Headway vs ThinkMarkets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Headway and ThinkMarkets. 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 - Headway or ThinkMarkets?
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 ThinkMarkets.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas ThinkMarkets has 4/5 and ranks 53.
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 ThinkMarkets suitable for?
ThinkMarkets suits traders who value attractive trading conditions, a wide range of products, analytical tools, and educational materials.
Comparison Table of Headway and ThinkMarkets
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2010 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | Seychelles, United Kingdom, Australia, Cyprus, South Africa, Japan, Cayman Islands |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Headway Review | ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets Review
ThinkMarkets is a highly regulated broker with licenses from the FCA and ASIC, confirming its reliability and operations transparency. The broker offers a wide range of trading platforms suitable for beginners and experienced traders. Extensive analytical resources and educational materials help traders to develop their skills and improve trading efficiency. Round-the-clock support ensures that help is always available, no matter the time of day.
ThinkMarkets is ideal for traders who are looking for a reliable and well-regulated broker with a variety of technological solutions and analytical tools. The broker is especially suitable for active traders who are willing to invest time in learning the market through the training materials offered.
Pros and Cons of ThinkMarkets
Pros
- Wide range of trading platforms.
- Strong analytical support.
- Extensive educational materials.
- 24/7 technical support.
Cons
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
- Withdrawal fees and account inactivity fees.
Reliability
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2010 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | Seychelles, United Kingdom, Australia, Cyprus, South Africa, Japan, Cayman Islands |
| 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
ThinkMarkets
The presence of licenses from authoritative regulators and a good reputation speak to the reliability of ThinkMarkets.
Account Opening
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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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
ThinkMarkets
The account opening process at ThinkMarkets is simple and convenient. However, due to the possible verification process taking up to 2 days, the account opening process may not be as fast as desired.
Account Types
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 5/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| 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
ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets offers two main types of accounts, but the variety of accounts is limited, and there are no accounts for certain groups of traders.
Pros
- Free VPS
- Ability to copy trades of successful traders
Cons
- Lack of cent accounts and fixed spread accounts
- No Islamic account
Commissions
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.5/5 | 2.3/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$1.50 | per 1 lot$3.50 |
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
ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets has average market commissions, making it accessible for most traders. However, it should be noted that the broker charges some non-trading commissions.
Pros
- Transparent commission structure.
Cons
- Conversion fee for withdrawals in a currency other than the base currency.
- Inactivity fee.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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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
ThinkMarkets
The broker offers convenient methods for depositing and withdrawing funds, most of which are commission-free, however, there may be delays in withdrawals.
Pros
- Wide selection of deposit and withdrawal methods.
- No commission for most deposit and withdrawal cases.
Cons
- Conversion fee for withdrawals in a currency other than the base currency.
- Potential long withdrawal times due to meticulous transaction verification
Markets and Products
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 56 | 46 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 10 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 3 |
| Indices | 32 | 15 |
| Stocks | 292 | 3305 |
| Cryptocurrency | 58 | 21 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 3 |
| ETF | - | 364 |
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
ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets offers a highly diverse range of trading instruments.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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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
ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets offers a wide selection of platforms, including popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, as well as proprietary developments such as ThinkTrader and ThinkCopy.
Analytics
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
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
ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets provides high-quality analytical tools, making trading informative and productive.
Pros
- Extensive set of market analysis tools.
- Availability of Traders' Gym for strategy testing.
- Daily trading signals and market news.
Cons
- Some tools are only available for certain types of accounts.
Education
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
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
ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets offers high-quality educational materials covering a wide range of topics.
Pros
- Wide range of topics in articles.
- Webinars from experts.
- Materials for traders of all levels.
Cons
- Lack of video tutorials.
Customer Support
| Broker | Headway | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| 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
ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets offers a wide range of communication channels with support, including phone numbers in different countries, email, and online chat. Additionally, support is available 24/7, ensuring prompt assistance at any time of the day.
Comparisons of Headway and ThinkMarkets with other brokers
Conclusion
Headway stands out as the better overall pick, while ThinkMarkets trails on aggregate criteria.
Headway scored 4.4/5 and ranks 20 in our rating; ThinkMarkets has 4/5 and ranks 53.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Headway or ThinkMarkets?
Headway comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 20) versus ThinkMarkets (score 4/5, position 53).
Which broker is better for beginners: Headway or ThinkMarkets?
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 ThinkMarkets?
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 ThinkMarkets?
Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. ThinkMarkets: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ThinkTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Headway and ThinkMarkets?
Headway: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. ThinkMarkets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Headway and ThinkMarkets?
Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. ThinkMarkets: Standard, ThinkZero. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Headway and ThinkMarkets?
Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. ThinkMarkets: Neteller, Skrill, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Headway or ThinkMarkets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
