Brokers With ZAR Accounts
Brokers with ZAR accounts are a great option for investors from South Africa looking to deposit, trade and withdraw in their local currency. But are they better than USD or EUR accounts? And are they suitable for everyone? We list the best online brokers with South African Rand as the trading account currency in 2024.
Brokers With South African Rand Accounts
These are the 3 best brokers that offer accounts with ZAR as the base currency:
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1
IGForex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$00.01 Lots1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFMCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread BettingWeb, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentralPayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD -
2
RevolutRevolut is a financial technology company. Banking services provided by Metropolitan Commercial Bank, Member FDIC. Securities products and services provided by Revolut Securities Inc, member FINRA/SIPC. Securities products are not insured by the FDIC or any federal government agency, are not bank deposits, are not obligations of or guaranteed by Metropolitan Commercial Bank and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
$0$1FINRA, SECStocks, CryptosOwnWire Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Visa, MastercardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, PLN, CZK, HUF -
3
Zacks Trade
$2500$3FINRAStocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Options, BondsOwnWire Transfer, ACH Transfer, ChequeUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, RUB, PLN, CZK, HUF
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category:
- IG - Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
- Revolut - Revolut has emerged as the most downloaded financial app in 11 countries with over 45 million users and more than $23 billion held in customer balances. It facilitates commission-free trading on over 2000 stocks and commodities, alongside 185 cryptos with a minimum investment of just $1. The mobile trading experience remains market-leading for casual investors seeking low, transparent fees.
- Zacks Trade - Zacks Trade is a FINRA-regulated US broker offering trading on stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, bonds and more through a proprietary terminal. The broker is geared toward active traders and offers very affordable fees on most assets as well as an app and a vast amount of market data.
Brokers With ZAR Accounts Comparison
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Instruments | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
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$0 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting | Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
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$0 | Stocks, Cryptos | Own |
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$2500 | Stocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Options, Bonds | Own |
IG
"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform and best-in-class education for beginners, plus advanced charting tools, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IG Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM |
| Platforms | Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus recently added US-listed futures and options, providing ample diversification opportunities
- The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met
- As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust
Cons
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors
- IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders
- Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges
Revolut
"Revolut is a cut above the competition for mobile traders, sporting a genuinely intuitive app, five pricing plans to suit different needs (Standard, Plus, Premium, Metal and Ultra), custom alerts, company performance metrics, financial news, and interactive quizzes. "
Revolut Quick Facts
| Demo Account | No |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Stocks, Cryptos |
| Regulator | FINRA, SEC |
| Platforms | Own |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | $1 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, PLN, CZK, HUF |
Pros
- Revolut uses cutting-edge security features with multiple layers, from PINs and passcodes to biometrics and one-time passwords, with $590M saved in fraudulent transactions.
- Revolut offers one of the smoothest fully digital sign-up processes we’ve seen, kickstarted through a QR code and taking less than 5 minutes.
- The app delivers a superb investing environment with a slick design and a packed ‘Discover’ section with daily top movers, collections like ‘Technology’ and ‘Utilities’ and popular stocks.
Cons
- While the range of shares, commodities and cryptocurrencies is growing, Revolut still lacks popular asset classes like ETFs and does not support margin trading, trailing alternatives like Trade Republic.
- The Revolut app is an excellent starting point for casual investors but testing reveals its charting package falls short for advanced traders with just two charts (line and candlestick) and six timeframes (1D to 5Y).
- Some users may find Revolut’s pricing structure confusing; while basic accounts have zero monthly fees, you may need to pay for foreign exchange beyond the specified limit and ATM withdrawals.
Zacks Trade
"Zacks Trade will suit active day traders with experience using powerful platforms. Fees and margin rates are low while the market research is excellent."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer
Zacks Trade Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Stocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Options, Bonds |
| Regulator | FINRA |
| Platforms | Own |
| Minimum Deposit | $2500 |
| Minimum Trade | $3 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, RUB, PLN, CZK, HUF |
Pros
- 20+ account denominations
- Demo account
- Customizable proprietary trading platform and mobile app
Cons
- Shortcomings regarding platform loading times and technical glitches
- No forex, commodities or futures trading
- High minimum requirement of $2,500
ZAR Accounts Explained
All brokers with ZAR accounts essentially offer a live trading account where South African Rand is the base currency.
The Rand consists of 100 cents and is known by the symbol ‘R’. It is one of the leading currencies in Africa and is popular with traders all over the world. But whilst a regular feature in forex pairs, ZAR accounts have piqued interest owing to their competitive rates, low payment thresholds and ease of use when making deposits and withdrawals.
Of course, not all forex and stock brokers that accept South African Rand as the base currency offer the same perks and trading conditions. As a result, it’s important to compare options before you start trading.
Benefits Of Brokers With ZAR Accounts
There are several reasons to start trading with a ZAR account:
- Account holders don’t have to pay currency conversion fees if they wish to trade in Rand
- ZAR accounts tend to come with lower deposit requirements making them a good option for beginners
- For traders from South Africa, funding accounts in Rand tends to be quicker, safer and more convenient because funds are kept in local banks
- Brokers with ZAR accounts typically require the support of large South African banks so platforms that do offer them are often regulated by the FSCA
- ZAR accounts generally offer lower risk per pip. This is because account holders are less affected by the exchange rate risk associated with other major currencies
- Clients can still access major financial markets in a range of countries, from the NASDAQ (NAS100) in the US to the FTSE (FTSE100) in the UK
Should You Open A ZAR Account?
South African Traders
If you’re a South African citizen, a ZAR-based account has a lot to offer. Users can make quick, secure and convenient deposits and withdrawals while avoiding currency conversion fees that typically range from 7% to 10%. Brokers with ZAR accounts also usually rely on large banking institutions to facilitate payments, meaning that capital is in relatively secure hands.
International Traders
If you’re not a South African citizen, a USD, EUR or GBP account may be a better option. With that said, if you regularly use the Rand, including trading it on the forex market, then you may still get value from opening a ZAR account. It can help cut costs and facilitate hassle-free forex trading.
Unfortunately, not every international broker offers ZAR accounts. This scarcity is largely due to reduced liquidity vs more established currencies. Still, check out our list of brokers with ZAR accounts for the best options.
Final Word On Brokers With ZAR Accounts
If you’re an active trader based in South Africa, it probably makes sense to open a ZAR account. It will make funding trading positions straightforward and often fee-free. For international traders, online brokers with a ZAR account could still be a good option if you regularly trade the currency. Check out our list of the best Brokers with ZAR accounts to get started.
FAQ
What Is A ZAR Account?
A ZAR account is a trading account that operates with Rand as its base currency. The Rand (ZAR) is the currency of South Africa and regularly features in popular forex pairs.
Can I Open A ZAR Account If I Am Not A South African Citizen?
You do not need to be a South African citizen to open a ZAR account. With that said, accounts are few and far between versus accounts in USD or EUR. Whilst several international brokers do offer ZAR accounts, most are local brokers aimed at traders from South Africa.
What Are The Benefits Of Brokers With ZAR Accounts?
The primary benefit of opening an account with Rand as the base currency is that they facilitate fast and cost-effective payments to and from trading accounts. Local traders won’t need to pay currency conversion fees and brokers that offer ZAR accounts tend to accept lower minimum deposits.
How Can I Open A ZAR Account?
The first step is to find a broker that offers a ZAR trading account. Once you’ve checked they offer the tools and market access you need to make your strategy a success, follow the sign-up process on their website. Most trading platforms will require basic contact details and proof of ID before you can open positions.
Which South African Brokers Offer ZAR Accounts?
Whilst there are a number of local brokers that offer ZAR accounts, Khwezi Trade stands out for its strong reputation and product offering. Clients can access a wide range of assets, tools and resources. Check out our Khwezi review for more details.