Updated October 14, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CMC Markets vs Octa
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
What sets them apart
| Compare |  CMC Markets |  Octa |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, Bonds | Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 48% | 66% |
| Platforms | CMC Markets Platform, CMC mobile app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView | MT4, MT5, OctaTrader, CTrader |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:200 | 1:30 |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | CySEC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.9% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | No deposit or withdrawal fees |
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Key differences
- Founded is lower at CMC Markets: 1989 vs 2011.
- Markets: only CMC Markets offers Stocks, ETFs, Options.
- Markets: only Octa offers Metals.
- Platforms: only CMC Markets offers CMC Markets Platform, CMC mobile app, MetaTrader 4.
- Platforms: only Octa offers MT4, MT5, OctaTrader.
- Features: only CMC Markets offers Demo account, Mobile app.
- Features: only Octa offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
CMC Markets
CMC Markets explains that leveraged trading follows price movements in underlying financial markets and amplifies both gains and losses.
Octa
Octa suits traders who want a regulated EU broker with a small entry amount and no account costs. It pairs a minimum deposit of $25 with a stock trade fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0, backed by CySEC and EU investor compensation.
Score breakdown
| Area | CMC Markets | Octa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.1Fees of $0 on shares, $0 inactivity charge and No deposit or withdrawal fees, against a minimum deposit of $25. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.4 |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 8.8 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | CMC Markets | Octa |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | CMC Markets | Octa |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 101 of 147 | 64 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 99 of 145 | 62 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 82 of 122 | 54 of 122 |
Where these facts come from
CMC Markets
- cmcmarkets.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Octa
- octaeu.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.octapk.info: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wikifx.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradersunion.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CMC Markets | Octa |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Octa Markets Cyprus Ltd |
| Founded | 1989Lower | 2011 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CMC Markets | Octa | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $25at the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 48%lowest quarter | 66%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.9%above the median | 0.65% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CMC Markets
Pros
- CMC Markets explains that leveraged trading follows price movements in underlying financial markets and amplifies both gains and losses.
- This international English disclosure does not establish regional rates, eligibility, or product availability.
Octa
Pros
- No stock trade fee, at $0, while the broker operates a commission free model
- Inactivity fee of $0, so dormant balances are not drained
- Deposit and withdrawal charges are clear: No deposit or withdrawal fees
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $25 is above the site median of €4.64
- EUR/USD spread of 0.9% sits in commission free pricing, so cost is built into the spread
- Retail accounts that lose money sit at 66%
Who each suits
CMC Markets
Who it suits
- Readers reviewing CMC Markets’ international CFD leverage risk disclosure
Octa
Who it suits
- Traders who want a CySEC regulated EU broker and value compensation cover
- Forex and CFD traders who prefer commission free pricing in the spread
- Anyone who wants to fund an account without deposit or withdrawal charges
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, whose minimum deposit of $0 is lower than Octa's
- eToro, whose markets list of stocks, etfs and forex includes shares and ETFs that Octa does not cover
Questions about each
Octa
How much does Octa charge to open and use an account?+
The stock trade fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so holding an open position costs nothing extra. Octa runs a commission free model, which means the trading cost sits in the spread rather than in a separate commission. Funding in and out carries No deposit or withdrawal fees.
Who regulates Octa and what protection does it carry?+
Octa is regulated by CySEC in Cyprus, and the contracting entity is Octa Markets Cyprus Ltd. Client money is covered by the EU investor compensation scheme, and the stated limit is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000. Read the cover as a cap: it marks the point above which a claim falls outside the scheme.
What is the smallest amount needed to start trading?+
The minimum deposit is $25, which keeps the entry point modest for a regulated EU broker. Octa charges No deposit or withdrawal fees, so nothing is deducted for funding the account or taking money back out. The practical cost of getting money in sits with your bank or payment provider instead.
How much does it cost to trade forex on Octa?+
Pricing is commission free, so you pay the spread. On the euro against the US dollar the spread is 0.9%. Over many small trades that spread adds up, so it is worth weighing against a broker that charges a separate commission on a tighter spread. The stock trade fee of $0 also shows there is no per trade commission on shares.