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Intro and winners
To help you to find the best international online brokers in South Africa in 2022, we went ahead and did the research for you. We selected 102 quality online brokers, checked and compared basically every aspect of their services, with a special focus on fees, safety, trading platforms, as well as deposit and withdrawal options. Service providers had to prove their excellence in multiple areas to be considered among the best online brokers. And now, without further ado...
Top 5 picks for best international online brokers in South Africa in 2022:
- Interactive Brokers is the best international online brokers in South Africa in 2022. Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
- XTB takes second place. Low forex CFD fees, commission-free stocks/ETFs for some. Free and fast deposit and withdrawal. Easy and fast account opening.
- Oanda rounds out the top three. Great trading platforms. Outstanding research tools. Fast and user-friendly account opening.
- tastyworks is numero quattro. Low trading fees. Great educational materials. Good research tools.
- ActivTrades just made it to the list in fifth place. Low trading fees. Excellent account opening. Free deposit and withdrawal.
| Broker | Info | Score | Minmum deposit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Interactive Brokers | International broker providing all asset classes | 4.9 | $0 |
| #2 | XTB | Global CFD broker | 4.7 | $0 |
| #3 | Oanda | US forex broker | 4.6 | $0 |
| #4 | tastyworks | US options and stockbroker | 4.7 | $0 |
| #5 | ActivTrades | Global CFD and forex broker | 4.6 | $500 |
What makes a good online broker? Surely, they need to provide great services in all areas, especially in terms of fair fees and safety. Depositing and withdrawing money should be either free or cheap and the process user-friendly. Great trading platforms, an easy account opening procedure and a wide range of products also weighed heavily in the scoring.
These features are easy to list, but hard to figure out. We are testing brokers based on nearly 500 criteria with real accounts and real money. You can find all the ranking criteria in our methodology.
For a tailored recommendation, check out our broker finder tool. Answer a few simple questions and get a list of the most relevant brokers.
And now, let's see the best international online broker in South Africa in 2022 one by one, starting with the winner, Interactive Brokers.
#1 Best international online broker in South Africa in 2022
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers, one of the biggest US-based discount brokers, was founded in 1977. The broker is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including top-tier ones like the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Given that the broker has licenses from multiple top-tier regulators, has a long track record and publicly disclosed financials while being listed on a stock exchange; it all points towards IB being a safe service provider.
Interactive Brokers recently launched a new app for global stock trading: read our review of IBKR GlobalTrader.
In addition, Interactive Brokers also has an app you can use for ESG investing: read our review of IMPACT by Interactive Brokers.
Recommended for traders looking for broad market access and a professional trading environment
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Complicated account opening process |
| • Wide range of products | • Complex desktop trading platform |
| • Many great research tools | • Understaffed customer service |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Fees
Interactive Brokers has low trading fees and the best margin rates in the industry. For US clients, stock and ETF trading is free if they choose the Lite plan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | None |
| • Free stock and ETF trading for US clients | |
| • Low margin rates |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | - | $0.0 | - |
| UK stock | $4.2 | $0.0 | - | - | - |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.4 | $8.0 | $7.9 | - | $6.9 |
| US stock index options | $6.5 | - | - | $7.5 | - |
| Mutual fund | $15.0 | - | - | - | - |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | $2.2 | $1.1 | - | $0.9 |
All commissions, spreads and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.
#1 Interactive Brokers
Mobile trading platform
The Interactive Brokers mobile trading platform boasts a lot of functions and a useful chatbot, but its user interface could be better.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Two-step (safer) login | • Minor technical glitches |
| • Good variety of order types | |
| • Price alerts |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Deposit and withdrawal
Interactive Brokers offers several account base currencies and one free withdrawal per month. The main drawback is that you can only use bank transfer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No deposit fee | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • Several account base currencies | |
| • First withdrawal free each month |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
#2 Best international online broker in South Africa in 2022
XTB
XTB is a global CFD broker with headquarters in London and Warsaw, founded in 2002. The company is regulated by several financial authorities worldwide, including the top-tier UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In addition, XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and as such is required to regularly disclose its financials.
XTB is considered safe because it has a long track record, is listed on a stock exchange and publishes its financial statements transparently.
HEADS UP: Recent feedback about deposit and withdrawal – The details of depositing by wire transfer might be unclear for some of our users according to recent feedback we received. If you have problems, head to the 'Deposit and withdrawal' section of the review, where we explain how to make a free wire deposit to your XTB account under the section's 'Deposit and fees and options' heading.
Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Recommended for forex and cfd traders looking for low fees and great deposit/withdrawal service
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low forex CFD fees, commission-free stocks/ETFs for some | • Product portfolio limited mostly to CFDs |
| • Free and fast deposit and withdrawal | • Inactivity fee charged |
| • Easy and fast account opening |
#2 XTB
Fees
Forex fees are low, in many cases there's no withdrawal fee, and some clients are eligible for free stock and ETF trading. However, there's an inactivity fee.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Free stocks/ETFs up to €100k monthly volume | • Inactivity fee |
| • Low forex and stock index CFD fees | |
| • Most bank transfer withdrawals are free |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | - | $0.0 | - |
| UK stock | $4.2 | $0.0 | - | - | - |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.4 | $8.0 | $7.9 | - | $6.9 |
| US stock index options | $6.5 | - | - | $7.5 | - |
| Mutual fund | $15.0 | - | - | - | - |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | $2.2 | $1.1 | - | $0.9 |
All commissions, spreads and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.
#2 XTB
Mobile trading platform
The XTB mobile trading app has a good search function and a modern design. On the other hand, there is no two-step authentication.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • No two-step (safer) login |
| • Price alerts | |
| • Modern design |
#2 XTB
Deposit and withdrawal
XTB deposits and withdrawals are fast and mostly free. You can do deposits/withdrawals through bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and electronic wallets.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | • Few minor account currencies accepted |
| • Deposits/withdrawals are mostly free | |
| • E-wallets available |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
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#3 Best international online broker in South Africa in 2022
Oanda
Oanda is a US-based forex broker founded in 1996. It is a private company and therefore not listed on any stock exchange.
Oanda operates via several entities worldwide and is regulated by top-tier authorities, such as the US Commodity Trading Futures Commission, the National Futures Association (CFTC) and the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 78.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
The services offered by Oanda's various entities differ slightly. In this review, we mainly focus on the UK one.
Recommended for forex traders who value a user-friendly platform and great research tools
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Great trading platforms | • Only FX and CFD available |
| • Outstanding research tools | • No stock exchange listing and banking background |
| • Fast and user-friendly account opening | • Customer support is not 24/7 |
#3 Oanda
Fees
Oanda has low forex fees but average CFD fees. Withdrawal fees are low but not in all cases, while there's also a small inactivity fee.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Average CFD fees |
| • Low forex fees | |
| • First card withdrawal each month is free |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | - | $0.0 | - |
| UK stock | $4.2 | $0.0 | - | - | - |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.4 | $8.0 | $7.9 | - | $6.9 |
| US stock index options | $6.5 | - | - | $7.5 | - |
| Mutual fund | $15.0 | - | - | - | - |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | $2.2 | $1.1 | - | $0.9 |
All commissions, spreads and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.
#3 Oanda
Mobile trading platform
Oanda's mobile platform is similar to the web trading platform in functionality, and as a plus, you can also set price alerts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • No Touch/Face ID login |
| • Two-step (safer) login | |
| • Good search function |
#3 Oanda
Deposit and withdrawal
Oanda charges no deposit and account fees. You can withdraw your money free of charge to a debit/credit card, but bank transfer withdrawals are quite costly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | • High withdrawal fee for bank transfers |
| • Free withdrawal | |
| • No deposit fee |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
#4 Best international online broker in South Africa in 2022
tastyworks
tastyworks is a young, up-and-coming US broker focusing on options trading. It is regulated by the top-tier Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) for Australian clients.
The people behind tastyworks are the same experts who built the thinkorswim trading platform, now operated by TD Ameritrade. tastyworks is privately owned; it was established in 2017 and is headquartered in Chicago.
Recommended for options and futures traders focusing on us markets
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Limited product selection |
| • Great educational materials | • Few deposit and withdrawal options |
| • Good research tools | • No demo account |
#4 tastyworks
Fees
tastyworks has low trading fees and there is no inactivity fee. On the other hand, you have to pay a high withdrawal fee for wire transfers and margin rates are quite high.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No inactivity fee | • High margin rates for stock trading |
| • Free stock trading | • Withdrawal fee for bank (wire) transfers |
| • Low options fees |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | - | $0.0 | - |
| UK stock | $4.2 | $0.0 | - | - | - |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.4 | $8.0 | $7.9 | - | $6.9 |
| US stock index options | $6.5 | - | - | $7.5 | - |
| Mutual fund | $15.0 | - | - | - | - |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | $2.2 | $1.1 | - | $0.9 |
All commissions, spreads and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.
#4 tastyworks
Mobile trading platform
tastyworks's mobile platform is very similar to its web platform. It is well organized but feels complicated, and it also lacks price alerts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • No price alerts |
| • Touch/Face ID login | |
| • Order confirmation |
#4 tastyworks
Deposit and withdrawal
tastyworks's deposit and withdrawal functions are easy to use and there's no deposit fee, but you can use only bank transfer, and withdrawals can be expensive especially for non-US clients.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No deposit fee | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • User-friendly | • High fee for wire withdrawals |
| • Free ACH withdrawals in the US |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
#5 Best international online broker in South Africa in 2022
ActivTrades
ActivTrades is a global forex broker founded in 2001. It is regulated among others by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) of Luxembourg.
ActivTrades having a long track record and being regulated by the FCA, a top-tier financial authority, are all good signs for its safety.
ActivTrades operates both UK and EU websites (under the co.uk and .eu domains), as well as an international one (.com). Some products, fees and conditions may differ depending on the entity concerned.
Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 73-85% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Recommended for forex and cfd traders looking for low fees and great deposit/withdrawal conditions
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Slim product portfolio |
| • Excellent account opening | • Basic research tools |
| • Free deposit and withdrawal | • Inactivity fee |
#5 ActivTrades
Fees
ActivTrades has low trading fees and average non-trading fees. As a plus, it charges no deposit and withdrawal fees in most cases.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Inactivity fee |
| • No withdrawal fee | • Conversion fee |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | - | $0.0 | - |
| UK stock | $4.2 | $0.0 | - | - | - |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.4 | $8.0 | $7.9 | - | $6.9 |
| US stock index options | $6.5 | - | - | $7.5 | - |
| Mutual fund | $15.0 | - | - | - | - |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | $2.2 | $1.1 | - | $0.9 |
All commissions, spreads and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding for a week, and closing.
#5 ActivTrades
Mobile trading platform
ActivTrades has its own great mobile trading platform. It is well-designed and user-friendly with a good search function. However, it lacks a safer two-step login and price alerts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • No two-step (safer) login |
| • Good search function | • No price alerts |
| • Touch/Face ID login |
#5 ActivTrades
Deposit and withdrawal
ActivTrades offers mostly free deposit and withdrawal options, including bank transfer, credit card and various e-wallets. On the negative side, minor currencies are not offered.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | • Minor account currencies not available |
| • Free withdrawal | |
| • No deposit fee |
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Best international online brokers for in South Africa in 2022
What makes a good online broker
Now that you know the top 5, you probably want to know how we came up with this list. Let's go through a few points quickly.
Are these brokers reliable?
Absolutely. You can be sure none of them is a scam. They are all regulated by at least one top-tier regulator.
How did BrokerChooser pick the best online brokers?
At BrokerChooser, we test online brokers based on more than 500 criteria, with real accounts and real money. We don't want to overwhelm you, so we will list only the top 5 criteria.
| 1. Fees | Trading fees for a given stock trade can be 50 times higher at one online broker compared to another. The brokers listed here all have low fees. |
| 2. Deposit and withdrawal | At some online brokers, funding and withdrawing funds can take much longer and be much more expensive than at others. |
| 3. Trading platform | A user-friendly and well-equipped trading platform can significantly increase your trading comfort. |
| 4. Account opening | Some online brokers require a minimum deposit to start investing while others don't ask for a fix first-time deposit. Check these requirements before opening an account. |
| 5. Markets and products | Want to invest in Japanese stocks or trade Bitcoin? They are not be available at each broker. We selected brokers with a wide range of products so you can trade many asset types. |
Best international online brokers for in South Africa in 2022
Bottom Line
These were the details, now let's zoom out. Here are the best international online brokers in 2022 for residents in South Africa:
| Interactive Brokers | XTB | Oanda | tastyworks | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| Fees score | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | 4.4 stars | 4.5 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.5 stars | 4.4 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.2 stars | 3.9 stars |
| Deposit and withdrawal score | 3.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.2 stars | 1.9 stars | 4.5 stars |
| Account opening score | 3.2 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.2 stars | 5.0 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Markets and products score | 5.0 stars | 2.9 stars | 1.8 stars | 3.1 stars | 2.0 stars |
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Interactive Brokers is our winner, the best international online broker in South Africa in 2022. Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
Still unsure? For a tailored recommendation, check out our broker finder tool. If you enter the name of your country, it will show only the brokers that are relevant to you. Want more details? Compare brokers with the help of this detailed comparison table.
