Quick Facts

• Start investing with as little as R5
• 0.25% brokerage fee (very low compared to traditional brokers)
• Regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)
• No monthly platform fees or minimum balance required

What is EasyEquities?

EasyEquities is a South African investment platform that lets you buy shares in companies with very small amounts of money. It was started in 2014 by Charles Savage to make investing accessible to all South Africans.

Instead of needing thousands of rands to buy one full share, you can buy a piece of a share for as little as R5. This is called “fractional share investing” and EasyEquities is the only platform in South Africa that offers this.

The company is owned by Purple Group Limited, which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).

✅ How EasyEquities Works

Simple Example: If one Shoprite share costs R200, but you only have R50, you can still invest! EasyEquities lets you buy R50 worth of Shoprite shares (which is 25% of one full share).

What You Can Invest In:

• South African Companies: Shoprite, Capitec, Naspers, Sasol, and more
• International Companies: Apple, Amazon, Tesla, Google
• ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds): Bundles of many companies together
• Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin and other digital currencies

How You Make Money:

• Share Price Growth: If the company does well, your shares become worth more
• Dividends: Some companies pay shareholders a share of their profits

Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Check If You Qualify

• Must be 18 years or older
• South African citizens need SA ID document
• Foreign nationals need passport and proof of residence
• Need a valid email address and cellphone number

Step 2: Registration Process

1. Download the EasyEquities app or visit their website
2. Click “Sign Up” and choose your country
3. Fill in your personal details (name, date of birth, contact info)
4. Upload clear, colour photos of your ID document
5. Provide proof of address (bank statement or utility bill)
6. Answer questions about your income and investment experience

Step 3: Account Verification

EasyEquities will check your documents. This usually takes 1-4 hours, but can take up to 2 business days. You’ll get an email when your account is approved.

Step 4: Add Money to Your Account

• Bank Transfer (EFT): Free, takes 1-2 business days
• Instant EFT: Free, money available immediately
• Credit/Debit Card: Costs R1.60 + 2.2% of amount, instant

Step 5: Start Investing

Once your account has money, you can start buying shares immediately. Choose what you want to invest in, enter the amount (minimum R5), and click “Buy”.

Fees & Costs (as of September 2025)

Fee Type	Cost	When It Applies
Brokerage Fee	0.25% (minimum 1c)	Every time you buy or sell
Thrive Fee	R25 per month	Waived if under 21, over 65, or reach Thrive Level 3
Bank Transfer (EFT)	Free	Adding money to your account
Credit Card Deposit	R1.60 + 2.2%	Using credit/debit card
Withdrawal	Free	Taking money out of your account
Monthly Platform Fee	Free	No cost to keep your account open

✅ Types of Investment Accounts

1. ZAR Account (South African Rand)

• Invest in South African companies like Shoprite, Capitec, Naspers
• Invest in South African ETFs
• All transactions in South African Rand
• Must pay tax on profits and dividends

2. Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

• Big Benefit: No tax on profits, dividends, or interest!
• Annual Limit: Can only invest R36,000 per year
• Lifetime Limit: Maximum R500,000 total
• Restriction: Can only invest in ETFs, not individual company shares
• Penalty: 40% tax if you exceed the limits

3. USD Account (US Dollar)

• Invest in American companies like Apple, Amazon, Tesla
• All transactions in US Dollars
• Need to convert Rand to Dollars (costs 2% above exchange rate)
• Good for diversifying your investments globally

4. Other Currency Accounts

EasyEquities also offers Australian Dollar (AUD), British Pound (GBP), and Euro (EUR) accounts for investing in international markets.

⚠️ Safety and Investment Risks

Is EasyEquities Safe?

• ✅ Regulated: Licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)
• ✅ Established: Operating since 2014 with good track record
• ✅ Listed Parent Company: Purple Group is listed on JSE
• ❌ No Investor Protection: Unlike banks, no deposit guarantee scheme

Investment Risks to Understand

• Share prices go up and down: You can lose money if share prices fall
• No guaranteed returns: Past performance doesn’t predict future results
• Currency risk: International investments affected by exchange rates
• Company risk: Individual companies can fail or perform poorly

How to Reduce Risk

• Diversify: Don’t put all your money in one company
• Start small: Only invest money you can afford to lose
• Think long-term: Don’t panic if prices drop temporarily
• Learn gradually: Use the practice account first

🚨 Scam Warning: Protect Yourself

Common EasyEquities Impersonation Scams

Scammers are creating fake EasyEquities accounts on social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. They promise unrealistic returns and ask for money to be deposited into personal bank accounts.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Promises of guaranteed high returns (like “double your money in 6 days”)
• Requests to deposit money into personal bank accounts
• Pressure to “act now” or “limited time offers”
• Contact through WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media
• Requests for Bitcoin or cryptocurrency payments
• Claims of “insider information” or “secret strategies”

How to Stay Safe:

• Only use official channels: www.easyequities.co.za or official app stores
• Verify bank details: Only deposit into official EasyEquities bank accounts shown in your account
• Enable two-factor authentication on your account
• Never share your login details with anyone
• Report suspicious activity to fraud@easyequities.co.za

Remember:

EasyEquities will NEVER contact you via WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media for investments. They will NEVER guarantee specific returns or ask for payments to personal accounts.

Alternative Investment Options

If EasyEquities Isn’t Right for You:

• Bank Unit Trusts: Available at all major banks, higher fees but more guidance
• Allan Gray/Coronation: Established fund managers with good track records
• Satrix ETFs: Low-cost index funds available through most brokers
• Discovery Invest: Linked to Discovery Vitality rewards
• Capitec EasyEquities Widget: 20% discount on EasyEquities fees through Capitec app

For Conservative Investors:

• Bank Fixed Deposits: Guaranteed returns but lower growth
• Tax-Free Savings Accounts: Available at most banks
• Retail Savings Bonds: Government-backed, sold at Post Office

💡 Pro Tips for New Investors:

• Start with the practice account to learn without risking real money
• Begin with small amounts you can afford to lose completely
• Invest in companies and brands you know and understand
• Set up regular monthly investments instead of trying to time the market
• Don’t check your account daily – investing is for the long term

EasyEquities is excellent for beginners who want to start investing with small amounts. The low fees and fractional share system make it accessible to most South Africans.

Start with: Open a TFSA account first to get tax-free growth, then add a regular ZAR account. Begin with R50-R200 per month in diversified ETFs rather than individual company shares.

Be cautious of: Scammers impersonating EasyEquities on social media. Only use official channels and never trust promises of guaranteed returns.

Remember: Investing always involves risk, but EasyEquities provides an affordable and regulated way to start building wealth. Don’t invest money you need for emergencies or daily expenses.

Q: Is my money safe with EasyEquities?

A: EasyEquities is regulated by the FSCA and has operated safely since 2014. However, unlike bank deposits, there’s no government guarantee on investments. Share values can go up or down.

Q: What happens if EasyEquities closes down?

A: Your shares are held separately from EasyEquities’ business funds. If the company failed, your shares would be transferred to another broker. However, there’s still business risk involved.

Q: How long does it take to withdraw money?

A: Withdrawals are free and typically take 2-5 business days to reach your bank account. You need to sell your shares first, which happens immediately during market hours.

Q: Can I lose more money than I invest?

A: No, EasyEquities doesn’t offer margin trading or leverage. You can only lose the money you put in, never more than 100% of your investment.

Q: Do I need to do tax returns for my investments?

A: Yes, you must declare dividends and capital gains to SARS, except for TFSA accounts which are tax-free. EasyEquities provides tax certificates to help with your return.