Headway vs Ultima Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Headway and Ultima Markets. 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 Ultima Markets?
Our pick: Ultima Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Ultima Markets looks preferable to Headway.
Ultima Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 19 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 Ultima Markets suitable for?
Ultima Markets is suitable for experienced traders and those who use automated strategies. It is less suitable for beginners due to a lack of educational materials.
Comparison Table of Headway and Ultima Markets
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2016 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | Mauritius, Cyprus |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Headway Review | Ultima Markets 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.
Ultima Markets Review
Ultima Markets is a broker offering a wide range of trading instruments and platforms, making it attractive to various categories of traders. With low trading commissions, user-friendly platforms, and extensive analytical materials, the broker is suitable for experienced traders and those who use automated strategies. However, due to the lack of educational materials, Ultima Markets is less suitable for beginner traders, but it is an excellent choice for anyone who does not require training.
Pros and Cons of Ultima Markets
Pros
- Low trading commissions.
- Coverage of all major trading asset markets.
- Extensive analytical materials and tools.
- Efficient technical support.
Cons
- Lack of educational materials.
- No phone support.
Ultima Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2016 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | Mauritius, Cyprus |
| 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
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets demonstrates high reliability due to multi-tier regulation and client protection through insurance coverage. This makes the broker a safe and trusted partner for traders.
Pros
- Regulation by FSC and CySEC.
- Membership in The Financial Commission.
- Insurance coverage up to $1,000,000 USD.
Cons
- Lack of licenses from stricter regulators such as the FCA or ASIC.
Account Opening
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| 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
Ultima Markets
The account opening process at Ultima Markets is easy, convenient, and quick, making it attractive for new clients.
Pros
- Simple and fast registration.
- Accessible minimum deposit.
- Verification using standard documents.
Account Types
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:2000 |
| 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
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets offers a variety of accounts that meet the needs of different traders, including standard, ECN, cent, and Islamic accounts. However, additional services could make their offering even better.
Pros
- A variety of accounts for different categories of traders.
- Islamic accounts available.
- Own copy trading platform.
Cons
- Lack of fixed spread accounts.
Commissions
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.8 | 1 |
| Commission per Lot | $1.5 | $2.5 |
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
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets has low trading commissions, making it attractive for traders. The absence of inactivity fees and withdrawal fees adds to the advantages.
Pros
- Low commissions on ECN account ($5 per lot).
- Tight spreads on standard account.
- No inactivity fees and withdrawal fees.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| 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
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets offers convenient deposit and withdrawal methods with minimal costs and fast processing time, making the broker attractive for traders.
Pros
- Wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods.
- No withdrawal fees.
Cons
- Withdrawal time up to 5 business days.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Forex | 56 | 60 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 9 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 7 |
| Indices | 32 | 28 |
| Stocks | 292 | 86 |
| Cryptocurrency | 58 | 47 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 7 |
| ETF | - | 6 |
| Bonds | - | 7 |
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
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets provides a wide selection of markets and products, satisfying the needs of most traders.
Pros
- Wide assortment of CFDs.
- Coverage of all major markets.
Cons
- Average number of stock CFDs compared to competitors.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| 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
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets' trading platforms are user-friendly and functional, making them an excellent choice for most traders.
Pros
- Support for MT4 with extensive functionality.
- Intuitive mobile application.
Cons
- Limited choice of platforms.
Analytics
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
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
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets possesses excellent analytics and tools, aiding traders in making informed decisions. However, the lack of unique analytical tools and limited number of trading signals slightly lower the rating.
Pros
- Up-to-date market news.
- Expert analysis of popular instruments.
- Economic calendar and trading calculators.
Cons
- Lack of unique analytical tools.
- Limited number of specialized reviews.
Education
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 1/5 |
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
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets offers limited educational materials, which is insufficient for beginner traders. To improve the level of education, webinars, video tutorials, and articles should be added.
Pros
- Unlimited demo account.
Cons
- Absence of webinars and video tutorials.
- Lack of articles and podcasts.
Customer Support
| Broker | Headway | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| 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
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets' customer support demonstrates high efficiency and professionalism, providing prompt assistance through various communication channels.
Pros
- 24/7 support.
- High response speed.
- Variety of communication channels (email, chat, Telegram).
Cons
- No phone support.
Comparisons of Headway and Ultima Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
Ultima Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while Headway trails on aggregate criteria.
Ultima Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 19 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 Ultima Markets?
Ultima Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 19) versus Headway (score 4.4/5, position 20).
Which broker is better for beginners: Headway or Ultima Markets?
Ultima 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) — Headway or Ultima 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 Ultima Markets?
Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Ultima Markets: MetaTrader 4, WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Headway and Ultima Markets?
Headway: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Ultima Markets: 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 Ultima Markets?
Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. Ultima Markets: Standard, ECN, Standard Cent Account, ECN Cent Account. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Headway and Ultima Markets?
Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Ultima Markets: Alipay, Bank Transfer, UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, Online banking. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Headway or Ultima Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
