Easy Equities Review
Is it good or bad for South African investors in 2025?
Our Rating
Fees
4.5
Ease of Use
4.8
Features
4
Support
3.5
Security
4.2
Easy Equities revolutionized investing in South Africa by making it possible to buy shares with as little as R1. But is it actually good, or is it too basic for serious investors?
In this review, we dig into the fees, features, and frustrations. We'll tell you exactly who Easy Equities is perfect for - and who should look elsewhere.
Quick Verdict
Easy Equities is excellent for beginners who want to start investing with small amounts. The app is user-friendly, fees are low, and fractional shares make it accessible. However, advanced traders may find the platform limiting due to lack of real-time data and advanced order types.
What is Easy Equities?
Easy Equities is a South African investment platform launched in 2014 by First World Trader (now part of Purple Group). It allows you to buy shares in JSE-listed companies, US stocks, and ETFs.
Key Facts:
- Minimum investment: R1 (fractional shares)
- Account types: TFSA, RA, USD, ZAR, Crypto
- Regulation: FSP 22588, regulated by FSCA
- Users: Over 2 million accounts
Easy Equities Fees (2025)
Easy Equities is known for low fees, but they vary by account type:
| Account Type | Brokerage Fee |
|---|---|
| ZAR (JSE Shares) | 0.25% |
| TFSA | 0.25% |
| USD (US Stocks) | 0.5% |
| Easy Equities RA | 0.25% + 0.3% admin |
| Crypto (Easy Crypto) | 0.5% - 0.75% |
Verdict on fees: Easy Equities is one of the cheapest options in SA for casual investors. The 0.25% brokerage beats most banks which charge 0.5% or more.
Pros and Cons
What We Like
- Fractional shares - Start with R1, own a piece of expensive stocks
- Low fees - 0.25% brokerage is among the cheapest
- User-friendly app - Clean interface, easy to navigate
- TFSA available - Tax-free investing up to R36k/year
- US stocks - Access Apple, Tesla, Amazon directly
- Bundles - Pre-made portfolios for beginners
- No minimum balance - Account stays active even with R0
What We Don't Like
- Delayed prices - 15-min delay on quotes (no live data)
- No stop-loss orders - Can't automate risk management
- Customer support - Email-only, can be slow
- USD account FX fees - Hidden costs in the spread
- Limited research tools - Basic charts, no technical analysis
- No CFDs or leverage - Not for active traders
- App crashes - Occasional stability issues
Easy Equities Account Types
ZAR Account (JSE)
Most PopularBuy shares in South African companies listed on the JSE. Great for local diversification and dividend income.
TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account)
Best for Long-termInvest up to R36,000/year with zero tax on dividends or capital gains. Perfect for building wealth over time.
USD Account (US Stocks)
Global AccessBuy fractional shares in Apple, Tesla, Amazon, and 1000+ US stocks. Watch for FX fees when converting Rands.
Easy Equities RA
RetirementRetirement annuity with tax benefits. Contributions reduce taxable income. Can't access until age 55.
Easy Crypto
High RiskBuy Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies. Higher fees than dedicated crypto exchanges.
Who Should Use Easy Equities?
Perfect For:
- • Beginners starting their investment journey
- • Small investors with limited capital (R100-R5,000/month)
- • Long-term investors building wealth slowly
- • TFSA users wanting tax-free growth
- • Passive investors who buy and hold
- • People who want US stock access
Not Ideal For:
- • Day traders who need real-time data
- • Active traders wanting stop-loss orders
- • High-volume traders (better platforms exist)
- • People wanting CFDs or leverage
- • Technical analysts needing advanced charts
- • Those wanting phone support
Easy Equities vs Competitors
| Platform | Min. Investment | Brokerage |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Equities | R1 | 0.25% |
| Satrix | R300/month | 0% (EAC only) |
| FNB Share Investing | R100 | 0.5% |
| Standard Bank OST | R100 | 0.4% |
| PSG Online | R0 | 0.4% |
Is Easy Equities Safe?
Yes, Easy Equities is legitimate and regulated.
- FSCA Regulated: Licensed Financial Services Provider (FSP 22588)
- JSE Member: Authorized to trade on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
- Segregated accounts: Your shares are held in your name, not Easy Equities'
- 10+ years: Operating since 2014 with over 2 million users
Note: While the platform is safe, your investments can still lose value. Shares are not guaranteed by anyone.
How to Open an Easy Equities Account
Download the App or Visit Website
Available on iOS, Android, or at easyequities.co.za
Complete FICA Verification
Upload your ID, proof of address, and selfie. Takes about 10 minutes.
Choose Your Account Type
Start with TFSA for tax-free growth, or ZAR for JSE shares.
Deposit and Invest
EFT or instant payment. You can start with as little as R1.
Before You Invest
- • Investing involves risk. You can lose money. Only invest what you can afford to lose.
- • Past performance doesn't guarantee future returns. Just because a stock went up doesn't mean it will continue.
- • Start small. Learn the platform with R100-R500 before investing more.
- • Diversify. Don't put all your money in one stock - use ETFs to spread risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw my money anytime?
Yes, for ZAR, USD, and TFSA accounts. Sell your shares and withdraw to your bank. Takes 2-3 business days. RA funds are locked until age 55.
Does Easy Equities pay dividends?
Yes, if you own dividend-paying shares. Dividends are paid into your account automatically (minus withholding tax).
How do I contact Easy Equities support?
Email only at support@easyequities.co.za. Response times vary from same-day to 3+ days. No phone support available.
Is Easy Equities better than unit trusts?
Different tools for different goals. Easy Equities gives you control and lower fees. Unit trusts offer professional management. ETFs on Easy Equities offer the best of both.
Can I transfer shares to Easy Equities?
Yes, you can transfer shares from another broker. Contact support with your CSDP details. The process takes 2-4 weeks.
Final Verdict: Is Easy Equities Good or Bad?
Easy Equities is good - especially for beginners and small investors. The low fees, fractional shares, and user-friendly app make investing accessible to everyone.
However, it's not perfect. Active traders and those wanting advanced features should look at alternatives like PSG Online or Interactive Brokers. For most South Africans starting their investment journey, Easy Equities is an excellent choice.