Deriv 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 - Deriv 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 Deriv.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Deriv has 4.3/5 and ranks 27.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is Deriv suitable for?
Deriv may be suitable for beginners looking for a user-friendly platform, a low entry threshold, and the opportunity to trade binary options or CFDs.
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 Deriv and Headway
| Broker | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2020 | 2021 |
| Regulated in Countries | Malaysia, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Jersey, Malta | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:4000 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
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| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | Deriv Review | Headway Review |
Deriv Review
Deriv is an appealing choice for a wide array of traders, particularly those who are just beginning or are at an intermediate level. Its user-friendly approach, diverse platforms, and low-cost structure make it ideal for individuals seeking a straightforward trading experience. While it may not fully satisfy the needs of highly advanced traders due to some limitations in educational and analytical resources, Deriv's overall offering is solid, making it a reliable and accessible broker for most trading requirements.
Pros and Cons of Deriv
Pros
- Simple and fast account opening process.
- A wide variety of account types cater to different trading needs.
- Low commission structure.
- A wide range of trading platforms.
- High-quality technical support with fast and effective responses.
Cons
- Some essential asset classes are absent, and a limited number of CFDs on stocks exist.
- Educational materials are confined to a blog and lack comprehensive learning resources.
Deriv 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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.2/5 | 4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2020 | 2021 |
| Regulated in Countries | Malaysia, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Jersey, Malta | South Africa |
| Regulators |
Deriv
Broker Deriv is relatively reliable, with licenses from various global regulators.
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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
Deriv
The account opening process at Deriv brokerage is quite simple and fast.
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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
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| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:4000 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
Deriv
A wide variety of accounts on Deriv satisfies the needs of different traders, although there are certain limitations.
Pros
- A sufficiently wide selection of account types.
- The ability to trade binary options and multipliers.
Cons
- No accounts with fixed spreads.
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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.5 | 0.8 |
| Commission per Lot | $1.5 |
Deriv
Deriv's commissions are low.
Pros
- No commission for account funding and withdrawal.
- Low spreads and swaps on Financial type accounts.
Cons
- Fee for account inactivity.
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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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|
Deriv
Broker Deriv offers various convenient methods for account funding and withdrawal without commission.
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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 3.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Forex | 57 | 56 |
| Precious Metals | 11 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 2 | 3 |
| Indices | 63 | 32 |
| Stocks | 57 | 292 |
| ETF | 31 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 31 | 58 |
Deriv
A wide range of assets in many segments.
Pros
- A large selection of assets for trading.
- Ability to trade synthetic indices 24/7.
Cons
- Absence of some important asset classes.
- Limited number of CFDs on stocks.
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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
Deriv
Broker Deriv offers a wide range of trading platforms to meet the needs of traders of different levels.
Pros
- A variety of platforms for different types of trading.
- The ability to build trading robots without programming knowledge.
- Has its own mobile application.
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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
Deriv
Deriv offers robust analytics with practical calculators and insightful market analysis, yet there's room for more real-time data tools.
Pros
- Detailed market insights on the Deriv Blog.
- Convenient risk management calculators.
Cons
- Lack of an economic calendar.
- Limited real-time data analytics.
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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
Deriv
Deriv's educational materials are limited to a blog, which restricts opportunities for comprehensive learning.
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 | Deriv | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
|
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| Hotline Phones | — |
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| Social Media |
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
Telegram
TikTokDeriv
Technical support at Deriv operates at a high level, providing fast and quality responses.
Pros
- Wide selection of communication channels.
- Quality and constructive responses.
Cons
- No information on the support schedule is available on the website.
- Some clients complain about the technical support service.
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 Deriv and Headway with other brokers
Conclusion
Headway stands out as the better overall pick, while Deriv trails on aggregate criteria.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our rating; Deriv has 4.3/5 and ranks 27.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Deriv or Headway?
Headway comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 20) versus Deriv (score 4.3/5, position 27).
Which broker is better for beginners: Deriv 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) — Deriv 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 Deriv and Headway?
Deriv: MetaTrader 5, Deriv X, cTrader. Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Deriv and Headway?
Deriv: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, ETF, 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 Deriv and Headway?
Deriv: MT5 Financial, MT5 Derived, Deriv X, Deriv cTrader. Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Deriv and Headway?
Deriv: FasaPay, Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, PaySafeCard, Jeton, SticPay, Airtm, Boleto, Paylivre, OnlineNaira, Beyonic, AstroPay, 1foryou, Volet, Swift, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Diners Club, JCB, PayTrust88, Help2pay, DragonPhoenix, ZingPay, Ngan Luong, Trustly. Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Deriv or Headway — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
