Easy Equities in South Africa: Your Guide to Smart, Affordable Investing

If you've been looking for a way to get started with investing in South Africa, you might have come across EasyEquities. This platform has made waves by offering a simple, affordable, and accessible way for South Africans to build a diverse portfolio—from local shares to international stocks, crypto, property and more—all with low minimums and straightforward fees. In this blog post we’ll go deep into how Easy Equities works in South Africa, why it could be a good choice, how to get started step-by-step, and important things to watch out for.

What is Easy Equities in South Africa?

When we say “Easy Equities in South Africa”, we’re talking about the version of the platform tailored for South African investors. The company describes itself as “Simple, affordable, and accessible. EasyEquities has everything you need to grow and protect your wealth. Build a diverse portfolio with local and international shares, crypto, property and more - with no minimums and super low fees.” 
On their site you’ll find that they are an authorised financial services provider (FSP 22588) and a registered credit provider (NCRCP12294). 
They allow users to invest in whole shares and fractional share rights (FSRs) — so you don’t need large sums to begin. 
In short: Easy Equities opens the door to investing for many South Africans who may have been excluded from traditional investing before.

Why Choose Easy Equities in South Africa?

There are several features that make Easy Equities particularly appealing in the South African context:

1. Low or No Minimums

You don’t need a large lump sum to start. In many traditional brokers you might, but Easy Equities actively promotes no account minimums and the ability to buy fractions of shares. 
This makes investing more inclusive for people with smaller amounts to put away.

2. Access to Local and International Markets

With Easy Equities you can invest in companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) as well as major international markets. For South African investors this is huge: you’re not limited to just local stocks. 
Diversification across borders becomes real.

3. Fractional Shares and Flexible Investing

The concept of fractional share rights (FSRs) means you can buy a portion of a share rather than the whole price tag. That opens up expensive stocks to people who couldn’t otherwise afford them. 
It also means you can spread risk more wisely by owning many smaller positions.

4. Affordable Fees & Transparent Structure

While every broker has costs, Easy Equities prides itself on transparent disclosure of fees and cost profiles. For example, one partner bank mentions you can start with no minimums and invest in local and international companies in EasyEquities. 
Costs matter a lot when your investment size is modest.

5. Educational Support

They have resources, blogs and academy sections aimed at helping first-time investors understand how investing works. On their homepage: “How shares work”, “How much you need to start”, “Investment returns”. 
Education is critical, especially for new investors.

How to Get Started with Easy Equities in South Africa

Here’s a clear, step-by-step walkthrough for a South African investor to get going with Easy Equities.

Step 1: Register an Account

• Visit the official site: https://www.easyequities.co.za/ (this URL may be used up to two times).

• Click Register.

• Provide your details: full name, ID or passport (if relevant), contact info.

• Create your login credentials (username, password) and verify your email.

• Comply with the standard KYC (Know Your Customer) checks as required by the regulatory framework.
  This is the gateway to the platform.

Step 2: Fund Your Account

• Once your account is approved you’ll need to deposit funds.

• You can link a South African bank account via EFT to transfer ZAR into your Easy Equities wallet.

• Some facilities may allow you to hold USD or other currencies for international investing.

• Set up a recurring investment if you want to automate your investing. The app supports recurring payments. 
  This is where your investing journey becomes real.

Step 3: Understand the Platform & Choose Your Investment Path

On Easy Equities you can choose from several investment directions:

• Invest Myself: Choose the companies, ETFs, crypto, property yourself. 

• Invest For Me: Use pre-selected portfolios or bundles managed by professionals.

• Help Me Invest: Get guided plans personalized to you. 
  Decide which path suits your style, risk appetite, and time commitment.

Step 4: Browse & Select Investments

• Use the marketplace inside the Easy Equities app or website.

• Filter between local shares (JSE) and international shares/ETFs/crypto.

• For example: look at the list of companies available, check their price, performance history.

• Consider buying fractional shares if the full share price is high but you still want exposure.
  This step is where you make actual decisions—not hastily, but thoughtfully.

Step 5: Place Orders & Monitor Your Portfolio

• After selecting your investment(s), place your buy or sell orders via the platform.

• Easy Equities will execute them and you become the owner of whole shares or the holder of FSRs (fractional share rights) depending on the instrument. 

• Monitor your portfolio regularly: check performance, fees, dividends, corporate actions.

• Consider adjusting, diversifying or rebalancing as you go.
  This is the ongoing part of investing—monitoring, learning, adjusting.

Step 6: Withdraw or Reinvest

• If you ever want to exit, you can sell your shares or FSRs and withdraw your proceeds back to your South African bank account.

• Alternatively, you can reinvest dividends or recurring contributions to keep building.
  The goal is not just starting, but sustaining and evolving your investment journey.

Key Features of Easy Equities in South Africa

Here are some of the standout features you should know about when using Easy Equities.

Fractional Share Rights (FSRs)

Easy Equities offers fractional share rights — meaning you invest a smaller amount but still gain exposure to a company’s economic performance. They note:

“The EasyEquities platform enables users to invest in securities which includes whole shares and fractional security rights (FSRs). EasyEquities acts as an agent for the issue of whole shares … In respect of FSRs … the investor will have a contractual claim against EasyEquities to the economic benefits and risks associated with share ownership … FSRs do not carry any voting rights.” 
In effect: you get the financial outcome but not necessarily the voting rights until you convert to a whole share.

Local vs International Exposure

Local exposure gives you access to the JSE and entities based in South Africa. International exposure lets you buy large-cap stocks abroad, giving you access to global growth trends and currency diversification. This is important for South African investors given SA’s currency and economic cycle. Easy Equities allows this dual access. 
This is a major advantage for portfolio diversification.

No Minimums & Accessibility

You can start investing with a relatively small amount and you can choose a recurring investment plan. The barrier to entry is low, which can encourage more people to start early. 

Mobile & Online Experience

The Easy Equities app is designed to be intuitive and mobile-friendly. On the Google Play listing, for example, you’ll see features like deposit via app, buy shares and set up recurring investments. 
This means you can manage your investments conveniently from your smartphone.

Regulation and Disclosures

Easy Equities is regulated in South Africa:

• Authorised FSP number: 22588. 

• Registered credit provider: NCRCP12294. 
  All trades are subject to their legal terms and conditions. They make clear that availability of any share on the platform is not a recommendation for investment.
  Regulation matters: it means safeguards and transparency.

Things to Know (Risks and Considerations)

Investing always carries risk, and while Easy Equities makes investing easier, you should be aware of key considerations:

Market Risk

Whether you invest locally or internationally, share prices can go up and down. Past performance is not an indicator of future results. The Easy Equities site explicitly mentions this. 
Therefore: only invest money you can afford to set aside for the medium to long term.

Currency Risk

When you invest internationally you are also exposed to currency fluctuations (e.g., ZAR/USD). A strong ZAR can eat into your gains from international shares, and vice versa.

Fractional Share Rights Limitations

While FSRs give you access to expensive shares, they do come with caveats: no voting rights until converted to a whole share, and ownership may be via contract rather than full registered share ownership. 
Be clear on what you own.

Platform Fees & Behaviour

Even though Easy Equities aims to keep fees low, you should still check the full cost profile. For example, recurring fees, foreign exchange costs, withdrawal fees etc. The platform provides cost profile documents. 
It’s easy for small fees to erode returns over time.

Liquidity & Execution Risk

Though many shares are tradable, some less-popular instruments may have lower liquidity. Also, exchange prices are delayed in accordance with regional exchange rules (South African prices are delayed by 15 minutes).
So: real-time execution may differ from the app’s last indicated price.

Not Financial Advice

Using Easy Equities doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed profit. Both their website and partner banks clarify: the content is factual/administrative and not financial advice. 
If in doubt, consult a financial adviser.

Best Practices When Using Easy Equities in South Africa

Here are some tips to get the most out of the platform:

• Start small, but start early: The earlier you start investing, the more time compounding has to work in your favour.

• Diversify: Don’t put all your funds into one share or one market. Use local + international + ETF exposure.

• Keep costs low: Use recurring investments, avoid frequent trading, and review the cost documents.

• Use the educational tools: Read through Easy Equities’ blog, academy, tutorials. The more you know, the better your decisions.

• Rebalance periodically: As your portfolio grows, check allocations and adjust if one area is over-exposed.

• Be aware of risk: Make sure you’re comfortable with volatility, and use money you’re not relying on for day-to-day living.

• Use the mobile app effectively: Set up alerts, deposit automation, and track performance regularly.

• Take note of tax implications: In South Africa, investment returns may attract tax (capital gains tax, dividends tax, etc.). Understand how this applies to your portfolio.

• Stay updated: Market conditions, exchange rates, and global events all impact investing, especially when you invest internationally.

Comparison: Easy Equities vs Traditional Brokers in South Africa

Here are a few ways to compare Easy Equities with more traditional brokerage services in the South African context:

Given this, for many South Africans wanting to begin investing, Easy Equities could be a more accessible entry point. That said, if you are an experienced investor with large portfolios or specific needs (e.g., very advanced trading, derivatives, institutional services), you might still prefer a traditional broker.

Realistic Example: Starting with Easy Equities in South Africa

Let’s imagine you have ZAR R2,000 and want to get started with Easy Equities:

1. You open your account on Easy Equities via https://www.easyequities.co.za/ and complete the KYC.

2. You deposit R2,000 from your South African bank account into your Easy Equities ZAR wallet.

3. You decide you want some exposure to:

   • Local JSE shares: e.g., two companies you believe in.

   • International shares: maybe a global tech firm.

   • An ETF that covers global markets for diversification.

   • Set aside R200 for recurring monthly deposits.

4. You use the fractional share rights feature: let’s say the global tech firm share costs say USD $500 (roughly ZAR R9,000) – via FSR you buy a fraction for say ZAR R300.

5. You allocate the remaining R1,700 across your chosen local shares + ETF.

6. You monitor monthly: you deposit R200 each month, gradually building. You review every quarter, and rebalance if one investment is significantly overweight.

7. Over time (say 5-10 years) your investment grows (market allowing), you benefit from compounding, diversifying, and you avoid large upfront barriers.

This scenario shows the power of getting started early, even with modest capital.

What’s New & What to Look Out For

Platforms like Easy Equities evolve. Here are some of the latest things to keep an eye on:

• The app on Google Play lists features like: direct deposit, recurring investments, international markets, and retains “Low Cost, Easy Investing”. 

• Check for any changes in fees, foreign exchange charges, service updates.

• Keep an eye on regulatory changes in South Africa (tax law, investment regulations) which may affect your investing.

• As the platform grows, new product lines may appear (crypto, property investment, bundles) – ensure you understand new products fully. For instance, property investment is mentioned on the Easy Equities site: “Invest in property without the burden of property management, administration and extra fees.” 

• Watch for changes in global economy, currency movements, which affect your international investing returns.

Who Should Consider Easy Equities in South Africa—and Who Should Be Cautious

Ideal for:

• First-time investors wanting a simple way into shares and ETFs in South Africa.

• People with smaller amounts of capital who want to invest rather than keep savings idle.

• Investors who want both local and international market exposure.

• Those who appreciate mobile platforms and user-friendly interfaces.

• Investors with a long-term mindset and who understand the importance of compounding.

Be cautious if you are:

• Looking for very advanced trading (e.g., high-frequency, complicated derivatives) – the platform may not offer the same depth as bigger brokers.

• Uncomfortable with market risk, currency risk or the idea of investing for the long term.

• Lacking knowledge about investment basics – although Easy Equities helps, you still need to take responsibility for your investment decisions.

• Expecting guaranteed returns – no platform can guarantee profits.

• Planning to invest funds you might need in the short term (< 1–2 years) – market fluctuations may impact you.

Conclusion: Is Easy Equities in South Africa Worth It?

In wrapping up, Easy Equities in South Africa presents a compelling option for many investors: low barriers to entry, access to both local and international markets, fractional shares, and a platform built with beginners in mind. That said, as with all investing: you’ll benefit most by being informed, disciplined, patient and realistic.