Best Forex Brokers in South Africa of 2023

Since 2011, we’ve traded with and reviewed over 150 brokers in South Africa. To find the best brokers in South Africa for you, we’ve dedicated over 50 hours per broker, exploring more than 250 factors across 9 key areas. We’ve then compared them to identify the top performers in various categories. With decades of combined experience, our team of trading experts provides reliable and trusted opinions.

By: Vladimir ZernovReviewed By: FX Empire Editorial Board
Updated: Aug 20, 2023
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CFD trading is rapidly gaining popularity in South Africa. There are multiple brokers that offer their services to South Africa-based clients.

In order to operate legally in South Africa, brokers must obtain authorization from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), which is the national regulatory body. Being authorized by the FSCA is considered a positive attribute for brokers and provides forex traders with a sense of legitimacy. However, there are brokers who are regulated outside of South Africa but still offer forex trading services to local residents.

Choosing the right broker is a critical step to financial success. Traders should assess key aspects like regulation, fees, available instruments, trading platforms, and more. FXEmpire is an industry leader with over ten years of experience reviewing forex brokers. For this guide, we have used our industry-leading methodology that evaluates over 250 variables across nine key categories to come up with the best brokers for you.

Considering the different needs of traders, we broke down this list into nine major categories.

List Of Top Forex Brokers In South Africa

How Did FXEmpire Select the Best Forex Brokers in South Africa?

  • We focused on brokers that accept South African residents and are regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
  • We checked if the brokers have offices in South Africa.
  • We made sure that the brokers provide local customer support for South African residents.
  • We checked if the brokers offer bonuses and other perks for South Africans.
  • We preferred brokers that provide South African Rand (ZAR) for deposit and withdrawal and as a base currency.
  • We focused on trustworthy brokers that provide a high level of protection for their clients.
  • We listed brokers that have user-friendly and feature-rich platforms.
  • We focused on brokers with low fees.

Our team of experts has identified brokers’ strengths and weaknesses using FX Empire’s comprehensive methodology. Here’s how we test.

Without further ado, let’s move to the selected brokers.

Best Overall

Exness

4.6
Start Trading
General Risk Warning: CFDs are leveraged products. Trading in CFDs carries a high level of risk thus may not be appropriate for all investors. The investment value can both increase and decrease and the investors may lose all their invested capital. Under no circumstances shall the Company have any liability to any person or entity for any loss or damage in whole or part caused by, resulting from, or relating to any transactions related to CFDs.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    233
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 2008, Exness offers trading in forex, crypto, stocks, indices, metals, and commodities. Exness is regulated by multiple regulators, including FSCA, CySEC, and FSA. The broker provides access to its proprietary Trading Terminal platform, as well as to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.

Regional Features

  • FSCA regulation No 51024
  • Office in South Africa: 307&308 North Wing, Third Floor, Granger Bay Court V & A Waterfront, Capetown
  • ZAR available as account base currency
  • ZAR available in forex pairs.
  • Leverage 1:unlimited

Professional traders can access the advanced tools that are available on the MetaTrader platform and take advantage of the high leverage provided by Exness. The MetaTrader platform provides advanced charting, trading signals, and access to Expert Advisors – software programs designed to automate trading strategies on the MetaTrader platform.

The broker offers a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods, including cryptocurrency. Advanced traders also can benefit from Virtual Private Server (VPS) and a wide range of research materials, including Trading Central Web TV. Exness boasts of its competitive spreads and minimal swap fees. Based on our tests, the spreads for EUR/USD fluctuated between 0.8 and 1, whereas the spreads for WTI oil were 0.062.

Pros
  • Instant withdrawals 24/7.
  • Offers Virtual Private Server (VPS).
  • No swap fees for most instruments.
  • No withdrawal fees.
Cons
  • The range of instruments does not come close to the range of tradable assets offered by industry leaders.
Exness Review

Best for Beginners

FP Markets

4.5
Start Trading
This material on this website is intended for illustrative purposes and general information only. It does not constitute financial advice nor does it take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Commission, interest, platform fees, dividends, variation margin and other fees and charges may apply to financial products or services available from FP Markets. The information in this website has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the information in light of your objectives, financial situation and needs before making any decision about whether to acquire or dispose of any financial product. Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are derivatives and can be risky; When trading CFDs you do not own or have any rights to the CFDs underlying assets. FP Markets recommends that you seek independent advice from an appropriately qualified person before deciding to invest in or dispose of a derivative. A Product Disclosure Statement for each of the financial products available from FP Markets can be obtained either from this website or on request from our offices and should be considered before entering into transactions with us. First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd (ABN 16 112 600 281, AFS Licence No. 286354). FP Markets is a group of companies which include, First Prudential Markets Ltd (registration number HE 372179), a company authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC License number 371/18, Registered Address: Griva Digeni, 109, Aigeo Court, 2nd floor, 3101, Limassol, Cyprus. FP Markets does not accept applications from U.S, Japan or New Zealand residents or residents from any other country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to those local laws or regulations.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    844
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 2005, FP Markets offers trading in forex, commodities, stocks, ETFs, indices, and cryptocurrencies. FP Markets is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and FSCA, and also has an unregulated entity registered in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The broker offers the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, cTrader, and iRESS (for the ASIC-regulated entity).

Regional Features

  • FSCA regulation No 50926.
  • ZAR in trading pairs.
  • Leverage up to 1:500.
From our research, beginner traders will benefit from strong customer support and a wide range of educational materials. The broker offers a rich collection of highly informative webinars and podcasts on its YouTube channel, as well as a very detailed glossary, which explains various financial terms. Our tests showed that FP Markets offers low-to-medium spreads compared to the industry average. For example, we measured EUR/USD spreads in the 1.0–1.2 range during our tests. The broker provides multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, including cryptocurrencies. FP Markets does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees.
Pros
  • Strong research and educational support.
  • Reliable customer service.
  • No withdrawal fees.
Cons
  • Wide spreads in some instruments.
  • A limited number of stocks to trade.
FP Markets Review

Best MT4

IronFX

4
Start Trading
Our products are traded on margin and carry a high level of risk and it is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    321
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 2010, IronFX offers trading in forex, commodities, stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies. The broker is regulated by CySEC, FCA, and FSCA.

Regional Features

  • FSCA regulation No 45276
  • South Africa office: 5-38 Katherine & West, 114 West Street, Sandton
  • Leverage: up to 1:500
  • ZAR available in forex pairs
  • Non-withdrawable bonuses of up to 100% on the first deposit

IronFX provides traders with access to the MetaTrader 4 platform which offers a wide range of technical analysis indicators and timeframes. Additionally, IronFX's MT4 includes MultiTerminal allowing traders to manage multiple accounts from a single terminal. To aid in making informed trading decisions, IronFX integrates Trading Central where traders can benefit from numerous analysis tools and resources for conducting thorough research.

The broker provides 7 types of accounts, including floating and fixed-spread accounts, as well as a commissions-based Live Zero Fixed Spread account. Traders will also benefit from multiple deposit and withdrawal options.

Pros
  • Seven accounts to choose from.
  • Multiple deposit and withdrawal options.
  • Islamic Account option for four accounts.
Cons
  • Weak research support.
IronFX Review

Best for Account Offering

FBS

4.4
Start Trading
Trading involves a risk of loss
  • Min Deposit
    $1
  • Tradable Instruments
    164
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 2009, FBS offers trading in forex pairs, commodities, stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies. The broker is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, and IFSC Belize.

Regional features:

  • FSCA regulation No. 50885.
  • Office in South Africa: 61 Katherine Road, Sandton, Johannesburg.
  • Leverage: up to 1:3000.
  • ZAR available in forex pairs.
  • Local customer support available.
  • 100% deposit bonus.

FBS offers several account types, including Standard Account, Cent Account, and Pro Account. The minimum deposit for Standard and Cent Accounts is just 1$, while traders can get access to Pro Account with $200. While the Pro Account provides tighter spreads, its maximum leverage (up to 1:2000) is lower than the leverage level offered by the Standard Account (up to 1:3000). All accounts are compatible with MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Additionally, the Standard Account grants access to the proprietary FBS Trader app, available on both iOS and Android.

Our tests showed that FBS offers competitive spreads for major forex pairs in the Standard Account. For example, the spreads for EUR/USD ranged between 0.8 and 1.1, while the spreads for GBP/JPY fluctuated between 3.9 and 4.5. However, the commodities and indices spreads were found to be less competitive, with the spread for WTI oil averaging 0.5, and the spread for the Dow Jones index varying between 3.3 and 6.

Pros
  • Solid account offering.
  • Competitive spreads in major forex pairs.
  • Strong research and education resources.
  • Reliable customer service.
Cons
  • Limited number of stocks to trade.
FBS Review

Best for Cryptocurrency Trading

VT Markets

4.2
Start Trading
Risk Warning: Trading Forex and CFDs carries the risk of losing substantially more than your initial investment and should only be traded with money you can afford to lose. You don't own or have any rights to the assets that underly the derivatives (e.g. the right to receive dividend payments). Ensure you fully understand the risks involved. Trading leveraged products may not be suitable for all investors. Before trading, please take into consideration your level of experience, investment objectives and seek independent financial advice if necessary. Please consider our legal documents and ensure that you fully understand the risks before you make any trading decisions. General Advice Warning: The information in this website is of a general nature only and any advice has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Accordingly, before acting on the advice, you should consider the appropriateness of any advice having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs, and after considering the legal documents. Regional Restrictions: The information or services described in this website is not directed at or offered to residents of North Korea, Japan, United States and some other regions or any other person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local laws or regulations. For more information please contact our support.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    960
  • Fees
    Low

Established in 2016, VT Markets has grown to become a prominent player in the trading sector, offering a broad spectrum of trading options that include forex pairs, commodities, indices, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. The firm operates via multiple entities, some of which are regulated by top-tier financial authorities such as ASIC and FSCA. Additionally, it maintains an unregulated entity situated in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Regional Features
  • FSCA regulation No. 50865
  • Office in South Africa: 9 Lilian Avenue, Lilanton, Boksburg
  • Leverage: Up to 1:500
  • ZAR available in forex pairs
  • 50% welcome bonus, up to $500

VT Markets boasts a robust selection of 47 cryptocurrencies, catering to a diverse array of traders. The offering includes popular coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as more unique alternatives like SingularityNET and Loopring. Although the bulk of these crypto pairs is pegged against the USD, traders can also opt for Bitcoin and Ethereum against Bitcoin Cash, Euro, and Litecoin.

VT Markets provides its clients with a choice between the widely used MetaTrader 4 and its newer counterpart, MetaTrader 5. When assessing the associated costs, we found VT Markets' fees to be competitively low to medium in comparison to the larger industry. For instance, the EUR/USD spreads averaged at a mere 1.3 pips, while the GBP/JPY spreads were slightly higher at 2.1 pips. As for Bitcoin, the spreads were calculated at 12.01, deemed low within the market.

Pros
  • 47 cryptocurrencies available for trading.
  • Strong research support.
  • Competitive trading fees.
Cons
  • No educational webinars or comprehensive courses.
VT Markets Review

Best Education

Tickmill

4.4
Start Trading
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 Tickmill UK Ltd. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs, or any other of our products work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    696
  • Fees
    Low

Founded in 2014, Tickmill offers trading in forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, futures, options, and cryptocurrencies. The broker is regulated by multiple regulators, including FSCA.

Regional Features

  • FSCA regulation No 49464
  • Office in South Africa: The Pavilion CNR Dock & Portswood Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
  • A $30 sign-up bonus at a Welcome Account
  • Leverage up to 1:500
  • Local customer support available
  • ZAR available in forex pairs

In our in-depth examination, we found the broker excels through its impressive collection of educational and research materials.

Tickmill provides access to a dedicated glossary, multiple videos, infographics, and several ebooks, covering topics that range from basics to more complex issues like the psychology of trading. Also, the broker suggests 90 video tutorials and 700 educational webinars that cover a wide range of topics for both beginners and professionals. Traders can also enjoy regular seminars in multiple languages.

Tickmill offers attractive spreads, commissions, and swaps. Our tests showed that EUR/USD spreads were 1.6 pips, while WTI oil spreads were 0.05 pips. Swap-free trading is also available via the broker’s Islamic accounts. CFD traders can opt for the highly popular MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, while futures and options traders have access to TradingView and Agena platforms.

Pros
  • Competitive fees.
  • A wide selection of tradable instruments and supporting tools.
  • Multiple account types.
  • Strong educational support.
Cons
  • Customer support is only available during office hours.
Tickmill Review

Best for Professional Traders

AvaTrade

4.6
Start Trading
71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    956
  • Fees
    Low

Founded in 2006, AvaTrade provides access to more than 1250 instruments in forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and FX options. The broker is regulated by top-tier regulators like ASIC, CySEC, and the FSA of Japan, as well as by the local South African regulator FSCA.

Regional Features

  • FSCA regulation No.45984
  • Office in South Africa: No. 70 Grayston Drive, 2nd Floor, Sandton, Johannesburg
  • ZAR in trading pairs
  • Local customer support
  • Leverage: Up to 1:400

Our research indicated that AvaTrade provides a wide range of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, as well as in-house mobile trading apps AvaTradeGo and AvaSocial. AvaTradeGo is a simple-to-use mobile app, which offers some useful technical tools and features. AvaSocial is designed for those interested in social trading allowing broker’s clients to copy the trades of successful traders.

The broker also offers solid research and educational support, which is important for both beginner and advanced traders. Our tests indicated that AvaTrade’s trading fees for Forex and commodities were better than the industry average. For example, the spread for EUR/USD was 0.9 pips.

Pros
  • Multiple account types.
  • 1,250+ instruments in forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
  • Regulated by top-tier regulators, including FSCA.
Cons
  • No alerts on the web platform.
  • High inactivity fee.
AvaTrade Review

Best Trading App

FXTM

4.3
Start Trading
82% of retail CFD accounts lose money
  • Min Deposit
    $50
  • Tradable Instruments
    266
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 2011, FXTM offers trading in currencies, indices, and commodities. The broker is regulated in multiple jurisdictions across the globe, including UK’s FCA and South African FSCA.

Regional Features

  • FSCA regulation No 46614
  • ZAR in trading pairs.
  • Leverage: Up to 1:30

For trading on the go, FXTM offers its proprietary mobile app FXTM Trader which has a user-friendly interface. There are standard order types, like market orders, limit orders, and stop-loss orders. Charting includes 9 time frames, 3 indicators, and 3 chart types. Thanks to its attractive design and handy features, FXTM Trader also suits beginner traders. Also, FXTM provides access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 which are available on mobile as well as on desktop and web.

FXTM’s trading costs vary by account type. The Micro Account offers average spreads for the industry, while the Advantage Account provides better spreads but also charges commissions.

FXTM’s clients will enjoy strong research support, including daily market analysis, weekly forecasts, and a selection of custom MT4 indicators such as the Pivot SR Levels indicator.

Pros
  • User-friendly proprietary mobile app.
  • Strong research support.
  • VPS hosting.
Cons
  • Withdrawal fees.
  • Inactivity fees.
FXTM Review

Best Low Spreads

IG

4.8
Start Trading
70% of retail CFD accounts lose money
  • Min Deposit
    $248
  • Tradable Instruments
    16237
  • Fees
    Low

Founded in 1974, IG provides access to more than 17,000 financial instruments in forex, stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. IG’s entities are regulated by 11 regulators, including FSCA, ASIC, FINMA, and FCA.

Regional Features

  • FSCA regulation No 41393
  • Office in South Africa: The Place 1 Sandton Drive Sandton
  • ZAR available as account base currency
  • ZAR in trading pairs
  • Local customer support.
  • Leverage: Up to 1:200

Our tests indicated that IG fees were very competitive overall and better than the industry average. For example, spreads for EUR/USD ranged from 0.6 to 0.9 pips, while spreads for WTI oil were 0.02 pips.

IG offers a custom-built web platform and mobile trading app, which are simple and easy to use. Advanced traders can benefit from third-party platforms like L2 Dealer, MetaTrader 4, and ProRealTime. The broker also provides strong educational and research support that could be helpful for beginners.

Pros
  • Globally regulated, including FSCA.
  • Feature-rich and easy-to-use proprietary platforms.
  • Competitive fees.
Cons
  • Cryptocurrency trading is only available to professional traders on international account.
IG Review

Our Methodology

FX Empire has been reviewing brokers since 2010 and developed an in-depth review program of CFD brokers. We have more than a decade of experience testing brokers and abide by strict guidelines for editorial integrity. Our review process follows a thorough protocol that results in a score that is based on objective criteria and measurable data. As a result of our work, we publish a comprehensive and unbiased review, which is meant to help traders choose the broker that suits their needs.

To choose the best broker for you, we rate brokers across nine categories and calculate a score that reflects their performance. The categories include

  • Trust and Stability
  • Fees
  • Platform and Tools
  • Tradable Instruments
  • Account Types
  • Deposit and Withdrawal
  • Research
  • Customer Support
  • Education.

We open accounts, test platforms, measure spreads, and chat with support teams to collect as much data as we can for each broker. In total, we examine brokers according to over 250 data points.

Each category receives a rating from one star (weak) to five stars (excellent). The broker’s total score depends on its performance in each of these nine categories.

We highlight each broker’s strengths and weaknesses, explain regulatory details and share the results of our live tests of brokers’ fees, customer support, and trading platforms. To learn more about our review process, click here.

Meet our Writers

The team of forex and CFD writers and editors at FX Empire is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists. Our writers have been published on leading financial websites such as Investopedia and Forbes. In addition, they all have extensive trading experience.

Get to Know Our Authors

Dan Blystoneauthor

Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licenced futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.

Jitan Solankiauthor

Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.

Plamen Stoyanovauthor

Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.

Vladimir Zernovauthor

In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.

How to Choose a Forex Broker in South Africa?

Use our guide to choose the best forex broker in South Africa.

How to choose a safe broker as a South Africa-based trader?

The process of choosing a broker begins with learning where your potential broker is regulated. South Africa-based traders may choose between FSCA-regulated brokers as well as brokers regulated by other regulators. Some traders would find the domestic regulation more comfortable to work with.

Traders should focus on important protection options like negative balance protection, segregated funds, and the compensation fund which will cover your back if the broker has financial problems.

Read more about Best regulated forex brokers.

What fees should you focus on when choosing the broker?

Typically, brokers charge spreads, commissions, swap/rollover fees, and inactivity fees.

The spread is the difference between the bid and the ask price. The higher the spread, the more you pay for the trade. We consider spreads below 1 pip for EUR/USD and 3 pips for GBP/JPY to be low.

A commission is a fixed cost of entering the trade. Usually, accounts that charge commissions offer low spreads. Commissions below $3 are considered to be low for forex pairs and gold.

A swap/rollover fee is charged when you hold a leveraged position overnight. Traders should pay extra attention to these fees if they plan to use swing trading strategies, which involve holding positions for several days or even weeks. For forex pairs, a swap rate below 0.5 pips is viewed as a good result.

An inactivity fee is a fee that is charged by the broker if your account is dormant. In this case, a certain amount of money is charged on a monthly basis. An inactivity fee below $10 is considered to be low.

How to choose a trading platform?

Typically, most brokers provide access to MetaTrader4 and/or MetaTrader5. Those are sophisticated platforms with a variety of tools tailored mainly for experienced traders, hence, beginners may have to spend some time learning the ropes.

Some brokers have also developed in-house trading platforms. Usually, such platforms are focused on the needs of different levels of traders. They are easy to navigate and simple to use.

The choice of trading platform depends on personal preferences and trading experience. Beginner traders will be better off starting with a simple platform or a mobile app, while advanced traders will likely choose MT4/MT5.

Read more about Best MetaTrader 4 brokers and Best MetaTrader 5 brokers.

What leverage is available for traders in South Africa?

Leverage allows traders to use borrowed funds to increase their profits. The higher the leverage, the higher your potential profits are. However, leverage is a double-edged sword, and using high leverage also boosts your potential losses.

South Africa-based traders have access to aggressive leverage. In fact, one of the brokers in our list offers leverage of 1:unlimited.

What to avoid when choosing a forex broker in South Africa?

Here are the five things to avoid when choosing a forex broker in South Africa:

  • Forgetting about checking regulations.
  • Paying no attention to broker’s fees, including spreads, commissions, and swap rates.
  • Choosing the account type that does not suit your needs.
  • Skipping the list of instruments offered by the broker.
  • Not interacting with the support team before you open an account with the broker.

How to avoid forex scams?

To avoid forex scams, traders should first check the broker’s regulations. If the broker is regulated by a Tier-1 regulator, you are mostly protected. An unregulated broker is the most suspicious one by definition. In addition to regulations, check the following red flags:

  • The broker offers a big cash bonus for opening the account.
  • The broker heavily promotes automatic trades and/or trading signals from unknown sources.
  • A broker promises profits and cites unrealistic success rates.
  • You cannot find broker’s employees on specialized websites.
  • The broker’s stated address is not suitable for a serious company (too small, strange location).
  • The support team does not respond or responds rarely.
  • Clients report problems with funds’ withdrawal on specialized sites that publish broker reviews.

FAQ

Yes, forex trading is allowed in South Africa, and it is a popular investment opportunity for many South Africans. In fact, forex trading is legal and regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.
Our tests indicated that FP Markets is the most suitable broker for beginners in South Africa thanks to its strong educational support, reliable customer service, and no deposit and withdrawal fees.
Our research showed that AvaTrade is a good choice for professional traders in South Africa as it provides wealth of platforms and accounts as well as a good range of third-party analytical tools from Trading Central.
Usually, the broker mentions all its regulations at the very bottom of the website. To verify if a forex broker is regulated in South Africa, go to the FSCA website and click on "Regulated Entities" and then "Search for a Financial Service Provider." Enter the broker's name or FSP number in the search bar. If the broker is regulated, its name and license number will appear on the search results page, and you can click on its name to see its regulatory details.
We assessed that Exness provides the best platform offering as it gives access to its proprietary feature-rich and user-friendly Exness Terminal platform, as well as to MetaTrader 4 and 5.
Our research showed that FXTM has the best trading app for South Africa-based clients due to its attractive design and handy features that can serve both beginners and seasoned traders.
Trading with a financial services provider regulated by FSCA provides protection, credibility, complaints handling, access to compensation, and market confidence. FSCA-regulated providers comply with strict rules and regulations that protect investors' funds and interests, and the FSCA investigates complaints and takes action against providers who violate the regulations.
Yes, any profits from forex trading are subject to capital gains tax. Note that forex trading can be a complex and risky investment. It is important to understand the tax implications of forex trading and to consult with a tax advisor.
Yes, you can trade with non-FSCA-regulated brokers in South Africa. However, it is important to note that trading with non-regulated or offshore brokers comes with additional risks. These brokers may not be subject to the same level of regulatory oversight as FSCA-regulated brokers, and may not offer the same level of protection to traders.
Brokers regulated by FSCA are subject to strict regulatory requirements that are designed to protect traders' interests. FSCA-regulated brokers are required to comply with rules and regulations that govern how they operate and how they handle client funds. These rules are designed to ensure that brokers are acting in the best interests of their clients and that traders' funds are protected in the event of the broker's insolvency. In contrast, brokers that are regulated offshore may not be subject to the same level of regulatory oversight as FSCA-regulated brokers.
Yes, cryptocurrency trading is available at some South African-based brokers. South Africa has a growing cryptocurrency market, and many brokers now offer cryptocurrency trading as a part of their services.

About the Author

Vladimir Zernovauthor

In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.

Why you can trust FX Empire

At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.

Read more

Why you can trust FX Empire

FXEmpire was founded in 2011, making us one of the first forex broker review sites. You can trust FXEmpire because of our thorough and unbiased review process. With over a decade of experience, we have a team of industry experts who conduct rigorous tests to ensure our reviews are accurate and unbiased. Our reviews are designed to bring clarity and confidence to the process of choosing a broker, and are based on objective criteria and measurable data. Our editorial team is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists, who ensure that our reviews are accurate and unbiased. Additionally, our review system is based on 9 core categories and over 250 distinct variables, which ensures that all aspects of a broker are considered before giving a final rating. So, you can trust FXEmpire to provide you with honest and informative reviews that will help you make an informed decision on which broker will best enable you to reach your financial goals.