xChief vs Headway Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers xChief and Headway. Find out which broker is best for you.
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 - xChief 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 xChief.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas xChief has 4.2/5 and ranks 38.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is xChief suitable for?
xChief is suitable for traders looking for a wide range of trading instruments and low spreads. However, the broker is not suitable for those seeking a strong analytical section and educational courses
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 xChief and Headway
| Broker | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2014 | 2021 |
| Regulated in Countries | Comoros, South Africa, Kazakhstan | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | xChief Review | Headway Review |
xChief Review
xChief offers traders a variety of opportunities and services for successful trading in the Forex market. With a wide selection of trading instruments, reliable trading platforms, contests, and educational materials, the broker creates conditions for developing traders of all experience levels.
Pros and Cons of xChief
Pros
- A wide range of trading instruments.
- Availability of cent and PAMM accounts.
- Tight spreads and low commission per transaction.
- Scalping and algorithmic trading allowed.
Cons
- Weak analytical section.
- No educational courses and webinars for beginner traders.
xChief 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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2014 | 2021 |
| Regulated in Countries | Comoros, South Africa, Kazakhstan | South Africa |
| Regulators |
xChief
xChief’s reliability can be rated as average. The group holds MISA, FSCA, and AFSA licences, but most retail clients are served by the offshore entity XCHIEF LTD, which provides a limited level of protection.
Pros
- The group includes several regulated entities.
- Holds FSCA and AFSA licences.
Cons
- Most retail accounts are regulated by MISA.
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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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xChief
Opening an account with Forex Chief is simple and fast thanks to a clear registration and verification process.
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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
xChief
Forex Chief offers a variety of account types, satisfying the needs of different traders, from beginners to professionals.
Pros
- Wide selection of accounts: DirectFX, Classic+, cent, and Islamic.
- Demo accounts are available for novice traders.
- Investment accounts available: PAMM accounts and copy trading.
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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$2.50 | per 1 lot$1.50 |
xChief
Forex Chief offers attractive commissions and tight spreads, although swaps are average for the market. Rebates add extra benefits for active traders.
Pros
- Low commission per trade.
- Tight spreads.
- No inactivity fees and no withdrawal fees.
Cons
- High swaps.
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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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xChief
ForexChief offers a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods without any fees on their part, with fast processing of requests.
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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Forex | 39 | 56 |
| Precious Metals | 2 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 3 |
| Indices | 10 | 32 |
| Stocks | 100 | 292 |
| Cryptocurrency | 5 | 58 |
xChief
Forex Chief offers a respectable variety of trading instruments.
Pros
- Wide range of currency pairs and CFDs.
- Access to cryptocurrency trading.
- Flexible margin requirements.
Cons
- Lack of soft commodities.
- Limited number of stock CFDs.
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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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xChief
Forex Chief offers widely used and functional MT4 and MT5 platforms, providing convenience and accessibility for traders.
Pros
- Use of popular and proven MT4 and MT5 platforms.
- Availability of platforms on various OS (Windows, iOS, Android).
Cons
- Lack of proprietary unique platform.
- Limited selection of platforms compared to some competitors.
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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3/5 | 3.5/5 |
xChief
ForexChief offers basic analytical tools, but they are generally insufficient for serious trading.
Pros
- Current central bank interest rates.
- Convenient trader's calculator.
Cons
- Outdated economic articles.
- Insufficient variety of analytical tools.
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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3/5 | 3.5/5 |
xChief
ForexChief's educational materials cover the basics, but do not offer in-depth training.
Pros
- Wide range of article topics for beginners.
- Various trading strategies and indicators are presented.
Cons
- Lack of more advanced materials.
- No video tutorials or webinars.
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 | xChief | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
Telegram
TikTokxChief
ForexChief support is well-organized and easily accessible, but has limited operating hours.
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 xChief and Headway with other brokers
Conclusion
Headway stands out as the better overall pick, while xChief trails on aggregate criteria.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our rating; xChief has 4.2/5 and ranks 38.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: xChief or Headway?
Headway comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 20) versus xChief (score 4.2/5, position 38).
Which broker is better for beginners: xChief 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) — xChief 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 xChief and Headway?
xChief: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with xChief and Headway?
xChief: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, 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 xChief and Headway?
xChief: CENT, Classic+, DirectFX, xPRIME. Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by xChief and Headway?
xChief: Skrill, Neteller, Volet, WebMoney, FasaPay, SEPA, Credit and Debit Cards, Online banking. Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — xChief or Headway — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
