There are many stock trading platforms available in South Africa. Picking a online broker in South Africa should be based on securities available , ease-of-use, and service reputation. Here is a detailed guide on the trading platforms in South Africa.
This is a summary of the top platforms in South Africa based on hours of research. We took popular brokers and analyzed them based on fees, account minimums, security, customer reviews, customer support and more. Take a look at the top-rated brokers below.
Best Online Trading Platforms in South Africa 2022
We've rounded up the top trading platforms in South Africa below based on a variety of factors. Check out the list of the best brokerage firms below!
- Interactive Brokers – Best Trading Platform Overall – Visit Interactive Brokers
- IQ Option – Best For Digital Options Trading South Africa
- Plus500 – One of the Best CFD Trading Platform in South Africa
- AvaTrade – Best Broker for Forex and CFDs in South Africa
- Pepperstone – Great Broker in South Africa For Low Forex Fees
- XTB – Trusted South Africa CFD Trading Platform
- XM – Reliable Broker in South Africa with Low CFD Fees
- Capital.com – Great For Mobile Trading in South Africa
- OANDA – Great Broker for Forex in South Africa
Best Brokers in South Africa Reviewed
There are many online trading platforms available in South Africa. It can be a daunting task to pick the best. Some brokers offer a variety of products and assets – some are great as stock trading platforms, CFD trading platforms, and some as a Bitcoin trading platform. Below you will find our list of the top rated online brokerages in South Africa, based on a variety of factors such as fees, deposit methods, support, regulation, and safety.
1. Interactive Brokers – Best Online Trading Platform Overall
Interactive Brokers is our top pick as the best platform in South Africa for 2022. Investors can invest and trade in stocks, options, ETFs, forex, futures, Cryptocurrencies, gold, mutual funds, bonds, and hedge funds. Interactive brokers are a leader in the industry when it comes to the products they offer.
Thanks to Interactive Broker’s IB SmartRouting technology, their order execution is one of the best in the industry. Their mobile app is great and supported across all devices. Read Full Interactive Brokers Review
2. Plus500 – Best for CFD Trading in South Africa
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 72% 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.
Plus500 is a clear winner for CFD day trading in South Africa. It boasts over 2,000 CFDs available. These include cryptocurrency, Forex currency pairs, and options. Plus500 provides traders a way to test out forex and CFDs. Plus500 has limited educational resources and research tools. Traders will need to look for extra resources elsewhere. Read our review of Plus 500.
3. IQ Option – Best For Binary Options Trading in South Africa
IQ Option is one of the fastest-growing brokerages that offers their services to retail clients worldwide. With its strong and reliable reputation, this is a safe choice for both beginner and advanced traders in South Africa. IQ Option has Forex, options, Binary Option, Stocks, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies and ETFs available.
4. Pepperstone – Best Forex Broker in South Africa
Pepperstone is an Australian forex broker. They offer a selection of CFDs and are great for forex trading in South Africa. The brokerage is best known for its extensive selection of third-party solutions like MetaTrader and cTrader. This allows you to crowdsource ideas and gain access to a range of different tools.
5. AvaTrade – Trusted MT4 Platform South Africa
AvaTrade was founded in 2006, and is based in Dublin, Ireland. AvaTrad has access to forex, cryptocurrencies, and a range of CFDs. Opening an account through AvaTrade is fast and easy. There are no fees charged for deposits and withdrawals. It has a user-friendly platform and diverse research and educational tools.
On the negative side, fees are high if you are a passive investor.
6. XTB
XTB is best known for its low forex fees. XTB has an intuitive and easy interface. There are a few downsides though. They charge high fees for trading stock CFDs. XTB has a limited product portfolio, covering mainly CFDs and Forex.
7. XM
XM has low stock CFDs fees and a user-friendly account opening. There are many educational resources as well as a demo account for beginners. A significant downside is that there is no investor protection for its customers. XM also has a limited product portfolio as it only has forex and CFDs.
8. Capital.com
Capital.com’s selling point is its completely commission-free structure across all of its investment products. This is very rare in the industry. At Capital.com you get access to stocks, indices, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
A big downside is that you can only choose from selected strategies as there are no options to customize.
They charge fees for inactivity, but these only apply if your account remains inactive for a year.
9. OANDA
Oanda has a user-friendly interface with powerful research tools and numerous technical indicators. Oanda only has a small range of investment products though. Oanda only offers forex and CFDs. Customer support could be better and is not available 24/7.
Best Trading App in South Africa
The best app for trading in South Africa is Plus500. Plus500 offers CFDs on: stocks, Forex, Cryptocurrencies, Indices, Commodities, Options and ETFs. It is the world's leading CFD trading platform, trusted by millions of traders around the world. They offer a user-friendly proprietary platform and mobile app.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 72% 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.
Online Trading South Africa
Online trading involves buying and selling stocks on a stock market. By opening an brokerage account, you are able to place buy and sell orders online. Your broker will then execute these orders on your behalf.
Different platforms allow you to trade different types of investment securities. In most cases, you are responsible for choosing which companies to buy stocks in. Only full-service brokerages offer investment and advice.
How Does It Work?
Anyone can start as long as they have access to a stable internet connection and a way to fund a account. There are many online platforms available that give you access to securities. Opening an account is easy and straightforward.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) provides a regulated market where you can trade financial assets with other investors. All brokerage services are regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). FSCA is a financial regulating authority. All firms need to follow the rules and regulations set by this body.
Individuals have to pay taxes on capital gained. Forex traders are also required to declare any profits made through foreign exchange on their annual tax returns. Read about the best forex brokers in South Africa in our guide.
What can you trade?
Stocks
There are many different types of assets available to put your money into. Stocks are the most common. Stocks allows you to buy and sell shares in a particular company. This means that you own a piece of the company.
Forex
Forex trading is when you exchange one currency for another currency. This means that you sell one currency while buying another one at the same time.
Commodities
Trading in commodities means investing in physical assets such as gold or oil. Most commodity trading involves futures contracts, although physical trading is still common.
Options
An options contract is a contract that offers a buyer the opportunity to buy or sell an asset at a future date. Options are derivatives based on the value of securities such as stocks.
Futures
Future trading is when you buy and sell contracts for the delivery of a security or commodity on an agreed future date. The date of delivery of the security or commodity is set at a certain price.
Bonds
Bond trading involves loaning money to institutions such as companies or governments. Traders make a profit by taking advantage of changes in the value of corporate or government bonds.
CFDs
A contract for difference (CFD) is when you agree to exchange the difference in the price of an asset from when the contract is opened to when it closes.
You predict fluctuations in the prices of fast-moving global financial markets.
ETFs
An exchange-traded fund (ETF) lets you invest in a wide range of shares or bonds in one package. ETFs are different from other funds as they are traded on the stock market.
Mutual Funds
A mutual fund is when money from a third party is used to invest in securities such as stocks or bonds. Investors buy shares in the mutual fund to get part ownership in the fund and the income that is generated.
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrency trading is buying and selling a digital currency via an exchange.
Investors buy cryptocurrency in the hopes that its value will increase. Bitcoin is a common example of a cryptocurrency.
How To Pick a Trading Platform?
Here are a few important factors to consider when picking a trading platform. Read what you should consider below.
Regulation & Safety, Account Security
As an investor, you should be aware of the privacy and regulation policies. Trading Platforms should be regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). All firms need to follow the rules set by these bodies regulating bodies. More isn't always better. It is important that the company is regulated by at least one tier-1 regulator.
Fees & Commissions
Trading platforms charge a range of different fees. You must be aware of all fees in advance. It's important to know how to determine commission charges. You should avoid choosing a company that earns commissions through unnecessary transactions.
CFD vs Investing
Active trading is trading that lasts for seconds or minutes. This takes advantage of brief changes in the price of an asset. Long-term buy and hold investing is passive. This usually means buying and holding trades for several months or years.
You need to find a company that is best suited for your investing style and goals.
Tradeable Assets
There are a variety of different investment products available to put your money into. The most common securities are stocks, options, bonds, and derivatives. Make sure the asset you are interested in is available. There are a variety of different investment products available to put your money into. Stocks, bonds, options, and derivatives are the most common types. You should choose a company that offers the investment products you're interested in.
Account Types
There are many different types of accounts. These include margin accounts, cash accounts, and retirement accounts.
You need to be aware of which accounts are available as there might be different minimum investment amounts for different accounts.
Educational resources
Education resources are great if you’re wanting to expand on your strategies. These include videos, forums, and how-to articles. If you're a beginner trader, you'll need some advice on how to analyze the market and diversify your portfolio.Education resources are great if you’re wanting to expand on your strategies. These include videos, forums, and how-to articles. If you're a beginner, you'll need advice on how to analyze and diversify your portfolios.
Margin
Margin trading should only be for very experienced investors. This is a method of trading assets with borrowed funds. This allows traders to access greater sums of capital.
Brokerages will charge different margin rates as interest on transactions. New investors should stay clear of margin trading.
Account minimums
Most don’t require any minimum deposit amounts. Other high-end firms still might require a minimum balance of several thousand dollars.
Tools & Research
With access to premium tools and in-depth market research you will make the most of your experience. It should be easy to navigate and intuitive. Charting tools, price alerts, and customizable screeners are key features to look for.
Customer Service
A strong customer support system is another key component. You need to have easy access to support, especially if you are just starting out. Make sure you are able to contact support in your language and 24/7/365.
Mobile Trading
A mobile app allows you to access the markets from anywhere in the world, buy and sell securities, and monitor your positions. This takes place on an app on your smartphone. If you're looking for easy access to your accounts, then you should look for a broker that offers a mobile app.
Banking Services
Some firms offer banking services. This is a great way to combine banking and trading on the same account.
Order Execution
Order execution happens with every buy or sell order. All your orders are sent to your broker to be executed. Efficient order execution is important, especially if you are an active day trader.
International Trading
If you want to invest in foreign markets then you need make sure you can trade international markets.
Access to a Financial Advisor
Financial advisors guide you on how to spend your money wisely. It might be worthwhile looking into a full-service broker, especially if you’re new to the investment world.
Know the Terms and Conditions
You must be well aware of general terms and conditions before signing up. It’s important to do thorough research into the firm and its reputation.
How to Start Share CFD Trading
- Find a broker – The first step to start investing is to find a reputable company. As a new investor, this requires careful thought. You take into consideration your investing styles and goals.
- Open an trading account – The next step is to open up an account. Follow the instructions on the website to set up an account. This requires you to upload relevant documents and personal details to verify your identity. You will need to make a deposit to fund your account. Many discount brokers nowadays don’t have a minimum deposit amount.
- Research before investing in your money – The easiest way to get started is to search for a company that you want to buy shares in. Make sure you’ve done your homework if you plan to invest your hard-earned money. Once you’ve made a decision, place an order.
- Develop a strategy – You should aim to build a diverse long-term share portfolio, depending on what you want as a trader. Your strategy should consider your profit goals, how much risk you can absorb, and how much time you can allocate.
- Understand the risks – Although a large portion of listed companies is well-run, it’s safer to dip your feet into online share trading with both eyes open and a lot of research under your belt. Some common risks to be aware of include decreases in share prices and potential mismanagement or bankruptcy of a company.
Risks of Trading Online
Every beginner must be aware of the risks. It’s important to research thoroughly where you’re putting your money.
Leverage Risk
Leverage is using borrowed capital to make an investment. While this increases your potential returns, it also increases your potential risk. High leverage often leads to high profit or high loss, depending on how the position moves.
Margin Risk
Margin risk is the risk associated with achieving an expected margin. This is the probability that changes in economic development will negatively impact a profit margin’s expected cash flow.
Interest Rate Risk
An increase in the interest rate of a country leads to a strong currency. This usually raises the value of the currency and its interest rates. On the other hand, decreasing interest rates lead to a weaker currency. This causes investors to withdraw their investments and leave the country.
Exchange Rate Risk
Exchange rate risk is caused by changes in an investor's local currency compared to foreign-investment currency. Exchange rates sometimes change in the 24-hour period before your trade is settled.
Learning Online Trading
The learning curve for new investors often seems rather steep. It’s important to establish your risks, profit goals, and how much time you can devote to it. Here are the first few steps to learn.
Understanding Price Fluctuations
Many new investors make the mistake of throwing money at securities without understanding why prices move up or down. Your goal should be to learn how to trade with skill and authority. This starts with educating yourself on financial markets with charts and price actions.
Learn to Analyze
Once you understand price movements, start by studying the basics of technical analysis. This allows you to start predicting price changes and how to take advantage of them.
Paper Trading
A demo account, or paper trading, is the perfect way for beginners to test out the waters. It allows you to invest virtual money into real-time market simulations. This lets you track the theoretical performance of your buy and sell decisions.
FAQ
Most services nowadays don't have a minimum deposit amount. This means that you don’t need any amount to open an account. Thanks to commission-free brokers that offer fractional shares, it’s possible to start investing as little as R100. To get started you need to look at diversifying your portfolio. You should aim to open multiple trading positions with different investment vehicles. In order to do this, you would need at least R1000 to get started.
It is buying and selling of a company’s stock in order to make a profit. A share represents a portion of ownership in the company.
Forex trading is exchanging one currency into another currency. You always sell one currency while buying another one at the same time.
Yes, trading is legal in South Africa. All securities including stocks, CFDs, and cryptocurrencies are legal. You are required to follow all financial laws in place to prevent money laundering and you must declare your income tax.
Interactive Brokers is a safe and well-established broker. They have good reputation and are regulated by the FSCA.
Yes, international students can trade. Just make sure that you choose a reliable and well-known broker that abides by the laws and regulations set out by financial regulating bodies.
For stocks, Interactive Brokers offers the most competitive fees. It offers a large selection of stocks and low fees. For forex, Pepperstone is the cheapest.
Plus500 is the overall best app in SA. Their app is easy to navigate, with an excellent crowdsourcing community and a broad range of useful research materials.
The best broker for beginners in South Africa is Interactive Brokers. Both the mobile and web version are easy to use.
Trading is a great way to generate extra income on the side. Only a select few investors will earn enough profit to turn this into a full-time career. This requires a lot of time and active portfolio management.