Forex brokers in South Africa
Which brokers hold a local licence in South Africa, which international brokers accept residents, and what to check first.
South Africa has a local licensing regime for forex and CFD brokers. Firms that give advice or intermediary services need a Financial Services Provider (FSP) licence from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, and several international brands have set up a South African entity.
What to check first
Look up the FSP number on the FSCA’s register and confirm it belongs to the company named in your client agreement. Some brands hold an FSP licence but still open client accounts with an offshore affiliate, so read which entity you are contracting with. The FSCA does not cap retail leverage, which means position sizing is your own responsibility.
Local regulator: FSCA
Brokers licensed in South Africa
| Broker | Dossier Score | Entity serving you | Min. deposit | Platforms | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Plus500 Founded 2008 Listed | 91 | Plus500AU Pty Ltd ASIC #417727, FMA #486026, FSCA #47546 Tier 1 | $100 | Own platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 2 AvaTrade Founded 2006 | 68 | Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd FSCA #45984 Tier 2 | $100 | MT4MT5Own platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 3 Admirals Founded 2001 | 66 | Admirals SA (Pty) Ltd FSCA #51311 Tier 2 | $100 | MT4MT5 | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 4 ThinkMarkets Founded 2010 | 66 | TF Global Markets (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd FSCA #49835 Tier 2 | $0 | MT4MT5TradingViewOwn platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 5 Vantage Founded 2009 | 64 | Vantage Markets (Pty) Ltd FSCA #51268 Tier 2 | $50 | MT4MT5TradingViewOwn platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 6 Exness Founded 2008 | 60 | Exness ZA (PTY) Ltd FSCA #51024 Tier 2 | $10 | MT4MT5Own platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 7 HFM Founded 2010 | 60 | HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd FSCA #46632 Tier 2 | $0 | MT4MT5Own platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 8 FP Markets Founded 2005 | 58 | FP Markets (Pty) Ltd FSCA #50926 Tier 2 | $100 | MT4MT5cTraderTradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 9 FxPro Founded 2006 | 58 | FxPro Financial Services Ltd CySEC #078/07, FSCA #45052 Tier 2 | $100 | MT4MT5cTraderOwn platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 10 Tickmill Founded 2014 | 56 | Tickmill South Africa (Pty) Ltd FSCA #49464 Tier 2 | $100 | MT4MT5TradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 11 Octa Founded 2011 | 50 | Orinoco Capital (Pty) Ltd FSCA #51913 Tier 2 | $25 | MT4MT5Own platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
Dossier Score, entity and regulator are shown for the company that would serve your country. Buttons marked “Affiliate link” may earn us a commission. Unmarked buttons go to the broker's own site and earn us nothing.
International brokers that accept clients from South Africa
These brokers serve this country through an entity licensed elsewhere. Local protections may not apply.
| Broker | Dossier Score | Entity serving you | Min. deposit | Platforms | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Interactive Brokers Founded 1978 Listed | 91 | Interactive Brokers LLC CFTC/NFA #0258600 Tier 1 | $0 | Own platformTradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 2 Swissquote Founded 1996 Listed Bank | 89 | Swissquote Bank Ltd FINMA Tier 1 | $1,000 | MT4MT5Own platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 3 Saxo Founded 1992 Bank | 76 | Saxo Bank A/S Danish FSA #1149 Tier 2 | $0 | Own platformTradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 4 FOREX.com Founded 2001 Listed | 62 | GAIN Global Markets Inc. CIMA #25033 Tier 3 (offshore) | $100 | Own platformMT4MT5TradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 5 IG Founded 1974 Listed | 60 | IG International Limited BMA Tier 3 (offshore) | — | Own platformMT4TradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 6 eToro Founded 2007 Listed | 56 | eToro (Seychelles) Ltd FSA Seychelles #SD076 Tier 3 (offshore) | $50 | Own platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 7 OANDA Founded 1996 | 54 | OANDA Global Markets Ltd BVI FSC Tier 3 (offshore) | $0 | Own platformMT4MT5TradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 8 Pepperstone Founded 2010 | 54 | Pepperstone Markets Limited SCB #SIA-F217 Tier 3 (offshore) | $0 | MT4MT5cTraderTradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 9 XTB Founded 2002 Listed | 50 | XTB International Limited FSC Belize Tier 3 (offshore) | $0 | Own platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 10 Eightcap Founded 2009 | 46 | Eightcap Global Ltd SCB #SIA-F220 Tier 3 (offshore) | $100 | MT4MT5TradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 11 Capital.com Founded 2016 | 44 | Capital Com Online Investments Ltd SCB #SIA-F245 Tier 3 (offshore) | $20 | Own platformMT4TradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 12 XM Founded 2009 | 40 | XM Global Limited FSC Belize Tier 3 (offshore) | $5 | MT4MT5 | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 13 FBS Founded 2009 | 38 | FBS Markets Inc. FSC Belize Tier 3 (offshore) | $5 | MT4MT5Own platform | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 14 FXTM Founded 2011 | 38 | Exinity Limited FSC Mauritius #C113012295 Tier 3 (offshore) | $200 | MT4MT5 | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
| 15 IC Markets Founded 2007 | 38 | Raw Trading Ltd FSA Seychelles #SD018 Tier 3 (offshore) | $200 | MT4MT5cTraderTradingView | Review Visit siteAffiliate link |
Dossier Score, entity and regulator are shown for the company that would serve your country. Buttons marked “Affiliate link” may earn us a commission. Unmarked buttons go to the broker's own site and earn us nothing.
CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.