N
Nurhadi
Professional Forex & Gold Trader · 8+ years live markets
Last updated: June 30, 2026 · Full Headway Review →
Headway Account Types 2026: Cent vs Standard vs Pro Compared
Headway offers three account types with genuine structural differences — not just different color schemes on the same product. The right choice depends on your capital, trading frequency, and whether you prefer simple spread-only pricing or raw spread with commission. Here's the honest comparison.
Quick Overview — Headway Accounts
- Cent: $1 minimum, cent lots (100x smaller risk), no commission — best for beginners
- Standard: $10 minimum, standard lots, floating spread, no commission
- Pro: $100 minimum, raw spread from 0.0 pip, $3 round-turn commission
- All accounts: 500+ instruments, swap-free available, leverage up to unlimited
- MT4 and MT5 supported on all account types
- No deposit, withdrawal, or inactivity fees
Account Comparison at a Glance
BEGINNER
Cent
$1
minimum deposit
- Cent lots (100x smaller)
- Spread from 0.3 pip
- No commission
- MT4 & MT5
- Swap-free option
MOST POPULAR
Standard
$10
minimum deposit
- Standard lots
- Competitive floating spread
- No commission
- MT4 & MT5
- Swap-free option
PRO TRADERS
Pro
$100
minimum deposit
- Spread from 0.0 pip
- $3 round-turn commission
- No lot size limit
- MT4 & MT5
- Swap-free option
Full Specification Table
| Feature | Cent | Standard | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1 | $10 | $100 |
| Lot size | Cent lots (1 lot = 1,000 units) | Standard (1 lot = 100,000 units) | Standard (1 lot = 100,000 units) |
| Spread EUR/USD | From 0.3 pip | Floating, competitive | From 0.0 pip |
| Commission | None | None | $3 round-turn/lot |
| Leverage | Up to unlimited | Up to unlimited | Up to unlimited |
| Platform | MT4 & MT5 | MT4 & MT5 | MT4 & MT5 |
| Swap-free | Available | Available | Available |
| Instruments | 500+ | 500+ | 500+ |
| Best for | Beginners, low-capital practice | Day traders, general trading | High-volume traders, scalpers |
Cent Account — Who It's For
The Cent account's defining feature is its cent lot sizing: 1 lot = 1,000 units of the base currency instead of the standard 100,000 units. In practical terms, trading 1 lot EUR/USD on Cent produces pip values 100x smaller than the same lot on Standard. A 10-pip move on 1 lot Standard EUR/USD = $10. The same move on 1 lot Cent = $0.10.
This makes the Cent account uniquely useful for: complete beginners who want to trade real markets without meaningful financial exposure, traders testing a new strategy before scaling it to a larger account, and anyone for whom a $1 or $5 real money account is all they can commit right now.
⚠️ Cent Account Gold (XAUUSD) Spread — Check Before TradingIndependent spread tests on Headway's Standard account recorded XAUUSD spreads significantly wider than the industry benchmark. While Headway's forex spreads are competitive, traders focused specifically on gold should check the current XAUUSD spread in a demo account during their intended trading session before committing funds. The Pro account generally offers tighter XAUUSD spreads than Standard.
Standard vs Pro — The Real Cost Comparison
Whether Standard or Pro is cheaper depends on the actual average spread during your trading windows, not the headline "from X pips" figure:
| If Standard avg spread EUR/USD is... | Standard cost/lot (round-trip) | Pro cost/lot (spread + $3 commission) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 pip | $3.00 | $0 + $3 = $3.00 | Break even |
| 0.5 pip | $5.00 | $0–$1 + $3 = $3–$4 | Pro wins |
| 0.8 pip (tested avg) | $8.00 | $0–$2 + $3 = $3–$5 | Pro wins clearly |
| 1.0 pip+ | $10.00+ | $3–$5 | Pro wins significantly |
✅ Practical RecommendationIf you're trading EUR/USD, GBP/USD, or major forex pairs actively (10+ lots per week), the Pro account is likely cheaper on net cost. For occasional trading, crypto, or instruments where Headway's Standard spread is already competitive, Standard's simplicity wins. Test on demo using your actual instruments and session times.
Frequently Asked Questions — Headway Account Types
What account types does Headway offer? +
Headway offers three live account types: Cent ($1 minimum, cent lots, no commission), Standard ($10 minimum, standard lots, floating spread, no commission), and Pro ($100 minimum, spreads from 0.0 pips, $3 round-turn commission per lot). All three support swap-free trading, access to 500+ instruments, and leverage from 1:1 to unlimited.
What is the Headway Cent account? +
The Headway Cent account uses cent lots where 1 lot = 1,000 units of the base currency (100x smaller than a standard lot). This means the pip value and risk per trade are 100x smaller than a standard account, making it ideal for beginners with very small capital risk. The minimum deposit is $1 and spreads start from 0.3 pips with no commission.
Is Headway Pro account worth it over Standard? +
The Headway Pro account is worth it over Standard if your trading volume is high enough that the spread savings outweigh the $3 commission cost. For most active traders seeing 0.5+ pip average spreads on Standard, Pro is cheaper on net cost. Test both on demo using your actual trading session and instruments before deciding.
Does Headway offer a demo account? +
Yes, Headway offers free demo accounts accessible from Personal Area. Demo accounts use real-time price data and simulate the same conditions as live accounts. You can open multiple demo accounts to test different account types and strategies without risking real money.
What leverage does Headway offer? +
Headway offers leverage from 1:1 up to 1:2000 for standard trading, with unlimited leverage available after a trader meets specific conditions (typically a minimum number of closed trades). Higher leverage increases both potential gains and losses — always use appropriate risk management.
Can I switch account types at Headway? +
You can open multiple accounts of different types from the same Headway Personal Area — for example, one Cent account for practice and one Standard account for active trading. You cannot convert an existing account from one type to another, but opening additional accounts of any type is free.
🚀 Open a Headway Account
Free · Choose from Cent, Standard, or Pro
