Headway Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
Headway is a regulated CFD broker founded in 2015. It holds a FSA licence under number SD028.
The basics
Headway was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Victoria, Seychelles. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 100 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. All positions are contracts for difference — there is no real asset ownership.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading lets you replicate the positions of other traders automatically.
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Victoria, Seychelles |
| Instruments | 100+ |
| Platforms | MT5 |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | Yes |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only |
Is Headway safe?
The Seychelles FSA is an offshore regulator. It requires broker registration and basic conduct rules, but does not offer the same client protections as the FCA, CySEC, or ASIC. There is no compensation scheme and leverage limits are not imposed.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FSA | SD028 ✓ | Headway Ltd |
You can verify the FSA licence at fsaseychelles.sc. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
Headway spreads
These are the typical spreads on Headway's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 0.9 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.2 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 1.0 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 24c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.5pt |
Headway's EUR/USD spread of 0.9 pips pips is competitive for a retail broker without a per-trade commission.
Headway withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. Headway does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: Instant to 24 hours for e-wallets. Bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
Headway minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which Headway entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headway Ltd | FSA SD028 | $50 | 1:2000 |
Headway vs RoboForex
| Headway | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FSA SD028 | FSC 000138/210 |
| Min deposit | $50 | $10 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.9 pips pips | From 0.0 |
| MetaTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Instruments | 100+ | 12,000+ |
| Copy trading | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | Varies |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. Headway suits traders who value copy trading and social features. RoboForex is better for traders who prioritise tighter spreads.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| FSA | SD028 — Headway Ltd |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:2000 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules. The offshore entity offers up to 1:2000, but with lighter regulatory protection.
Pros and Cons
What works
- FSA regulated
- Low minimum deposit ($50)
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 available
- Copy trading available
- No inactivity fee
What does not work
- No tier-1 regulator (FCA/ASIC/CySEC) — offshore entity only
- No real stock ownership — CFDs only
The verdict
Headway is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FSA licence number SD028 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for social and copy traders. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Headway
If Headway does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is Headway safe?
The Seychelles FSA is an offshore regulator. Headway holds FSA licence SD028, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the Headway minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $50. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the Headway EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on Headway standard accounts is typically 0.9 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does Headway take to process withdrawals?
Instant to 24 hours for e-wallets. Bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days.
Does Headway charge withdrawal fees?
None. Headway does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Headway have MetaTrader?
Yes. Headway supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.