Best Forex Brokers In Lesotho 2024

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Michael MacKenzie
Michael is a writer and editor with over a decade in journalism and publishing. His niche lies in editing and fact-checking content in the financial services sector, with a focus on online brokers and trading platforms. Michael previously reported on politics and economics in the Middle East and edits books for established publishers.
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James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. He has worked as a management consultant, where he delivered large-scale operational transformational programmes at some of Europe's biggest banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
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Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
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To trade forex in Lesotho you will need to sign up with an online broker. The Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) regulates the country’s financial institutions and activities including forex trading. However, as an enclave in South Africa whose currency, the Loti (LSL) is pegged 1:1 to the value of the Rand (ZAR), Lesotho’s markets are tied in with its larger neighbour.

As a result, traders in Lesotho may wish to sign up with forex trading platforms that are regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, or by another international regulator.

Our experts have compiled a list of the best forex brokers in Lesotho, taking into account key factors, including the availability of convenient deposit methods such as M-Pesa.

5 Top Forex Brokers In Lesotho

These are the 5 best forex brokers that accept traders from Lesotho based on our personal tests and exhaustive analysis:

  1. Vantage - Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.
  2. IC Markets - IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
  3. AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.
  4. FOREX.com - FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.
  5. Pepperstone - Pepperstone offers ultra-competitive forex spreads averaging 0.12 pips on EUR/USD in the Razor account, accompanied by a diverse portfolio comprising 100+ currency pairs - an extensive selection surpassing most competitors. Additionally, Pepperstone distinguishes itself by offering three currency indices (USDX, EURX, JPYX), not commonly found among alternative platforms. Pepperstone has now won our annual 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.

Best Forex Brokers In Lesotho 2024 Comparison

Best Forex Brokers In Lesotho 2024 Comparison
Broker Forex Assets EUR/USD Spread Forex App Rating Minimum Deposit Regulator Visit
Vantage logo
55+ 0.0
$50 FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC Visit
IC Markets logo
75 0.02
$200 ASIC, CySEC, FSA Visit
AvaTrade logo
50+ 0.9
$100 ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM Visit
FOREX.com logo
80+ 1.2
$100 NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA Visit
Pepperstone logo
100+ 0.1
$0 FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB Visit
XM logo
55+ 1.6
$5 ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA Visit
Eightcap logo
50+ 0.0
$100 ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB Visit
PrimeXBT logo
45+ Variable
$0 - Visit
IQ Option logo
60+ 14 pips
$10 - Visit
IG logo
80+ 0.8
$0 FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA Visit
BDSwiss logo
50+ 1.2
$10 FSC, FSA Visit
FxPro logo
70+ 1.58 pips (Ave)
$100 FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSC Visit
FXCC logo
70+ 0.2
$0 CySEC Visit
XTB logo
70+ 1.0
$0 FCA, CySEC, KNF, CNMV, DFSA, FSC Visit
Plus500 logo
60+ 0.6
$100 FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, FMA, EFSA Visit

#1 - Vantage

Why We Chose Vantage

Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.

"Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 0.5
  • EURUSD Spread: 0.0
  • EURGBP Spread: 0.5
  • Total Assets: 55+
  • Leverage: 1:500
  • Platforms: ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade

About Vantage

Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.

Pros

  • The broker has recently made efforts to expand its suite of CFDs providing further trading opportunities
  • Vantage maintains its high trust score thanks to its strong reputation and top-tier regulation from the FCA and ASIC
  • It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 2 minutes

Cons

  • Unfortunately, cryptos are only available for Australian clients
  • The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
  • A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side

#2 - IC Markets

Why We Chose IC Markets

IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.

"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 0.23
  • EURUSD Spread: 0.02
  • EURGBP Spread: 0.27
  • Total Assets: 75
  • Leverage: 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About IC Markets

IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.

Pros

  • With ultra-fast execution speeds averaging 35 milliseconds and deep liquidity, IC Markets provides an optimal trading environment for scalpers, hedgers, and algorithmic traders.
  • As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
  • IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.

Cons

  • While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
  • Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
  • The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.

#3 - AvaTrade

Why We Chose AvaTrade

AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.

"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 1.5
  • EURUSD Spread: 0.9
  • EURGBP Spread: 1.5
  • Total Assets: 50+
  • Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
  • Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

Pros

  • The broker’s unique risk management tool, AvaProtect, protects against losses up to $1 million and is easy to activate in the platform
  • There's a great range of fee-free deposit methods, including bank wire, credit cards and popular e-wallets like Skrill
  • Automated trading is supported through MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs), as well as the AvaSocial and DupliTrade tools

Cons

  • There is no ECN account with raw spreads
  • There’s an above-average $50 inactivity fee after three months, though this won't impact active day traders
  • It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here

#4 - FOREX.com

Why We Chose FOREX.com

FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.

"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 1.3
  • EURUSD Spread: 1.2
  • EURGBP Spread: 1.4
  • Total Assets: 80+
  • Leverage: 1:200 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

About FOREX.com

Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.

Pros

  • There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
  • Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
  • FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.

Cons

  • Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
  • Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
  • FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.

#5 - Pepperstone

Why We Chose Pepperstone

Pepperstone offers ultra-competitive forex spreads averaging 0.12 pips on EUR/USD in the Razor account, accompanied by a diverse portfolio comprising 100+ currency pairs - an extensive selection surpassing most competitors. Additionally, Pepperstone distinguishes itself by offering three currency indices (USDX, EURX, JPYX), not commonly found among alternative platforms. Pepperstone has now won our annual 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.

"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • GBPUSD Spread: 0.4
  • EURUSD Spread: 0.1
  • EURGBP Spread: 0.4
  • Total Assets: 100+
  • Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade

About Pepperstone

Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for day traders at all levels.

Pros

  • There’s support for a range of industry-leading charting platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, catering to various short-term trading styles, including algo trading.
  • Now offering spread betting through TradingView, Pepperstone provides a seamless, tax-efficient trading experience with advanced analysis tools.
  • Pepperstone boasts impressive execution speeds, averaging around 30ms, facilitating fast order processing and execution that’s ideal for day trading.

Cons

  • Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
  • Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
  • Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets.

How We Rate Forex Brokers In Lesotho

We consider these crucial factors when rating forex brokers that accept traders from Lesotho:

Trust

Finding a trustworthy forex broker should be the top priority for all day traders in Lesotho, as this gives you more security.

The best sign of a trustworthy forex broker is regulation by a respected body. However, the Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) does not license online brokers and has warned citizens to beware of forex investment scams.

Traders from Lesotho can still open an account with a forex broker based and regulated elsewhere, but don’t expect legal protections from the central bank in the event of disputes.

As part of our exhaustive review process, we look for forex trading platforms regulated by ‘green tier’ bodies – agencies known for their robust requirements that aim to protect traders from unfair practices.

Given Lesotho’s close ties with South Africa, it also makes sense to consider forex brokers that are regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
author image
Michael MacKenzie
Author
  • Vantage is a leading forex broker that’s earned our trust over many years of testing and holds licenses with multiple respected authorities, including the FSCA, ASIC and FCA. The firm boasts an excellent track record, with a history spanning 13+ years.

Currency Pairs

Forex traders need access to currencies they are comfortable trading so they have the best chance in the markets.

When selecting the best forex brokers in Lesotho, we look for those that have a broad range of currency pairs including majors, minors and exotics, but also for those that include relevant currencies from Lesotho’s region.

💡
Not many forex trading platforms offer currency pairs with the Lesotho Loti (LSL), but the South African Rand (ZAR) is widely available, traded in decent volumes and is pegged 1:1 to the Loti.
  • IG is a first-rate broker that we’ve enjoyed trading with using real money and features 80+ currency pairs with strong ZAR coverage.

Trading Fees

We recommend choosing a forex broker in Lesotho that delivers excellent pricing.

Tighter spreads and low or no commissions means a lower barrier to profit, especially for day traders, who often make a large volume of transactions.

Crucially, we look for forex brokers that balance low fees with helpful features such as analysis and research tools, since these can be important for discovering opportunities in African currencies.

  • Exness is a reputable forex broker with tight spreads from 0 pips in its Zero account with a competitive $7 round-turn commission, making it an excellent option for serious day traders.

Charting Tools

Lesotho’s top forex brokers offer user-friendly and powerful charting tools to help you analyze forex markets and find trading opportunities.

We look for firms that give day traders swift and convenient access to sophisticated charting features via their own, in-house software or third-party applications, notably MetaTrader 4, which remains the most popular forex trading platform.

Chart with African currencies on AvaTrade platform
AvaTrade Platform
  • AvaTrade excels in this department with its beginner-friendly web platform which we love. It provides robust charting tools, including 6 chart types, 10 timeframes, and over 60 indicators. You also get access to MT4 and MT5, which are great for advanced traders.

Payment Methods

It’s important to sign up with a forex broker in Lesotho that accepts fast, convenient and affordable payment methods that suit you.

We recommend brokers with the mobile money service M-Pesa or e-wallets like PayPal, as these are popular in Lesotho and provide an efficient way to fund and empty your trading account using Lotis or Rands.

Our team also favor firms with an accessible minimum deposit for traders in Lesotho, with our analysis showing most brokers accept traders with an initial deposit of $0 – $200, equivalent to around 0 – 4,000 Loti.

  • Scope Markets is regulated in Africa and accepts deposits via M-Pesa, e-wallets including Skrill and Neteller, and traditional card and wire transfers. The account minimum is also accessible at $50, around 1,000 Loti.

Methodology

To find our top forex trading platforms in Lesotho we drew on our database of 490+ brokers, identifying those with forex trading products and accepting traders from Lesotho, then ranked them by their total rating.

Our ratings draw on 100+ data points and are combined with first-hand tests from our industry experts, focusing on key areas, including:

  • We checked they accept forex traders in Lesotho.
  • We evaluated the strength of their regulation and standing in the industry.
  • We chose brokers with a wide selection of currency pairs to ensure diverse opportunities.
  • We prioritized firms that offer good value with low fees and excellent trading tools.
  • We picked forex brokers with intuitive charting platforms that will suit beginners through to advanced traders.
  • We opted for companies with convenient funding options and an accessible deposit for traders in Lesotho.

DayTrading.com broker testing methodology overview

FAQ

Yes, forex trading is legal in Lesotho. Traders are free to speculate on currencies’ price movements via online brokers.

Who Regulates Forex Trading In Lesotho?

The Central Bank of Lesotho regulates financial markets in the country, including forex trading. However, since not many brokers are licensed by the CBL, many traders look for brokers that are regulated in neighbouring South Africa or other countries.

How Much Money Do I Need To Start Day Trading Forex In Lesotho?

The amount you need to start day trading forex depends on the broker you sign up with. Some brokers like IG allow traders to sign up with no minimum deposit, while others like AvaTrade charge a $100 minimum, roughly equivalent to 2,000 Loti.

Article Sources

The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com