Best Trading Platforms South Africa 2024

Trading platforms have seen huge growth in South Africa. Thanks mainly to the increased accessibility of the internet and computers and mobile devices all over the South Africa region over the last 5 to 10 years in South Africa for South African traders.

A younger generation of South African tech savy traders now see new more modern South Africa trading platforms that gives the average South African trader access to not only local South Africa financial markets, but quick easy access to buying and selling of a variety of financial instruments on all major financial markets all over the globe from without leaving their homes in South Africa. Many trading platforms available to South Africa traders give South African traders the ability to trade on both mobile and desktop devices. Many modern South Africa trading platforms just need a web browser and internet connection and offer fast order execution speeds to South African traders.

The financial center of South Africa is Cape Town but many South African traders increasingly have a more global outlook to the financial instruments they want to trade in. Many South African traders now look to South Africa and global stocks and shares, world fiat currency markets, cryptocurrency trading, commodities trading, ETFs and CFDS.

South Africa does have the local Johannesburg Stock Exchange financial market for South African traders to buy and sell South Africa securities. Although the Local Johannesburg Stock Exchange is there for South African traders, more experienced South African traders are actively looking to add a range of financial instruments to their investment and trading portfolios from financial markets all over the world not just South Africa.

Although South African traders still use the ZAR, more experienced South African traders are intergrating multiple deposit and withdrawal currencies into their South Africa trading strategies when South African traders compare South Africa trading platforms.

Choosing The Best Regulated Trading Platform South Africa

Choosing the best South Africa trading platform for you can be overwhelming for new investors. The good news is that many South Africa investment platforms provide education, research, and trading tools to help you get started. We'll show you how to evaluate new South Africa trading platforms for example checking they are regulated and where you should begin.

All trading platforms in South Africa need to be regulated by Financial Sector Conduct Authority. Its also a good sign if when using an international trading platform that serves South Africa residents if they are regulated by a major European financial regulator like the UK's Financial Conducat Authority (FCA) and Cysec.

Best Trading Platforms South Africa 2024 Table of Contents

Top South Africa Trading Platforms Compared

Best Trading Platforms South Africa List

Featured South Africa Trading Platform Account Features Trading Features

IC Markets

Used By: 180,000
Instruments Available: 232
Number Of Shares Available: 2,100
Minimum Deposit: 200
Platforms: MT4, MT5, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Mac
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
Losses can exceed depositsTry Now

Roboforex

Used By: 10,000
Instruments Available: 100
Number Of Shares Available: 53
Minimum Deposit: 10 USD / 10 EUR
Platforms: MT4, MT5, Mac, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
Losses can exceed depositsTry Now

AvaTrade

Used By: 200,000
Instruments Available: 1000
Number Of Shares Available: 99
Minimum Deposit: 100
Platforms: Web Trader, MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGo, AvaOptions, Mac, Mobile Apps, ZuluTrade, DupliTrade, MQL5
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
71% of retail CFD accounts lose moneyTry Now

FP Markets

Used By: 10,000
Instruments Available: 100
Number Of Shares Available: 10,000
Minimum Deposit: 100
Platforms: MT4, MT5, IRESS, Mac, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
Losses can exceed depositsTry Now

NordFX

Used By: 10,000
Instruments Available: 50
Number Of Shares Available: 0
Minimum Deposit: 10
Platforms: MT4, MT5, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
Losses can exceed depositsTry Now

XTB

Used By: 250,000
Instruments Available: 4000
Number Of Shares Available: 1,696
Minimum Deposit: 0
Platforms: MT4, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: Yes
74% 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. Try Now

Pepperstone

Used By: 89,000
Instruments Available: 100
Number Of Shares Available: 60
Minimum Deposit: 200
Platforms: MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: Yes
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89 % of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your moneyTry Now

XM

Used By: 10,000,000
Instruments Available: 1000
Number Of Shares Available: 160
Minimum Deposit: 5
Platforms: MT4, MT5, Mac, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: Yes
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 77.74% 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.Try Now

FXPrimus

Used By: 10,000
Instruments Available: 130
Number Of Shares Available: 60
Minimum Deposit: 100
Platforms: MT4, Mac, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
Losses can exceed depositsTry Now

easyMarkets

Used By: 142,500
Instruments Available: 200
Number Of Shares Available: 52
Minimum Deposit: 100
Platforms: MT4, MT5, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
Your capital is at riskTry Now

Trading 212

Used By: 15,000,000
Instruments Available: 10000
Number Of Shares Available: 1,731
Minimum Deposit: 1
Platforms: Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% 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.Try Now

SpreadEx

Used By: 10,000
Instruments Available: 15000
Number Of Shares Available: 1,000
Minimum Deposit: 1
Platforms: Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
Losses can exceed depositsTry Now

Admiral Markets

Used By: 10,000
Instruments Available: 148
Number Of Shares Available: 64
Minimum Deposit: $100
Platforms: MT4, MT5, Mac, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
Losses can exceed depositsTry Now

Swissquote

Used By: 300,000
Instruments Available: 100
Number Of Shares Available: 0
Minimum Deposit: 1000
Platforms: MT4, MT5, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: No
Losses can exceed depositsTry Now

HYCM

Used By: 10,000
Instruments Available: 100
Number Of Shares Available: 10
Minimum Deposit: 100
Platforms: MT4, MT5, Tablet & Mobile apps
Negative Balance Protection:
Inactivity Fee: Yes
Losses can exceed depositsTry Now

Best Online Brokers South Africa Reviewed

What Can I Trade on South Africa Trading Platforms

Trading platforms in South Africa have seen a have seen huge growth in the last 5 years.

Modern South Africa trading platforms are easy to find, use and install. The internet's expansion in South Africa and the rest of the world, the improvement in terms of cost in South Africa and speed has lowered the barrier to entry to South Africa traders. More people in South Africa can now access these online South Africa trading services and begin trading in minutes. Trading has also been revolutionised by the internet for South Africa people, which has made trading in South Africa not only more convenient but also real-time.

We list the most popular tradable financial assets available on South Africa trading platforms below.

Stocks And Shares on South Africa Trading Platforms

South Africa Stock market trading is the buying and selling of company stocks and shares, or other securities through a South Africa stockbroker and trading platform in South Africa. Trading on the South Africa or global stock market is accomplished by placing a buy or sell order to your South Africa trading platform. A buy order is placed when you wish to purchase a security, and a sell order is placed when you wish to sell the security back to your South Africa trading platform.

Most people trade stocks and shares with South Africa online trading platforms. South Africa trading platforms offer more convenience for local South Africa residents than traditional brokerage firms that used to handle buy and sell financial instrument transactions by phone.

When trading stocks and shares on a South Africa trading platform, stocks and shares are the primary source of funds for companies listed on South Africa and global stock exchanges. Investing on a South Africa trading platform offers investors a stake in listed companies, as well as a share of that companies profits through dividends. The price of stocks and shares can go up or down depending on how the South Africa financial market perceives their value.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
UK StocksYesYesYesYesNo
US StocksYesYesYesYesNo
DE StocksYesYesYesYesNo
JP StocksYesYesYesYesNo
Penny StocksNoNoYesNoNo
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

South Africa Fractional Trading

A relatively new trading feature for South Africa traders that South Africa trading platforms offer are fractional shares. A fractional share is a fraction of a full share of an equity stock. Stock splits, which don't always result in an even number of shares, frequently result in fractional shares. Fractional shares are not traded on the open market; they can only be sold through a larger South Africa trading platform brokers. South Africa trading platforms that offer fractional shares allow South Africa traders to buy shares with a lower barrier to entry.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Fractional SharesNoYesNoNoNo
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

Cryptocurrency Trading on South Africa Trading Platforms

In order to be able to trade cryptocurrency in South Africa, you need a South Africa crypto trading account. This is where your South Africa crypto assets are held and perform a similar function to South Africa bank accounts used in the real world. You will need to create a crypto South Africa trading account if you are from the South Africa, so that you can start buying and selling cryptocurrency with ease.

Cryptocurrency trading is one of the fastest growing financial markets in the world today. It has grown exponentially over the past few years and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, there are now more cryptocurrencies than ever before and each exchange has an average daily volume that exceeds $1 million USD.

In order to trade cryptocurrencies from South Africa, you first need to open a South Africa cryptocurrency trading account with a South Africa cryptocurrency exchange or crypto South Africa trading platform. You can then deposit cash from your South Africa bank or credit card into a South Africa trading account in order to buy different cryptocurrencies with USD dollars or other fiat currencies available in South Africa.

After you have purchased your digital assets on a South Africa trading platform, you can withdraw your South Africa crypto assets onto your local computer or store them in another software wallet that you have control of in South Africa.

Make sure you trade cryptocurrencies with a well regulated and secure trading platform in South Africa. If you decide to leave crypto on a unregulated unsecure South Africa exchange, be careful not to keep too much of your digital currency on any one South Africa trading platform as unregulated South Africa crypto trading platforms are known for getting hacked.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
CryptoYesNoYesYesNo
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

ETFs on South Africa Trading Platforms

Most modern online South Africa Trading platforms allow trading in ETFs. Exchange-traded Funds (ETFs) in South Africa are a type of investment that trade on an exchange just like stocks. The value of ETFs is based on the collective value of their underlying assets. Because they trade on an local South Africa or global financial exchange, ETFs can be bought and sold at any time on a South Africa ETF trading platform during market hours. South Africa trading platforms allow South Africa traders to purchase partial shares or full shares depending on the desired commitment to the investment and ability to pay for it.

Indices on South Africa Trading Platforms

South Africa indice trading platforms allow South Africa traders to invest in local South Africa Indices and stock indexes as well as indices on financial markets all over the world.

Financial market indices are used to measure changes in the value of a South Africa or global selection of stocks, bonds, or other financial assets.

The most common Global indices Markets include: the London Stock Exchange, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500), the NASDAQ Composite, and the Russell 2000.

Financial indices are also referred to as stock market indices or a stock market index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is often referred to as the “Dow 30” or “the Dow,” while the Nasdaq Composite is also referred to as the “Nasdaq”.

When trading on South Africa trading platforms, financial indices are designed to show how a group of South Africa or worldwide stocks performs in relation to other market-traded stocks or indexes. Financial indices can measure stocks on an absolute basis or relative basis.

A benchmark index is a statistical measure of the value of a section of the global or South Africa stock market. It is computed from the prices of specific selected stocks and reflects changes in their valuations.

Financial indices can help South Africa investors using South Africa trading platforms understand how markets have performed over time from month-to-month and year-to-year against local South Africa financial markets and markets all around the world.

Bonds on South Africa Trading Platforms

Bonds from South Africa and all over the world can be actively traded on South Africa trading platforms.

Bonds are a kind of loan from individuals or institutions to the South Africa government. They help governments meet their borrowing needs and finance their local South Africa expenditures. South Africa Bonds can be issued as either long-term (20 years or more) or short-term (less than three years). These bonds are issued on behalf of the government by its debt manager, the Bank of Canada.

How do South Africa Bond Trading Platforms Work?

When you buy a bond on a South Africa trading platform, you're essentially loaning money to the government. When the government receives your loan, it will pay you interest on your investment until its debt is paid off; Usually after 20 years or more. You can choose to hold onto your bonds within your South Africa trading platform until they mature, sell them before they mature, or put them in a portfolio that automatically re-balances itself by purchasing more bonds when prices fall and selling some when prices rise, an approach called 'rebalancing'.

Commodities on South Africa Trading Platforms

When trading from South Africa commodities trading is a way of investing in commodities through contracts. Some of the examples of commodities are gold, silver, oil, stocks and other goods that are traded in the public market. Modern trading platforms allow South Africa residents to trade commodities not only from South Africa but also commodity markets all over the world across multiple timezones via commodity futures or commodity CFD trading.

South Africa investors have a choice to either go for futures or physical commodities. A futures contract is a standardised legal agreement between unrelated parties to buy or sell something at a predetermined price at a predetermined time in the future. Physical options are where you directly acquire some goods as soon as you agree to a deal; however, this requires more funds which is why many people prefer going for futures options.

Margin Trading on South Africa Trading Platforms

Margin trading on South Africa trading platforms have a higher profit potential than standard trading, but it also comes with a higher level of risk. The repercussions of losses are amplified when buying stocks on margin. A margin call, which asks you to sell your stock position or front more funds to keep your investment, may also be issued by the broker.

Stock CFD Trading on South Africa Trading Platforms

Trading traditional stocks and shares are usually better suiting for long term trading. Modern online trading platforms in South Africa allow CFD stock trading.

CFD stock trading is where more experienced traders can speculate on a stocks up or down price movement using leveraged margin trading which allows a fraction of a traded amount to be placed with a South Africa CFD stock trading platform.

Stock CFD trading is high risk and you may lose more than your deposited amount with some South Africa trading platforms. No underlying real company stocks are brought on a CFD stock trade on your South Africa trading platform. A CFD stock trade is a speculative deal between you and your South Africa CFD stock broker platform on a stock assets price movement.

ETF CFD trading on South Africa Trading Platforms

When you trade ETFs as CFDs (Contracts for Difference), you are investing in the price of the ETF rather than the actual ETF. The market value of the financial instrument that a CFD instrument represents is used to calculate its value. Most trading platforms in South Africa will allow speculative trading in ETFs through CFDs. Check you fully understand what ETF CFDS are as they hold risk and what CFD ETFs your trading platform in South Africa specfically offers.

Commodity CFDs on South Africa Trading Platforms

Commodity CFDs although high risk due to their leverage feature, are a versatile tool for experienced South Africa investors. Trading platforms in South Africa allow CFD trading in commodity futures at a fraction of the cost of trading tradtional commodities. You can also utilise Stop Loss and Take Profit orders on your South Africa trading platform to automate trades, leverage to raise your position's exposure, and technical analysis to construct exact strategies. Understand that no underlying commodities are traded on your South Africa trading platform with a commodity CFD. A commodity CFD is high risk speculation using leverage on up or down price movement on a specific commodity between the trader and the South Africa trading platform.

Bond CFDs on South Africa Trading Platforms

Some trading platforms in South Africa allow South Africa traders to trade Bond CFDs.

A bond CFD is a form of financial derivative trading. When you trade a bond, you are taking a position on the price of the underlying instrument and not purchasing the instrument itself. Bond CFDs use leverage which is very high risk.

South Africa trading platforms sell bond CFDs, which are financial instruments. The reference asset for each Bond CFD is a specific South Africa or global bond financial instrument. The capital return of the instrument is the difference between the open and closing prices of the reference bond, which is what CFDs stand for. When trading CFDs, the difference is settled in cash, and no physical delivery of bonds is required.

Futures CFDs on South Africa Trading Platforms

Futures CFD trading is available on most trading platforms in South Africa.

Futures contracts are standardized agreements or contracts with obligations to buy or sell a particular asset at a preset price with a future expiration date. Although CFDs allow investors to trade the price movements of futures, they are not futures contracts by themselves.

Futures CFDs are high risk leveraged trades on speculative Futures price movements up or down with your South Africa trading platform or broker. With a Futures CFD you are not trading any underlying Futures assets. Futures CFDS although high risk can have a lower barrier of entry than traditional Futures trading.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Stock CFDs11084006259,00065
ETF CFDs30505925050
Commodity CFDs202027620
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

Forex Trading on South Africa Trading Platforms

Forex, short for foreign exchange, is the largest financial market in South Africa and the rest of the world. Trading currencies in South Africa allows you to take advantage of the swings in values in local South Africa and global currencies, and the volatility that occurs between different countries currencies. On your South Africa trading platform, South Africa residents can trade on these price differences with the goal of making a profit from speculating on price movements, or using currency fluctuations to hedge against losses in another investment position. All of this can be done on modern online South Africa trading platforms.

Different South Africa trading platforms offer different currency pairs available. All major currency pairs will be available on your South Africa trading platform, but if you need some more exotic currency pairs when trading from South Africa, you will need to check they are available in your South Africa trading dashboard.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
ForexYesYesYesYesYes
Major PairsYesYesYesYesYes
Exotic PairsYesYesYesYes
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

Trading Platform South Africa Features & Tools

South Africa trading platforms offer varying features and tools that help South Africa traders with technical analysis and financial market research. South Africa trading account tools can include a range of chart types, technical indicators, market news, advanced order types, trading simulators and faster order executions.

MT4 on South Africa Trading Platforms

MT4 is a Forex and CFD trading platform, which means you can trade Forex online with it. MT4 stands for MetaTrader 4 and it was developed by MetaQuotes Software Corp., a Russian software company that has been in business since 1999.

MetaQuotes is still one of the market leaders when it comes to South Africa Forex trading platforms, but there are other companies like eToro which also offer their own trading platform solutions.

While the basic features of MT4 and other similar platforms may look quite similar, there are some differences between them that you need to keep in mind before picking one or another. If you have used MT4 before and are happy with it check if your South Africa trading platform offers MT4.

MT5 on South Africa Trading Platforms

Unless your South Africa trading platform have built their own proprietary trading platform, your South Africa broker is probably using MT5 or MT4 as their trading platform for South Africa residents.

MT5 is a more modern version of MT4 offering more technical indicators to South Africa traders. MT5 has more technical analysis tools like depth of market which allows South Africa traders to view financial instrument bid prices across many global financial markets, not just the South Africa market. MT5 offers over twice as many timeframes on its charting tools to South Africa users. MT5 is not just for CFD trading. MT5 is a multiasset trading platform allowing trading stocks, commodities, futures, Forex and cryptocurrencies. MT5 is 64 bit and has been designed for speed. Check if your South Africa trading platform offers MT5.

cTrader on South Africa Trading Platforms

cTrader is a full-featured trading platform that Forex and CFD firms can provide to their South Africa clients. The cTrader platform is jam-packed with features that cater to most South Africa traders needs. If you are looking for a trading platform in South Africa that offers automated trading facilities to users in South Africa. cTrader is known for is popular accessible programming language. Check to see if your South Africa trading platform offers these features if you need this functionality.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
MT4YesYesYesYesYes
MT5YesYesYesYesYes
cTraderYesNoNoYesNo
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

STP Accounts on South Africa Trading Platforms

A Forex broker that offers Straight Through Processing of trade orders is known as a STP broker. These are brokers who submit the trader's orders directly to liquidity providers (big banks) for processing and fulfilment of trade orders.

STP brokerages can often provide tight spreads and cost of execution without the disadvantage of a dealing desk's higher costs.

ECN Accounts on South Africa Trading Platforms

A real ECN account is a pure order-matching execution system in which the South Africa trading platform charges a premium as commission per trade rather than artificially inflating the raw spread that occurs naturally during the order-matching process.

In liquid market situations, South Africa ECN accounts might offer tighter spreads and a lower overall cost of trading in South Africa.

DMA Accounts on South Africa Trading Platforms

Direct market access (DMA) is an electronic trading strategy that allows South Africa investors to conduct transactions on South Africa trading platforms by engaging directly with an electronic order book. An order book is a collection of orders listed on South Africa trading platforms. South Africa DMA trading platforms displays prices and volumes and is a list of orders that records the orders placed on the stock exchange by buyers and sellers. If you require DMA trading in South Africa check your South Africa trading platform offers it.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
STPNoYesNoYesYes
ECNYesYesNoYesNo
DMAYesNoNoYesYes
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

Social Trading on South Africa Trading Platforms

Social trading is a form of investing in which South Africa individuals copy or mirror the trades or portfolios of other, more successful investors. Social trading allows you to invest in ways that were previously only available to a select few institutional investors – including hedge fund managers, investment bankers, and venture capitalists.

It can take decades for South Africa traders to build up the necessary experience and expertise to fully understand risk and make consistent profits on financial markets. With social trading, new traders can research and follow the trades of more successful South Africa and global traders.

It takes some skill to identify skilled traders whom you should follow closely on South Africa trading platforms. Fortunately, many South Africa trading platforms offer South Africa users trading tools designed specifically for this purpose. A social trading South Africa portfolio should be well diversified to help mitigate trading risks.

Copy Trading on South Africa Trading Platforms

Copy trading is a system that allows South Africa investors to copy the trades of other traders not only in South Africa but all over the world. South Africa traders can either trade a specific financial instrument or the market as a whole. While it can be done manually, it is now common for South Africa trading platforms to offer copy trading on their South Africa platforms. Copy trading is offered by many South Africa brokers including eToro, but not all South Africa copy trading platforms have the same trading features and systems. The best way to find out about the details of how each South Africa trading platforms offers copytrading is to read each South Africa copytrading platforms user guides. eToro is the biggest social trading and copytrading platform in the world with over 20 million registered users.

If you do opt in for a South Africa copy trading platform, then it will generally be up to you which trades you want copied from other South Africa or worldwide traders and when those copies should be made. You will normally be able to choose between having one-to-one copies of every trade made by another investor on your South Africa copytrading platform or having automatic 'buy' and 'sell' copies made automatically once per day at a set time so long as there has been activity during that day in that option or market as a whole.

If there hasn't been any activity during the day (or no new positions being opened) then no automatic copies will be made on your South Africa trading platform until there is some activity again after midnight GMT/UTC time (the default time zone set by most brokers). It really depends on what your South Africa trading platform offers with their own system so always check first before making any assumptions with your trades.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
CopytradingNoYesYesYesYes
Social TradingYesNoYesNoNo
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

VIP Trading Account on South Africa Trading Platforms

Trading with a South Africa VIP account is similar to trading with a personal market analyst, but with the added benefit of lower South Africa trading fees and lower latency for faster execution for South Africa traders.

VIP trading accounts are preferable to normal accounts since they come with a slew of extra features. These accounts are open to both professional and individual traders of any degree who have a big amount of money to trade.

Many South Africa trading platforms offering VIP accounts offer South Africa users additional trading features including free VPS trading machines, hosting service, no deposit/withdrawal fees, private consultations with a South Africa personal account manager, exclusive seminars and events which may be available locally in South Africa or worldwide. South Africa VIP trading account features vary between South Africa trading platforms. Check to see what your VIP South Africa trading platform offers.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
VIP AccountsNoYesYesNoYes
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

Auto Trading on South Africa Trading Platforms

Automated trading in South Africa is a way of participating in financial markets by executing pre-set procedures for entering and leaving trades on South Africa trading platforms through a computer programme. As a South Africa automated trader, you'll combine in-depth technical analysis on global and South Africa financial instruments, with the creation of position characteristics like open orders, trailing stops, and guaranteed stops.

Many South Africa trading platforms offer APIs and programming languages allowing traders in South Africa to make use of and add automation to their investment strategies. MT4, MT5, cTrader all offer South Africa traders access to automated trading features.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Automated TradingYesYesYesYesYes
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

South Africa Mobile Apps on South Africa Trading Platforms

Trading in South Africa and worldwide financial instruments such as the stock market, cryptocurrencies, Forex, commodities, Indices, ETFs, and CFDs using a smartphone or tablet, such as an Apple or Android device, is known as mobile app trading. South Africa mobile trading apps have become more advanced as technology, software and the internet has progressed in the last 5 years. Trading in South Africa a decade ago was previously mostly conducted through desktop trading, which was done using a PC or Apple Mac computer. No mobile app trading in South Africa on South Africa trading platforms in now faster and easier. With the help of a variety of South Africa trading apps, a South Africa trader can purchase and sell financial instruments as well as manage a portfolio on his or her mobile phone.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Mobile AppsiOS, Android and WindowsiOSiOS and AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, Android
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

Trade Signals on South Africa Trading Platforms

Trading signals are instructions to purchase or sell a security based on a set of pre-defined parameters. South Africa Traders can develop trading signals on many South Africa trading platforms based on a range of parameters, ranging from simple ones like earnings reports and volume surges to more complicated signals drawn from previously generated signals and technical data.

If you are looking for a South Africa trading platform that offers trading signals, make sure you understand that they are very high risk. Check to see if your trading platform in South Africa is well regulated and able to offer trading signals to traders in South Africa.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Signal TradingYesYesYesYesNo
riskwarningTry Now

Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

Islamic Accounts on South Africa Trading Platforms

South Africa Islamic Trading accounts in South Africa are designed to allow South Africa traders to trade in accordance with the ethical principles of Islam.

South Africa Islamic trading accounts reflect the Islamic prohibition against trading (“gambling”) by excluding speculative investments that include buying on margin or borrowing money to trade, and by only allowing certain asset classes such as currencies, commodities and stocks. However it does allow for certain riskier trades including options and derivatives.

South Africa traders who wish to trade using a Islamic compatible trading platform available in South Africa should be aware the Shariah rules for Islamic Financial instruments are set out in detail by the Accounting & Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).

The AAOIFI have codified all aspects of these financial instruments including how they should be structured. These rules cover topics such as profit-sharing arrangements which protect returns from being used before earning them; one-year contracts which prevent speculation on short-term price volatility; regular payments on deposits which remove the element of risk from banks depositors; and interest rates which are not excessive. If you are looking for for a South Africa Islamic trading account check your South Africa trading platform offers these Islamic compliant trading accounts.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Islamic AccountsYesYesYesYesYes
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Demo accounts on South Africa Trading Platforms

A South Africa demo trading account is a type of account provided by South Africa trading platforms that are filled with fictitious virtual trading funds raning from 100k USD that allows a potential South Africa trader to test the South Africa trading platform and its features before opting to open a real South Africa trading account.

If you are new to trading it is essential you learn to trade first with a South Africa trading platform, before risking losing real money on a live South Africa trading account. Demo accounts are free on most reputable South Africa trading platforms.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Demo AccountsYesYesYesYesYes
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Financial Regulation on South Africa Trading Platforms

Financial regulation in South Africa is the process of controlling and managing financial services in South Africa regional area. It combines aspects of South Africa law, consumer protection and economics. Governments like South Africa often implement financial regulations to prevent industry abuse, ensure fairness and protect consumers from mismanagement or fraud for South Africa residents. South Africa and international financial regulators also control the amounts of risk that South Africa individual retail trading can take with their investments.

South Africa Financial Regulation

All trading platforms in South Africa need to be authorised and overseen South Africa financial regulators including by Financial Sector Conduct Authority. Traders in South Africa can also use online trading platforms that serve South Africa residents. Check that any online trading platform you use from South Africa is regulated by a major European financial regulator like the UKs Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Regulated ByAustralian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)Financial Services Commission (FSC) License 000138/437Central Bank of Ireland, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), Financial Stability Board (FSB), Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM), Financial Regulatory Services Authority (FRSA), British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI)Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Financial Services Authority (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), License No: 209/13
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South Africa Trading Platform Customer Service

Phone Support on South Africa Trading Platforms

For most trading platform users in South Africa, it's more convenient to call a phone number and speak to an actual South Africa trading platform support person when we need help. South Africa trading platform phone support also allows you to ask questions in real time without having to wait for an email response. A real human from South Africa who is able to talk in your language can answer all of your South Africa trading platform questions, and if they don't know the answer, they can connect you with someone who does.

A good South Africa trading platform phone support person will not only answer your South Africa trading platform questions. A thing to note is that although a South Africa trading platform support person can help you resolve South Africa trading platform issues, they cannot and are not allowed to give you financial advice.

Live Chat Support on South Africa Trading Platforms

Livechat is the most popular method of contacting your South Africa trading platform. South Africa trading platforms that offer livechat support are able to offer answers to South Africa traders queries in often less than 5 minutes. Livechat sometimes is reserved for VIP South Africa traders trading in higher volumes. Check to see if your South Africa trading platform offers livechat to South Africa traders.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Live ChatNoNoYesYesNo
PhoneNoYesYesYesNo
EmailYesYesYesYesYes
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

South Africa Trading Platform Minimum Deposits

South Africa trading platform minimum deposits usually range from $0 up to $1000 dollars plus depending on the type of South Africa trading account (i.e., margin vs non-margin).

South Africa trading platforms set minimum deposit requirements that vary for each account depending on the type of trading and features you require for your South Africa trading account. Many South Africa trading accounts offer low minimum deposits and commission fee trading. If you require margin based trading or more advanced trading tools and features you may need a South Africa trading platform which requires a greater minimum despost.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Min Deposit20010 USD / 10 EUR10010010
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Does It Matter How Many Traders My South Africa Trading Platform Has?

One benefit to trading with a large volume South Africa trading platform with a larger amount of users, is that you have access to more liquidity from other traders on the South Africa trading platform looking to invest in your chosen financial asset whether is stocks, currency, crypto or commodities. You can buy or sell with greater confidence knowing that there is a great chance there someone else on either side of your trade looking to take advantage of changes in the financial markets. eToro for example has over 20 million registered traders.

In addition, if you want your money quickly, high volume South Africa trading platforms will offer quick settlement times as well as fast execution speeds on their South Africa trading platforms. When placing an order with a lower volume South Africa trading, it may take longer for your transaction to complete since only a handful of people use their South Africa trading platform leading to an increased risk in the financial markets changing while waiting for confirmation of a buy or sell order on your South Africa trading platform.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Usedby180000100002000001000010000
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits

Educational Resources on South Africa Trading Platforms

Many of the more established South Africa trading platforms offer South Africa traders a range of learning and educational resources that South Africa traders can use to learn more about South Africa trading platform trading tools and technical analysis and financial market search. These educational resources on South Africa trading platforms can range from how to trading videos, market research article guides, trading webinars, free courses and podcasts. See what your shortlisted South Africa trading platforms are able to offer you.

Trading Platforms South Africa Trading Fees Explained

Make sure you are fully aware of all the fees and commissions that your short listed South Africa trading platforms charge. Check and compare the fees that South Africa trading platforms that you decided upon charge. Some trading platforms in South Africa may charge monthly fees for having accounts open with them but some are free or charge very little if any at all.

Paying additional fees on your South Africa trading platform may be necessary in you require some more advanced trading tools. But if you do not require these tools pick a South Africa trading platform without these fees.

South Africa Share Dealing Fees

There is a charge for each purchase and sell transaction you make on a South Africa trading platform for shares on the local South Africa and global stock markets.

Generally on South Africa trading platforms, the lesser the cost, the larger the share transaction. A minimal fee is charged by South Africa trading platforms. Fees of stocks and shares vary from 0.1% to 3%. Depending on your South Africa trading platform share dealing fees might be as low as 0.1 percent for larger trades.

South Africa Trading Commission

Trading commission is the amount charged by the South Africa trading platform to execute a trade. The amount of commission charged by different South Africa trading platforms varies depending on the asset traded and the type of service provided. Check you understand and are happy with your shortlisted South Africa trading platform trading commissions before trading.

South Africa Spreads

When Trading on a South Africa trading platform the difference between the bid and ask prices for a currency pair is called a spread. In forex, spreads are typically much smaller than in other markets like equities or commodities. If you trade with a more liquid South Africa trading platform with larger user bases the spreads should generally be better. Check you undertand your South Africa trading platforms spreads well before trading.

South Africa Trading Platform Fees

South Africa Overnight Financing Fees

When trading on a South Africa trading platform using a leveraged trading you may have to pay an overnight financing fee. Overnight financing is a price you pay to keep a trading position open overnight on leveraged transactions; It's effectively an interest payment to cover the cost of the leverage you're using overnight. Positions with no fixed expiration date are subject to overnight financing charges. Check what overnight fees your South Africa trading platform charges if you are planning to use leverage trading.

If you're trading CFDs on a South Africa trading platform, you may have to pay an overnight finance cost if you keep your trade open past a specific period. Because of overnight fees CFDs that are charged by all South Africa trading platforms, they are better suited for short-term trading strategies.

South Africa Trading Platform Transaction Fees

Some South Africa trading platforms allow you to deposit and withdraw funds fee-free, while others will implement a charge. This might be based on your chosen payment method or because you are using a South Africa trading platform that is denominated in a currency other than the currency of your South Africa bank account. One currency has to be converted to another which may incur a fee.

South Africa Trading Platform Inactivity Fees

Certain South Africa trading platforms may charge a fee if your account remains inactive for a certain amount of time. If you are no longer using your South Africa trading account or forget about it, check you are not liable for any inactivity fees. If you are no longer using your South Africa trading account be sure to contact support and close your South Africa trading platform account.

South Africa Forex Trading Fees

South Africa trading platforms do not offer free Forex trading. When you trade Forex, you can expect to pay a fee no matter what your trading strategy is, through spreads. The Forex spreads fees differ with each South Africa trading platform. Some are more competitive than other South Africa trading platforms. Some South Africa trading platforms charge a fixed spread while other South Africa trading platforms change a variable spread. Fixed spreads are are determined by the South Africa trading platform and remain constant regardless of market conditions or volatility. Fixed spreads allow you to plan your investment strategy by knowing your spread cost ahead of time. Variable spreads may for experienced traders be beneficial if a financial market is less volatile depending on the investment strategy and goals.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Withdrawal FeeNoYesNoNoNo
Deposit FeeVariesNoNoYesNo
Inactivity FeesNoNoNoNoNo
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

South Africa Trading Account Payment Methods

When trading with a South Africa trading platform online, there are a variety of payment options accessible to South Africa traders; Depending on which South Africa trading plaforms you shortlist each will have different deposit and withdrawal methods. Each trade payment option has its own set of benefits and cons in terms of costs, processing times, and limits.

Some traders consider the time it takes to execute a payment to be critical, while others are content to wait a few days. Similarly, transaction costs may be more or less essential depending on whether you will make numerous little transactions or fewer, larger ones.

The funding and withdrawal methods a South Africa Trading Plaform offers is very important when trading. The number of payment methods available to South African traders is increasing every month.

Popular payment methods available on South Africa Trading Plaforms include South Africa Bank Transfers, South Africa Debit Cards, South Africa Credit Cards, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Rapid Transfer, iDeal, Klarna and Poli. Funding and withdrawal payment methods differ from broker to broker in South Africa.

NameIC MarketsRoboforexAvaTradeFP MarketsNordFX
Payment MethodsBPAY, Credit Card, FasaPay, Giropay, Mastercard, Neteller, PayPal, POLi, QIWI, Rapid Transfer, Skrill, UnionPay, Visa, Wire Transfer, Yandex MoneyADVcash, Alipay, Bitcoin Payments, Cashu, FasaPay, Giropay, iDeal, MoneyGram, Neteller, Perfect Money, POLi, QIWI, Rapid Transfer, SafeCharge, Skrill, Sofort, Trustly, Vietcombank Transfer, Visa, Webmoney, WeChat Pay, Wire Transfer, Yandex MoneyBitcoin Payments, Credit Card, Debit Card, FasaPay, JCB Card, Mastercard, MoneyGram, Perfect Money, Skrill, Swift, Webmoney, Western Union, Wire TransferBPAY, Credit Card, FasaPay, Neteller, PayPal, POLi, Skrill, Visa, Wire TransferCashu, Perfect Money, QIWI, Yandex Money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits
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71% of retail CFD accounts lose money
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Losses can exceed deposits
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Losses can exceed deposits

How to Open a South Africa Trading Account

Step 1: Open a South Africa Trading Account

When opening a South Africa trading account. Set up two factor authentication as well as a strong password; we recommend using Google Authenticator for extra security; Make sure that email addresses associated with your South Africa trading account are verified.

Verifying your South Africa trading account will you to access your withdrawal history should any issues arise in future;

Step 2: Confirm Your South Africa Identity

Online trading platforms South Africa, require a South Africa resident to have a verified South Africa account with them before they will let you trade on their South Africa trading platform.

South Africa trading accounts will require some form of identify verification such as South Africa social security number or equivalent, South Africa drivers license or South Africa passport. You will not be able to trade on your selected South Africa trading platform until you have passed verification checks. This is due to the financial regulation South Africa trading platforms have to adhere too. Verification of your South Africa trading account may take 2-10 working days but may be faster.

Step 3: Deposit Funds To Your South Africa Trading Platform

South Africa trading platforms offer a wide range of deposit funding methods before you begin trading. Pick a deposit method that you are most comfortable with. Remember to keep your South Africa trading platform minimum deposit requirements in mind when opening your new South Africa trading account. The minimum deposit requirement amounts may vary depending on the type of South Africa trading account you decide to open.

Step 4: Research a Financial Instrument To Trade On Your South Africa Trading Platform

Research financial instrument is one of the most difficult parts of trading on a South Africa trading platform. Experienced traders have spent years learning how to understand market sentiment using technical analysis and charting tools. To use a South Africa trading platform effectively you will have to spend time to understand how these tools work.

One of the most important things you can do when researching a financial asset on a South Africa trading platform, is to look at financial statements, annual reports and historical price data. You need to have a good understanding of how your financial instrument makes money, what they spend their money on, and more importantly, the financial markets sentiment towards the financial instrument. A South Africa trading platform will offer market research tools but you must use your own judgement and understand what you are doing.

Step 5: Place a Trade

Create a watchlist or browse the financial markets on your chosen South Africa trading platform.

Open the chart of the financial asset you want to invest in.

Your South Africa trading platform will have a range of tradable financial instruments available. Whether it's a stock, commodity, currency pair, or crypto asset your have selected on your South Africa trading platform, click 'Buy' or 'Sell' for the desired financial asset.

Enter the number of units you want to buy or sell. Set up your Take Profit and Stop Loss levels on your South Africa trading platform. If you do not know what risk management strategies are learn about them before trading on a South Africa trading platform.

Before you click buy make sure you understand the trading risks and know clearly what you are doing. Do not trade with money you cannot afford to lose. Trading on the financial markets on a South Africa trading platform holds risks. Click on the Buy Trade button.

On your chosen South Africa trading platform, your trade will be sent for order execution by your South Africa trading platform immediately.

Best Trading Platforms South Africa Verdict

Their has been a huge growth in online trading in South Africa. New South Africa trading platforms have seen their user bases see huge spikes in registrations over the last 2 years as new traders embrace trading online in South Africa.

Modern South Africa trading platforms are good because they offer both the traditional financial instruments like stocks and shares, Forex and commodities and the futures markets along with new financial markets like cryptocurrencies and higher risk leveraged trading options like CFDs.

Modern online trading platforms in South Africa offer South Africa traders access to thousands of tradable financial assets in multiple asset classes on financial markets not just in South Africa, but all over the world. Modern South Africa trading platforms offer very advanced trading tools, all available online, through a mobile app or even as downloadable software. Mordern South Africa traders can easily place buy and sell orders from just there mobile devices anywhere in the world.

Best Trading Platforms South Africa 2024 Frequently Asked Questions

We answer the most frequently asked South Africa trading platform questions below.

What is the best trading platform in South Africa?

The best South Africa trading platforms is eToro. eToro has the worlds most advanced online social trading platform with 0% commissions charged on real stocks.

What is the best platform for beginners in South Africa?

Here are some of the best trading platforms for beginners in South Africa: eToro - best for following more experienced traders. XTB - Low fees, good tools and fast account opening. Avatrade - Great research tools and free withdrawal and deposit options.

What is the safest South Africa Trading Platform?

eToro is among the safest trading platforms in South Africa as they are heavily regulated.

What can I trade on South Africa Trading Platforms?

South Africa trading platforms allowing trading in stocks, commodities, futures, ETFs, CFDs, Forex and cryptocurrencies.


Best Stock Trading Apps South Africa Reviews

We also have in depth reviews of each of the best South Africa trading platform reviews listed below.

Best Trading Platforms South Africa Reviews

We also have in depth reviews of each of the best South Africa trading platform reviews listed below.

Best Trading Platforms South Africa Alternatives

We also have in depth guides of the best South Africa alternative trading platforms for each South Africa broker below.

Ashly Chole - Senior Finance & Technology Editor

Best Trading Platforms South Africa 2024 guide updated 15/03/24