South Africa has one of the most active retail investing communities on the continent, and the number of platforms available to local investors has grown significantly. Whether you are starting with R100 or building a serious portfolio, there is an app built for your situation.

This review covers the best investment apps available to South Africans in 2026, assessed on regulation, fees, investment options, and who each platform suits best.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk.

Quick Comparison

1. EasyEquities — Best Overall

With over two million accounts and a launch date of 2014, EasyEquities is the most widely used investment platform in South Africa. You can buy fractional shares on the JSE and NYSE, ETFs, property bundles, crypto, and retirement products including Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), all from one account with no minimum deposit.

Fees: 0.25% brokerage per trade plus a 0.31% clearing fee. A R25 monthly Thrive fee applies but is waived under certain conditions. Standard EFT deposits are free. The EasyFX currency conversion tool charges 2% above the mid-market rate, which is worth factoring in for international investing.

Regulation: FSCA regulated (FSP 22588). Client assets are held separately from company funds.

Best for: First-time investors and long-term holders who want broad market access at low cost.

2. SatrixNOW — Best for Passive Investing

SatrixNOW gives you direct access to Satrix's full range of award-winning ETFs and unit trusts. The selection covers local equities, global equities, property, and bonds. A TFSA is automatically allocated when you register, making it easy to use your annual R36,000 tax-free allowance.

Fees: 0.5% annual platform fee on the first R500,000 invested, plus a transaction brokerage fee per trade. Slightly more expensive than EasyEquities for small, frequent trades but more cost-effective as your portfolio grows.

Regulation: FSCA regulated. You own the actual ETFs, not derivatives.

Best for: Investors who want a simple, hands-off strategy with no stock-picking involved.

3. BROKSTOCK — Best for Active Trading

BROKSTOCK is a locally built app with over one million users. It gives you access to JSE shares, US stocks, ETFs, gold, forex, and crypto from a single account. All trades are Contracts for Difference (CFDs), meaning you speculate on price movements rather than owning the underlying asset.

Fees: A flat 0.49% per trade across all asset classes. No monthly fees, no inactivity penalties, and no deposit or withdrawal charges. Minimum deposit is R100.

Regulation: FSCA regulated as an Over-the-Counter Derivatives Provider (FSP 51404).

Best for: Short-term traders who want local support and multi-asset access in one place.

4. Franc — Best for Beginners

Franc is built for people who find traditional investment platforms overwhelming. It guides users toward two clear options: the Allan Gray Money Market Fund for low-risk saving, or the Satrix 40 ETF for broader market exposure. The app uses a goal-based interface with no jargon.

Fees: Approximately 1% per year, all-inclusive. No minimum deposit. You can start with R10.

Regulation: FSCA regulated (FSP 49998). Funds are held by independent, licensed custodians.

Best for: Complete beginners who want to build an investing habit without any complexity.

5. eToro — Best for Social Trading

eToro is a globally recognised platform listed on NASDAQ since May 2025. Its CopyTrader feature lets you automatically replicate the trades of experienced investors, which makes it a useful learning tool for new investors who want market exposure while watching how others trade.

Fees: Commission-free on stocks and ETFs in most regions. A $5 withdrawal fee applies. The minimum deposit is $100 (approximately R1,800), and currency conversion costs apply since accounts are USD-denominated.

Regulation: Regulated by CySEC and ASIC, not the FSCA directly.

Best for: Investors interested in international markets and social trading features.

6. XTB — Best for Advanced Traders

XTB's xStation Mobile app gives active traders access to over 5,800 CFD instruments including stocks, ETFs, forex pairs, indices, commodities, and crypto. The app includes professional charting tools, market sentiment data, and real-time price alerts.

Fees: No minimum deposit. Competitive spreads on CFD trades. A 0.5% currency conversion fee applies on weekdays, rising to 0.8% on weekends. A $10 monthly inactivity fee kicks in after 12 months of no trading and 90 days without a deposit.

Regulation: FSCA regulated for South African operations.

Best for: Experienced traders who want a wide selection of instruments and advanced analysis tools.

7. Interactive Brokers — Best for International Portfolios

Interactive Brokers offers access to stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, and forex across 150+ global markets. Unlike most platforms on this list, it gives you actual ownership of shares rather than CFDs, which makes it genuinely suitable for long-term international portfolio building at very low fees.

Fees: Among the lowest in the industry for foreign trades. Minimum deposit is around $50 (approximately R900).

Regulation: Regulated across multiple global jurisdictions, though not directly by the FSCA.

Best for: Experienced investors ready to build a diversified international portfolio.

How to Choose the Right App

Start with Franc or EasyEquities if you are new to investing. Move to SatrixNOW if you want a passive ETF strategy. Use BROKSTOCK or XTB for active trading, keeping in mind that CFD trading carries significant risk. Choose eToro for social trading and global exposure. Graduate to Interactive Brokers when you are ready to build a serious international portfolio with real share ownership.

Always check that your chosen platform is FSCA regulated, understand the full fee structure before depositing, and use your annual R36,000 TFSA allowance before investing through a standard account.

Fees and features verified as of April 2026. Always confirm current terms directly with each provider before investing.