In 2025, Easy Equities stands as South Africa’s leading low-cost investment platform, evolving into a versatile wealth management ecosystem that empowers investors to build and protect their financial future. With investments starting at just R0.01 and a commission rate of 0.63% per trade, it remains the most affordable platform in the country, as recognized by industry reviews. Beyond its core offerings of equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and tax-free savings accounts, Easy Equities has expanded to include EasyCrypto for cryptocurrency investments, EasyProperties for fractional property ownership, EasyProtect for life insurance, and an AUD Account for trading Australian and US shares. This comprehensive review explores these services, their benefits, market context, and how South African investors can leverage ZAR, USD, and AUD accounts to access global markets, addressing the specific eligibility of South Africans for these accounts.
Overview of Easy Equities
Established in 2014, Easy Equities is a subsidiary of Purple Group Limited, a Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)-listed company based in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Its mission is to democratize investing by offering a user-friendly platform with minimal fees, making wealth creation accessible to all South Africans, regardless of financial background. With a team of approximately 200 professionals in web engineering, programming, marketing, and consulting, Easy Equities has grown significantly, serving over 560,000 clients as of 2020 and adding roughly 100,000 new clients annually.
Regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) under license number 22588, Easy Equities operates through First World Trader (Pty) Ltd, ensuring compliance and investor protection. Backed by major shareholder Sanlam, which invested R100 million for a 30% stake in 2017 and an additional R25 million in 2019, the company has robust financial support. While profitability was projected for 2021, its continued expansion and client growth in 2025 suggest a strong market presence (TradersUnion Review).
In 2025, Easy Equities has broadened its offerings to include:
- EasyCrypto: A secure platform for investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- EasyProperties: Fractional property investment for earning rental income and capital gains.
- EasyProtect: Life insurance to safeguard investors and their families.
- AUD Account: Enables trading in Australian and US shares in Australian dollars, accessible to South African investors.
These additions position Easy Equities as a holistic financial solution, catering to diverse investment and protection needs.
Account Types and Eligibility for South Africans
Easy Equities offers four primary account types, each designed to facilitate specific investment strategies. Importantly, South African investors can open all these accounts—ZAR, USD, AUD, and Tax-Free Savings—to invest in local and international markets, with no nationality-based restrictions.
Account Types
| Account Type | Minimum Investment | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ZAR Account | R5.00 | Trade shares of 429 JSE-listed companies, ideal for local investors. |
| USD Account | $10.00 | Trade shares of 452 US-listed companies (e.g., Apple, Amazon). |
| AUD Account | No minimum | Trade Australian ASX-listed shares and US shares in Australian dollars. |
| Tax-Free Savings Account | R5.00 | Tax-free investments up to R36,000 annually (R500,000 lifetime limit). |
- ZAR Account: Enables South Africans to invest in 429 JSE-listed companies, covering sectors like mining, finance, and technology. It’s the primary account for local market exposure.
- USD Account: Allows South Africans to trade in 452 US-listed companies, providing access to global giants. Funds can be transferred from a ZAR account using EasyFX, a built-in currency conversion tool (Funding USD Account).
- AUD Account: Launched to facilitate investment in Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) shares, this account is open to South Africans. It also supports trading US shares in AUD, with no minimum investment. South Africans can fund it via EasyFX from their ZAR account or through bank transfers (Activate AUD Account).
- Tax-Free Savings Account: Supports tax-free investments within South Africa’s limits (R36,000 annually, R500,000 lifetime), ideal for long-term savings. Equities are excluded, but ETFs and bundles are available.
Eligibility for South Africans
South Africans can open ZAR, USD, and AUD accounts without restrictions based on nationality, as confirmed by Easy Equities’ documentation. The platform’s design allows South African investors to diversify into international markets:
- USD Account: South Africans can activate this account to invest in US shares, funding it via EasyFX or SWIFT payments. The process is outlined in Easy Equities’ support articles, which detail funding options for South African clients (Fund USD via SWIFT).
- AUD Account: Similarly, South Africans can activate an AUD account to trade ASX-listed shares. The activation process involves selecting the AUD account type and funding it from a ZAR account using EasyFX, indicating accessibility for South African users (AUD Terms).
- Requirements: A South African ID or valid passport is required for registration, along with compliance with FSCA regulations. Non-South African residents may be limited to USD accounts unless they provide a South African ID (Non-SA Resident Funding).
- Demo Accounts: Free ZAR and USD practice accounts allow South Africans to simulate trading, fostering skill development without risk (Account Setup).
- Multiple Accounts: South Africans can open all account types to diversify across local, US, Australian, and tax-free investments, enhancing portfolio flexibility.
Investment Options
Easy Equities supports a broad spectrum of investment products, catering to various risk profiles and financial goals:
Equities
- Local Equities: Trade shares in 429 JSE-listed companies, with fractional shares starting at R0.01, making high-value stocks accessible.
- International Equities: The USD account provides access to 452 US companies, while the AUD account supports ASX-listed shares and US shares in AUD, enabling global diversification.
- Restriction: Equities are not available in Tax-Free Savings Accounts, focusing on ETFs and bundles for tax-free investments.
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
- Local and Global ETFs: Trade ETFs from providers like Vanguard, BlackRock, Global X, and FirstRand, starting at R0.01, covering equities, bonds, and commodities (Investments Guide).
- Tax-Free Compatibility: ETFs are ideal for Tax-Free Savings Accounts, offering diversified, low-risk growth.
Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs)
- ZAR Account: Access 32 ETNs for niche markets or volatility indices.
- USD Account: Includes one ETN (iPath S&P 500) for US market volatility exposure.
- Risk Profile: ETNs carry higher risk due to their debt-based structure, suitable for experienced investors.
Baskets and Bundles
- Curated Portfolios: Pre-packaged collections of stocks or ETFs managed by professionals, ideal for long-term growth and Tax-Free Savings Accounts.
- Thematic Investments: Include sectors like technology, healthcare, or sustainability, simplifying portfolio construction.
EasyCrypto
Launched to meet the demand for digital assets, EasyCrypto offers a secure platform for investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Dogecoin. Features include:
- Security: Biometric security via EasyID, two-factor authentication, and custody through BitGo and Fireblocks (EasyCrypto Platform).
- Bundles: Index-tracking crypto portfolios for diversified exposure.
- Accessibility: Low entry points align with Easy Equities’ affordability ethos.
EasyProperties
EasyProperties enables fractional property investment, allowing South Africans to own portions of properties selected by an expert panel, starting at R0.01. Benefits include:
- Income and Growth: Earn dividends from rental income and potential capital gains.
- Tax-Free Suitability: Ideal for long-term, stable returns in Tax-Free Savings Accounts.
- Accessibility: Lowers barriers to real estate investment (EasyProperties Overview).
EasyProtect
EasyProtect offers tailored life insurance to protect investors and their families, integrating risk management with wealth creation. Features include:
- Free Quotes: Personalized insurance quotes to suit individual needs.
- Convenience: Managed within the Easy Equities ecosystem (EasyProtect Services).
Fees and Costs
Easy Equities’ fee structure is a key competitive advantage, with a commission of 0.63% per trade (R0.64 per R100 invested), among the lowest in South Africa. Additional fees include:
| Fee Type | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Commission | 0.63% per trade | Applied to all buy/sell transactions across accounts. |
| Currency Conversion | ~2% (USD/AUD accounts) | Fee for converting ZAR to USD or AUD for international trades. |
| Account Maintenance | Free | No monthly or annual fees for holding an account. |
| Tax-Free Account Fees | None (standard commission) | No additional costs beyond trade commission for tax-free investments. |
| Crypto Transactions | 0.63% per trade | Standard commission applies to EasyCrypto trades. |
| Property Investments | Varies (management fees) | Fees for EasyProperties depend on portfolio management. |
| Insurance Premiums | Varies (quote-based) | EasyProtect premiums tailored to coverage needs. |
- Thrive Program: Completing monthly EasyEquities Academy courses or using multiple services (e.g., EasyCrypto, EasyProperties) can earn brokerage discounts on selected “Thrive Stocks,” up to 50% for high engagement (Moneyweb Fees).
- No Platform Fees: Enhances affordability compared to competitors (Pricing Details).
Market Trends and Outlook for 2025
South Africa’s investment landscape in 2025 supports Easy Equities’ growth:
- Interest Rate Reductions: The South African Reserve Bank cut the repo rate to 11.00% in January 2025, with expectations of two additional 25-basis-point cuts by March, boosting investment activity (Oobarometer 2025).
- Economic Recovery: GDP growth is projected at 1.5% in 2025, up from 1.1% in 2024, driven by mining exports and infrastructure investment (Global Property Guide).
- Two-Pot Retirement System: Introduced in 2024, this system allows access to one-third of retirement savings, potentially increasing investment in platforms like Easy Equities (BetterBond Outlook).
- Rising Investor Demand: First-time buyers (46.1% of home loan applications in Q4 2024) reflect growing financial engagement, extending to investment platforms (Oobarometer 2025).
- Crypto and Property Trends: Increased interest in cryptocurrencies and alternative assets aligns with EasyCrypto and EasyProperties (BrokerChooser Crypto).
Competitive Advantages
- Affordability: A 0.63% commission and no platform fees make it South Africa’s most cost-effective platform (TradersUnion Review).
- Holistic Ecosystem: EasyCrypto, EasyProperties, and EasyProtect complement core investments, offering a one-stop solution.
- Tax-Free Savings: Maximizes returns within SARS limits.
- Global Access: ZAR, USD, and AUD accounts enable South Africans to diversify internationally (Investments Guide).
- Reliability: Nearly 100% uptime ensures consistent access (EasyEquities Website).
- Customer Loyalty: 60% of clients join via referrals, reflecting trust.
- Innovative Features: Fractional investing, demo accounts, and curated bundles simplify wealth-building.
Competitive Disadvantages
- Website Performance: Some users report slow loading times (Moneyweb Feedback).
- Limited Educational Resources: Fewer tools compared to eToro (BrokerChooser Review).
- Research Constraints: Limited in-depth product analysis.
- Support Delays: Occasional complaints about response times (Moneyweb Feedback).
Comparison with Competitors
| Feature | Easy Equities | eToro | SatrixNOW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | R0.01 (ZAR), $10 (USD), No min (AUD) | $50 | R10 |
| Commission | 0.63% per trade | Spread-based (varies) | 0.5%–1% per trade |
| Account Types | ZAR, USD, AUD, Tax-Free | Single account (USD) | ZAR, Tax-Free |
| Investment Options | Equities, ETFs, ETNs, Crypto, Property, Insurance | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, CFDs | ETFs, Equities |
| Educational Tools | Limited | Extensive (academy, webinars) | Moderate (guides, webinars) |
| Tax-Free Savings | Yes | No | Yes |
Getting Started
- Register: Visit EasyEquities to create an account.
- Choose Account: Select ZAR, USD, AUD, or Tax-Free Savings, or start with a demo account.
- Activate International Accounts: Enable USD or AUD accounts via the platform’s “Activate Account Types” menu (Activate AUD Account).
- Fund Account: Deposit R5 (ZAR/TFSA), $10 (USD), or no minimum (AUD) via bank transfer, card, or EasyFX for international accounts (Funding Guide).
- Invest: Trade equities, ETFs, crypto, or property, starting at R0.01.
- Explore Insurance: Request a free EasyProtect quote (EasyProtect Services).
- Monitor Portfolio: Use the dashboard or mobile app to track performance.
Conclusion
Easy Equities in 2025 is a comprehensive wealth management platform, offering South Africans unparalleled affordability and diversity. South African investors can open ZAR, USD, and AUD accounts to access local, US, and Australian markets, respectively, with no nationality-based restrictions. The platform’s 0.63% commission, tax-free savings, and new services like EasyCrypto, EasyProperties, and EasyProtect make it ideal for building wealth and managing risks. While minor issues like website performance and limited educational tools exist, its high customer satisfaction and alignment with South Africa’s economic recovery make it a top choice for investors seeking global opportunities.
