Headway vs Plus500 Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
Plus500We 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 Plus500?
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 Plus500.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Plus500 has 4.3/5 and ranks 23.
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 Plus500 suitable for?
Plus500 is a robust choice for seasoned traders who appreciate a variety of trading CFDs and advanced analytical capabilities.
Comparison Table of Headway and Plus500
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.6 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | Headway Review | Plus500 Review |
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.
Plus500 Review
Plus500 is ideal for traders seeking a convenient and intuitive platform with a broad spectrum of trading instruments. It's particularly well-suited for those who value a diverse range of CFDs on stocks, indices, currencies, commodities, and ETFs. The built-in Insight+ analytics tool is a significant advantage for those keen on analyzing trends and activities based on real-time data.
Pros and Cons of Plus500
Pros
- Intuitive CFD trading platform.
- 24/7 support.
- Built-in analytics.
- Diversity of trading assets.
Cons
- Limited channels for communication with technical support.
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
Plus500 is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
| 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
Plus500
Plus500 is registered and regulated in several jurisdictions by authoritative bodies. This means that the broker is required to adhere to strict financial standards and provide regular reports on its activities to regulators.
Account Opening
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
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
Plus500
Opening an account with Plus500 is straightforward due to its fast registration and low minimum deposit. Beginners should use the demo account and Trading Academy to learn before real trading.
Account Types
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.6 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free 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
Plus500
The lack of account diversity and market execution of orders at Plus500 significantly limits flexibility and opportunities for traders of various categories.
Commissions
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.6 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Commission per Lot | $1.5 |
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
Plus500
Plus500 offers clients market average trading commissions.
Pros
- No commission for deposit or withdrawal.
Cons
- Inactivity account fee.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
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
Plus500
Plus500 offers convenient and diverse methods for depositing and withdrawing funds, but processing requests may take up to 3 business days.
Pros
- Wide selection of payment systems.
- No commission for depositing and withdrawing.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 56 | 65 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 5 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 7 |
| Indices | 32 | 36 |
| Stocks | 292 | 1550 |
| Cryptocurrency | 58 | - |
| Soft Commodities | - | 10 |
| ETF | - | 96 |
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
Plus500
Plus500 offers a deep diversity of products and markets, including CFDs on currencies, indices, commodities, stocks, and ETFs from various countries worldwide.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
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
Plus500
Plus500 offers an efficient, user-friendly platform, however, there is no choice between platforms.
Pros
- Proprietary platform
- Available on mobile devices.
Cons
- No choice between platforms.
Analytics
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
- An economic calendar is available
- News and a blog are available
Cons
- Little expert analysis
- No trading signals
- No Autochartist or calculators
Plus500
Plus500 offers good analytical tools and useful services.
Pros
- Insights+
- ESG scoring
- Convenient risk management tools
Education
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
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
- A beginners' course is available
- Supplemented by the blog
Cons
- Few learning formats
- No webinars or video tutorials
- Materials are basic
Plus500
Plus500 offers its users quality training through webinars, interactive materials and e-books. This allows traders to gain comprehensive knowledge for a successful start and effective trading.
Pros
- Quality and detailed video lessons
- Free webinars from independent experts
- Interactive guides and e-books
Customer Support
| Broker | Headway | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Email Support |
|
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| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media |
Instagram
Facebook
Telegram
YouTube
LinkedIn
TikTok
TwitterHeadway
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
Plus500
The Plus500 customer support is limited and not ideal, although it provides support in multiple languages 24/7.
Pros
- Support in many languages.
- Operates around the clock.
Cons
- Lack of direct communication channels (e.g., telephone).
- Potential delays in responses due to limited communication channels.
Comparisons of Headway and Plus500 with other brokers
Conclusion
Headway stands out as the better overall pick, while Plus500 trails on aggregate criteria.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our rating; Plus500 has 4.3/5 and ranks 23.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Headway or Plus500?
Headway comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 20) versus Plus500 (score 4.3/5, position 23).
Which broker is better for beginners: Headway or Plus500?
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 Plus500?
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 Plus500?
Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Plus500: WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Headway and Plus500?
Headway: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Plus500: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Headway and Plus500?
Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. Plus500: Plus500. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Headway and Plus500?
Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Plus500: PayPal, Skrill, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Headway or Plus500 — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
