ActivTrades vs Headway Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - ActivTrades or Headway?
Our pick: Headway
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Headway looks preferable to ActivTrades.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas ActivTrades has 4.3/5 and ranks 28.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is ActivTrades suitable for?
ActivTrades is suitable for beginners who value simplicity and educational materials and experienced traders who prefer MetaTrader and a wide range of instruments.
Who is Headway suitable for?
Headway is suitable for beginners and retail traders who value a low entry threshold, tight spreads, Copytrade, and access to Forex, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
Comparison Table of ActivTrades and Headway
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2000 | 2021 |
| Regulated in Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Headway Review |
ActivTrades Review
ActivTrades is suitable for beginner traders who value simplicity and intuitive trading platforms, as well as a variety of educational materials to improve their skills. Moreover, this broker can be a suitable option for experienced traders who prefer to trade various instruments and use the powerful features of the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingView platforms.
However, for traders with more specific requirements, such as a variety of trading accounts or individual conditions for professional traders, ActivTrades may be less attractive.
Pros and Cons of ActivTrades
Pros
- Wide range of trading assets.
- A wide variety of trading platforms.
- Extensive training materials including webinars, videos, articles and guides.
- Professional Support Team.
Cons
- Lack of diversity in trading accounts.
ActivTrades is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Headway Review
Headway is a broker with accessible starting conditions, a low minimum deposit, competitive fees, and a fairly wide range of instruments. Its strengths include a Cent account from $1, tight spreads, low commission on the Pro account, support for MT4/MT5, the availability of Copytrade, and convenient ways to deposit and withdraw funds. At the same time, the broker still lags behind larger competitors in the strength of regulation, depth of analytics, and overall reputation, since it is a young company with an FSCA license.
Headway is best suited for beginner traders who need a low entry threshold, as well as retail traders looking for low-cost trading in Forex, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. The broker may also be interesting for those who want to use copy trading or start with a small amount of capital. However, traders who prioritize the strongest possible regulation, advanced analytics, and the widest possible product lineup may find Headway less suitable.
Pros and Cons of Headway
Pros
- Low entry threshold: a Cent account is available with a deposit from $1.
- Tight spreads and low trading commissions.
- Cent, Standard, and Pro accounts are available, as well as a demo account and an Islamic account.
- Wide range of instruments, especially stocks, cryptocurrencies, and Forex.
- Many deposit and withdrawal methods with no broker-side fees.
Cons
- Regulation is limited to an FSCA license, with no Tier-1 jurisdictions.
- A young company with a relatively short operating history.
- Analytics and education are only at a basic level.
- According to reviews, the quality of customer support is not always consistent.
Reliability
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2000 | 2021 |
| Regulated in Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | South Africa |
| Regulators |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades - highly regulated, transparent broker with a good reputation. International regulation and client fund protection make it a reliable choice.
Headway
Headway is a moderately reliable broker with an FSCA license, but in terms of regulatory strength and reputation it lags behind companies with Tier-1 licenses and a longer operating history.
Pros
- Has an active FSCA license
- The legal entity is clearly disclosed
Cons
- No strong Tier-1 regulation
- A young company without a long track record
Account Opening
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
ActivTrades
The account opening process at ActivTrades is quite accessible for most traders, but verification can take a significant amount of time.
Headway
Opening an account with Headway is convenient and fairly fast. The registration procedure is simple, the interface is clear, and the overall process meets the expectations of most modern traders.
Pros
- Simple registration
- User-friendly interface
- Quick start
Account Types
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers 2 trading accounts suitable for most traders, but some options are missing.
Pros
- Availability of an Islamic account.
Cons
- No STP/ECN accounts.
- Lack of fixed spread accounts.
- Investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading) are not offered.
Headway
Headway offers a fairly diverse range of accounts that suits beginners, retail traders, and more experienced users.
Pros
- Cent, Standard, and Pro are available
- A demo account is available
- Copytrade and an Islamic account are available
Commissions
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1 | 0.8 |
| Commission per Lot | $1.5 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers average commissions with tight spreads, but high swap rates and inactivity fees.
Headway
Headway's fees are low: the broker offers tight spreads, very low commission on the Pro account, and fee-free withdrawals, although swaps remain average for the market.
Pros
- Tight spreads
- Low commission on Pro
- No withdrawal fee
Cons
- Swaps are average for the market
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers a variety of convenient methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.
Pros
- Diversity of payment systems.
- Most transactions are commission-free.
- Fast processing of requests.
Cons
- No options for using cryptocurrencies.
Headway
Deposits and withdrawals at Headway are well organized: many payment methods are available, the broker does not charge fees, and transactions are processed fairly quickly.
Pros
- Wide selection of methods
- No broker fees
- Fast processing of transactions
Cons
- The set of methods depends on the country
- A verified account is required for cards
- External network/payment-system fees may apply
Markets and Products
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Forex | 49 | 56 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 7 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 9 | - |
| Indices | 31 | 32 |
| Stocks | 1035 | 292 |
| ETF | 75 | - |
| Bonds | 6 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 12 | 58 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers a wide range of trading instruments, providing access to all major markets, making it attractive to various traders.
Headway
Headway offers a fairly wide range of markets and instruments, especially stocks, cryptocurrencies, and Forex. However, the lineup is not fully comprehensive: the broker does not provide CFDs on soft commodities.
Pros
- Wide selection of stocks
- Many cryptocurrencies
- Synthetic instruments are available
Cons
- No CFDs on soft commodities
- Limited metals and energy instruments
Trading Platforms
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers diverse trading platforms, each catering to different trading needs, combining efficiency, advanced features, and user-friendly interfaces.
Pros
- Multiple platforms including MT4, MT5, ActivTrader, and TradingView integration.
- Advanced tools and features for comprehensive market analysis.
- Customization options and social trading aspects in TradingView.
Headway
Headway offers a convenient and functional set of platforms based on MT4 and MT5, complemented by web versions and its own mobile app. The selection is solid, though it lacks some niche professional alternatives.
Pros
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 are available
- Web versions are available
- There is a mobile app
Cons
- No cTrader or TradingView
Analytics
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades provides extensive analytical resources, including market analysis, economic calendar, technical analysis tools, trading signals, and ideas.
Headway
Headway's analytics are basic: an economic calendar, news, and a blog are available, but it lacks expert forecasts, signals, and additional tools for full analytical support.
Pros
- An economic calendar is available
- News and a blog are available
Cons
- Little expert analysis
- No trading signals
- No Autochartist or calculators
Education
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers high-quality and diverse educational materials that will be useful for traders of any level.
Headway
Headway's education is primarily suited to beginners: there is a basic course and a blog, but in depth and variety the section falls short of brokers with a more developed educational ecosystem.
Pros
- A beginners' course is available
- Supplemented by the blog
Cons
- Few learning formats
- No webinars or video tutorials
- Materials are basic
Customer Support
| Broker | ActivTrades | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
|
|
| Hotline Phones |
|
|
| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Instagram
Telegram
TikTokActivTrades
ActivTrades' technical support is commendable for its professionalism, diverse communication channels, and 24/5 availability.
Pros
- Highly professional and knowledgeable staff.
- Multiple contact options including phone, chat, and email.
- 24/5 availability.
Headway
Headway's customer support looks accessible and convenient: there are many contact channels and support operates 24/7, but according to reviews, service quality is not always consistent.
Pros
- Many contact channels
- Online chat available
- 24/7 support
Cons
- Mixed customer reviews
- Response quality is not always consistent
- Not all issues are resolved equally quickly
Comparisons of ActivTrades and Headway with other brokers
Conclusion
Headway stands out as the better overall pick, while ActivTrades trails on aggregate criteria.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our rating; ActivTrades has 4.3/5 and ranks 28.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: ActivTrades or Headway?
Headway comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 20) versus ActivTrades (score 4.3/5, position 28).
Which broker is better for beginners: ActivTrades or Headway?
Headway is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — ActivTrades or Headway?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with ActivTrades and Headway?
ActivTrades: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ActivTrader, TradingView. Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with ActivTrades and Headway?
ActivTrades: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Headway: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by ActivTrades and Headway?
ActivTrades: Individual, Pro. Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by ActivTrades and Headway?
ActivTrades: Neteller, Skrill, AstroPay, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — ActivTrades or Headway — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
