Evaluating funding apps in South Africa (2025)

A couple of months in the past, I used to be chatting with a South African colleague who had simply purchased shares in a world firm on her telephone. No dealer, no lengthy types, no vital capital, simply an app and R50 ($2.79). 

She defined how apps like EasyEquities and SatrixNOW make investing really feel so simple as shopping for airtime. One other buddy talked about BROKSTOCK due to its foreign exchange and crypto choices, whereas another person swore by Interactive Brokers for critical worldwide buying and selling. It grew to become clear that South Africans now have all kinds of platforms to select from.

That’s what this text is about. We’ll break issues down clearly by taking a look at regulation, to see who’s licensed and what meaning on your cash; charges, as a result of “no hidden charges” doesn’t at all times imply free; funding choices, to know what you’ll be able to truly purchase on every app; and minimal deposits, so you know the way a lot you must get began.

Platform-by-platform evaluate

1. EasyEquities

EasyEquities is without doubt one of the most generally used funding apps in South Africa. By fractional shares, you’ll be able to make investments with nearly no minimal capital required. The app offers you entry to native and world shares, ETFs, a crypto token (EC10), property by means of EasyProperties, and ready-made “Baskets” for fast diversification.

Regulation and investor safety:
EasyEquities is run by First World Dealer (Pty) Ltd and licenced by the Monetary Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). Fractional shares, nonetheless, are provided by means of Contracts for Distinction (CFDs), which means you don’t straight personal the share or get voting rights; you’re merely monitoring the share worth.

Charges:
EasyEquities fees a 0.25% brokerage payment per commerce, with a minimal cost of 1 cent (R0.01). There’s additionally a R25 ($1.39) month-to-month Thrive payment, waived for buyers below 21 or over 65. Funding strategies incur extra prices: Instantaneous EFTs by way of Ozow incur a 1% payment, and bank card deposits incur a 2.2% payment plus R1.60. For a lot of small buyers, these prices are nonetheless decrease than conventional brokers, however frequent deposits or giant trades can add up.

Funding choices:
This app affords the broadest vary: South African and worldwide shares, ETFs, ETNs, the EC10 crypto bundle, property by way of EasyProperties, unit trusts, and themed “Baskets.” It’s versatile sufficient for each newbies and superior buyers.

Minimal funding and accessibility:
No minimal funding. You can begin with as little as R10 due to fractional shares.

2. SatrixNOW

SatrixNOW focuses on index-tracking funds and unit trusts. If you would like an easy, passive technique for long-term investing, this app is constructed for you. The platform solely affords Satrix merchandise.

Regulation and investor safety:
SatrixNOW can also be FSCA licenced. As a result of it sells ETFs and unit trusts straight, you personal the underlying property and benefit from the rights that include them, in contrast to CFD-based platforms. This makes it a protected, low-risk choice for long-term buyers.

Charges:
The platform makes use of a tiered annual admin payment:

• 0.50% on the primary R500,000
• 0.40% on R500,000–R1 million
• 0.30% above R1 million

There are additionally commonplace transaction prices whenever you purchase or promote. In comparison with EasyEquities, charges are larger for small buyers however turn into more cost effective as your portfolio grows.

Funding choices:
Restricted to Satrix’s personal ETFs and unit trusts, which have a robust monitor file on the South African Listed Tracker Awards (SALTA). This makes SatrixNOW a low-risk, index-driven alternative, however much less various than EasyEquities.

Minimal funding and accessibility:
No minimal required, identical to EasyEquities, you’ll be able to start with any quantity.

3. BROKSTOCK

BROKSTOCK is an all-in-one buying and selling app the place you’ll be able to commerce shares, ETFs, gold, foreign exchange, and crypto, all from a single account. With a low minimal deposit of R100 and a easy, flat fee construction, it appeals to each new and energetic merchants.

Regulation and investor safety:
The FSCA licences BROKSTOCK as an Over-the-Counter Derivatives Supplier (ODP). All trades are provided as CFDs, which means you don’t personal the property straight. As an alternative, you’re speculating on worth actions, which works higher for short-term buying and selling than long-term investing.

Charges:
BROKSTOCK fees a flat 0.49% per commerce throughout all asset courses, together with JSE and US shares, ETFs, metals, and crypto. They promote no withdrawal or deposit charges, making prices extra easy to foretell in comparison with different apps.

Funding choices:
Shares, ETFs, gold, foreign exchange, and crypto are all out there; nonetheless, please word that they’re all CFDs.

Minimal funding and accessibility:
Requires a R100 minimal deposit, which remains to be reasonably priced for many newbies.

4. iFX Brokers

iFX Brokers is designed for extra superior merchants who need publicity to foreign exchange, commodities, indices, and crypto. It affords a number of account varieties: Customary, Premium, Uncooked, and VIP, every with totally different payment constructions and spreads.

Regulation and investor safety:
The platform is authorised by the FSCA as an ODP. Like BROKSTOCK, it solely affords CFDs, so that you’re buying and selling contracts quite than proudly owning property. iFX Brokers additionally gives protections reminiscent of segregated accounts (the place your funds are stored separate from the corporate’s), adverse steadiness safety, and insurance coverage protection.

Charges:
Prices depend upon the account kind:

• Spreads can begin from 0 pips (which implies there’s no markup between the purchase and promote worth) on Uncooked accounts however rise to 1.6 pips on Cent accounts.
• Some accounts cost a $6 fee per commerce.
• Guide deposits carry a 2.5% payment, whereas automated strategies could also be cheaper.

For professionals, the VIP and Uncooked accounts are engaging, however newbies might discover the platform costly and complicated.

Funding choices:
Specialises in foreign exchange, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, all by way of CFDs. Higher for energetic merchants than passive buyers.

Minimal funding and accessibility:
Customary accounts don’t have any minimal deposit, however Premium ($250) and VIP ($1,000) accounts increase the entry bar.

5. Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers isn’t South African, however many native buyers finally swap to it for world entry. It affords superior buying and selling instruments, higher charting, and entry to shares, ETFs, futures, and choices worldwide.

Regulation and investor safety:
IBKR is closely regulated throughout a number of international locations and broadly seen as a protected worldwide dealer. Nonetheless, because it’s not based mostly in South Africa, you don’t fall below FSCA safety.

Charges:
IBKR typically has decrease charges for giant trades than native apps. For instance, US-listed shares and ETFs usually carry a flat fee, which will be cheaper than these provided by South African brokers. The problem is funding: shifting cash internationally can price further as a consequence of financial institution fees, forex conversion charges (round 0.3%), and doable SWIFT switch charges.

Funding choices:
Entry to world equities, ETFs, futures, and choices makes it essentially the most versatile for skilled buyers.

Minimal funding and accessibility:
There isn’t any mounted minimal, however sensible use typically requires bigger balances as a consequence of funding and conversion prices.

What South African buyers are saying

To get a way of how these platforms carry out past advertising claims, we spoke to a number of South African buyers about their experiences. Their responses present the trade-offs between affordability, customer support, and long-term worth.

“EasyEquities was the primary app I ever used. I really like that I might begin investing with simply R50; it made the entire thing really feel accessible,” stated Thabo M., a software program developer in Johannesburg. “However after I had a problem with a deposit, buyer assist took days to reply. That was irritating. Nonetheless, for newbies like me, it’s onerous to beat.”

For some, SatrixNOW evokes confidence. Lerato S., a HR supervisor from Cape City, stated: “I belief Satrix as a result of they’ve been round for years and their funds win awards. I don’t thoughts the marginally larger charges as a result of I do know I’m proudly owning the precise ETFs. For me, it’s a long-term wealth-building play.”

BROKSTOCK has carved out a distinct segment amongst those that need extra selection. “I like that I can commerce shares, gold, and crypto multi function place,” stated Sipho D., a retail dealer in Durban. “The flat 0.49% payment is easy to know. However I do know I’m solely buying and selling CFDs, so it’s not for constructing long-term wealth. It’s extra for short-term strikes.”

In the meantime, extra skilled buyers finally set their sights past South Africa. “Interactive Brokers modified the sport for me,” stated Nomsa Ok., an entrepreneur in Pretoria. “It offers me entry to U.S. markets straight. Sure, the app is advanced, and sure, worldwide transfers price further. However if you happen to’re critical about rising, IBKR is well worth the studying curve.”

Ultimate ideas

From these conversations, a number of key classes emerge. First, regulation issues; you must know whether or not you’re shopping for precise shares on platforms like SatrixNOW or buying and selling CFDs on apps reminiscent of EasyEquities, BROKSTOCK, or iFX Brokers. Charges are one other vital issue, since buying and selling commissions are solely a part of the image; deposit and withdrawal fees can shortly add up. Consumer expertise additionally makes a distinction, as a result of a low-cost app isn’t a lot use if poor customer support leaves you stranded. It’s additionally important to match your targets: long-term buyers typically lean towards EasyEquities or SatrixNOW, whereas short-term merchants might discover BROKSTOCK or iFX Brokers extra appropriate. Lastly, some South Africans use a mixture of each, beginning with native platforms earlier than turning to Interactive Brokers for world diversification.