Investing has never been more accessible, but choosing the right platform can still be tricky. We’ve reviewed the top trading apps available in South Africa to help you find the right fit for your needs, whether you’re focused on local JSE-listed shares, broader international exposure, or both. Here’s our guide to the best platforms in 2026, their features, and what sets them apart.
Best stock trading apps in South Africa
Interactive Brokers | Best for intermediate and advanced investors
Online broker with a sophisticated trading platform that offers a wide range of products. The company, founded in the US, also provides the IBKR GlobalTrader app, which suits beginners.
XTB | Best for commission-free stocks and ETFs
Headquartered in Poland and listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, XTB offers real stocks and ETFs with no commission up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, as well as forex and CFDs, in its xStation app.
Pepperstone | Best for active CFD and forex traders
Broker founded in 2010 that specialises in CFDs on shares, forex, indices and commodities. It supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and TradingView, with low costs for active traders.
Plus500 | Ideal for CFDs
Plus500 is an FSCA-authorised CFD provider that charges no commission on CFDs on shares, indices, forex, commodities, options and ETFs, with a simple app and an unlimited demo account.
CFDs are high-risk, leveraged products and can result in the loss of your entire capital.
Best stock trading apps in South Africa compared
| Broker | Stock fees | Min. deposit | Apps | Real stocks |
| Interactive Brokers | US stocks from $0.0035 per share (min $0.35) | $0 | IBKR GlobalTrader, IBKR Mobile, TWS | ✔ (170+ markets, no JSE) |
| XTB | 0% up to €100,000 a month, then 0.2% (min €10) | $0 | xStation | ✔ (stocks and ETFs, plus CFDs) |
| Pepperstone | Share CFDs from $0.02 per US share, 0.07% to 0.20% elsewhere | $0 | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | ✘ (share CFDs only) |
| Plus500 | No commission (spread on share CFDs) | R750 | Plus500 app and WebTrader | ✘ (share CFDs only) |
Main costs for South African residents. Source: Interactive Brokers, XTB, Pepperstone and Plus500, September 2026.
Interactive Brokers at a glance
Interactive Brokers is one of the most reliable brokers in the global market and a strong option for South African investors. Founded in 1978 and publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: IBKR), the company has come through every major financial crisis over nearly five decades. South African residents open their accounts with Interactive Brokers LLC, the US entity regulated by the SEC and FINRA, with no minimum deposit. Funding is by international wire in rand or another currency, and it counts towards your offshore allowance (see below). The IBKR Lite plan is only for US residents, so South Africans use IBKR Pro.
IBKR offers powerful trading apps for stocks with sophisticated tools, an exceptionally wide product range across more than 170 markets (including major US, European, and Asian exchanges), and competitive pricing. The broker offers multiple mobile apps and web-based platforms suited to different experience levels.
The IBKR GlobalTrader mobile app is user-friendly and well-suited to beginners, simplifying the investing experience without sacrificing the powerful execution IBKR is known for. For more advanced users, IBKR Mobile offers a comprehensive trading experience across stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and more. Beginners may find IBKR Mobile overwhelming, in which case starting with GlobalTrader is a sensible entry point.
Alongside the mobile apps, IBKR offers a powerful desktop platform (Trader Workstation, or TWS) and web-based platform (Client Portal) with deep analytical tools for accessing global financial markets. Whether you’re new to global investing or an experienced trader who needs institutional-grade execution, IBKR has an option that fits your needs.
One important consideration for South African investors: IBKR doesn’t currently offer direct access to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). If you want to trade local South African stocks (such as Naspers, Sasol, or Anglo American), you’ll need a local broker like Standard Bank (now through its Shyft app) or PSG Online. IBKR is best suited to South African investors who want international diversification.
If you want to know more, check our Interactive Brokers review.
XTB at a glance
69-80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
XTB is a Polish company founded in 2002 and listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ticker: XTB), with more than 2.8 million clients at the end of June 2026. South African investors are served by XTB International Limited, regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Belize. XTB is not authorised by the FSCA: its South African subsidiary was licensed in 2021 but never started operating. The wider XTB Group is also regulated by the FCA (UK), KNF (Poland), CySEC (Cyprus) and DFSA (Dubai), but those entities do not serve South African residents.
The xStation app, available on mobile, web and desktop, supports a wide range of instruments, technical analysis tools and educational resources. South African clients can buy real stocks and ETFs with no commission up to €100,000 of monthly turnover (0.2% above that, with a €10 minimum), plus a 0.5% currency conversion fee. XTB also offers CFDs with leverage of up to 1:500 through this entity. CFDs are complex, leveraged instruments and a majority of retail accounts lose money trading them, so they suit only experienced traders who fully understand the risks.
There is no minimum deposit and a free demo account. Keep in mind that withdrawals below $50 cost $30, and there is a €10 monthly inactivity fee after 12 months without transactions. If you want to find out more, check our XTB review.
Pepperstone at a glance
72-95% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Pepperstone is a global broker founded in 2010 in Melbourne, Australia, and says it serves more than 900,000 traders. It is regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), BaFin (Germany), DFSA (Dubai), CMA (Kenya) and SCB (Bahamas). Pepperstone does not hold an FSCA licence, so South African clients are onboarded by one of its international entities rather than a local one.
Pepperstone offers a strong selection of trading platforms: its own Pepperstone platform, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, cTrader (available for iOS, Android, web and desktop) and TradingView. They suit active traders, with rich charting, advanced order types and support for algorithmic trading (Expert Advisors, cTrader Automate). There is no minimum deposit and a free demo account.
It’s important to highlight that Pepperstone is a CFD and forex broker: the products on offer are leveraged derivatives, not real shares. Share CFDs cost $0.02 per share on US stocks and 0.07% to 0.20% on other markets. CFDs are complex, higher-risk instruments and a majority of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs. They should be approached with care and only by traders who fully understand the leverage effect and how it can magnify both gains and losses.
Plus500 at a glance
81% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Plus500 is an online broker founded in 2008 and headquartered in Israel. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker: PLUS) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. In South Africa, it operates through Plus500AU Pty Ltd, an authorised financial services provider with the FSCA (FSP 47546), and the group is also regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia) and MAS (Singapore), among others. Plus500 says it is available in 65 countries.
The broker provides a polished mobile app and a web platform (Plus500 WebTrader), both accessible and responsive. You can practise with a free, unlimited demo account before committing real money.
South African clients trade shares through CFDs, not real shares: Plus500 Invest, the group’s real-share platform, is not offered on its South African site. CFDs are leveraged products and can result in the loss of your entire capital, so they should be approached with care. The minimum first deposit shown on the South African site is R750.
Overall, Plus500 is a solid choice for South Africans who want a simple CFD app with a local FSCA licence. If you want to own the shares, choose Interactive Brokers or XTB instead. If you want to learn more, check our full Plus500 review.
This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
Methodology
When building this list, our goal was to help South African investors make an informed choice when picking a stock trading app. Each of the platforms covered has its own strengths, and we’ve tried to offer a diverse set of options that suit different investor profiles. We evaluated each platform against the following criteria:
- Pricing: price isn’t the only factor when choosing a trading app, but it matters. There’s no reason to pay more for an equivalent or worse service. We looked at commissions, spreads, FX conversion costs (particularly important when funding in ZAR), and any inactivity charges.
- Educational resources: high-quality educational content is a real advantage, especially for newer investors who want to build understanding before committing capital.
- Range of products and markets: does the app offer real stocks and ETFs, or only CFDs? Are local JSE-listed shares available? Crypto? Bonds and ETFs?
- Customer service: regardless of how good a platform is, issues can arise, and responsive, knowledgeable support matters when they do.
- The trading app itself: we assessed the platform’s functionality, ease of use, mobile experience, and any standout features.
- Security and regulation: every platform covered is regulated, either locally by the FSCA or abroad. We state which entity serves South African clients, because it is not always the group’s main licence: XTB, for example, serves South Africans from Belize. Never trade with an unregulated broker.
Investing offshore: allowances and tax
When you fund Interactive Brokers, XTB or any other broker outside South Africa, exchange control rules apply:
- Single discretionary allowance (SDA): adults can send up to R2 million per calendar year offshore without a tax clearance, double the previous R1 million, following the 2026 Budget.
- Foreign investment allowance: a further R10 million per year, which needs a Tax Compliance Status PIN for an Approved International Transfer (AIT) from the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Gains on shares are subject to capital gains tax (CGT). Individuals include 40% of the net gain in taxable income, after an annual exclusion of R50,000 from 2 March 2026, so the maximum effective rate is 18%. Dividends and foreign tax withheld also need to be declared. A tax-free savings account at a local provider avoids tax on gains and dividends within the annual limits.
If you are also interested in derivatives, see our guide to options trading in South Africa.
Bottom line
To summarise, here’s the list of best stock trading apps in South Africa for 2026:
- Interactive Brokers: best overall (international market access)
- XTB: best for commission-free stocks and ETFs
- Pepperstone: best for active CFD and forex traders
- Plus500: simple CFD app with a local FSCA licence
Choosing the right stock trading app in South Africa can be challenging given the options available, the exchange control rules on offshore investing, and the fact that products differ significantly between brokers: some offer real shares, others only CFDs.
To make the choice easier, we’ve listed what we consider the strongest options for different investor profiles, comparing what they offer and highlighting their respective strengths. Just remember: investing in stocks can be an important part of building long-term wealth, but it carries real risk, particularly when leveraged products like CFDs are involved.
Keep learning, do your own research, understand your investor profile and risk tolerance, and invest wisely.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. CFDs are complex, leveraged products and a majority of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs. South African residents investing offshore must comply with South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and SARS rules, including the single discretionary allowance (R2 million) and the foreign investment allowance (R10 million with SARS clearance). Always do your own research and consider your own financial situation and risk tolerance before opening an account.
Other FAQs
What is the difference between a stock and stock CFD?
While the stock gives you a property right over a share of the company, the CFD does not. The stock CFD is a derivative contract where the underlying asset is the stock and where the broker promises to pay you back the difference in value between the time you opened the position and the time you close it. CFDs have a leverage effect: if you buy a stock CFD and its price goes down, your losses grow in proportion to the leverage and you may need to add money to keep the position open. This makes the instrument risky and generally not suitable for beginners.
Can I buy JSE shares on Interactive Brokers or XTB?
No. International brokers like Interactive Brokers, XTB, Pepperstone and Plus500 do not give access to JSE shares. For local shares, use a South African broker like Standard Bank (Shyft) or PSG Online.
How much money can I invest offshore from South Africa?
Adults can send up to R2 million a year under the single discretionary allowance without tax clearance, plus up to R10 million a year under the foreign investment allowance with an AIT PIN from SARS.
Which stock trading apps are regulated by the FSCA?
On this list, Plus500 is authorised by the FSCA, through Plus500AU Pty Ltd (FSP 47546). Interactive Brokers serves South Africans from the US, XTB from Belize, and Pepperstone from one of its international entities.
How do I buy US shares like Tesla from South Africa?
You can buy them through Interactive Brokers or XTB. We explain the steps in our guide on how to buy Tesla stock from South Africa.
