Broker comparison

Headway vs NPB Markets Comparison

Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Headway and NPB Markets. Find out which broker is best for you.

VS summaryScores and ranking at a glance
HeadwayHigher ranked
Rating
4.4/5
Rank
#20
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Trading CFDs carries high risks. You may lose all invested funds

NPB Markets
Rating
4.2/5
Rank
#36
Register

Trading CFDs carries high risks. You may lose all invested funds

  • Conditions, fees and platforms compared
  • Ratings and ranking positions checked
  • Based on our review methodology
How we compare brokers
Updated

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 - Headway or NPB Markets?

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 NPB Markets.

Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas NPB Markets has 4.2/5 and ranks 36.

This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.

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.

Who is NPB Markets suitable for?

NPB Markets is ideal for traders who value STP accounts, education, MetaTrader 4, participation in contests, and a decent selection of markets and products

Comparison Table of Headway and NPB Markets

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Rating
4.4/5
4.2/5
Foundation Year20212016
Regulated in CountriesSouth AfricaComoros
Minimum Deposit
  • 10 EUR
  • 1 USD
  • 10 EUR
  • 500 RUB
  • 10 USD
Spreadfrom 0 pointsfrom 0.1 points
Max Leverage1:20001:1000
Trading Assets (CFDs)
  • Forex
  • Precious Metals
  • Energy Carriers
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Forex
  • Precious Metals
  • Energy Carriers
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • ETF
  • Cryptocurrency
Trading Platforms
  • MetaTrader 4
  • MetaTrader 5
  • MetaTrader 4
ReviewHeadway ReviewNPB Markets Review

Headway Review

Headway Logo
RegisterTrading CFDs carries high risks. You may lose all invested funds
Countries of registration:
Regulators:
Trading Assets
Forex Precious Metals Energy Carriers Indices Stocks Cryptocurrency
Trading Platforms
MetaTrader 4MetaTrader 5
compare Headway trading accounts

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

  1. Low entry threshold: a Cent account is available with a deposit from $1.
  2. Tight spreads and low trading commissions.
  3. Cent, Standard, and Pro accounts are available, as well as a demo account and an Islamic account.
  4. Wide range of instruments, especially stocks, cryptocurrencies, and Forex.
  5. Many deposit and withdrawal methods with no broker-side fees.

Cons

  1. Regulation is limited to an FSCA license, with no Tier-1 jurisdictions.
  2. A young company with a relatively short operating history.
  3. Analytics and education are only at a basic level.
  4. According to reviews, the quality of customer support is not always consistent.

NPB Markets Review

NPB Markets Logo
RegisterTrading CFDs carries high risks. You may lose all invested funds
Countries of registration:
Regulators:
Trading Assets
Forex Precious Metals Energy Carriers Indices Stocks ETF Cryptocurrency
Trading Platforms
MetaTrader 4
compare NPB Markets trading accounts

NPB Markets is suitable for novice and experienced traders, thanks to its extensive educational program, various account types, and set of trading instruments. The broker is particularly noteworthy for those who value quality technical analysis and a diversity of trading instruments.

Despite certain drawbacks, NPB Markets provides quality service and can be used by most traders.

Pros and Cons of NPB Markets

Pros

  1. A rich selection of analytical tools and resources.
  2. Extensive education section.
  3. A variety of trading account types.
  4. Numerous available methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.

Cons

  1. Lack of alternatives to the MetaTrader 4 platform.
  2. Regulation in an offshore jurisdiction.

NPB Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:

Reliability

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Reliability
4/5
3.2/5
Foundation Year20212016
Regulated in CountriesSouth AfricaComoros
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

  1. Has an active FSCA license
  2. The legal entity is clearly disclosed

Cons

  1. No strong Tier-1 regulation
  2. A young company without a long track record

NPB Markets

The broker has certain protective measures but is registered in offshore jurisdictions.

Pros

  1. Membership in The Financial Commission.
  2. Existence of a Compensation Fund.
  3. Regulation by multiple bodies.

Cons

  1. Registration in offshore jurisdictions.
  2. Lack of information on deposit insurance.

Account Opening

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Account Opening
5/5
5/5
Minimum Deposit
  • 1 USD
  • 10 EUR
  • 10 USD
  • 10 EUR
  • 500 RUB

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

  1. Simple registration
  2. User-friendly interface
  3. Quick start

NPB Markets

Opening an account with NPB Markets is straightforward, with a short registration form, clear verification requirements, and three base currencies.

Pros

  1. Simple registration.
  2. Clear document requirements.

Account Types

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Account Types
5/5
4.5/5
Trading Accounts
  • Cent
  • Standard
  • Pro
  • Master
  • Zero
  • Expert
  • VIP
  • Standard Cent
Minimum Deposit
  • 1 USD
  • 10 EUR
  • 10 USD
  • 10 EUR
  • 500 RUB
Spreadfrom 0 pointsfrom 0.1 points
Max Leverage1:20001:1000
Trading Assets (CFDs)
  • Forex
  • Precious Metals
  • Energy Carriers
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Forex
  • Precious Metals
  • Energy Carriers
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • ETF
  • Cryptocurrency
Trading Platforms
  • MetaTrader 4
  • MetaTrader 5
  • MetaTrader 4
Demo Account
Swap-free Account

Headway

Headway offers a fairly diverse range of accounts that suits beginners, retail traders, and more experienced users.

Pros

  1. Cent, Standard, and Pro are available
  2. A demo account is available
  3. Copytrade and an Islamic account are available

NPB Markets

The broker offers a wide range of accounts, meeting the needs of different traders.

Pros

  1. STP accounts
  2. Opportunity to copy trades of successful traders.
  3. Availability of cent accounts for beginners.

Cons

  1. No accounts with fixed spreads.

Commissions

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Commissions
4.5/5
4/5
Spreadfrom 0 pointsfrom 0.1 points
Average Spread (EURUSD)0.81.2
Commissionper 1 lot$1.50per 1 lot$4.00

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

  1. Tight spreads
  2. Low commission on Pro
  3. No withdrawal fee

Cons

  1. Swaps are average for the market

NPB Markets

NPB Markets offers average market spreads and swaps.

Pros

  1. No inactivity fee.
  2. No withdrawal fee.
  3. Cashback with up to 60% spread return

Cons

  1. Average spreads and swaps.

Deposit and Withdrawal

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Rating
4.5/5
4.5/5
Account Funding Methods
  • Online wallets
  • Bank Transfer
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • WebMoney
  • Skrill
  • Neteller
  • Volet
  • Swift
  • SEPA
  • Visa
  • Mastercard

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

  1. Wide selection of methods
  2. No broker fees
  3. Fast processing of transactions

Cons

  1. The set of methods depends on the country
  2. A verified account is required for cards
  3. External network/payment-system fees may apply

NPB Markets

The broker offers a wide selection of deposit and withdrawal methods, with no commission on deposits and commission compensation on the first withdrawal.

Pros

  1. Multiple deposit/withdrawal methods.
  2. No deposit fee.
  3. Commission compensation on the first withdrawal.

Cons

  1. Withdrawal processing time can be long.
  2. High commission of payment systems on withdrawal

Markets and Products

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Markets and Products
4.5/5
4/5
Forex5638
Precious Metals32
Energy Carriers33
Indices3211
Stocks29262
Cryptocurrency585
ETF-2

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

  1. Wide selection of stocks
  2. Many cryptocurrencies
  3. Synthetic instruments are available

Cons

  1. No CFDs on soft commodities
  2. Limited metals and energy instruments

NPB Markets

NPB Markets offers a sufficiently broad range of trading instruments, including Forex, CFDs on metals, energy carriers, indices, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. However, some brokers may offer an even greater number of instruments and markets.

Trading Platforms

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Rating
4.5/5
4/5
Trading Platforms
  • MetaTrader 4
  • MetaTrader 5
  • MetaTrader 4

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

  1. MetaTrader 4 and 5 are available
  2. Web versions are available
  3. There is a mobile app

Cons

  1. No cTrader or TradingView

NPB Markets

NPB Markets platforms provide functionality and convenience for different categories of traders.

Pros

  1. Use of the popular MetaTrader 4 platform.
  2. NPB Invest trade copying service.

Cons

  1. Lack of alternatives to MT4

Analytics

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Rating
3.5/5
5/5

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

  1. An economic calendar is available
  2. News and a blog are available

Cons

  1. Little expert analysis
  2. No trading signals
  3. No Autochartist or calculators

NPB Markets

NPB Markets offers an extensive set of analytical tools, including news updates, signals based on technical analysis, and even direct chat with analysts.

Education

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Rating
3.5/5
4/5

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

  1. A beginners' course is available
  2. Supplemented by the blog

Cons

  1. Few learning formats
  2. No webinars or video tutorials
  3. Materials are basic

NPB Markets

The broker offers a wide range of educational opportunities, including e-books, video courses, and strategies provided by leading training centers.

Customer Support

BrokerHeadwayNPB Markets
Rating
4/5
5/5
Email Support
  • care@hw.site
  • client.payments@npbfx.com
  • client.trading@npbfx.com
Hotline Phones
  • +27 10 2402 0603
  • +448000698470
Social Media

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

  1. Many contact channels
  2. Online chat available
  3. 24/7 support

Cons

  1. Mixed customer reviews
  2. Response quality is not always consistent
  3. Not all issues are resolved equally quickly

NPB Markets

Numerous communication channels are available, including online consultant, personal manager, email, and phone. The customer support schedule is also quite extensive, providing support at almost any time.

Comparisons of Headway and NPB Markets with other brokers

Conclusion

Headway stands out as the better overall pick, while NPB Markets trails on aggregate criteria.

Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our rating; NPB Markets has 4.2/5 and ranks 36.

We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.

FAQ

Which broker is better: Headway or NPB Markets?

Headway comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 20) versus NPB Markets (score 4.2/5, position 36).

Which broker is better for beginners: Headway or NPB Markets?

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) — Headway or NPB Markets?

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 Headway and NPB Markets?

Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. NPB Markets: MetaTrader 4. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.

What markets can you trade with Headway and NPB Markets?

Headway: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. NPB Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.

What account types are offered by Headway and NPB Markets?

Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. NPB Markets: Master, Zero, Expert, VIP, Standard Cent. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.

What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Headway and NPB Markets?

Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. NPB Markets: WebMoney, Skrill, Neteller, Volet, Swift, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.

Which broker is safer — Headway or NPB Markets — and how was this assessed?

We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.

Nikolay is an experienced specialist in financial markets and co-founder of IamForexTrader. He has been successfully trading Forex since 2014 and has been actively involved in the cryptocurrency market since 2017.

He develops investment strategies adaptable to any level of experience and has been actively investing in stocks, bonds and ETFs since 2018.