Headway vs Tickmill 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 - Headway or Tickmill?
Our pick: Tickmill
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Tickmill looks preferable to Headway.
Tickmill scored 4.5/5 and ranks 12 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 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 Tickmill suitable for?
Tickmill is suitable for beginners due to accessible educational materials and for experienced traders who value low trading commissions and stable platforms.
Comparison Table of Headway and Tickmill
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2013 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | United Kingdom, Cyprus, South Africa, Seychelles |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
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| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | Headway Review | Tickmill 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.
Tickmill Review
Tickmill offers high-quality services and conditions for trading on the international Forex market. With reliable regulation, access to popular trading platforms, and comprehensive educational and analytical materials, Tickmill becomes an attractive choice for traders of different experience levels.
The broker is suitable for novice traders, thanks to accessible educational materials and the ease of opening an account, as well as for experienced traders who value low spreads, platform stability, and a variety of trading instruments.
Pros and Cons of Tickmill
Pros
- Low trading fees.
- Variety of trading platforms.
- Extensive library of educational materials and analytical tools.
Cons
- Not enough different types of trading accounts.
Tickmill is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2013 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | United Kingdom, Cyprus, South Africa, Seychelles |
| 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
Tickmill
Tickmill's reliability is confirmed by its regulation by leading international organizations and licensing by the relevant governmental bodies.
Account Opening
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| 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
Tickmill
Opening an account with Tickmill is a straightforward and relatively quick process, but it does require document verification.
Pros
- Ease of understanding the process.
- Detailed instructions at each step.
Cons
- The verification process can take up to 24 business hours.
- The minimum deposit of $100 may be high for beginners.
Account Types
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| 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
Tickmill
Tickmill offers a flexible selection of accounts, satisfying different categories of traders. However, the absence of certain types of accounts may limit options.
Pros
- The presence of an Islamic account that adheres to Sharia principles.
- Availability of a free demo account.
- The ability to copy trades of successful traders.
Cons
- Lack of cent accounts.
- Fixed spread accounts are not offered.
Commissions
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.8 | 1.6 |
| Commission per Lot | $1.5 | $3 |
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
Tickmill
Tickmill offers competitive conditions with average commissions, which is pleasantly surprising with the absence of fees for deposits and withdrawals.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| 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
Tickmill
Tickmill provides a wide choice of deposit and withdrawal methods without charging fees, ensuring high-speed processing of transactions.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 56 | 62 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 4 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 2 |
| Indices | 32 | 23 |
| Stocks | 292 | 489 |
| Cryptocurrency | 58 | 9 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 2 |
| ETF | - | 23 |
| Bonds | - | 4 |
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
Tickmill
Tickmill offers diverse trading assets, including currency pairs, stock indices, commodities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Tickmill
Tickmill offers proven MT4 and MT5 terminals, its mobile app, integration with TradingView, and an innovative platform for automatic trade copying - Pelican Trading.
Pros
- Reliable and functional MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms and integration with TradingView.
- Mobile app for trading on the go.
- An interesting solution for automatic trade copying with Pelican Trading.
Analytics
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Tickmill
Tickmill offers extensive analytical tools, including regular reviews, Autochartist, and the Signal Centre tool.
Pros
- Daily fundamental and technical analytical reviews.
- Useful analysis tools such as Autochartist and Signal Centre.
- Market sentiment information and handy Forex calculators.
Education
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Tickmill
Tickmill provides a comprehensive package of educational materials, including webinars, seminars, eBooks, video tutorials, and a blog.
Pros
- A wide variety of learning formats to suit different trader preferences.
- Periodic webinars and seminars with experts for in-depth understanding of trading.
- Regularly updated analytical and educational materials in the blog.
Customer Support
| Broker | Headway | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Instagram
Facebook
Telegram
YouTube
LinkedIn
TikTok
Twitter
VKHeadway
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
Tickmill
Tickmill's technical support is high quality, available through various channels, and provides timely responses.
Pros
- Email inquiries responded to within 24 hours.
- Professionalism and competence of staff.
Cons
- Support is not available 24/7.
- Can only call an international phone number.
- Messengers are not among the communication channels.
Comparisons of Headway and Tickmill with other brokers
Conclusion
Tickmill stands out as the better overall pick, while Headway trails on aggregate criteria.
Tickmill scored 4.5/5 and ranks 12 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: Headway or Tickmill?
Tickmill comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.5/5, position 12) versus Headway (score 4.4/5, position 20).
Which broker is better for beginners: Headway or Tickmill?
Tickmill 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 Tickmill?
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 Tickmill?
Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Tickmill: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Headway and Tickmill?
Headway: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Tickmill: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Headway and Tickmill?
Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. Tickmill: Classic, Raw. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Headway and Tickmill?
Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Tickmill: Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, WebMoney, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Headway or Tickmill — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
