EasyEquities Review 2025: Fees, Features, and How to Start

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EasyEquities Review 2025: Your Guide to Low-Cost Investing in South Africa

Investing in the stock market has never been more accessible to South Africans, thanks to user-friendly platforms like EasyEquities. Whether you’re a beginner hoping to grow your wealth with just a few Rands or a seasoned investor looking for affordable ways to diversify, EasyEquities continues to stand out. In this comprehensive review, we’ll unpack EasyEquities’ 2025 fees, its key features, and exactly how you can start investing today.

EasyEquities has become a household name because it breaks down the traditional barriers to investing. There are no intimidating minimums, no monthly account fees, and you can start investing with as little as R10. Fractional shares mean you don’t need to buy a whole share of giants like Naspers or Apple. This flexibility gives everyone a chance to participate in the markets, whether you’re saving for retirement, your child’s education, or just building a nest egg for the future.

EasyEquities Fees Explained: What You’ll Pay in 2025

One of the main reasons EasyEquities attracts so many users is its transparent and low-cost fee structure. Here’s what you need to know about the fees in 2025:

  • Brokerage Fee: Every time you buy or sell shares, you pay a 0.25% commission, with a minimum charge of just 1 cent per trade. For example, if you buy R1000 worth of shares, your fee would be only R2.50.
  • Thrive Fee: There’s a R25 monthly Thrive fee, but this is waived if you’re under 21, over 65, or reach Thrive Level 3 by being an active user. Thrive is also EasyEquities’ loyalty program, rewarding you for good investing habits.
  • Deposit Fees: Bank transfers are free, but if you use instant EFTs via Ozow, you’ll pay a 1% fee. Credit card deposits cost 2.2% of the deposit amount plus R1.60. Try to use standard EFTs from your local bank to avoid extra charges.
  • No Withdrawal Fees: Withdrawing your funds to your South African bank account is free.
  • Other Fees: Currency conversion (when buying international shares) carries a 2% margin above the mid-market rate. Transferring your account or assets to another broker comes with a fee per asset. Crypto trading fees are also competitive at 0.25% per trade, plus a small additional charge.

Overall, these costs are much lower than typical traditional brokers or banks. However, if you make frequent small deposits using credit cards, the extra fees can add up, so it pays to plan how you fund your account.

Key Features: What Sets EasyEquities Apart?

The EasyEquities platform is designed for simplicity and flexibility. Here are the features that make it a favourite for South African investors:

  • Fractional Shares: Invest in a portion of a share, making it easy to diversify even with small amounts.
  • Wide Range of Assets: Access South African and global shares, ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), ETNs, unit trusts, property investments through EasyProperties, and even cryptocurrencies via the EC10 crypto bundle.
  • No Minimum Investment: Start building your portfolio with any amount, even R10.
  • No Monthly Platform Fees: Apart from the Thrive program, there are no recurring account or inactivity fees.
  • Goal-Based Investing: Set savings goals and track your progress inside the app, making it easier to stay motivated.
  • Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA): Invest up to the annual TFSA limit and pay no tax on your returns, a great option for long-term savers.
  • Regulated and Safe: EasyEquities is run by First World Trader and is fully licensed with South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), so your investments are protected by strict regulations.

How to Open an EasyEquities Account: Step-by-Step

Getting started with EasyEquities is a quick and painless process. Here’s how you can open your account and start investing:

  • Register Online: Visit the EasyEquities website or download the app. You’ll need a valid South African ID or passport, your tax number, and a local bank account.
  • Verify Your Account: Complete the FICA process by uploading your documents. This usually takes less than a day.
  • Deposit Funds: Choose your preferred deposit method. A standard EFT from your bank is free and usually reflects within a business day. Remember, instant EFTs and credit card deposits have extra fees.
  • Start Investing: Once your deposit clears, you can browse shares, ETFs, and other assets. Use the search bar or explore the “Baskets” and themed portfolios if you’re looking for inspiration.
  • Buy Your First Investment: Simply enter the amount you want to invest, review the estimated fees, and click to confirm. You’ll see your investment show up in your portfolio almost instantly.

EasyEquities is designed to be beginner-friendly, with plenty of educational resources, webinars, and a supportive community forum. If you ever get stuck, their support team is easy to reach via email or chat.

Related: Best Investment Apps South Africa: EasyEquities vs Satrix

Tips for Getting the Most Out of EasyEquities

To make your investing journey smoother and more cost-effective, keep these practical tips in mind:

  • Minimise Deposit Fees: Use standard EFTs for deposits to avoid instant EFT or credit card charges. If you can, fund your account less frequently but with larger amounts to save on fees.
  • Take Advantage of Thrive: Aim for Thrive Level 3 each month to get the R25 fee waived. You can do this by making regular investments and engaging with the platform’s educational content.
  • Diversify: Spread your investments across different shares, ETFs, and asset classes. Fractional investing makes this easy, even with small sums.
  • Use Tax-Free Accounts: Open a TFSA on EasyEquities to make the most of your annual tax-free investment allowance. It’s a powerful tool for long-term wealth building.
  • Stay Informed: Follow the EasyEquities blog, attend their webinars, and join the community discussions. The more you learn, the better your investment decisions will be.

Is EasyEquities Safe and Legitimate?

Safety is a top concern for any investor. EasyEquities is owned by First World Trader, which is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa. This means the platform must follow strict rules to keep your money and data safe. Your stocks are held securely, and you can always withdraw your funds to your local bank account without penalty. Do note, when you buy fractional shares, you’re often buying a contract that tracks the share price rather than owning the underlying asset directly. For most investors, this distinction is minor, but it’s worth understanding how your investments are structured.

Conclusion: Should You Start Investing with EasyEquities in 2025?

EasyEquities continues to be one of the best low-cost investment platforms for South Africans. Its transparent fee structure, lack of minimums, wide asset selection, and easy-to-use platform make it accessible to everyone. South Africans who want to start investing without high costs or complexity will find EasyEquities a perfect fit.

If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, open your account today, fund it with what you can afford, and start exploring the world of investing. Remember, the earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow. Happy investing!

Related: Best Investment Apps South Africa

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