Top 5 best trading platforms in South Africa for 2025

The Invezz team of expert traders, data analysts, and financial writers frequently test the best trading platforms. Amongst a range of features, we ranked the top brokers in South Africa according to their affordability, security, and available international stock markets.

This comprehensive guide lets you compare the best trading brokers according to the things you think are most important. Contrast each broker’s fees, licenses, and assets, and take a look at what our users said about each service.

Read on to answer the question: what are the best online trading platforms in South Africa for South African users?

Best trading platform South Africa 2025

Our rankings reveal that the best broker in South Africa is Plus500 .

Having assessed 100+ brokers, this list represents the three services that top our rankings as the overall best trading platforms in South Africa. 

4.5

Plus500

Min. Deposit $100

Fees From 2%

No. assets 2800+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

Plus500 review

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

4.4

IG Markets

Min. Deposit n/a

Fees Spread only

No. assets 17000+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

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.

Best trading platforms in South Africa

Min. Deposit n/a

Fees -

No. assets n/a

Demo account -

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Top 5 best online brokers in South Africa, reviewed

1. Plus500. Best for international trading*

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4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.8%

Fees

2,800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures for the two biggest cryptos, Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Plus500 has something for all types of crypto trader, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements of $20 for Ether and $100 for Bitcoin make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting. 

For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.

The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website. 

*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	2800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, ASIC, FMA, FCA, CySEC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Free demo account for every user Secure broker, licensed by top-tier regulators Wide variety of CFDs to trade Several good risk management tools

No support on trading information and education Website isn’t brilliantly designed to help users find answers to their questions No MetaTrader trading platform compatibility

Read review Visit Plus500

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

2. 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

No. of tradable assets	17,000+
Min. Deposit	$0
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETFs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodities
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, MAS, FMA, ASIC, FCA, BaFin, FINMA, DFSA, BMA, CFTC, NFA

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Intuitive web trading platform Excellent demo account available Variety of deposit and withdrawal options Wide variety of useful educational tools Trading platform tutorial to get you started

Slow account opening process Unavailable in all regions

Read review Visit IG Markets

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.

3. Eightcap. Best online broker for choice of trading platform

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4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

Up to $3.5 RT

Fees

800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Eightcap because you have several trading platforms to choose from. You can choose between MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. All of these platforms are favourites among retail traders. With the MetaTrade suite of platforms, you can access lots of technical indicators, custom tools, and expert advisors. 

TradingView with Eightcap allows you to trade directly from your charts while accessing the hundreds of tools and features available. Eightcap a selection of over 200 crypto CFDs so there’s an excellent range to choose from. You can trade the biggest coins like BTC/USD and many altcoins like DOGE/USD.  

The fees: Eightcap is a CFD broker and charges spread, commissions, or a combination of both. There are two account types available, RAW, and Standard. The RAW account has ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips but charges $3.5 RT per lot. The standard account is commission-free for most assets and spreads start from 1 pip.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Crypto, Commodities, , Indices
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	ASIC, FCA, CySEC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes, on certain assets
Withdrawal fees	Yes, for certain payment methods
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes, currency dependent

Pros & Cons

Low trading fees for CFDs Trade directly from the TradingView platform Regulated by top-tier authorities Leverage up to 1:500 Partnered with multiple proprietary trading firms

Some markets are not available to all regions Customer support does not operate 24/7

Read review Visit Eightcap

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

4. AvaTrade. Best regulated broker for secure trading

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4

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.13%

Fees

1,300

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 currency markets without owning the underlying assets. AvaTrade is a multi asset brokerage firm and includes CFDs for multiple forex pairs including EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, 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. Forex spreads start at 0.7 pips. 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

No. of tradable assets	1250+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodity CFDs, Index CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, FSA, ASIC, CBI, MiFID, CySEC, BVIFSC, FRSA

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	No

Pros & Cons

Trade 1000+ CFDs with competitive spreads Regulated by Tier 1 financial bodies across the world Consistently highly rated trading platform on web and mobile Offers social trading through its proprietary AvaSocial platform

Spreads are competitive without being industry-leading Some assets are only available to trade through the MetaTrader software

Read review Visit AvaTrade

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.

5. Pepperstone. Best low spread & no commission broker

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4

Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

$7 RT

Fees

1,200

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 a wide selection of stocks from several of the world’s largest markets. 

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: US stock trades are charged a $0.02 commission per share. UK and German stock trades are charged a 0.1% commission, while for Australian stocks, it’s 0.07%.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	1200+
Min. Deposit	No minimum
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Crypto, Commodities, , Indices, ETFs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	CMA, SCB, DFSA, ASIC, FCA, CySEC, BaFin

All supported assets are CFDs.

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Zero commission on trades Hedging, scalping, and crypto CFD trading available Lots of deposit and withdrawal options, including PayPal

No guaranteed negative balance protection in some jurisdictions No option to purchase stocks or bonds directly, only CFDs and spread betting available

Read review Visit Pepperstone

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.

How we chose the best online brokers in South Africa

Our reviewing panel comprises industry experts, including our Data Analyst, Dan Ashmore, CFA, our Senior Editor of News, Harsh Vardhan, and expert trader, Prash Raval. The panel also includes an independent fact checker, Richard Stutely.

Here are the key factors that played into our final ranking of the best stock trading platforms in South Africa.

• Fees. We prioritised trading platforms in South Africa that charge low trading fees, don’t charge for deposits or withdrawals, 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 South Africa 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 trading platforms in South Africa 2025 should offer the chance to test their service before you pay for it. We gave the brokers with the best demo accounts a ranking boost.
• Access to global markets. International trading platforms that allow you to invest in global markets, particularly popular ones like the United States, scored well in our reviews.
• Trading and analysis tools. Trading platforms that offer analysis tools make it easier to do all your research and trading in one place. Any 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 South Africa 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 South Africa where the majority of South African customers had a positive experience.

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

More about stock trading platforms in South Africa

What products can I trade with a South African stock broker?

You can trade stocks from South Africa or invest in leading companies from around the world. Here’s a breakdown of what (and how) you can trade with online trading platforms in South Africa.

Stocks

• South African stocks. One option is to simply buy and sell stocks that are listed in South Africa. This is normally the most straightforward option for South African residents, as you can buy shares in any company listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange.
• US stocks. Some of the best known companies in the world are listed in the United States. The best online broker in South Africa 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 South Africa.
• 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 and trading platforms offer global stocks but may be a limited selection. If you want to buy equities from outside South Africa or the US, be sure to check if those stocks are available through your trading platform 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. 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 the world’s top stock exchanges and indexes. 

If you want exposure to South African stocks, you can invest in the FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index.

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. 

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. The best stock broker in South Africa allows you to invest in stocks from South Africa, 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. Stock traders favour them and can be used to speculate on how you think a company’s price might change in the future.

Other assets

To invest in other financial assets from South Africa, 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 South Africa, for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the best crypto exchange in South Africa. The best CFD brokers in South Africa offer a range of financial assets, including many of the options above.

How to buy stocks in South Africa

Every stock trading app in South Africa is designed to help you invest with the minimum of fuss, making online trading easy. 

Follow this six step guide to learn how to buy shares online with the best trading platforms for the first time.

Quick answers to key questions

Is stock trading legal in South Africa?

Yes, stock trading is completely legal for South African citizens and residents over the age of 18. Individuals can legally trade shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) to buy and sell South African stocks. 

Trading international stocks listed on foreign exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, or the NASDAQ is also legal in South Africa according to South African investment laws and regulations. Both retail and institutional investors can participate in this sort of trading.

How are trading platforms and stockbrokers regulated in South Africa?

All financial trading platforms and stock brokers operating in South Africa must be licensed by and registered with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). The FSCA is the main regulatory body that oversees securities trading for compliance, fairness and investor protection.

Registered brokers must adhere to regulations around holding adequate capital, segregating client funds, having strong risk management practices, maintaining transparency through disclosures, submitting to auditing, enacting cybersecurity measures, and more. 

Any violations can result in strict penalties, including hefty fines and even license suspension, so regulations strongly incentivise compliance. Overall, FSCA regulation promotes the integrity of South Africa’s capital markets. Here are the best online brokers in South Africa and where they’re regulated across the world.

What are the costs involved in share trading in South Africa?

There are a few common costs to consider: most brokerages charge commission fees around 0.25% to 1% of the total value of each trade, exchange fees such as STRATE settlement costs and FSC levies apply per transaction. 

Trades may incur VAT charges, administration and management fees are charged monthly or annually for accounts, trading platforms charge monthly subscription fees, taxes like capital gains tax and dividends tax apply on profits. 

Overall trading costs can range from 0.5% to over 1.5% for less active traders. Frequent traders incur more costs due to higher volume of commissions and fees per year.

Another way an online broker in South Africa 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 South African trading platforms.

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 South Africa charge, to give you a complete picture of the cost of trading with the top brokers in South Africa.

What is the minimum capital required to start trading shares in South Africa?

While some brokerages technically allow opening a new trading account with no minimum deposit, at least R10,000 minimum is strongly recommended when starting out.

A minimum capital amount helps ensure costs like commissions and platform fees do not eat up a disproportionate share of your capital. It also provides a cushion to absorb some losses and allows you to purchase a balanced portfolio of shares rather than just 1-2 stocks. 

While you can start with any amount, including R100, aim for R10,000 or more when first starting for a better experience. If needed, build up capital over time.

What stocks can I trade as a South African resident?

The best trading platforms and brokerages provide access to trade shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, where the top South Africa-based companies are listed. This allows trading stocks of major national companies across sectors like financials, mining, telecoms, retail, healthcare and more.

Brokers also offer access to thousands of international stocks listed on foreign exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ in the US, London Stock Exchange in the UK, exchanges in Europe, Australia, and some Asian markets. This provides exposure to leading global companies.

In addition to actual stocks, other common securities traded include ETFs, options, futures contracts, CFDs, forex, and cryptocurrency, depending on the broker. Residents can trade various leading financial instruments from South Africa and worldwide.

What are the most popular trading platforms in South Africa?

Some of the leading trading platforms in include.

• Easy Equities. Popular for low-cost JSE and US share trading using one of the best trading apps in SA.
• FNB Share Investing. Good for banking integration and research.
• Standard Bank Trading. Comprehensive trading and education.
• AxiTrader. Leading global CFD and forex broker.
• IG Markets. Advanced platform with derivatives and foreign shares.
• FXCM. Trusted forex and CFD platform with education.
• AvaTrade. Top forex and CFD broker with fixed spreads.

When choosing a platform, compare costs, tradable assets, tools, research, platform interface, customer service and ease of use for your needs.

How is trading taxed in South Africa?

Taxes due on trading profits in South Africa include a capital gains tax (CGT) on profits from selling shares and other instruments. The CGT rate in South Africa is around 45% for individuals, 20% for trusts.

There is also a dividends tax on dividends earned from share holdings. The current rate is 20%. A securities transfer tax (STT) applies on purchases of securities like shares on the JSE. The STT rate is 0.25% of the purchase value.

In addition, VAT may apply to some fees charged by brokers. Consult a registered tax practitioner to ensure tax compliance on your trading. Keep records of all buy and sell transactions to accurately report capital gains and losses.

User reviews: your verdict on the top trading platforms in SA

As part of our research, we surveyed our South African users to get feedback on each of the best online brokers in SA. Their feedback helped finalise our rankings and offered a unique perspective on each of these services.

Below you can see the reviews for yourself before making your final decision.

FAQs