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Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in South Africa 2025

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Written By
James Barra
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Written By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
» James Barra Profile Page
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Fact Checked By
Jemma Grist
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Fact Checked By
Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
» Jemma Grist Profile Page
Updated
Oct 9, 2024

The best day trading brokers in South Africa provide intuitive platforms with excellent charting features, competitive fees, fast execution speeds, and margin trading.

Many also offer accounts in a convenient currency like the South African Rand (ZAR), are regulated by a credible body like the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), and facilitate trading on popular markets such as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

Find the top day trading platforms in South Africa. All the online brokers we list below accept clients from South Africa.

Top 10 Platforms For Day Trading In South Africa

After testing, reviewing, and rating 216 brokers, our exhaustive analysis reveals that these are the 10 best day platforms and brokers in South Africa:

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    AvaTrade
    20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
    Ratings
    4.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
    ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures
    WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
    Skrill, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Swift, MoneyGram, Credit Card, WebMoney, JCB Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Boleto
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
    Go To AvaTrade
  2. 2
    XM
    $30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account
    Ratings
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    $5
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies
    MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
    Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Perfect Money, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, TransferWise, Visa, M-Pesa
    USD, EUR, GBP, JPY
    Go To XM
  3. 3
    IC Markets
    Ratings
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.1 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    $200
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
    ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
    PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, UnionPay, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Mastercard, POLi, BPAY, Credit Card, Klarna, Swift, SafeCharge
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To IC Markets
  4. 4
    RoboForex
    $30 No Deposit Bonus
    RoboForex Ltd and its affiliates do not target EU/EEA/UK clients. Please be aware that you are able to receive investment services from a third-country firm at your own exclusive initiative only, taking all the risks involved.
    Ratings
    3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    $10
    0.01 Lots
    1:2000
    IFSC
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures
    R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
    Visa, iDeal, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, Giropay, Sofort, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Alipay, POLi, Perfect Money, MoneyGram, Cashu, SafeCharge, WeChat Pay, Vietcombank Transfer, Volet, ecoPayz, AstroPay
    USD, EUR
    Go To RoboForex
  5. 5
    Exness
    Ratings
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    1.5 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    $10
    0.01 Lots
    1:Unlimited
    CySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC, JSC
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin Payments, Boleto, Airtel, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, Sticpay, AstroPay, Cashu, FasaPay, WebMoney, M-Pesa
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY
    Go To Exness
  6. 6
    Deriv
    Ratings
    3.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    $5
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA
    CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs
    Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
    Neteller, Visa, Skrill, WebMoney, FasaPay, Perfect Money, Diners Club, Banxa, Paytrust, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, JCB Card, Sticpay, Trustly, Volet, Paysafecard, AstroPay, Maestro, Airtm, Boleto, JetonCash, Przelewy24, Bitcoin Payments, PIX Payment, Airtel, M-Pesa
    USD, EUR, GBP
    Go To Deriv
  7. 7
    Pepperstone
    CFDs and FX are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81.8% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.
    Ratings
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
    FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB
    CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting
    MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade
    Visa, Mastercard, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer, POLi, UnionPay, BPAY, Neteller, Skrill, PIX Payment, Apple Pay, Google Wallet
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To Pepperstone
  8. 8
    Eightcap
    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:500
    ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, TradingView
    Neteller, Skrill, Visa, UnionPay, Credit Card, Debit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, BPAY, PayPal, Dragonpay, PIX Payment
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD
    Go To Eightcap
  9. 9
    FOREX.com
    20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:400
    NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA
    Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
    Go To FOREX.com
  10. 10
    Trade Nation
    200 Sign-Up Reward Points
    84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    0 / 5
    $0
    0.1 Lots
    1:500 (entity dependent)
    FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA
    Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only)
    MT4
    Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, Skrill, PayPal, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK
    Go To Trade Nation

Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:

  1. AvaTrade - Established in 2006, AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Operating under regulation in 9 jurisdictions, AvaTrade processes an impressive 2+ million trades each month. Through like MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader, the broker provides a growing selection of 1,250+ instruments. Whether it’s CFDs, AvaOptions, or the more recent AvaFutures, short-term traders at all levels will find opportunities. With terrific education and 24/5 multilingual customer support, AvaTrade delivers the complete trading experience.
  2. XM - XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been delivering low trading fees across its growing roster of 1000+ instruments. It’s also highly regulated, including by ASIC and CySEC and offers a comprehensive MetaTrader experience.
  3. IC Markets - IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
  4. RoboForex - RoboForex is an online broker, established in 2009 and registered with the IFSC in Belize. Traders can choose from five accounts (Prime, ECN, R StocksTrader, ProCent, Pro) catering to different needs with trades from 0.01 lots and spreads from 0 pips. RoboForex has also enhanced its offering over the years, adding CFD instruments and launching its stock trading platform, plus the CopyFX system.
  5. Exness - Established in 2008, Exness has maintained its position as a highly respected broker, standing out with its industry-leading range of 40+ account currencies, growing selection of CFD instruments, and intuitive web platform complete with useful extras like currency convertors and trading calculators.
  6. Deriv - Established in 1999, Deriv is an innovative broker now serving over 2.5 million global clients. The firm offers CFDs, multipliers and more recently accumulators, alongside its proprietary derived products which can't be found elsewhere, providing flexible short-term trading opportunities.
  7. Pepperstone - Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for day traders at all levels.
  8. Eightcap - Eightcap is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker established in Australia in 2009. The broker has proven popular with active day traders, providing 800+ instruments with tight spreads and notable improvements in recent years, integrating the leading TradingView platform, alongside AI-powered financial calendars and algo trading tools with zero coding experience required.
  9. FOREX.com - Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
  10. Trade Nation - Trade Nation is a top FX and CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the UK and Australia. The firm offers low-cost fixed and variable spreads on 1000+ assets with robust trading platforms and training materials. The Signal Centre can also be used for trade ideas.

Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in South Africa 2025 Comparison

Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in South Africa 2025 Comparison
Broker ZAR Account Minimum Deposit Markets Platforms Leverage
AvaTrade logo
- $100 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
XM logo
- $5 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies MT4, MT5, TradingCentral 1:1000
IC Markets logo
- $200 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
RoboForex logo
- $10 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView 1:2000
Exness logo
✔ $10 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral 1:Unlimited
Deriv logo
- $5 CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView 1:1000
Pepperstone logo
- $0 CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Eightcap logo
- $100 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto MT4, MT5, TradingView 1:500
FOREX.com logo
- $100 Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral 1:400
Trade Nation logo
✔ $0 Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only) MT4 1:500 (entity dependent)

AvaTrade

"AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets."

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

AvaTrade Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM
PlatformsWebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD

Pros

  • AvaTrade continues to enhance its suite of products, recently through AvaFutures, providing an alternative vehicle to speculate on over 35 markets with low day trading margins.
  • The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
  • Support at AvaTrade performed excellently during testing, with response times of 3 minutes and localized support in major trading jurisdictions, including the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Cons

  • Although the deposit process itself is smooth, AvaTrade still doesn’t facilitate crypto payments, a feature increasingly offered by brokers like TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
  • AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but work is still needed in terms of customizability – frustratingly widgets like market watch and watchlists can’t be hidden, moved, or resized.
  • The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
Visit AvaTrade
AvaTrade Review

XM

"With a low $5 minimum deposit, advanced charting platforms in MT4 and MT5, expanding range of markets, and a Zero account offering spreads from 0.0, XM provides all the essentials for active traders, even earning our ‘Best MT4/MT5 Broker’ award in recent years."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

XM Quick Facts

Bonus Offer$30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$5
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:1000
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY

Pros

  • XM’s Zero account is ideal for day trading with spreads from 0.0 pips, 99.35% of orders executed in <1 second, and no requotes or rejections.
  • XM’s customer support has delivered over years of testing, with 24/5 assistance in 25 languages, response times of <2 minutes and now a growing Telegram channel.
  • XM’s growing roster of 1,000+ instruments provides diverse short-term trading opportunities, with unique turbo stocks, fractional shares, and more recently thematic indices.

Cons

  • While the XM app stands out for its usability and exclusive copy trading products, the selection of technical analysis tools needs to be improved to meet the needs of advanced traders.
  • Although trusted and generally well-regulated, the XM global entity is registered with the weak IFSC regulator and UK clients are no longer accepted, reducing its market reach.
  • XM is falling behind the curve by not offering cTrader and TradingView which are increasingly being favored over MetaTrader for their smoother user experience and superior charting packages.
Visit XM
XM Review

IC Markets

"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

IC Markets Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA
PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
Minimum Deposit$200
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.
  • You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
  • IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.

Cons

  • The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
  • Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
  • Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
Visit IC Markets
IC Markets Review

RoboForex

"RoboForex is great if you want a vast range of 12,000+ day trading markets with ECN accounts, powerful charting and loyalty promotions. It also stands out for stock traders with its user-friendly R StocksTrader platform, featuring 3,000+ shares, fees from $0.01 and sophisticated watchlists."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

RoboForex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer$30 No Deposit Bonus
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures
RegulatorIFSC
PlatformsR StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
Minimum Deposit$10
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:2000
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR

Pros

  • The broker offers two commission-free withdrawals each month in the Free Funds Withdrawal program, helping day traders to minimize transaction costs.
  • The broker offers leverage up to 1:2000 for certain account types, which is among the highest in the industry. This high leverage allows day traders to maximize their trading potential, albeit with a corresponding increase in risk.
  • RoboForex is known for its tight spreads starting from 0 pips and low minimum deposits from $10, making it accessible to those on a budget. The ability to trade with micro lots further lowers the barrier to entry for new traders.

Cons

  • Despite offering a range of platforms, RoboForex still doesn't support the increasingly popular cTrader. This might deter traders who prefer this specific platform for their day trading activities and is available at firms like Fusion Markets.
  • RoboForex provides a variety of account types, which, while offering flexibility, can be overwhelming for newer traders trying to choose the most suitable option for their trading style. Alternatives, notably eToro, provide a smoother entry into online trading with one retail account.
  • While RoboForex offers competitive spreads, some of its account types come with high trading commissions up to $20 per lot, trailing the cheapest brokers, such as IC Markets.
Visit RoboForex
RoboForex Review

Exness

"After slashing its spreads, improving its execution speeds and support trading on over 100 currency pairs with more than 40 account currencies to choose from, Exness is a fantastic option for active forex traders looking to minimize trading costs."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Exness Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
RegulatorCySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC, JSC
PlatformsExness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$10
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:Unlimited
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY

Pros

  • Fast and dependable 24/7 multilingual customer support via telephone, email and live chat based on hands-on tests.
  • Excellent range of account types for all experience levels, including Cent, Pro plus the introduction of Raw Spread, ideal for day traders.
  • Improved execution speeds, now averaging under 25ms, offer optimal conditions for short-term traders.

Cons

  • MetaTrader 4 and 5 are supported, but TradingView and cTrader still aren’t despite rising demand from active traders and integration at alternatives like Pepperstone.
  • Retail trading services are unavailable in certain jurisdictions, such as the US and the UK, limiting accessibility compared to top-tier brokers like Interactive Brokers.
  • Apart from a mediocre blog, educational resources are woeful, especially compared to category leaders like IG which provide a more complete trading journey for newer traders.
Visit Exness
Exness Review

Deriv

"Deriv is ideal for active traders seeking alternative and unique ways to speculate on global financial markets, from multipliers and accumulator options to its bespoke synthetic indices, which mimic real market movements and are available 24/7, allowing for continuous trading opportunities regardless of market hours."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Deriv Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs
RegulatorMFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA
PlatformsDeriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Minimum Deposit$5
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:1000
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP

Pros

  • Deriv stands out with its innovative products, from multipliers and derived indices to its addition of accumulator options, providing exclusive short-term trading opportunities.
  • Although response times trail alternatives in our personal experience, Deriv offers 24/7 support and is one of the few brokers to offer WhatsApp assistance.
  • Deriv revamped its app in 2025, now sporting a slicker interface alongside improved position management and streamlined contract details for smarter mobile trading.

Cons

  • Apart from the MFSA in the EU, Deriv lacks top-tier regulatory credentials, reducing the level of safeguards like access to investor compensation.
  • Although there’s a basic blog, there's little in terms of technical analysis or market reports which could help active traders identify potential opportunities.
  • Leverage up to 1:1000 will appeal to traders with a large risk appetite but frustratingly there is no ability to flex the leverage in the account area.
Visit Deriv
Deriv Review

Pepperstone

"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Pepperstone Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB
PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing.
  • There’s support for a range of industry-leading charting platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, catering to various short-term trading styles, including algo trading.
  • Pepperstone has greatly improved the deposit and withdrawal experience in recent years, adding Apple Pay and Google Pay in 2025, as well as PIX and SPEI for clients in Brazil and Mexico in 2024.

Cons

  • Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
  • Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets, though it has introduced an intuitive copy trading app.
  • Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
Visit Pepperstone
Pepperstone Review

Eightcap

"Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms, education via Labs, and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 120+ crypto CFDs, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Eightcap Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
RegulatorASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:500
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD

Pros

  • Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools and resources, including MT4 and MT5, the innovative algorithmic trading platform Capitalise.ai, and more recently the 50-million strong social trading network TradingView.
  • With tight spreads from 0 pips, low commission fees, and high leverage up to 1:500 for certain clients, Eightcap provides cost-effective and flexible trading conditions that can accommodate an array of strategies, including day trading and scalping.
  • Having excelled across all key areas for day traders, Eightcap outperformed every competitor to win our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024, also securing our 'Best Crypto Broker' title.

Cons

  • Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books in Labs, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
  • In spite of an increasing variety of tools, Eightcap doesn't offer industry favorites like Autochartist or Trading Central, which offer cutting-edge charting analytics, live news, and market insights for short-term traders.
  • Eightcap needs to continue bolstering its suite of instruments to match category leaders like Blackbull Markets with its 26,000+ assets, featuring a particularly weak selection of commodities.
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Eightcap Review

FOREX.com

"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto
RegulatorNFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:400
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

  • There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
  • Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
  • FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.

Cons

  • Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
  • There’s no negative balance protection for US clients, so you may find yourself owing more money than your initial deposit into your account.
  • FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
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FOREX.com Review

Trade Nation

"Trade Nation is a good choice for newer traders looking for a wide range of financial markets on a user-friendly platform. There is no minimum deposit, free funding options and strong education."

William Berg, Reviewer

Trade Nation Quick Facts

Bonus Offer200 Sign-Up Reward Points
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only)
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA
PlatformsMT4
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.1 Lots
Leverage1:500 (entity dependent)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK

Pros

  • Trade Nation is a multi-regulated and respected broker that previously operated as Core Spreads
  • A choice of trading platforms and apps, including MT4, make the brand a good fit for savvy traders
  • There is a low minimum deposit for beginners

Cons

  • Fewer legal protections with offshore entity
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Trade Nation Review

Choosing A Day Trading Broker In South Africa

Our extensive experience in the day trading sector has revealed that there are several crucial elements to take into account when choosing a broker:

Trust and Regulation

It’s essential to select a trusted brokerage.

Doing so safeguards your funds against harmful trading practices, such as price manipulation and even fraud. Opting for a trustworthy broker is especially crucial considering South Africa’s history with trading scams.

One prominent example is Forex International, a company which offered guaranteed returns. Its scammer operators, Peter and Louis Henderson, who have since been jailed following an investigation by the South African Reserve Bank, were found to have stolen R 1.6 million before transferring the money to offshore bank accounts.

As a result, we routinely verify that day trading brokers are regulated by a credible authority, such as South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). The FSCA oversees brokers and permits popular short-term trading instruments like contracts for difference (CFDs).

Alternatively, we recommend global brokers regulated elsewhere that we trust, an assessment we make by verifying the number and quality of their regulatory licenses, their track record of treating day traders fairly, and their standing in the industry. It’s important to continue adhering to the FSCA’s regulations and local tax rules if you do opt for an overseas broker.

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Tip: Check that the broker is authorized using the relevant regulator’s directory. For example, you can search for registered brokers in all of South Africa using the FSCA database.
The South African FSCA register showing AvaTrade authorization
AvaTrade – FSCA License
  • AvaTrade earns our trust year after year owing to its regulation in 9 jurisdictions including South Africa. The over 400,000 traders and long row of industry awards also underscore its reliability.

Trading Fees

Choose a trading platform with low fees for both trading and non-trading activities.

For day traders, who typically engage in a high volume of transactions, it’s crucial to minimize transaction costs as they can significantly erode profits.

We recommend South African day trading brokers who offer attractive pricing, something we determine by recording and comparing their spreads on popular assets like the ZAR/USD.

We also evaluate any additional fees, such as those for deposits and withdrawals which can impact active traders, plus inactivity penalties which penalize casual investors.

Importantly, we then balance pricing with the quality of the broker’s tools and overall trading environment, as we know from first-hand experience that the cheapest brokers aren’t always the best.

  • IC Markets stands out as one of the lowest-cost day trading platforms based on our tests using real money, with 25 liquidity providers helping to ensure ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips. There are also no deposit and withdrawal charges or inactivity fees.

Trading Platforms and Tools

Select a user-friendly platform equipped with a good charting package.

Charting tools are especially crucial for day traders, as many depend on technical analysis for their short-term trading strategies.

Advanced day traders might require a range of sophisticated indicators and drawing tools, available from leading third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and cTrader. These are also great for automated trading.

Day trading South African assets on Pepperstone cTrader charting platform
Pepperstone – cTrader Platform

On the other end of the scale, beginners will find the essentials they need in most proprietary platforms, including popular day trading indicators like Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) and Relative Strength Index (RSI).

Our experts always evaluate the trading platforms, apps, and tools as a part of our review methodology. We conduct hands-on tests of the software to ensure it delivers an excellent user experience, complete with the charting tools necessary for day traders at every experience level.

  • Pepperstone continues to stand out for its charting platforms with MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView. It’s also one of the few day trading brokers in South Africa to support Autochartist, which identifies actionable trading opportunities in real time.

Day Trading Markets

Choose a brokerage that provides opportunities in your preferred markets.

For many day traders in South Africa, it will be important to have access to local stock exchanges, such as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Additionally, the ability to engage in short-term trading on currency pairs with the ZAR may be important.

Forex.com - ZAR Forex Assets
Forex.com – ZAR Currency Pairs
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Tip: Expand your trading horizons by exploring different geographical areas, markets, and sectors. This can not only diversify your portfolio but it can also help mitigate risk and uncover new trading opportunities.

Our top picks for South African day trading brokers offer a variety of asset classes, including stocks, forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

These brokerages also often feature products tailored for short-term trading strategies, like contracts for difference (CFDs).

CFDs are a derivative that lets you speculate on price movements, both upward and downward, without actually owning the asset you are speculating on, for instance, Naspers shares listed on the JSE.

  • Forex.com has expanded its range of assets over the years to cater to the full spectrum of day traders, offering over 5,500 instruments spanning multiple asset classes, including four currency pairs with the ZAR.

Execution Speed

Sign up with a brokerage that ensures quick and dependable order fulfilment.

For intraday trading especially, choosing a broker that focuses on rapid order execution is crucial. Delays in order processing can lead to lost trading chances or less favorable pricing, all of which can impact your bottom line.

Additionally, execution quality is a critical factor, encompassing aspects like speed, price, and the probability of order completion.

We recommend South African day trading platforms with rapid and reliable order execution, based on our extensive evaluation of their execution policies and analysis of average execution times, where such data is available.

  • FxPro emerges as one of the fastest brokers with most orders filled in under 13 milliseconds. This makes the platform superior for short-term setups like scalping and algo trading.

Leverage and Margin Trading

Register with a broker that provides leverage and clearly defined margin requirements.

Opting for a broker that facilitates leverage trading is vital for many day traders. It enhances the potential for higher profits by enabling the handling of larger positions using a small amount of capital.

For instance, your platform might give you 1:5 leverage on South African stocks. This means with an investment of 2000 Rand, you can control a position of 10,000 Rand (5x your investment).

However, this also increases the risk of greater losses, and it is particularly important for novices to be cautious.

Risk management and a good understanding of your broker’s margin requirements are crucial. These requirements determine the capital needed to maintain your positions.

This is particularly important for day traders in South Africa, as the FSCA does not mandate a leverage limit of 1:30, which is commonly found in heavily regulated regions like Europe and Australia. As a result, much higher leverage is often available.

  • XM offers very high leverage up to 1:1000 through its global entity – more than most trading platforms based on our tests of hundreds of firms. It has a stop-out level which will automatically close your positions if you don’t maintain enough capital.

Minimum Account Deposit

Select a trading platform with a deposit requirement suitable for your circumstances.

This is especially crucial for beginners with limited funds for online trading. Fortunately, our analysis shows that most leading day trading platforms accepting South African traders typically set their minimum deposit at 5,000 Rand or lower (approximately 250 USD).

There are even platforms with no minimum deposit requirement, such as Pepperstone, making them ideal for traders on a tight budget.

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Tip: It can also be beneficial to open a trading account with a broker that uses ZAR as a base currency. Doing so simplifies managing your account and trading in your local currency, while possibly cutting down on conversion costs.
  • Trade Nation continues to be a compelling choice here with its ZAR trading account and no minimum deposit. It’s also regulated by the FSCA in South Africa.

Methodology

In our search for the top day trading platforms in South Africa, we relied on both quantitative data and qualitative insights from our comprehensive broker reviews, focusing on several key aspects:

  • We made sure the brokerage accepts day traders in South Africa.
  • We verified that the company was regulated by the FSCA or another reputable regulatory body.
  • We analyzed the fees associated with conducting day trades to make sure they are competitive.
  • We tested the platform and/or app to ensure it is conducive to short-term trading strategies.
  • We assessed the assets available for day trading, including those in South African markets.
  • We examined the speed and effectiveness of order executions.
  • We considered the options for leveraged trading and the associated margin requirements.
  • We confirmed the minimum deposit to begin day trading in South Africa is accessible.

DayTrading.com testing methodology infographic

Bottom Line

Starting with our pick of best day trading brokers in South Africa is an excellent strategy for identifying the best platform for your requirements – we’ve undertaken the rigorous process of testing, assessing, and grading these firms for you.

Should you remain uncertain about which brokerage to choose, consider trying out their platforms through a demo account.

FAQ

What Is Day Trading?

Day trading involves the act of purchasing and selling financial assets, like stocks on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, all within the span of one trading day.

This approach is adopted by individuals seeking to profit from brief price movements over the short term.

Is Day Trading Allowed In South Africa?

Yes, day trading is allowed and legal in South Africa. The financial markets and trading products like forex and CFDs are overseen by the country’s regulator – the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).

Which Brokers Do South African Day Traders Use?

The number of day trading brokers located in South Africa and regulated by the local Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) is limited.

That’s partly why many day traders choose to sign up with respected global brokers, regulated by other trusted bodies.

Still, local investors should understand that intraday trading with an international broker could restrict your avenues for legal action should problems arise.

How Much Money Do I Need To Day Trade In South Africa?

Our exhaustive analysis indicates that the majority of top day trading platforms catering to South African traders often have a minimum deposit requirement of 5,000 Rand or less, which is roughly equivalent to 250 USD.

Some of the best day trading brokers in South Africa, such as Pepperstone and Trade Nation, even have no minimum deposit, making them an attractive option for beginners.

Article Sources

The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com