Headway vs Exness (2026 Review): Which Broker is Better for High Leverage Trading?
If you are a trader looking for Unlimited Leverage and fast execution, your search likely narrows down to two names: the industry giant Exness and the rapidly growing challenger Headway.
Exness has been the market leader for over a decade. However, Headway has recently gained massive popularity among global traders by offering similar premium features but with more aggressive bonuses and user-friendly conditions.
In this objective comparison, we analyze the data side-by-side. Which broker offers better value for your trading style in 2026?
| Feature | HEADWAY | EXNESS |
|---|---|---|
| Max Leverage | Unlimited (1:∞) | Unlimited (1:∞) |
| Min Deposit | $10 | $10 |
| Spread (XAUUSD) | From 0.1 (Pro) | From 0.0 (Pro) |
| Welcome Bonus | High ($111 NDB) | None |
| Swap-Free | Yes (Unlimited) | Yes (Extended) |
| Execution Speed | ~0.16 sec | ~0.15 sec |
Round 1: The "Unlimited Leverage" Rules
Both brokers offer the rare "Unlimited Leverage" feature, allowing you to trade with virtually zero margin. However, the requirements to unlock it differ.
- Exness: Requires you to trade at least 5 Lots AND complete at least 10 positions before the feature unlocks.
- Headway: Also requires trading activity (5 lots turnover) but is generally considered faster to activate for new accounts via their bonus structure.
Round 2: Spreads & Trading Costs
For Scalpers, spread is everything. We tested the Standard Account on both brokers during the New York Session.
Exness is famous for its stable spreads. On EURUSD, Exness Standard accounts average around 1.0 pips. Headway Standard accounts are competitive, averaging around 1.1 - 1.2 pips. On Gold (XAUUSD), both brokers offer tight spreads compared to the industry average.
However, Headway shines in its Pro Account offering, which rivals Exness's Raw Spread account in terms of commission structure.
Round 3: Bonuses & Promotions
This is where the two brokers diverge significantly.
Exness focuses purely on trading conditions and rarely offers deposit bonuses or welcome bonuses. Their philosophy is "Good product needs no promo."
Headway is aggressive. They offer the famous $111 No Deposit Bonus and frequent Deposit Bonuses (e.g., 50% or 100% on deposit). For a beginner with small capital, Headway provides much more "firepower" to start.
Round 4: Deposit & Withdrawal (Local Banking)
Speed of payment is crucial. Both brokers excel here compared to regulated European brokers.
- Both offer Instant Withdrawals (Auto-processing).
- Both support a wide range of Local Banks (IDR, VND, THB, etc.) and Crypto (USDT).
- Both cover transaction fees for clients.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
The choice depends on your current status as a trader:
Choose EXNESS if:
- You are a corporate/institutional trader who needs FCA/CySEC licensing.
- You do not care about bonuses and only want the absolute tightest spread history.
Choose HEADWAY if:
- You are a Retail Trader or Scalper who wants high leverage.
- You want to take advantage of the $111 Welcome Bonus to start risk-free.
- You prefer a broker that actively offers deposit bonuses to increase your margin.
Headway has proven itself to be a credible, high-performance alternative to Exness, matching them in technology while beating them in promotions.
By: FXBonus Team
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