Headway vs XM Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Headway and XM. 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 XM?
Our pick: XM
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - XM looks preferable to Headway.
XM scored 4.7/5 and ranks 2 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 XM suitable for?
Broker XM is suitable for both novice traders, thanks to educational materials, and experienced traders who value a variety of instruments.
Comparison Table of Headway and XM
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2009 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Seychelles |
| 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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| Review | Headway Review | XM 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.
XM Review
XM broker offers a wide range of services, making it an attractive option for various traders. With over 1500 trading instruments, extensive educational resources, and numerous trading platforms, XM is ideally suited for beginners and experienced traders. Novice traders will particularly appreciate the accessible educational materials and low entry threshold, while professionals will find the competitive spreads and diversity of instruments appealing.
Pros and Cons of XM
Pros
- Wide range of trading assets.
- Extensive educational resources.
- Tight spreads on the Ultra Low account.
- Many analytical materials.
- Commission-free deposits and withdrawals.
Cons
- Inactivity fee.
- Standard account has a higher spread than the market average.
XM is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2021 | 2009 |
| Regulated in Countries | South Africa | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, 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
XM
XM is a reliable and well-regulated broker with licenses in key jurisdictions. Segregated accounts, negative balance protection, and a compensation fund make it a safe choice for traders.
Pros
- Licenses from ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, and other regulators
- Segregation of client funds
- Negative balance protection and compensation scheme
Account Opening
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| 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
XM
Opening an account with XM is fast and convenient: registration takes only a few minutes, the interface is intuitive, and document requirements are standard.
Pros
- Fast online registration
- Clear and straightforward KYC process
- Ability to open demo and additional accounts
Account Types
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| 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
XM
XM broker offers various account types to satisfy the needs of different traders, from beginners to professionals.
Pros
- A wide choice of accounts for different experience levels
- Flexible trading conditions (leverage, deposit)
- Specialized accounts for stock trading
Cons
- No ECN or STP accounts
Commissions
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.8 | 1.7 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$1.50 |
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
XM
XM’s fees can be considered competitive: the Ultra Low account offers reduced spreads, while the absence of deposit and withdrawal fees lowers overall costs. With active trading, the conditions are attractive.
Pros
- Reduced spreads on the Ultra Low account
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Ability to lower costs through rebates
Cons
- Above-average spreads on the Standard account
- Inactivity fee applies
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| 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
XM
The broker offers convenient deposit and withdrawal methods with zero commission but lacks cryptocurrency support.
Pros
- Zero commission for deposits and withdrawals
- A minimum limit of only 5 dollars
- Quick processing of withdrawal requests
Cons
- No cryptocurrency deposit/withdrawal options
Markets and Products
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 56 | 55 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 3 |
| Indices | 32 | 50 |
| Stocks | 292 | 1307 |
| Cryptocurrency | 58 | 58 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 8 |
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
XM
The broker offers a wide range of markets and products, including over 1500 items.
Pros
- A large selection of currency pairs
- Access to CFDs on various assets
- The ability to trade cryptocurrencies
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| 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
XM
XM offers various versions of MT4 and MT5 platforms, providing flexibility in trading.
Pros
- Availability on various devices (PC, Mac, mobile)
- MultiTerminal for managing multiple accounts
- WebTrader for browser-based trading
Cons
- No alternatives to MetaTrader
Analytics
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| 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
XM
XM’s analytics are well structured and deeply integrated into the platform. Trading Central, market sentiment tools, calendars, and calculators make them useful for both active trading and careful pre-trade analysis.
Pros
- Trading Central integration and XM in-house analysis
- Economic calendar, corporate events, and calculators
- Clear market sentiment tools
Education
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| 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
XM
XM's educational materials are extensive and varied, suitable for all experience levels.
Pros
- A wide range of materials: webinars, videos, seminars
- Available in different languages
- Daily online sessions with experts
Customer Support
| Broker | Headway | XM |
|---|---|---|
| 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
XM
XM’s customer support operates reliably 24/7, offering multiple contact channels and multilingual assistance. Most issues are resolved quickly and professionally, which supports the broker’s high service rating.
Pros
- 24/7 support via chat, email, phone, and messengers
- Multilingual assistance
- Strong knowledge of products and procedures
Comparisons of Headway and XM with other brokers
Conclusion
XM stands out as the better overall pick, while Headway trails on aggregate criteria.
XM scored 4.7/5 and ranks 2 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 XM?
XM comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 2) versus Headway (score 4.4/5, position 20).
Which broker is better for beginners: Headway or XM?
XM 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 XM?
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 XM?
Headway: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. XM: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Headway and XM?
Headway: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. XM: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Headway and XM?
Headway: Cent, Standard, Pro. XM: Standard, Micro, XM Ultra Low, Shares. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Headway and XM?
Headway: Online wallets, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. XM: Neteller, Skrill, SticPay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Headway or XM — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
