EasyEquities is a South African-born online investment platform that has grown into one of the most accessible share-trading brands in emerging markets. Launched in 2015 by Charles Savage and backed by the JSE-listed Purple Group, EasyEquities pioneered fractional share investing, allowing anyone to buy slices of high-priced shares with as little as R10 (roughly $0.60). Today, the platform serves more than a million registered investors across South Africa and Australia, with increasing interest from retail traders in other African markets.
Unlike traditional forex and CFD brokers, EasyEquities is fundamentally a share brokerage. It offers direct exposure to stocks, ETFs, and listed property on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) as well as international exchanges such as the NYSE, NASDAQ, and LSE. Its global reach is powered through a partnership with Saxo Bank, which provides liquidity and execution for international equities. What makes EasyEquities stand out is its transparent, low-cost fee model—zero commission on local trades, no monthly platform fees, and fractional ownership that removes the barrier of expensive share prices.
For anyone looking to build a long-term share portfolio with small amounts of money, EasyEquities is a compelling choice. It is not a platform for short-term forex speculation or leveraged derivatives—if that is your focus, you would need to look elsewhere. But for the casual investor and the beginner, EasyEquities provides a genuinely user-friendly, low-risk entry point into global markets.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | — |
| Headquarters | — |
| Regulated by | — |
| Min Deposit | $0 |
| Max Leverage | — |
| Platforms | — |
| Islamic Account | Not available |
| Copy Trading | Not available |
| Demo Account | Available |
| Instrument | Typical Spread | Commission/Lot | All-In Cost | Standard Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Check broker | Varies | Varies | Check broker |
| Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| ECN/Raw Account | No |
| Islamic (Swap-free) | No |
| Scalping Allowed | Yes |
| Hedging Allowed | Yes |
| Expert Advisors (EA) | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No |
EasyEquities does not explicitly offer a swap-free or Islamic account, but because it is a securities brokerage rather than a leveraged CFD provider, it does not charge swap or rollover interest on positions. This makes it inherently more compatible with Sharia principles than a standard forex broker. However, buying shares in conventional banks, alcohol-related companies, or firms with heavy debt could be problematic for observant Muslim investors.
To cater to this audience, EasyEquities provides a selection of Shariah-compliant ETFs that exclude non-permissible business activities. These ETFs are available for fractional investing, so you can accumulate exposure in a Sharia-compliant manner with small capital. There are no hidden fees for holding these funds—normal brokerage rules apply. If you require a dedicated Islamic account with a Sharia board and a letter of compliance, EasyEquities is not the right platform—you would be better served by a dedicated swap-free forex broker.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Islamic Account Available | No |
| Swap Fees | May apply |
| Hidden Admin Fees | Verify with broker before trading |
| How to Apply | Contact support after opening standard account |
| Approval Time | Usually same business day |
| Asset Class | Examples | Available | Typical Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Major Pairs | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY | All available | Check broker |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | Spot Gold | Available | — |
| Silver (XAG/USD) | Spot Silver | Available | Check broker |
| Oil CFDs | WTI Crude, Brent Crude | Available | $0.03–$0.05 |
| Stock Indices | S&P500, NASDAQ, DAX, FTSE | Available | 0.40 pts |
| Crypto CFDs | BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL | Available | Check broker |
| Shares CFDs | Apple, Tesla, Amazon | Available | 0.02% |
| Broker | Min Deposit | EUR/USD | Islamic | TradingView | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easyequities (current) | $0 | Check broker | No | No | 4.5 |
| Pepperstone | $0 | 0.09 pips | Yes | Yes | 4.9 |
| IC Markets | $200 | 0.02 pips | Yes | No | 4.8 |
| Exness | $10 | 0.10 pips | Yes | No | 4.8 |
EasyEquities is a refreshing alternative to the typical global forex and CFD broker. It has enormous appeal for long-term investors, especially those in South Africa, where it has democratised stock market access with fractional shares and zero-commission local trading. In Australia, the platform offers a similar proposition with ASX-listed securities. Its partnership with Saxo Bank extends its reach into international equities, making it a true global brokerage for buy-and-hold investors.
However, calling it a global broker should not be mistaken for a one-stop trading shop. There is no leverage, no forex pairs, no options, and no advanced charting. The educational and support offerings are geared toward novices, and the regulatory coverage is limited relative to multi-regulated forex brokers. If you are a beginner building a diversified share portfolio with modest amounts, EasyEquities is one of the most cost-effective choices available today. If you need short-term trading tools or currency speculation, you will need to look for a separate, dedicated forex broker.
Overall, EasyEquities earns high marks for cost efficiency, transparency, and user experience. It is an excellent platform for its target market and a genuine industry disrupter in the fractional investing space.