Two regulated brokers with different strengths battle for your attention across regulation, fees, and platforms. The matchup highlights stability versus platform flexibility and trading cost.
ATFX edges OctaFX on the editorial score. ATFX holds FCA licensing and 300+ instruments, compared with OctaFX's CySEC license and 100 instruments.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
OctaFX offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 1.80 pips for ATFX, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Pros
FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), and FSCA (SA) licensing
300+ instruments including ETF CFDs and bond CFDs
FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
No minimum deposit, no inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ATFX | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ATFX rates 4.2/5 and OctaFX rates 4/5. ATFX has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
OctaFX starts from 0.6 pips, tighter than ATFX's 1.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ATFX has no minimum deposit, while OctaFX requires at least $25. This makes ATFX more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
ATFX holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. OctaFX may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: ATFX has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ATFX lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while OctaFX lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ATFX supports MetaTrader 4, while OctaFX supports OctaTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. OctaFX has exclusive access to OctaTrader and MetaTrader 5.
ATFX leads safety & regulation with FCA licensing and multiple regulators.
OctaFX wins for active traders with 0.6 pip spreads, 500:1 leverage, and OctaTrader copy trading.
OctaFX is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.60 pips.
OctaFX wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5, and OctaTrader.
ATFX wins for beginners due to zero minimum deposit and accessible MT4.
ATFX leads with 300+ instruments, including ETF CFDs and bonds.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 2011 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $25 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1.8 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerUPIFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerUPIFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA CySEC | FSCA CySEC SVGFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | OctaTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
OctaTrader copy trading platform, transparent stats, one-click follow
Localised payment methods for India, Pakistan, Indonesia
Swap-free Islamic accounts available
$25 minimum deposit, no inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Cons
MT4 only, no MT5, cTrader, or proprietary platform
Standard spreads from 1.8 pips are not ECN-competitive
Relatively young broker, founded 2017
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
Most international clients are under SVG offshore entity, not CySEC
Limited product range, no stocks or bonds
Copy trading focus means limited support for advanced discretionary traders
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
Personalised recommendation
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