, both XTB and Octa will suit a beginner; if you want the higher-rated education track from day one, XTB edges out Octa.
| 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
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Octa
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 72 |
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Both XTB and Octa do not offer the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing investors to engage in crypto market speculation without owning the digital assets directly.
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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Octa Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Octa | |
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| 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 (SFC 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. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | 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 | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 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 | |
| Social Trading / 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 | 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 | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | Octa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | 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 | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XTB Review | Octa Review |
| Overall | XTB | Octa | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 72 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Octa Review |
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