We reveal the 10 best share and stock forex Brokers.
Updated for February 2025.*
In this in-depth guide you’ll learn:
- The best stock broker trading platforms.
- Best stock and share trading brokers on the JSE.
- Cheapest stock broker in South Africa.
- Best stock and share trading brokers on the A2X.
- The best stock trading app for IOS and Android.
There are many online brokers that offer stock and share trading services and It’s important to research and compare different brokers to find the one that best suits your needs, as they can vary in terms of fees, commission, trading platforms, and other features including the minimum deposit.
Below is a table comparison of the best share and stock trading brokers.
🔎 Stock and Share Broker | 💰 Minimum Deposit | ⚖️ Regulation |
1️⃣ Ally Invest | $0 - $100 | SEC |
2️⃣ Firstrade | $0 | SEC, FINRA |
3️⃣ Chase You Invest Trade | $0 | SEC, FINRA |
4️⃣ SogoTrade | $0 | SEC |
5️⃣ Robinhood | $0 | SEC |
6️⃣ Choice Trade | $100 | SEC, FINRA |
7️⃣ Lightspeed | $0 | FINRA |
8️⃣ Cobra Trading | $27,000 | FINRA, NFA |
9️⃣ TD Ameritrade | $0 | SEC |
🔟 Fidelity | $0 | SEC |
10 Best Stockbrokers for South African Traders – Quick Overview
- ✔️Ally Invest
- ✔️Firstrade
- ✔️Chase You Invest Trade
- SogoTrade
- Robinhood
- ChoiceTrade
- Lightspeed
- Cobra Trading
- TD Ameritrade
- Fidelity
With so many different types of online stock brokers available to investors in the market today, it can be a tough task to choose one that works best for a trader’s individual needs.
We have taken the guesswork out of the process and put a wide-ranging list of online brokers to the test by reviewing the process through hands-on research to determine the best.
Ally Invest
Min Deposit
USD 0
Regulators
SEC, FINRA
Trading Platform
Web trading platform
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
Ally Invest is the discount online brokerage arm of Ally Financial which also operates Ally Bank.
Alongside $0 stock and ETF trades, Ally offers traders great customer service and ease of use through a clean user experience, perfect for beginner investors.
Regular stock and ETF trades are $0 and options trades cost $0.50 per contract.
Self Trading Overview
🔎 Trading Platform | Self-Directed Trading |
🤝 Best Suited to | Hands-on Investors |
✅ Features | No commission fee on U.S. listed stocks and ETFs |
No commissions on option trades and competitive contract fee of just 50¢ per contract | |
A wide variety of investment choices built with the do-it-yourself investor in mind | |
In-depth research and market analysis tools to support all types of investment strategies | |
📌 Investment choices | Commission-free stocks |
Commission-free ETFs | |
Commission-free options | |
Mutual funds | |
Margin account |
Robo Portfolio Overview
🔎 Platform | Robo Portfolios |
✅ Features | Get started with $100 |
No advisory fees, annual charges or rebalancing fees, and 30% of your portfolio is set aside as an interest-earning cash buffer | |
We recommend and manage a professionally designed portfolio based on your personal goals, timeframe and risk tolerance | |
We’ll monitor and automatically rebalance your portfolio to make sure your plan stays on track | |
Includes a mix of low cost, diversified exchange-traded funds (ETFs) | |
📌 Portfolio Types | Socially responsible |
Tax optimized | |
Core | |
Income |
As a full-service brokerage, Ally Invest provides traders with a diverse offering which includes Stock, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds and options.
Firstrade
Min Deposit
USD 0
Regulators
SEC, FINRA
Trading Platform
Proprietary Platform
Crypto
No
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
Firstrade offers $0 stock, ETF, and options trades, and is well known for its user-friendly website and Chinese language services. The broker also offers a fully translated customer experience and a mobile app with a clean experience.
Firstrade Overview
🔎 Account Options | Brokerage Account |
Retirement Account | |
✅ Advantages | $0 online trades |
No hidden fees | |
📌 Products | Stocks/ETFs |
Options | |
Fixed Income | |
Over 11,000 Mutual Funds |
Firstrade offers investors free stock, ETF, mutual fund, and options trades (including complex options strategies), mutual funds, and bonds.
Chase You Invest Trade
$500
SEC, FINRA
$0
Yes
📈 Total Pairs
–
No
Low
24 Hours
JP Morgan Chase offers self-directed investing services, which include buying and selling stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds. Chase You Invest Trade is perfect for current Chase Bank customers to simply buy and sell stocks. The multi-account benefits are widespread and include instant transfers, universal login, and $0 trades.
Self-Directed Investing Overview
🔎 Account | Self-Directed Investing |
✅ Features | $0 Online Trades |
Unlimited commission-free online trades | |
Wide range of stocks, ETFs, fixed income, mutual funds, and options. | |
Portfolio Builder | |
Chase Mobile® app |
Automated Investing Overview
🔎 Account | Automated Investing |
✅ Features | Robo-advisor |
Designed by Professionals | |
Automatic Rebalancing | |
0.35% advisory fee |
The Chase mobile app is available through both Apple iOS and Android.
SogoTrade
$0
SEC
Sogo Online, Sogo Trader
Yes
📈 Total Pairs
–
No
Low
24 Hours
SogoTrade charges $4.88 for all equity trades and for customers who make over 149 trades per quarter, the rate reduces to $2.88 per trade. SogoTrade also allows traders to prepay for trades at a discounted rate of $3.88 per trade but a minimum of 20 trades must be purchased and trades will expire after a period of one year. Traders can prepay for 50 trades for a further discounted rate of $2.88 per trade.
SogoTrade Overview
🔎 Account Types | Brokerage |
Retirement | |
Power Portfolio | |
Cryptocurrency | |
💻 SOGO Online | SogoOnline trading is an all-in-one platform for stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and options. |
All-in-one stocks & options trading | |
Powerful trading technology | |
Quality executions | |
Intuitive design | |
🖥️ SOGO Trader (Platform) | Flexible Order Entry |
Interactive Chart | |
Real-time Streaming Quotes | |
Extended Hours Trading | |
Fast & Quality Execution |
SogoTrade offers stock and options trading.
Robinhood
Min Deposit
USD 0
Regulators
FINRA
Trading Platform
Proprietary Platform
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
Robinhood charges users no commission for trading stocks, ETFs, options, or cryptocurrency and offers both a downloadable mobile app plus a web platform. Both platforms have similar feature sets, but the mobile app is fast, simple, and easy to use.
Robinhood Feature Overview
💵 Fees | $0 Per trade |
💳 Account Minimum | $0 |
🤝 Promotions | 1 Free Stock after linking your bank account (stock value range $2.50-$225) |
✅ Features | No Account minimum |
Streamlined Interface | |
Cryptocurrency Trading |
For basic stock trading, Robinhood offers basic watch lists, basic stock quotes with charts and analyst ratings, recent news, alongside simple trade entry.
ChoiceTrade
$100
SEC, FINRA
DasTrader, Quotestream, ChoiceTrade Elite
Yes
📈 Total Pairs
–
No
Low
24 Hours
ChoiceTrade offers $0 stock trades for US customers and options trades for $.40 per contract alongside three third-party platforms: QuoteStream, DAS Trader Pro, and iVest Plus. ChoiceTrade offers traders a mobile app that supports the basics for trading on the go compatible with both iOS and Android.
ChoiceTrade Overview
💰 Trading fees class | Low |
💰 Inactivity fee charged | ✔️ Yes |
💰 Withdrawal fee amount | $5 |
💰 Minimum deposit | $100 |
🕖 Time to open an account | Up to 3 days |
💳 Deposit with bank card | ❌ No |
👛 Depositing with electronic wallet | ❌ No |
💱 Number of base currencies supported | 1 |
🎮 Demo account provided | ✔️ Yes |
🛍️ Products offered | Stock, ETF, Options |
ChoiceTrade platforms are suited to trade stocks and options online.
Lightspeed
Min Deposit
USD 10,000
Regulators
Lightspeed Trader, Lightspeed Web Trader
Trading Platform
MT4
Crypto
No
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
Through the main platform, Lightspeed Trader, two-tiered commission structures are offered – namely per share and per trade. The more volume a trader trades or the frequency, respectively, per month, will lower the rate.
Lightspeed Trader Overview
💵 Fees | $4.50 Per Trade |
💳 Account Minimum | $10,000 |
➕ Promotion | 50% rebate on first 3 months of commissions, up to $10,000 (for new Lightspeed Trader customers only) |
✅ Features | Advanced trading platforms. |
Low options trading costs. | |
Futures trading. |
Lightspeed offers customers multiple platforms to trade on including Lightspeed Trader, Lightspeed Web Trader, and Sterling Trader for stock and options trading.
Cobra Trading
Min Deposit
USD 30,000
Regulators
FINRA, NFA
Trading Platform
DAS Trader Pro, RealTick, Sterling Trader, CobraOnline
Crypto
No
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
Cobra Trading was founded in 2003 by Chadd Hessing as a direct-access, low-cost online brokerage for professional stock traders and offers multiple trading platforms and personalized services.
Cobra Trading charges commissions on a per-share basis and offers everything a professional trader may require including futures and forex trading through its subsidiary, Venom by Cobra Trading.
Cobra Trading Overview
🔎 Intruments | Stocks, Options |
✅ Demo Account | ✔️ Yes |
Min Deposit | $30'000 |
💵 Payment Methods | Cheque, Wire Transfer |
🔁 Min Trade | $1 |
📝 Regulated by | FINRA |
By design, Cobra Trading focuses mainly on professional stock and options trading.
Read 20 Best DMA Forex Brokers – ( Reviewed ) 2025
TD Ameritrade
Min Deposit
USD 0
Regulators
SEC, FINRA, CFTC, MAS
Trading Platform
Web Trading Platform, ThinkorSwim
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
TD Ameritrade offers traders the ultimate package including $0 trades, great trading platforms, fantastic market research, industry-leading education for beginners plus excellent customer service. TD Ameritrade stock trades rate is $0, with options trades at $0.65 per contract. $6.95 is the flat-rate fee for a trading penny.
TD Ameritrade Overview
💳 Fees | $0 |
💵 Account Minimum | $0 |
📌 Features | Commission-free stock and ETF trades. |
Free research. | |
High-quality trading platforms. | |
Excellent Customer Support | |
Large investment selection. |
TD Ameritrade offers trading platforms and tools on a desktop-based platform – thinkorswim perfect for day trading, options trading or futures trading. TD Ameritrade offers two smartphone apps: TD Ameritrade Mobile and TD Ameritrade Mobile Trader.
Both futures and forex trading is available.
Fidelity
Min Deposit
USD 1
Regulators
SEC, FINRA
Trading Platform
Active Trader Pro
Crypto
No
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
Fidelity offers $0 stock trades, industry-leading research, fantastic trading tools, an easy-to-use mobile app, and comprehensive retirement services with a flagship desktop platform, loaded with trading tools.
Fidelity Overview
💵 Fees | $0 per trade for online U.S. stocks and ETFs |
💳 Account Minimum | $0 |
📌 Features | Commission-free stock, ETF and options trades. |
Large selection of research providers. | |
Strong customer service. | |
Expense-ratio-free index funds. | |
Highly rated mobile app. |
Fidelity provides the entire spectrum of investment services, from stock trading to retirement guidance, international trading in 25 countries, and exchange between 16 currencies.
Best Stock Brokers on the JSE
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is the largest stock exchange in Africa and offers a wide range of investment opportunities. Some of the best stock brokers on the JSE include:
- Standard Bank Webtrader: This online trading platform offers access to the JSE and other global markets, as well as a range of research and analysis tools.
- Investec: Investec offers a range of investment options, including equities on the JSE and other global markets, as well as fixed income, derivatives and more.
- First National Bank (FNB): FNB offers online trading via its Share Trading platform, which provides access to the JSE and other global markets, as well as a range of investment research and analysis tools.
- Sasfin: Sasfin Securities is a full-service stockbroker, which offers access to the JSE and other global markets, as well as a range of investment research and analysis tools.
- Sanlam iTrade: Sanlam iTrade is an online trading platform that offers access to the JSE and other global markets, as well as a range of research and analysis tools.
Best Stock Brokers on the A2X
The A2X is a South African alternative exchange that aims to provide a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) for trading listed companies. Some of the best stock brokers on A2X include:
- Standard Bank Webtrader
- Investec
- First National Bank (FNB)
- Sasfin
- Sanlam iTrade
It’s important to note that A2X is a relatively new exchange, therefore the broker’s offerings may be limited and subject to change. It’s recommended to check with the broker for the most up-to-date information on their offerings and fees. And again, it’s always recommended to check the regulatory compliance of the brokerage firm you choose.
Conclusion
Overall, Share and Stock Trading works in a similar way to a marketplace, where parties will negotiate a price at which to exchange an asset.
Avatrade - #1 JSE Trading Platform
- Time to open Account - Only 12 Hours
- Low Commissions
- Invest in any JSE Top 40 Share
Avatrade - #1 JSE Trading Platform
- Time to open Account - Only 12 Hours
- Low Commissions
- Invest in any JSE Top 40 Share
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to trade stocks with a broker?
No, you don’t have to trade stocks with a broker; however, you do need a brokerage where you purchase stocks, etfs, bonds and other investments. Online brokers usually do not charge fees for buying and selling stocks.
What steps should I follow when buying stocks?
- Choose a brokerage.
- Fund the brokerage account.
- Research investments taking into account your financial situation, goals and risk tolerance.
- Click to buy your stock.
Is trading forex easier than trading stocks?
As opposed to forex, stocks are less volatile and easier to trade. Forex delivers more returns than stocks and it is easier to beat the markets with forex than with stocks.
Where can I find stocks to trade?
You can get stock info from most online broker sites in real time. You can also check out financial services such as Google Finance or Yahoo Finance.
Can I buy stocks in Uber?
Yes, you can buy stocks in Uber.
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