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BEST ETF BROKERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Looking to diversify effortlessly through ETFs? Our ranking of the best ETF brokers in South Africa spotlights platforms that make broad diversification simple and affordable. We analysed safety, usability and fees, as well as ETF-specific factors like sector variety, geographic spread, trading volume and cost efficiency. These brokers enable South African investors to access baskets of shares or indices, making it easier to achieve balanced growth with minimal management effort.

2025-10-27

A good choice

Ranking Methodology

To compile the ranking, we rely on a professional criterion that follows these steps:

We test the platforms based on several basic parameters (see list).
We test the platforms based on ranking-specific parameters.
We ensure the results are accurate (consistency and absence of outliers).
We verify on social media and forums that our parameters are socially sound and that no relevant negative reviews exist.
We present and publish the ranking.

Basic Testing Parameters for Apps Included in the Ranking

They allow accounts to be opened by local clients; meaning we exclude platforms not available in certain countries.
Regulatory compliance and security.
Transparency, reputation, and data protection.
Total costs (commissions, spreads, non-trading fees, deposits/withdrawals).
User experience (UX/UI), stability, and performance (uptime, latency).
Platform and tools (charts, alerts, backtesting, mobile, desktop, API).
Execution and liquidity (order quality, slippage, depth).
Customer support (languages, coverage, response times).
Education and resources (guides, research, demos, simulators).

Specific Parameters for the ETFs Ranking

Coverage of diversified ETFs (equities, bonds, commodities, sectors, thematic).
Access to international and local ETFs with sufficient liquidity.
Detailed information on underlying indices and replication methodology.
Availability of distributing or accumulating ETFs.
ETF comparison tools (historical performance, tracking error, expenses).
Commissions and costs associated with ETF trading.
Access to leveraged and inverse ETFs for advanced traders.
Quality of research and educational material on ETFs provided by the platform.

Our ranking

TOP PICKS

Ranking

# 1

eToro

eToro tops this ranking for ETF trading by combining simplicity, variety, and innovation. The platform offers access to hundreds of global ETFs across equities, bonds, commodities, and thematic sectors—all tradeable with zero commission and real-time execution. With over 40 million users worldwide, eToro empowers investors to build diversified portfolios easily while benefiting from fractional ETF investing and professional analytics integrated directly into the platform.Its signature Smart Portfolios extend this flexibility by grouping ETFs into curated, ready-made bundles built around market themes such as tech, sustainability, or dividend income. Regulated by the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, and FINRA, eToro provides full transparency, tight spreads, and effortless rebalancing—making it the #1 destination in this ranking for those seeking efficient, diversified exposure through ETFs.

More details View review

# 2

FxPro

FxPro is a global broker headquartered in Cyprus with offices in the United Kingdom, the Bahamas, and South Africa. Regulated by CySEC, FCA, and other authorities, it operates under a No Dealing Desk model with access to forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto CFDs. With spreads starting at 0.3 pips and advanced platforms like cTrader, MT4, and MT5, FxPro is ideal for experienced traders seeking direct execution and powerful tools.

TRY IT

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# 3

AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a global broker with a presence since 2006 and is regulated in multiple jurisdictions including Ireland, Australia, and Japan. It offers a wide variety of platforms — including MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, and AvaSocial — to trade forex, stocks, crypto, and more. Its offering combines advanced technology, regulatory security, and social trading tools. Ideal for both beginners and experienced traders.

TRY IT

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Not sure?

How to open an Investment Account

In South Africa, setting up an investment account is simple once you’ve chosen a provider. The steps apply across asset classes including stocks, bonds, ETFs, futures, options, indices, commodities, crypto and real estate.

Visit the official site: Click “Open account” or “Get started”.
Complete registration: Provide name, email, phone, country. You’ll need a South African ID or passport, plus proof of address such as an Eskom electricity bill or a bank statement issued within 3 months.
Approval: Immediate for some, a few days for others.
Set preferences: Adjust account settings once verified.
Fund account: Deposit by card, EFT, or wallet.

And you’re ready to start investing.