Capitec EasyEquities: Your Complete Investment Guide
Start investing from R5 with South Africa’s most accessible platform
Last updated: October 2025
Quick Facts
- Start investing with as little as R5
- Capitec customers get 20% discount on brokerage fees
- Free demo account with R100,000 practice money
- No registration fees or monthly platform charges
- Regulated by FSCA (FSP 22588)
What’s in This Guide
What is Capitec EasyEquities?
EasyEquities is South Africa’s most popular investment platform. It lets you buy shares in companies without needing thousands of Rands. You can start with just R5.
Capitec Bank has partnered with EasyEquities. This means you can now invest directly through the Capitec app. You get special discounts and it’s easier to move money between your bank account and investments.
Think of it like this: normally you need R500 to buy one share in a company. With EasyEquities, you can buy a small piece of that share for just R5. As you add more money, you build up your investment.
EasyEquities is operated by First World Trader (Pty) Ltd. They are properly licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). Their license number is FSP 22588. Always check this before investing your money.
How Does It Work?
EasyEquities uses something called “fractional shares”. This means you don’t have to buy a whole share. You buy a fraction (a piece) of a share based on how much money you have.
Example:
Let’s say one share of Shoprite costs R200. You only have R50 to invest. EasyEquities lets you buy 25% of one share (R50 รท R200 = 25%). If the share price goes up, your R50 grows. If Shoprite pays dividends, you get 25% of that dividend payment.
What Can You Invest In?
- South African shares: Companies like Shoprite, MTN, Sasol, and Naspers
- International shares: Big companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon
- ETFs: These are baskets of many shares. Less risky than single shares.
- Bundles: Pre-made investment packages managed by experts
- Property: Invest in buildings and earn rental income
- Cryptocurrency: Digital money like Bitcoin (very risky)
โ Special Benefits for Capitec Customers
If you bank with Capitec, you get extra benefits when using EasyEquities:
| Benefit | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Discount on Fees | 20% off all brokerage fees when you register through the Capitec app |
| Easy Money Transfer | Move money instantly from your Capitec account to investments |
| One App | See your bank balance and investments in one place |
| Live Better Rewards | Get R50 free when you register (for Live Better members) |
๐ฐ Costs and Fees Explained
EasyEquities is known for low fees. Here’s what you’ll pay as of October 2025:
Main Fees:
| Fee Type | Amount | When You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | R0 | Never – it’s free |
| Brokerage Fee | 0.25% (minimum 1c) | Each time you buy or sell shares |
| Capitec Discount | 0.20% (after discount) | If you register through Capitec app |
| Thrive Fee | R25 per month | Only if you don’t deposit money monthly |
| Withdrawal Fee | R0 | Never – withdrawals are free |
How to Avoid the R25 Monthly Fee:
EasyEquities has a loyalty program called “Thrive”. You don’t pay the R25 fee if you:
- Deposit more money than you withdraw each month (even R1 is enough)
- Are under 21 years old
- Are over 65 years old
- Complete their monthly investment lesson online
Example of Costs:
If you invest R500:
- Brokerage fee = R1.25 (0.25% of R500)
- With Capitec discount = R1.00 (0.20% of R500)
- Your R500 becomes R499 invested in shares
How to Get Started
Starting your investment journey with Capitec EasyEquities is simple. Here’s the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Download the Capitec App
If you don’t have it already, download the latest Capitec Bank app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Make sure it’s updated to the newest version.
Step 2: Find EasyEquities in the App
- Open the Capitec app and log in
- Tap on “Explore” at the bottom
- Look for “Live Better” section
- Select “EasyEquities”
Step 3: Register Your Account
You’ll need to provide:
- Your ID number
- Your cell phone number
- Your email address
- Your home address
Important: Most Capitec customers don’t need to upload documents. The system checks your details automatically. You’ll get an email within 2 to 4 hours telling you if your account is ready.
Step 4: Practice with Demo Money
Before using real money, try the demo account. You get:
- R100,000 demo money for South African shares
- $10,000 demo money for international shares
- Real share prices – only the money is fake
This helps you learn how buying and selling works without any risk.
Step 5: Add Money to Your Account
When you’re ready to invest real money:
- Tap “Fund Account” in the EasyEquities widget
- Choose your Capitec account to transfer from
- Enter the amount you want to invest
- Tap “Transfer” – the money arrives instantly
Step 6: Make Your First Investment
- Choose “Invest” from the menu
- Search for a company or ETF you like
- Tap on it to see more details
- Enter how much money you want to invest
- Tap “Buy” to complete your investment
Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
When you open an EasyEquities account, you automatically get a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). This is one of the best ways to save money in South Africa.
What Makes a TFSA Special?
Normally, when your investments make money, you must pay tax to SARS. With a TFSA, you pay zero tax on:
- Interest earned
- Dividends received
- Capital gains (profit when you sell)
TFSA Rules for 2025:
| Annual Limit | R36,000 per year |
| Lifetime Limit | R500,000 total over your lifetime |
| What You Can Buy | ETFs and bundles only (not single shares) |
| Penalty for Going Over | 40% tax on any amount above the limit |
Important Things to Know:
- It’s about deposits, not growth: If you put in R36,000 and it grows to R50,000, that’s fine. The growth doesn’t count towards your limit.
- Withdrawals count: If you put in R36,000 and take out R10,000, you can’t put more in that year. You already used your R36,000 limit.
- No rollover: If you only deposit R20,000 this year, you can’t add the extra R16,000 to next year’s limit.
- One limit across all providers: If you have TFSAs with different banks, the R36,000 limit applies to all of them combined.
Let’s say you invest R36,000 every year for 10 years. With 10% annual returns, you’d have about R630,000. In a normal account, you’d pay around R50,000 in tax. In a TFSA? You pay nothing. You keep all R630,000.
๐จ Scams and Warnings
EasyEquities is a legitimate company, but scammers are using their name to steal money. Here’s what you need to know:
Common EasyEquities Scams (2025):
- Fake employees on social media: People on WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook claim to work for EasyEquities. They promise huge returns and ask you to send money to their personal account.
- “Get rich quick” schemes: Messages saying “Turn R500 into R50,000 in one week with EasyEquities”. This is fake. Real investing takes time.
- Fake trading signals: Groups offering “guaranteed” trading tips if you pay a monthly fee. Real EasyEquities doesn’t offer this service.
How to Stay Safe:
- Only register through the official Capitec app or www.easyequities.co.za
- EasyEquities will never ask you to deposit money into someone’s personal account
- No one can guarantee investment returns. All investing has risk.
- Check the FSCA license number (FSP 22588) before investing
- Never share your account password or PIN with anyone
Where to Report Scams:
| FSCA (Financial Regulator) | 0800 110 443 |
| SABRIC (Banking Fraud) | www.sabric.co.za |
| EasyEquities Support | support@easyequities.co.za |
Investment Risks to Understand:
Even when using the real EasyEquities platform, remember:
What You Need to Get Started
Requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older (or have parent permission for minor account)
- Valid South African ID number
- Working cell phone number
- Email address
- Capitec bank account (for best discounts)
Documents Usually Needed:
For most South Africans using the Capitec app, no documents are needed upfront. The system verifies your identity automatically. However, sometimes they might ask for:
- Copy of your ID document
- Proof of address (bank statement or utility bill)
- Proof of bank account
If they need these, they’ll email you. Don’t worry – most people never need to send documents.
Other Investment Options
EasyEquities is great, but it’s not the only option. Here are alternatives:
Discovery Bank EasyEquities
If you bank with Discovery, you can also access EasyEquities through their app. You might get Vitality points for investing.
Unit Trusts
Banks like Standard Bank, FNB, ABSA, and Nedbank offer unit trusts. These are similar to ETFs but usually have higher fees.
Stokvels
Traditional savings clubs with family or friends. Lower returns than shares but very safe and social.
Bank Savings Accounts
If you’re not comfortable with investment risk, keep money in a bank savings account. Lower returns but your money is protected.
Our Final Recommendations
Capitec EasyEquities is an excellent choice if you want to start investing with little money. The platform is beginner-friendly, costs are low, and it’s properly regulated.
Best for: Capitec customers who want to invest small amounts regularly. The 20% discount on fees makes it even more attractive.
Start with: Use the demo account first. Then invest small amounts (R50-R200) until you understand how it works. Focus on ETFs in your TFSA for tax-free growth.
Avoid the R25 fee: Simply deposit any amount each month (even R10) to keep your account active and fee-free.
Remember: Only invest money you won’t need for at least 3-5 years. Think of investing as planting seeds that take time to grow into trees.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and was last updated in October 2025. Financial regulations, fees, and requirements may change. Always verify current information with official sources before making financial decisions. Investments can go down as well as up, and you may lose money. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
EasyEquities is operated by First World Trader (Pty) Ltd, an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 22588) regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
For complaints or disputes, contact the FSCA at 0800 110 443 or visit www.fsca.co.za