5 Best Trading Apps in Kenya for 2025

In this guide, we rate, review, and recommend the 5 best online brokers in Kenya to buy, sell and trade stocks for beginners.
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Updated on Nov 8, 2024
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Our rankings reveal that the best online broker in Kenya is IG Markets .

That recommendation comes from our panel of trading experts, based on what we feel is most important: cost, security, and easy access to international markets.

We frequently test the best trading platforms & online brokers, and survey our Kenyan users to gather their thoughts and feedback on each of the top trading apps in Kenya.

Armed with that information we created a final ranking to answer the question: what are the best online brokers in Kenya for Kenyan users?

What is the best stock trading app in Kenya?

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These are the brokers that we rank as the overall best online trading platforms in Kenya. 

We found 11 online brokers for users based in

IG review
4.4
IG Markets
Min. Deposit n/a
Fees Spread only
No. assets 17000+
Demo account Yes

IG review

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

eToro review
4.6
eToro
Min. Deposit $100
Fees 1%
No. assets 50+
Demo account Yes

eToro review

51% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Your capital is at risk.

AvaTrade review
4.3
AvaTrade
Min. Deposit $100
Fees From 0.13%
No. assets 500+
Demo account Yes

AvaTrade review

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Top 5 online brokers in Kenya, reviewed & compared

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We found 11 online brokers for users based in

1. IG Markets: Best for trusted and transparent trading

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4
Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

Spread only

Fees

17,000

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love IG because it’s one of the most established and reputable names in the online trading industry, known for its reliability, comprehensive market offerings, and strong regulatory compliance. IG offers CFD trading in stocks, forex, commodities, indices, ETFs and more, with plenty of useful plugins and integrations to improve the trading experience.

One of the key strengths of IG Markets is its seamless integration with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular third-party trading platform favored by many traders for its advanced charting tools, automated trading capabilities, and custom indicators. This integration allows users to leverage MT4’s sophisticated features while benefiting from IG Markets’ competitive pricing, reliable execution, and extensive market access.

Beyond its product range and platform integrations, IG Markets stands out for its commitment to education and customer support. The company offers a wealth of educational resources, such as webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, which help traders of all levels improve their knowledge and skills.

The fees: For most assets, you don’t pay a trading fee but will be charged through the spread instead. That’s the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset. IG’s spreads are competitive but variable: you’ll pay a smaller spread on popular assets compared to less popular ones. Share trading works differently, and you’ll be charged a minimum fee on each trade of at least $15.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

2. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account

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4.5
Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 1 pip

Fees

50

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love eToro because it’s a trading platform built with beginners and casual traders in mind. The platform combines an interactive, social trading experience with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for novice traders.

The far-reaching catalog of more than 5,500 stocks and ETFs includes big names like Apple and Tesla, as well as smaller companies with high growth potential. You can start trading with as little as $10 using fractional shares if you’re on a tight budget.

One feature we particularly appreciate is the ability to interact with eToro’s 35 million users on any asset, market, or portfolio page. If you find traders whose strategies match your risk tolerance, you can copy their portfolios automatically using eToro’s flagship copy trading functionality. This is a great way to learn and potentially benefit from the expertise of more experienced traders.

If you don’t feel comfortable investing your cash straight away, you can use a free demo account, credited with $100,000 virtual dollars. This offers plenty of opportunities to try out a trading strategy that works for you across stocks, crypto, and options trading markets.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

eToro offers real assets only, no CFD products. eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (‘the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Invezz.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the BD.

3. AvaTrade. Best regulated broker for secure trading

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Avatrade_logo
4
Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.13%

Fees

500

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love AvaTrade because it is a reliable CFD broker, that gives users access to a wide range of markets. As a CFD broker, AvaTrade lets you speculate on the price movements of various crypto markets without owning the underlying assets. AvaTrade is a multi asset brokerage firm and includes CFDs on many of the biggest cryptos including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and more. 

AvaTrade is also highly regarded for its strong regulatory framework and commitment to security. AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands, which means it must adhere to stringent regulatory standards across the world. 

AvaTrade isn’t just well regulated, it also employs advanced security measures to protect client funds and personal information, including segregated accounts and robust encryption technology. 

The fees: There is no commission on any trading. AvaTrade makes money from the Bid/Ask spread instead. Crypto spreads start from 0.13%. Positions left overnight are charged a swap fee that varies depending on size. An inactivity fee of £/€/$50 per month is applicable if you don’t log in to your account for three consecutive months.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

4. Pepperstone. Best low spread & no commission broker

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pepperstone logo
4
Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

$7 RT

Fees

60

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Pepperstone because it is a low fee and low commission CFD brokerage, making it an excellent choice for traders looking to keep trading costs down. Pepperstone offers some of the most competitive spreads in the industry, with no commission on its Standard account and low commissions on its Razor account. 

Pepperstone is also well known for its top tier regulatory protection. The broker is regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which means it follows stringent rules. Pepperstone also offers over 90 currency pairs from the majors, minors, and exotics. 

One of the features we found most useful when using Pepperstone is the variety of trading platforms. You can choose from TradingView, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader, each providing a unique set of features and tools. 

The fees: Forex trades are commission free, as Pepperstone makes money from the Bid/Ask spread. The spreads vary depending on the asset you want to trade. Razor (pro) account customers get significant discounts on the spreads. Spreads are as low as 0.00 points on EUR/USD and no commissions.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81.7%of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Refer to our RDN and other legal documents. Pepperstone Markets Limited, SCB no. SIAF217.

5. Exness. Best for tight spreads and a pro-style trading experience.

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4
Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

From $0.2 per lot

Fees

300

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Exness because of its tight spreads, which make it a top choice for traders looking to minimize trading costs and maximize profitability. The brokerage offers some of the most competitive spreads in the industry, especially on markets like crypto. Excess offers 35+ cryptocurrencies via CFDs from various markets including metals, energy, and agriculture.

Its focus on low trading costs is ideal for both newbies and experienced traders looking to trade with minimal overheads. Exness also stands out for its range of trading terminals. It offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the Exness web terminal. There’s also a dedicated mobile app meaning you’ll be able to always access your account. 

Beginners can take advantage of a free demo account or micro-lots for low minimum trades, while more experienced traders can use the hundreds of pre built indicators available on the MetaTrader suite. 

The fees: Standard accounts aren’t charged a commission but are charged through the spread. Spreads start from 0.3 pips on stocks, 1 pip on forex trades, and 7 pips on cryptocurrencies. Overnight fees apply on some assets (exc. swap-free accounts).

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

Exness does not offer services to residents of certain jurisdictions including the USA, Iran, North Korea and others. The content of the website including translations should not be construed as means for solicitation. Investors make their own and independent decisions. Trading in CFDs and generally leveraged products involves substantial risk of loss and you may lose all of your invested capital.

Which trading app in Kenya has the best user reviews?

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As part of our research process we gathered up reviews and feedback from Kenyan users to help us finalise the rankings.

Below is a summary of the feedback and ratings for each platform.

Review source IG Markets rating eToro rating AvaTrade rating
Trustpilot 4.0 4.4 4.7
Google Play Store 4.3 4.1 4.0
App Store 4.6 3.8 4.4
View more > IG Markets > eToro > AvaTrade >

Are stock brokers in Kenya regulated?

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Yes, online brokers have to be regulated in order to offer share dealing services.

Ideally, you want to find a broker that offers top-tier regulatory protection either through your local regulator, or through another internationally recognised institution. 

The best brokers in Kenya are regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), which provides a license for these firms to operate and governs their actions in order to protect investors.

Use the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) database to check if your favourite online broker is regulated to operate in Kenya (each company has a registration number, and you can search this to find out if it’s got a license).

On top of that, many online brokers in Kenya are based elsewhere but regulated to operate internationally through institutions such as CySEC (the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission). 

Here are the best online brokers in Kenya and where they’re regulated across the world.

Region IG Markets regulators eToro regulators AvaTrade regulators
Africa FSCA FSCA
Asia MAS FSA
Australasia FMA, ASIC ASIC ASIC
Europe FCA, BaFin, FINMA FCA, CySEC CBI, MiFID, CySEC
International DFSA, BMA BVIFSC, FRSA
North America CFTC, NFA FinCEN
South America
View more > IG Markets > eToro > AvaTrade >

How much does it cost to use an online trading platform in Kenya?

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It is normally free to sign up to a stock trading platform in Kenya.

The main cost comes in the form of trading fees, which depend on the platform and on what you want to trade. Some of the best stock trading apps in Kenya offer completely free trading, while others charge a flat fee or commission per trade.

On average, this usually adds up to about 1-2% of your total trade value.

Here’s a comparison of the trading fees across our highest rated Kenyan brokers.

Asset IG Markets fees eToro fees AvaTrade fees
Crypto Spread only 1%
Commodities Spread only From 2 pips
Spread only From 1 pip
Index prices Spread only From 0.75 pts
Stocks From 0.5% 0% commission
View more > IG Markets > eToro > AvaTrade >

Another way an online broker in Kenya might charge you is via the spread.

The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset, and effectively serves as a commission the broker is charging you on top of the market price.

The smaller the spread, the better value you’re getting from your broker.

Here’s a comparison of the spreads across the top Kenyan trading platforms.

Product IG Markets spreads eToro spreads AvaTrade spreads
Stock CFDs 0.10% 0.15% From 0.13%
0.10% 0.15% From 0.13%
Forex CFDs 0.6 pips From 1 pip From 0.9 pips
Crypto CFDs Variable 1% From 0.15% over market
Index CFDs 0.10% From 0.75 points From 0.03 over market
0.3 pts From 2 pips From $0.0015 over market
View all tradable assets > IG Markets > eToro > AvaTrade >

On top of the trading fees and spreads, there may be other charges for using your online broker account.

These can include inactivity fees, where you’re charged if you don’t use your account for a period of time (usually 3-6 months), as well as overnight fees, which only apply if the broker is also a CFD platform, or even an account maintenance fee.

Here’s a look at the types of fees different brokers in Kenya charge, to give you a complete picture of the cost of trading with the top brokers in Kenya.

Fee IG Markets fees eToro fees AvaTrade fees
Trading fees Yes Yes, on certain assets No
Inactivity fees Yes Yes Yes
Rollover/overnight fees Yes Yes, on CFDs Yes
Withdrawal fees No Yes No
Spreads Yes Yes, on certain assets Yes
Conversion fees Yes Yes, for non-USD currencies No
View more > IG Markets > eToro > AvaTrade >

How much money do I need to start trading?

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Typically, the minimum deposit for each Kenyan broker is the equivalent of $10.

If this is all you can manage: great, and you can get started with that.

But you probably want to start with a larger amount of money, or a plan to add more over time, otherwise it’s going to be difficult to grow your wealth in any significant way.

You don’t need a lot to start, but you do need to invest a reasonable amount of money to generate substantial returns.

A great way to do this is to invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, a concept known as Dollar-Cost Averaging.

This means that you can start with a small investment and the amount you invest can be adjusted depending on your circumstances.

You should also consider the minimum trade size on each platform. This governs the smallest investment you can make, so if you plan to invest small amounts then it is a crucial number to think about.

Compare the minimum and maximum trade sizes for each top broker in Kenya right here.

Product IG Markets minimum trade eToro minimum trade AvaTrade minimum trade
Stock CFDs From £1 $10 No limit
From £1 $10 No limit
Forex CFDs From £1 $33.34* No limit
Crypto CFDs From £1 $10 No limit
Index CFDs From £1 $1,000 No limit
From £1 $1,000 No limit
View more > IG Markets > eToro > AvaTrade >

Reduced minimums available for the first 31 days of account opening.

More about stock trading platforms in Kenya

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What products can I trade?

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For most people, the key question is whether you can trade stocks from other countries, as well as Kenya. The answer is yes, with some caveats.

Most of the brokers we recommend are global platforms, that offer stocks from around the world (particularly the US market, which is by far the most popular and – in our experience – what you’re likely to be interested in!).

However, there can be limitations. For example, you might have to make deposits in US Dollars in order to trade those stocks or to use the platform, and that’s not always an option.

Your broker might offer currency conversion services, but they can be expensive.

In general though, you certainly can trade global stocks through a Kenyan stock broker. And you often aren’t limited to stocks, there are other options as well – including things like ETFs, which are super simple to buy.

Stocks

  • Kenyan stocks. One investment option is to simply buy and sell stocks that are listed in Kenya. Investing in the Kenyan market is normally the most straightforward option for Kenyan residents, as you can buy shares in any company that’s listed on a Kenyan stock exchange.
  • US stocks. Some of the best known companies in the world are listed in the United States. The best online broker in Kenya will also let you invest in stocks that are listed on the NYSE or the NASDAQ exchange in the US, but it depends on the legal restrictions in Kenya.
  • International stocks. You may also be able to buy shares in companies that are based in the rest of the world. The best international brokers in Kenya offer global stocks, but it may be a limited selection. If you want to buy equities from outside Kenya or the US, be sure to check those stocks are available through your online broker before you sign up.

ETFs

ETFs (exchange traded funds) are investment funds that pool money together from lots of different investors and use it to track a particular index, like the S&P 500.

This kind of investing has exploded over the last decade. The largest ETF in the world, which invests in the S&P 500 – the famous US index that contains companies like Apple, Tesla, and Alphabet – holds more than half a billion dollars worth of investor money on its own.

If you’ve ever used a round-up investment app like Acorns or Moneybox, they are almost certainly investing in ETFs on your behalf. Many pension schemes use them now as well. This is for two main reasons: they’re simple to use, and they’re cheap.

Even if you can’t invest in every stock from every country, you can usually find an alternative in an ETF that tracks the performance of Kenya’s top stock exchanges and indexes. 

Mutual funds

Mutual funds are professionally managed investments. You buy shares in the fund through an investment platform and the manager decides what to invest it in.

Typically, a fund manager chooses a mixture of global stocks, local Kenyan stocks, and ETFs that track global indices from across the world.

Mutual funds and ETFs are similar, but the former are managed by a professional who tries to beat the market, while the latter buy and sell stocks automatically based on a set of fixed criteria.

Typically a mutual fund charges higher management fees every year because of the extra work involved. The best stock broker in Kenya should allow you to invest in stocks from Kenya, as well as ETFs and mutual funds.

Futures and options

Futures and options contracts involve making an agreement to purchase a stock in the future at an agreed price. They’re favoured by stock traders and can be used as a way of speculating on how you think a company’s price might change in the future.

Other assets

Most trading platforms in Kenya offer a variety of assets alongside stocks, funds, and ETFs. With the best Kenyan brokers you can create a diversified portfolio made up of leading global stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and dabble with trading currency pairs and commodities as well.

Compare the assets available with each of the top Kenyan brokers below.

Product IG Markets assets eToro assets AvaTrade assets
Stock CFDs 17,000 + 3117 612
ETFs 5,400
Forex CFDs 99 49 108
Crypto CFDs 10 73 20
Index CFDs 80 + 20 31
Commodities 35
View more > IG Markets > eToro > AvaTrade >

You should keep in mind, however, that to invest in other financial products from Kenya, you may be better off using a different type of trading platform.

For example, for trading currency pairs you want one of the best forex brokers in Kenya, for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the best crypto exchanges in Kenya. The best cfd brokers in Kenya offer a range of financial assets, including many of the options above.

How to buy stocks in Kenya

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Every stock trading app in Kenya is designed to help you invest with the minimum of fuss. 

Follow this six step guide to learn how to buy shares online in Kenya for the first time.

1. Find a Kenyan trading app

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Compare the best online stock brokers in Kenya and choose your favourite from the list at the top of this page.

2. Create an account

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Once you’ve chosen the best broker Kenya, set up an account by supplying your email address and password. Fill in personal details like your name and address.

3. Verify the broker account

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Before you use an online trading platform in Kenya you need to verify your identity.

Upload a copy of your driving licence or passport to do this. The verification process can take up to 24 hours, but is often much quicker than that.

4. Deposit money into your trading account

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You can make your initial deposit via a card payment, bank transfer, or an alternative payment method.

Many of the best online brokers in Kenya accept PayPal and similar e-wallets, but you should check this ahead of time.

5. Search for a stock and place your trade

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Find the stocks you want to trade using their ticker symbol. Enter the details of your trade, and hit ‘buy’ to execute it.

6. Monitor your investment

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Check up on your investment regularly. Use the latest news and stock market research to help you decide when to sell your shares, and lock in a profit or loss.

How we chose the best online trading platform in Kenya

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Our reviewing panel is made up of industry experts, including our Director Michael Charalambous, Editor of News, Harsh Vardhan, Editor of Education, James Knight, and long-time trader and Platform Reviewer, Prash Raval. The panel also includes an independent fact checker, Richard Stutely.

We work with many financial experts across the world, and we tap into their expertise to give us an insight into the particular trading environment of each country, and what’s important to users in Kenya compared to everywhere else.

All that breaks down into a list of criteria that we use to form a final ranking.

Here are the key factors that played into our final ranking of the best stock brokers in Kenya.

  • Fees. We prioritised Kenyan brokers that offer commission-free trading, charge low trading fees, don’t charge deposit or withdrawal fees, and don’t charge any hidden fees.
  • Device availability. An online trading platform that is available across all devices as a mobile app deserves a boost. In a mobile world, you need the best stock trading app in Kenya to work across mobile, tablet, and desktop. 
  • Platform security. All services we recommend are regulated by respected financial institutions and provide investor protection in the event that anything goes wrong.
  • Free demo accounts. All the best stockbrokers in Kenya should offer the chance to test their service before you pay for it. We gave the brokers with the best demo accounts a boost in our rankings.
  • Access to global markets. International stock brokers in Kenya that allow you to invest in global markets, particularly popular ones like the United States, scored well in our reviews.
  • Trading and analysis tools. An online stock broker that offers analysis tools makes it easier to do all your research and trading in one place. Any online broker that offered this convenience scored well.
  • Third-party integrations. You might want to use a piece of downloadable, third-party software like MetaTrader 4, MT5, or cTrader to place your trades. The best trading software in Kenya should integrate with these services and those that did so received a higher ranking. 
  • Customer reviews. Finally, we looked into customer reviews, to make sure that we only recommend the best investment platforms in Kenya where the majority of Kenyan customers had a positive experience.

Find out more about how we rate, rank, and review platforms.

FAQs

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01

What’s the best broker for beginners in Kenya?

02

What’s the best investment platform in Kenya?

03

What’s the cheapest online broker Kenya with the lowest fees?

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Which trading app is best in Kenya?

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Which investment platform in Kenya has the best demo account?

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What’s the safest broker in Kenya?

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Is it legal to trade stocks in Kenya?


Sources & references

James Knight

James Knight

Editor of Education

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James is the Editor of Education for Invezz, where he covers topics from across the financial world, from the stock market, to cryptocurrency, to macroeconomic markets. His main focus is on improving financial literacy among casual investors. He has been with Invezz since the start of 2021 and has been...