FP Markets 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 - FP Markets or Headway?
Our pick: FP Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - FP Markets looks preferable to Headway.
FP Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 3 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Headway has 4.4/5 and ranks 20.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is FP Markets suitable for?
FP Markets is optimal for scalpers and algorithmic traders with ECN spreads of 0 pips, active Forex traders, as well as investors interested in copy trading and DMA stocks.
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 FP Markets and Headway
| Broker | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2005 | 2021 |
| Regulated in Countries | Australia, Cyprus, South Africa, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | FP Markets Review | Headway Review |
FP Markets Review
FP Markets successfully combines a strict licensing framework, a fast ECN order book with zero spreads, a rich selection of platforms — ranging from classic MT4/5 to TradingView and Iress DMA — and a developed analytics, education, and 24/7 support infrastructure. This combination makes the broker attractive for active scalpers and algorithmic traders who value speed and moderate commission per lot, as well as for investors preferring copy trading, PAMM/MAM, or DMA stocks via Iress. Beginners will benefit from a low entry of 100 AUD, online courses, and no inactivity fees.
Pros and Cons of FP Markets
Pros
- Robust regulation, serious fund protection plus segregated accounts in AA banks.
- Competitive trading conditions: spreads from 0 pip, commission 6 USD/lot; execution ≈ 20 ms on the NY4 server.
- Rich selection of trading platforms.
- Wide range of instruments.
- Numerous deposit/withdrawal methods.
- Strong analytics and education.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Lack of cent accounts and fixed spread accounts.
- Some analytical materials and software are accessible only with a deposit or trading volume.
FP Markets 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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2005 | 2021 |
| Regulated in Countries | Australia, Cyprus, South Africa, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles | South Africa |
| Regulators |
FP Markets
Multi-tier licenses from ASIC, CySEC and FSCA, fund segregation, and a spotless regulatory history make FP Markets a reliable partner.
Pros
- Tier-1/Tier-2 licenses (ASIC, CySEC)
- Funds held in AA bank accounts, negative balance protection
- Independent order execution audits
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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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FP Markets
Opening an account completely online: registration in up to 5 minutes, verification within an hour, minimum deposit of 100 AUD — you can start trading on the same day.
Pros
- Fast registration and KYC
- Verification in less than one business day
- Commission-free deposit starting from 100 AUD
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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 4.3/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
FP Markets
The FP Markets account lineup is nearly universal — RAW, Standard, Islamic, Iress DMA, demo, and copy trading services meet the needs of most traders, all starting from 100 AUD.
Pros
- Accounts suitable for every trading style
- Free VPS and copy trading
Cons
- No cent/micro account
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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.2 | 0.8 |
| Commission per Lot | $3 | $1.5 |
FP Markets
Transparent pricing: an average ECN commission of $6 per lot, market spreads of ≈1.2 pips on the Standard account, free deposits, and no inactivity charges make the conditions attractive for most traders.
Pros
- No fees for deposits and withdrawals
- No account inactivity fees
Cons
- The Standard account does not offer ultra-narrow spreads
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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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|
FP Markets
You can fund your account instantly and commission-free via any convenient method, and withdrawals are processed within one business day.
Pros
- 0% commission on all deposits
- Cards, e-wallets, crypto, local banks
- Withdrawals processed in less than one business day
Cons
- 0.5–1% commission on currency conversion
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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Forex | 81 | 56 |
| Precious Metals | 17 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 5 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 7 | - |
| Indices | 18 | 32 |
| Stocks | 566 | 292 |
| ETF | 58 | - |
| Bonds | 2 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 12 | 58 |
FP Markets
The FP Markets range covers 700+ CFDs — from 80 currency pairs to DMA stocks on Iress, making portfolio diversification relatively straightforward.
Pros
- 80+ currency pairs, metals, indices, soft commodities
- 500+ CFDs on stocks from Europe, the UK, and the USA
- Leverage up to 1:500 for professional clients
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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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FP Markets
MT4/5, cTrader, TradingView, and Iress provide FP Markets with an almost complete arsenal: from algorithmic trading to DMA stocks. The versatility and fast NY4 connectivity put FP Markets’ platform suite among the best.
Pros
- 4 platforms, including TradingView and Iress DMA
- Execution ≈ 0.02 sec on NY4, supports bots and API
- Mobile and web versions of MT4/5 plus a proprietary application
Cons
- Iress is fee-based without turnover ≥150 AUD
- No browser-based cTrader Web
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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
FP Markets
FP Markets offers a rich analytics suite — Trading Central, Autochartist, Traders Toolbox, TradeMedic, and a daily blog — which covers technical, fundamental, and behavioral analysis; access to some tools requires a deposit/trading volume.
Pros
- Trading Central and Autochartist with alerts
- 12-module Traders Toolbox + TradeMedic
- Economic calendar and daily trading ideas
Cons
- Paid access required for some 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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
FP Markets
FP Markets offers courses, webinars, podcasts, and e-books ranging from basic to advanced, making its educational resources nearly universal.
Pros
- Regular webinars + an extensive video library
- Online courses for traders of various levels
- Numerous e-books
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 | FP Markets | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
Telegram
Whatsapp
TikTokFP Markets
FP Markets’ customer support responds within seconds, operates 24/7, and usually resolves issues on the first contact.
Pros
- 24/7 support
- Multiple support channels
- High support rating
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 FP Markets and Headway with other brokers
Conclusion
FP Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while Headway trails on aggregate criteria.
FP Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 3 in our rating; Headway has 4.4/5 and ranks 20.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: FP Markets or Headway?
FP Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 3) versus Headway (score 4.4/5, position 20).
Which broker is better for beginners: FP Markets or Headway?
FP Markets 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) — FP Markets 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 FP Markets and Headway?
FP Markets: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView. Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with FP Markets and Headway?
FP Markets: 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 FP Markets and Headway?
FP Markets: Standard, Raw. Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by FP Markets and Headway?
FP Markets: Neteller, Skrill, SticPay, FasaPay, Virtual Pay, Pagsmile, Dragonpay, Swift, Rapid Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Asia Banks, Rapyd. Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — FP Markets or Headway — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
