Traders Union has analyzed financial markets for over 14 years, evaluating brokers based on 250+ transparent criteria, including security, regulation, and trading conditions. Our expert team of over 50 professionals regularly updates a Watch List of 500+ brokers to provide users with data-driven insights. While our research is based on objective data, we recommend that users perform independent due diligence and consult official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.
Headway Pros & Cons
- The FSCA (The Financial Sector Conduct Authority) regulates the company in South Africa.
- A variety of trading instruments such as Forex, indices, energies, cryptocurrencies, and stocks are available.
- Competitive spreads start from 0 pips.
- High leverage up to 1:1000.
- MT4 and MT5 trading platforms are available in desktop, web, and mobile versions.
- Educational resources, including webinars, training videos, and guides.
- 24/7 client support.
- Limited regulation compared to larger brokers.
- High leverage may increase risks.
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 only.
Headway is a broker owned by JAROCEL PTY Ltd, a company registered in South Africa. The broker offers three account types: Cent, Standard, and Pro. With a minimum deposit of just $1, opening a Cent account is accessible to all. Headway supports the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) trading platforms, providing traders with various tools and indicators. The broker is regulated by South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) under license number 52108.
TU Expert Verdict
Headway is a reliable and well-established choice. I’ve reviewed its features, tested its services, and found that traders generally report positive results. It offers stable performance, dependable execution, and overall solid quality for everyday trading.
Top-5 Brokers Traders Prefer
Headway User Reviews
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5-star
11%
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4-star
11%
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3-star
67%
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2-star
11%
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1-star
0%
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Commissions and Fees
Score:We evaluate brokers' fees and spreads by assessing the costs associated with Standard and ECN/Raw spread accounts, including commissions and spreads. Additionally, our evaluation considers extra fees such as deposit/withdrawal charges and inactivity fees. Learn the assessment criteria6 /10The trading and non-trading commissions of Headway have been analyzed and rated as having Medium fees, with a fees score of 6/10. Additionally, these commissions were compared with those of the top two competitors, OANDA and FOREX.com, to provide the most comprehensive information.
- Low Forex trading fees
- No inactivity fee
- No deposit fee
- No withdrawal fee
- No ECN/Raw Spread account
Trading Fees and Spread
Below, we evaluated and compared the trading commissions of Headway with those of two competitors. We focused on the spreads and other transaction fees directly associated with executing trades (e.g commission per lot on an ECN account). This comparison aimed to provide a clear understanding of the cost efficiency of each broker.
Standard Account Spread
For Standard accounts, Headway’s commissions are part of the floating spread, which varies with market conditions. Typical values are provided, but during high volatility, the spread may exceed these.
Headway Standard spreads Headway OANDA FOREX.com EUR/USD min, pips 0.4 0.1 0.7 EUR/USD max, pips 1.2 0.5 1.2 GPB/USD min, pips 0.3 0.1 0.9 GPB/USD max, pips 1.3 0.5 1.4 Does Headway support RAW/ECN accounts?
As we discovered, Headway does not offer RAW/ECN accounts, which might be a drawback for transparency and liquidity. However, this doesn't make the broker uncompetitive. Consider factors like spread levels, execution speed, regulation, support quality, and trading tools when choosing a reliable broker.
Non-Trading Fees
We conducted a detailed analysis of the non-trading fees associated with Headway. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the additional costs that may impact traders beyond regular trading activities.
Headway Non-Trading Fees Headway OANDA FOREX.com Deposit fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0 0 Withdrawal fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0 0 Withdrawal fee, USD The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0-15 0 Inactivity fee ($, per month) 0 0 15 -
Is Headway Safe?
Score:We evaluate brokers' safety based on several key criteria. The highest value is placed on regulation, especially Tier 1 regulation, which ensures adherence to stringent standards set by top financial authorities like the FCA in the UK, CFTC in the US, CySEc and BaFin (EU) or ASIC (Australia). High scores are also given for participation in investor protection funds, which safeguard clients' funds in case of broker insolvency. Learn the assessment criteria5.8 /10Headway has a safety score of 5.8/10, which corresponds to a Medium security level. The safest brokers are those with Tier-1 regulation, a long history (over 10 years in the market), and participation in investor compensation schemes.
- Is regulated
- Negative balance protection
- Not tier-1 regulated
- Track record of less than 8 years
Headway Regulators and Investor Protection Abbreviation Full Name Country of regulation Investor Protection Fund Regulation Level FSCA SA
Full Name Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa Country of regulation South Africa Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-2 Headway Security Factors Foundation date - Negative balance protection YesVerification (KYC) Yes -
Account Types
Score:We evaluate a broker’s account offering by analyzing the range and suitability of available account types and how effectively they cater to different trader profiles and strategies. Our assessment covers the diversity of account options — including Standard, ECN/Raw, Cent, Swap-Free (Islamic), and VIP accounts — as well as the flexibility of trading conditions provided. Learn the assessment criteria.6.6 /10Headway offers the following account options: Demo, Standard, Cent, Swap Free.
However, Headway does not provide an ECN account with direct market access, which may be a drawback for experienced traders or scalpers seeking the lowest spreads.
- Standard account with balanced trading conditions
- Low minimum deposit
- Cent account for beginners
- No ECN/Raw spread account
- Micro lots are not available
Headway account types vs top competitors Headway Plus500 Trading.com Standard YesYesYesECN/Raw spread NoNoNoDemo YesYesYesCent YesNoNoMicro NoNoNoSwap Free YesNoNoVIP NoNoNoManaged NoNoNoHeadway accounts trading conditions
Each Headway account type is designed for trading different asset classes. All accounts feature unlimited leverage, a margin call at 30%, a stop out at 0%, execution speed from 0.16 seconds, and swap-free trading. Accounts differ by minimum deposit, commissions, position limits, and the number of available instruments. Clients can open multiple accounts of different types.
Account Type Description Cent The minimum deposit is $1, making this account suitable for beginner traders. The account currency is USD. Trading is available for 434 assets. Spreads start from 0.3 points, and there is no commission per lot. The minimum order size is 0.01 lot, and the maximum is 1,000 lots. Up to 300 positions can be opened simultaneously. Standard A classic trading account for traders of any experience level. The minimum deposit is $10. Account currencies include USD, EUR, MYR, IDR, ZAR, JPY, THB, NGN, and BRL. There are 434 available trading instruments. Spreads start from 0.3 points with no commission per lot. The minimum order size is 0.01 lot and the maximum is 500 lots. Up to 1,000 positions can be opened at once. Pro An account for professional traders. The minimum deposit is $100. Account currencies include USD, EUR, IDR, JPY, THB, NGN, ZAR, BRL, and MYR. Trading is available for 476 assets. Spreads start from 0.0 points and the commission is $1.5 per lot for both opening and closing trades. The minimum order size is 0.1 lot. The maximum order size and the number of open positions are unlimited. Demo An account intended for training, practice, and testing trading strategies without the risk of losing real money. Traders can open demo accounts on both MT4 and MT5 to trade with virtual funds. -
Deposit and Withdrawal
Score:This section assesses the efficiency, speed, and affordability of brokers’ transaction processes, focusing on available methods, currencies, and fees. For further details, please refer to our data-focused methodology6 /10Headway received a Medium score for the efficiency and convenience of its deposit and withdrawal processes.
Headway provides a reasonable range of deposit and withdrawal options with moderate fees, in line with industry standards.
- Low minimum withdrawal requirement
- No withdrawal fee
- USDT (Tether) supported
- Bank wire transfers available
- PayPal not supported
- Limited deposit and withdrawal flexibility, leading to higher costs
- Only major base currencies available
What are Headway deposit and withdrawal options?
Headway provides a basic range of deposit and withdrawal options, covering essential methods in line with industry standards. This set of options is sufficient for most traders, with available methods Bank Card, Bank Wire, BTC, USDT, Ethereum.
Headway Deposit and Withdrawal Methods vs Competitors Headway Plus500 Trading.com Bank Wire YesYesYesBank card YesYesYesPayPal NoYesNoWise NoNoNoBTC YesNoNoWhat are Headway base account currencies?
A wide range of base account currencies minimizes the need for currency conversion, potentially reducing transaction costs. Headway supports the following base account currencies: USD, EUR, JPY, IDR, THB, MYR, VND, PHP.
What are Headway's minimum deposit and withdrawal amounts?
The minimum deposit on Headway is $1, while the minimum withdrawal amount is $10. These minimums may vary depending on the chosen account type and payment method. For specific details, please contact Headway’s support team.
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Markets and Tradable Assets
Score:The evaluation in this section is based on the TU methodology and reflects the total number and variety of tradable assets offered by the broker, including Forex currency pairs. It also considers the availability of passive income tools such as PAMM accounts, copy trading, and similar services. All information is obtained from publicly available sources and may change. Learn the assessment criteria7.8 /10Headway offers a limited selection of trading assets compared to the market average. The platform supports 330 assets in total, including 70 Forex pairs.
- Crypto trading
- Indices trading
- 70 supported currency pairs
- Limited asset selection
- No ETFs
Supported markets vs top competitors
We have compared the range of assets and markets supported by Headway with its competitors, making it easier for you to find the perfect fit.
Headway Plus500 Trading.com Currency pairs 70 60 69 Total tradable assets The total tradable assets listed include all available instruments, including CFDs. Due to regional restrictions, certain CFDs may not be offered in some countries. For example, cryptocurrency CFDs are banned in the UK, and the U.S. has restrictions on CFDs. 330 2800 69 Stocks YesYesNoCommodity futures YesYesNoCrypto Cryptocurrency CFDs are restricted or prohibited in certain regions due to regulatory limitations. These include the United Kingdom, China, Egypt, the United States and Canada. YesYesNoStock indices YesYesNoOptions NoYesNoInvestment options
We also explored the trading assets and products Headway offers for beginner traders and investors who prefer not to engage in active trading.
Headway Plus500 Trading.com Bonds NoNoNoETFs NoYesNoCopy trading YesNoNoPAMM investing NoNoNoManaged accounts NoNoNo -
Trading Account Opening
Score:We evaluated Trading Account Opening at Headway by testing the registration process under real conditions, including opening an account and funding it with the minimum required deposit (but no less than $100). Our assessment considered whether onboarding was fully online, the average registration time, the speed of KYC verification, and how quickly traders could activate their accounts. Learn the assessment criteria.9 /10We successfully registered an account with Headway in 10 minutes. The KYC verification was completed within 2 business days. The minimum deposit amount at Headway is $1. This is one of the most accessible and hassle-free onboarding procedures on the market.
- Fully online account opening process
- Fast registration time (up to 15 minutes)
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Account approval may require extra time depending on the documentation.
Headway account opening Headway Plus500 Trading.com Online Registration YesYesYesMinimum deposit $1 $100 $50 Mandatory KYC YesYesYesRegistration time (min) 10 20 KYC time (days) 2 3 2 Is Headway available in my country?
If you are a citizen of United States, the broker accepts clients from your country.
Please note that availability may vary due to regulatory requirements, so we recommend confirming directly with the broker for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Account opening details
To open a live trading account with Headway, you first need to create a user account on their website. This is a simple process that can be completed online by following these steps:
- Choose the account type that suits your investment goals and strategies, then click the button to open it.
- Provide your personal information in the account registration form and set a password for your first login. It is recommended to change your password every three months.
- Upload documents verifying your identity and residential address.
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Trading platforms & tools
Score:This section evaluates the quality and variety of trading platforms offered by the broker. It considers supported platforms, core features, device compatibility, and the availability of tools for automation, analysis, and different trading styles. Learn the assessment criteria6.3 /10Headway received a score of 6.3/10, reflecting an average offering in terms of trading platforms and tools. The broker covers essential functionality but may fall short in some advanced features or platform diversity compared to leading competitors.
- One-click trading
- Proprietary platform with unique features
- MetaTrader is available
- Trading bots (EAs) allowed
- No access to Free VPS
- Strategy (EA) Builder is not available
- No access to cTrader and its advanced tools.
Supported trading platforms
Headway supports the following trading platforms: MT4, MT5, Proprietary platform. This selection covers the basic needs of most retail traders. We also compared Headway’s platform availability with that of top competitors to assess its relative market position.
Headway Plus500 Trading.com MT4 YesNoNoMT5 YesNoYescTrader NoNoNoTradingView NoYesYesProprietary platform YesYesYesNinjaTrader NoNoNoWebTrader NoYesYesKey Headway’s trading platform features
We also evaluated whether Headway offers essential trading features that enhance user experience, accommodate various trading styles, and improve overall functionality.
Supported features 2FA NoAlerts YesTrading bots (EAs) YesOne-click trading YesScalping YesSupported indicators NoTradable assets 330 Additional trading tools
Headway offers several additional features designed to enhance the trading experience. These tools provide greater automation, deliver advanced market insights, and help improve trade execution.
Headway trading tools vs competitors Headway Plus500 Trading.com Trading Central Trading Central is a leading provider of investment research and financial market commentary. Integration with Trading Central offers traders advanced analytics, trading signals, and expert market insights, aiding in more informed decision-making. NoNoYesAPI NoNoNoFree VPS NoNoNoStrategy (EA) builder A Strategy or EA builder is a tool that allows traders to create and test their own automated trading strategies without requiring programming skills. NoNoNoAutochartist Autochartist is a market scanning tool that identifies trading opportunities by analyzing chart patterns and key price levels. NoNoNo -
Mobile Apps
Score:This section assesses the quality and functionality of the broker’s mobile trading apps. It takes into account app ratings, number of downloads, platform features such as two-factor authentication (2FA), mobile alerts, and technical indicators, ensuring traders can manage positions and monitor markets effectively from their smartphones. Learn the assessment criteria6 /10Headway supports mobile trading, offering dedicated apps for both iOS and Android. Headway received a score of 6/10 in this section, indicating a generally acceptable mobile trading experience.
- Solid iOS user feedback, with a rating of 4.1/5
- Strong Android user ratings, currently at 4.4/5
- Mobile alerts not supported
- Indicators not supported
We compared Headway with two top competitors by mobile downloads, app ratings, 2FA support, indicators, and trading alerts.
Headway Plus500 Trading.com Total downloads The parameter reflects the combined number of installations from both the Apple App Store and Google Play. It serves as an approximate indicator of the broker’s mobile trading app popularity and user adoption across platforms. 500,000 10,000,000 50,000 App Store score App store scores reflect the average user ratings of the broker’s mobile applications on the Apple App Store and Google Play. These ratings indicate user satisfaction based on criteria such as usability, stability, performance, and overall experience. 4.1 4.7 4.8 Google Play score 4.4 4.4 4.7 Mob. 2FA NoYesYesMob. Indicators YesYesMob. Alerts NoYesYes -
Customer Support
Score:We evaluated Customer Support at Headway by opening a real account funded with the minimum required deposit (no less than $100) and contacting support to measure response time under real conditions. Our assessment considered contact channels, response speed, multilingual support, and availability hours. Learn the assessment criteria3.2 /10The broker’s customer support shows noticeable weaknesses in responsiveness or communication quality. Delays in replies are common, and resolution may require repeated contact.
In TU testing, response speed was below expectations, and assistance was limited in depth. Traders who rely heavily on support may experience inconvenience.
InformationHeadway provides client support 24/7. Support is not available on national holidays only.
- Support is available in several languages
- The company offers a call center
- Online support may be limited
- The company office can be visited by appointment only
You can use the following communication channels to get help from Headway managers:
- Hotline.
- Email.
- Feedback form.
- Office visit.
Headway assists both clients and investors without active accounts.
Contacts Regulation FSCA Official site https://hw.site Contacts support@headway.com +44 203 150 1111
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Headway Video Guides
FAQs
How do reviews assess Headway’s regulation and overall safety level?
Headway has a safety score of 5.8/10, which corresponds to a Medium security level in this review. It is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa (FSCA SA), offers negative balance protection and KYC verification, but it is not Tier-1 regulated and has a track record of less than 8 years, and the presence of an investor compensation fund is not specified in the section.
What do reviews say about trading commissions and non-trading fees at Headway?
According to this review, Headway’s overall fee level is rated as Medium, with a fees score of 6/10. The broker is noted for low Forex trading fees and the absence of inactivity, deposit, and withdrawal fees, but it does not provide an ECN/Raw Spread account, and all Standard account trading costs are included in floating spreads that can widen during volatile market conditions.
What trading account types and key conditions are available with Headway?
Headway offers Demo, Cent, Standard, Pro, and Swap Free accounts, all with unlimited leverage, a 30% margin call, a 0% stop out, and execution speeds from 0.16 seconds. Minimum deposits range from $1 on the Cent account to $100 on the Pro account, spreads start from 0.3 points on Cent and Standard and from 0.0 points on Pro, and the broker does not provide ECN/Raw spread, Micro, VIP, or managed accounts.
Which markets and instruments can traders access with Headway, according to the review?
The review states that Headway supports 330 tradable assets in total, including 70 currency pairs, along with stocks, commodity futures, cryptocurrencies, and stock indices, but not options. It also notes that bonds, ETFs, PAMM investing, and managed accounts are not available, while a copy trading option is offered.
How do reviews describe the account opening process and verification at Headway?
The review indicates that opening an account with Headway is fully online, with registration taking about 10 minutes and KYC verification typically completed within 2 business days. The minimum deposit is $1, and while the process is described as accessible and relatively fast, it is noted that account approval may require extra time depending on the documentation provided.
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