Optima is a German string manufacturer based in Markneukirchen, in the Vogtland region historically known for instrument-making. The company traces its roots to 1920, when it was founded under the name Maxima, and went on to develop the gold-plated strings for which it is best known — a technique it pioneered for electric guitar and electric bass in the 1960s. Production is done by hand in Germany, split between facilities in Markneukirchen and Geretsried.

The catalog spans a wide range of stringed instruments: electric, acoustic, and classical guitar, electric bass, violin, viola, cello, double bass, mandolin, banjo, harp, zither, and folk and world instruments such as oud, bouzouki, saz, and nyckelharpa. Optima's flagship lines include the 24K Gold electric and bass sets, marketed for their corrosion resistance and warmer, mellower tone, alongside Bronze, Silver, and Vintage acoustic ranges.

In 2015 Optima acquired the production of Lenzner Leonhardt, a long-running Markneukirchen string maker dating to 1900, and continues several Lenzner-branded lines including the widely used Goldbrokat plain-steel violin E string, Protos, Synflex, Bronze, Artist, and Silver acoustic sets.

Optima has 5 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Strings. Their gear is featured by 6 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Jazz. Notable users include Brian May, Frank Zappa, and John Entwistle.