Published 5 April 2026
Key Takeaways
- EasyEquities is a popular starting point for many beginners — no minimum, no monthly fee
- Satrix is worth considering for low-cost ETF investing via monthly debit order
- FNB Securities and Standard Bank OST are convenient if you already bank with them
- Check both the platform fee AND the ETF’s TER — both affect your long-term returns
- All platforms listed here offer TFSA accounts for tax-free investing
Choosing the right investing platform is one of the first decisions South African investors face. The good news: there are several excellent options, each with different strengths. This guide compares the most popular platforms based on fees, minimum investments, TFSA support, available ETFs, and user experience so you can pick the one that fits your situation.
| Platform | Min Investment | Monthly Fee | TFSA | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EasyEquities | R10 | R0 | Yes | Beginners, low minimums |
| Satrix | R500/month | R0 | Yes | Low-cost ETF debit orders |
| FNB Securities | R100 | R0 (FNB clients) | Yes | Existing FNB clients |
| Standard Bank OST | ~R1,000 | R0 | Yes | Existing SB clients |
| Sygnia | R500/month | R0 | Yes | Low-cost index investing |
| Allan Gray | R500/month | R0 | Yes | Managed/balanced funds |
| 10X Investments | R500/month | R0 | Yes | Fee-conscious investors |
Source: Platform fee schedules (EasyEquities, Satrix, FNB Securities, Standard Bank OST) as published early 2026. Fees are subject to change — verify directly with each platform before opening an account.
EasyEquities — Best for Beginners
EasyEquities is South Africa’s most popular retail investment platform and the best starting point for most beginners. You can open an account in under 10 minutes, invest from as little as R10, and access over 50 local ETFs plus US stocks, all with no monthly account fee.
Their TFSA wrapper is called the “TFSA account” — make sure you open this specific account type (not the regular EasyEquities account) for tax-free investing. Fees are charged as brokerage per transaction (typically 0.25–0.50% per trade), plus the ETF’s own TER.
Best for: Complete beginners, investors who want local and US ETFs in one place, and small monthly investors.
Satrix — Best for Low-Cost ETF Investing
Satrix is both a fund manager (they create the ETFs) and an investment platform. Investing via Satrix’s own platform gives you access to the full Satrix ETF range via monthly debit order from R500, with no brokerage fees on debit orders.
The limitation: Satrix’s platform only offers Satrix-branded ETFs. If you want ETFs from other providers (like 1nvest or CoreShares), you’ll need to use EasyEquities instead.
Best for: Investors committed to regular monthly investing in Satrix ETFs, those who want the lowest possible fees.
FNB Securities — Best for Existing FNB Clients
If you already bank with FNB, their Securities platform is integrated directly into the FNB app. You can open a share account or a TFSA, access 40+ ETFs, and manage everything alongside your banking. The platform is clean, functional, and familiar to FNB users.
Best for: FNB banking customers who want a seamless banking + investing experience.
Standard Bank Online Share Trading — Best for Standard Bank Clients
Similar to FNB Securities, Standard Bank’s Online Share Trading (OST) platform integrates with your Standard Bank account. The ETF range is decent, and TFSA accounts are available. Brokerage tends to be slightly higher than EasyEquities for small trades.
Best for: Standard Bank clients who want investing integrated with their existing banking.
Sygnia — Low-Cost Index Alternative
Sygnia offers its own range of index funds and ETFs (the itrix and Skeleton ranges) with very competitive TERs. Their platform is less flashy than EasyEquities but offers solid, low-cost investing with TFSA accounts available.
Best for: Cost-conscious investors interested in Sygnia’s specific fund range.
Allan Gray — For a Managed, Balanced Approach
Allan Gray is one of South Africa’s most respected investment houses. Unlike the platforms above, Allan Gray focuses primarily on actively managed unit trusts rather than index ETFs. Their fees are higher (typically 1.0–1.47% TER), but they offer a full range of solutions, including balanced funds, equity funds, and RA products.
Best for: Investors who prefer a managed approach, those with larger portfolios who want professional allocation.
10X Investments — The Fee Crusader
10X is built on one principle: fees destroy returns. They offer low-cost index funds (not ETFs) for both TFSA and retirement annuity investing, with TERs starting around 0.31%. Their educational content on the impact of fees is excellent. A strong choice for long-term retirement savings.
Best for: Long-term investors who prioritise minimising fees, especially for RA investing.
How to Choose the Right Platform for You
Complete beginner with a small amount? → EasyEquities. No minimums, easy interface, TFSA available.
Want the absolute lowest ETF fees via debit order? → Satrix (for Satrix ETFs) or 10X (for their index funds).
Already bank with FNB or Standard Bank? → Use their platform for convenience. Fees are competitive.
Want managed funds alongside ETFs? → Allan Gray or Coronation.
Whichever platform you choose, the most important thing is to open a TFSA, invest in low-cost ETFs, and set up a monthly debit order. The platform matters far less than actually starting.
Use our TFSA Calculator to model your growth, or begin with our Complete Beginner’s Guide to Investing in South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest investing platform in South Africa?
For ETF investing via a monthly debit order, Satrix offers the lowest all-in cost (0.10% TER on the Top 40, no brokerage on debit orders). For flexible investing, EasyEquities is very competitive with no monthly fees and brokerage of around 0.25–0.50% per trade.
Can I switch platforms without selling my investments?
For TFSA investments: you can transfer your TFSA to another provider without it counting as a withdrawal (this preserves your contribution room). The process takes a few weeks and requires completing a transfer form with your new provider. For regular accounts, you typically need to sell your investments at one platform and re-buy at the new one.
Are my investments safe if the platform goes bankrupt?
In South Africa, your investments are held in your name — they’re not on the platform’s balance sheet. If EasyEquities or Satrix went bankrupt, your underlying ETFs (which are held by a custodian) would be transferred to another provider or returned to you. Your investment is not at risk from platform insolvency, though there could be administrative delays.