The landscape of investment apps in South Africa offers a variety of options for both beginner and experienced traders. The availability of investment platforms has made it easier for South African residents to access the financial markets. Furthermore, the apps cater to the diverse needs of investors, providing features such as real-time market quotes, low spreads and fees, and cross-device trading capabilities.
However, given there is such a wide variety of stock trading apps in South Africa, finding the perfect platform (as well as legit investment platforms in South Africa) can be difficult, especially as there are various aspects to consider. In this article, we highlight our top picks of the best investment apps, with every broker regulated, trusted, and available in South Africa.
#1AvaTrade Go
When it comes to the best investment apps in South Africa, AvaTrade stands out as one of the top choices.Â
- Regulated in South Africa
- Wide Variety of Tradable Instruments
- Platform Options
Given its regulatory compliance, diverse range of tradable instruments, and user-friendly mobile platform, AvaTrade Go is considered a strong contender among the best investment apps for traders in South Africa. AvaTrade, operating as Ava Capital Markets Pty in South Africa, is a regulated broker under the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, providing investors and traders with some form of protection.
AvaTrade caters to all kinds of traders with its own AvaTrade app, AvaTrade Copy Trading app, and AvaOptions app for trading. The apps are available on iOS and Android. On the App Store, the AvaTrade app has a 4.6 out of 5 rating from 2,100 reviews. On the Google Play Store, the company’s copytrading app has a 3.6-star rating from more than 10,000 downloads and 135 reviews.
AvaTrade won the “Best Mobile Trading Platform” in Spain award in 2023. The app is highly rated by users. It offers a user-friendly experience, is free to download, and is available in multiple languages.
It is important to note that AvaTrade is a market-maker forex broker with its own dealing desk.
#2IG
When considering the top investment apps in South Africa, IG emerges as a notable option, with the broker's claim as "ZA's top CFD provider."Â
- IG Markets is Regulated in South Africa and Other Markets
- A Top CFD Provider
- Wide Range of Tradable Markets
- Educational Resources
- Publicly Listed
IG Markets South Africa Limited (IGMSA)Â has been regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, operating with an FAIS license. Additionally, IG Markets Limited is authorised and regulated by other top-tier regulators, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, showcasing its regulatory compliance and trustworthiness.
IG, which is Listed on the London Stock Exchange, has been recognised as a top CFD provider in South Africa in years past. The broker was voted the country’s top CFD provider in the Business Day Investors Monthly Annual Stockbroker Awards in 2012. It was also awarded the best platform for Active Day Traders in 2013 and 2014, South Africa’s best Online Broker in 2015 and 2017, the country’s best CFD provider in 2020, and the Top CFD Broker in 2021.
IG offers access to a diverse set of markets, including Forex, Indices, Shares, and others, allowing for extensive investing and trading opportunities. Furthermore, the broker stands out for its educational content, offering a vast selection of material, including videos, written articles, webinars, and guides from DailyFX. The IG Academy provides courses organised by experience level. One feature to be aware of is that when buying certain assets, there may be commission fees.
The app is a great addition to the platform, with a user-friendly interface and a variety of features. It is also available on iPhone and Android. On the Apple App Store it currently has a 4.6 rating from over 66,000 reviews, suggesting customers are extremely happy with its features. The Google Play Store shows 50,000 downloads with a 4.6-start rating from 882 reviews. We can tell you that from experience, this is our favourite app on iOS and Android.
IG also offers an IG Academy app, where users can learn to trade. The app has step-by-step courses, complete with explanatory videos and expert tips, for traders and investors of all levels to learn.
#3Tickmill
Tickmill is a well-regarded investment app with several key strengths that make it a popular choice for investors in South Africa:
- No Withdrawal or Inactivity Fees
- Wide Range of Tradable Assets
- Regulated in South Africa
Tickmill is known for its competitive pricing and well-regarded trading experience. The platform was founded by traders with experience dating back to 1978. The broker’s competitive pricing policy extends to a wide range of tradable assets. Additionally, Tickmill provides clients with access to solid research materials to help identify trading opportunities. Being regulated by various bodies, including the FSCA, adds to its appeal as a trustworthy investment app in South Africa.
The Tickmill mobile app is available on iOS and Android. The iOS app has a 4.2-star rating from 56 reviews. Overall, the app allows users to create, manage, and monitor their trading accounts, deposit and withdraw funds seamlessly, and provide a secure login with fingerprint or facial recognition and support for multiple languages.
Given its regulatory compliance, a diverse range of tradable assets, and excellent trading experience, Tickmill stands out as one of the best investment apps for traders in South Africa.
#4FBS
FBS, a Cyprus-based forex and CFD broker offers a comprehensive experience for investors.Â
- Regulated in South Africa
- Limited Tradeable Assets
- Low Fees
- For Traders Rather Than Investors
FBS operates under multiple entities, each regulated by different authorities. Notably, Tradestone SA (Pty) Ltd, the entity serving South Africa, is licensed and regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. The broker also holds Tier-1 licenses from CySEC in Cyprus and ASIC in Australia, indicating varying levels of regulatory oversight across its entities.
While FBS offers over 150 instruments across major asset classes, this is lower than some of the other brokers on this list. However, traders should still have a solid number of options to choose from.
Given that FBS is focused on CFDs and forex trading, spreads and overnight fees are the most important costs to consider. The broker’s spreads are considered around the industry average, while the overnight fees are seen as low. There are no deposit fees. A basic withdrawal is free, but there may be some fees associated with certain types of withdrawals.
The FBS Trader app is available on iOS and Android. It offers a solid mobile trading experience, with features such as detailed asset information, easy-to-set risk management tools, and a crosshair with an informative price display. Overall, it has a 4.7 rating on the App Store, stemming from 5,000 reviews.
#5Plus500
Plus500 has established a significant presence in the financial market, with South Africa a territory it operates in, making it a noteworthy option for investors in the country.Â
- Publicly Listed
- Regulated in South Africa
- A Wide Range of Tradeable AssetsÂ
- Risk Management Tools
Since its founding in 2008, Plus500 has grown substantially, expanding its operations globally and reaching significant milestones such as going public on the London Stock Exchange, signing sponsorship deals with renowned sports clubs, and continually growing its customer base, which stood at 233,037 in 2023.
Plus500 operates through various subsidiaries, such as Plus500AU Pty Ltd, Plus500UK Ltd, Plus500CY Ltd, Plus500SEY Ltd, Plus500EE AS, Plus500SG Pte Ltd, and Plus500AE Ltd, each authorised and regulated by relevant financial authorities in their respective jurisdictions. This regulatory compliance ensures a secure trading environment for users in South Africa, with Plus500AU Pty Ltd being an authorised (by the FSCA) financial services provider in the country.
Plus500 offers a wide range of trading products, over 2,800 to be precise. Plus500 is known for its competitive spreads, absence of commission fees, and range of risk management tools, which contribute to its appeal as a popular choice among South African investors.
Its mobile trading app is available on iOS and Android and currently has a 4-star rating out of 24,000 reviews on the App Store, suggesting users believe some improvements need to be made. The Google Play Store shows over 10 million downloads, with a 4.3-star rating out of 106,000 reviews. When it comes to functionality, the app focuses on simplicity and accessibility.
#6Skilling
Skilling, a Scandinavian-founded broker established in 2016, offers a regulated and secure trading environment for South African traders.
- Not Regulated in South Africa
- Broad Range of Tradable Assets
- A Variety of Trading Platforms
While Skilling is regulated by CySEC in Cyprus and the FSA of Seychelles, it is not regulated in South Africa. While South African investors and traders can open an account with the broker, this is certainly a risk to be aware of. Nevertheless, for those who still want to open an account with the broker, Skilling offers a broad range of tradable assets, including commodities, cryptocurrencies, stock CFDs, forex, indices, and metals, catering to diverse trading preferences. In addition, there are various platform options to choose from, such as Skilling Trader, cTrader and MT4. It also has Skilling Copy, which allows you to copy other traders on the platform automatically.
On the App Store, Skilling has a 4.5-star rating from 948 total reviews. On the Google Play Store, the Skilling App has more than 100,000 downloads with a 4.2-star rating from almost 700 reviews. Skilling’s trading app is designed to meet the needs of both beginners and advanced traders. The latest version of the app has a “signal links” sharing option where traders can share orders and positions as signal links with enhanced snippets. On the App Store, the Skilling app only has one review (five stars).
#7Admirals
Admirals, formerly known as Admiral Markets, has garnered attention for its extensive offerings and regulatory compliance.Â
- Regulated in Four Tier-1 jurisdictions, Three Tier-2 jurisdictions, and One Tier-4 Jurisdiction
- Offers advanced MetaTrader features
- Provides Solid Research and Education Materials
Admirals, formerly known as Admiral Markets, stands out in the brokerage industry for traders and investors. The broker is regulated in multiple tiered jurisdictions, including South Africa, by the FSCA. Admirals offers a suite of advanced MetaTrader features, including the StereoTrader dashboard and Supreme indicators, providing traders with effective tools for technical analysis. Additionally, the platform provides premium analytics features such as Dow Jones News, sentiment analysis from Acuity Trading, and Trading Central signals, offering valuable insights for informed trading decisions.
With thousands of tradeable symbols across CFDs, forex pairs, stocks, and ETFs, Admirals offers a diverse range of financial products. The platform’s competitive pricing, with typical spreads of 0.8 on the Admiral’s Trade account, makes it a cost-effective choice. However, there are some fees to be aware of. Deposits are free, but withdrawing more than once per month may incur a charge.
The Admiral Markets app developed entirely in-house by Admirals, is available on both iOS and Android. The App Store currently shows a 4.1-star score from 803 reviews. The app is simple to use and has a user-friendly interface.
