What a minimum deposit really tells you

The minimum deposit is the smallest amount an account can be opened with. It is the cheapest fact to publish and the easiest to misread: a ZAR10 minimum says what the door costs, not what trading there costs.

Read it beside two other figures - the round-turn cost and the withdrawal time. A low minimum with a wide spread takes the difference back on every trade, and a low minimum you cannot withdraw from quickly is not a cheap account.

The ten below publish the lowest minimum deposit for residents of South Africa. Where a broker states no minimum at all, that is recorded as zero, which is a figure, not a blank.

Minimum deposit, USD (85 of 103 · median 50 USD)

76<200

6400

2600

0800

1>800

Affiliate links: we earn a commission; it never changes scores or order. CFDs are high-risk and leverage can lose you money rapidly.

Key facts (49 of 103 counts · 100 brokers onboarding South African residents)

49of 103

qualify for this ranking

48% of 103

39of 49

scored on all six axes

80% of 49

80of 103

publish a price

78% of 103

72of 103

publish a leverage figure for this country

70% of 103

Top 3 (of 3 ranked)

1OctaFX4.55highest score of the three · locally licensed · withdrawal in 3 h 2Capital.com4.48locally licensed · withdrawal in 24 h 3FXGT4.36locally licensed · withdrawal in 24 h

What a minimum deposit really tells you (49 of 103)

By slice score, formula v1.0. · 49 of 100 brokers in this ranking · all 49

#	Broker	Round turn, USDZA	Min deposit, USDZA	Leverage	Withdrawal, hZA	Score	Execution	Founded	Funding
1	CFI	—	0	500ZA	24	4.69	ECN/raw + standard	1998	3 methods · local
2	OctaFX	9	25	1000ZA	3	4.55	ECN/raw + standard	2011	3 methods · local
3	Capital.com	6	20	30 groupZA	24	4.48	Standard	2016	3 methods · local
4	FP Markets	6.5	100	500ZA	72	4.46	ECN/raw + standard	2005	3 methods
5	FXGT	6	10	5000ZA	24	4.36	ECN/raw + standard	2019	6 methods · local
6	Admirals	6	25	500ZA	24	4.36	ECN/raw + standard	2001	4 methods · local
7	Mitrade	8.5	20	200ZA	24	4.32	Standard	2011	4 methods
8	ThinkMarkets	7	50	500ZA	4	4.28	ECN/raw + standard	2010	5 methods · local
9	IG Markets SA	7.5	50	30ZA	72	4.28	Standard	1974	2 methods · local
10	AvaTrade	9	100	400ZA	24	4.27	Standard	2006	5 methods · local
11	Tickmill	6	100	1000ZA	24	4.27	ECN/raw + standard	2014	4 methods · local
12	FXCM	7	4	400ZA	72	4.26	ECN/raw + standard	1999	2 methods · local
13	CMTrading	8	300	200ZA	24	4.24	ECN/raw + standard	2012	4 methods · local
14	STARTRADER	4	50	1000ZA	24	4.23	ECN/raw + standard	2019	4 methods
15	Headway	3	1	—stated, not verified	0.5	4.2	ECN/raw + standard	2023	4 methods · local
16	CAPEX	6.5	100	300ZA	24	4.15	ECN/raw + standard	2016	3 methods · local
17	Grand Capital	5	10	500ZA	0.25	4.14	ECN/raw + standard	2006	3 methods
18	Fusion Markets	4.5	0	500ZA	1	4.13	ECN/raw + standard	2017	6 methods
19	IG Markets	13.6	50	20ZA	72	4.13	ECN/raw + standard	1974	3 methods · local
20	Markets.com	6	100	300ZA	168	4.13	Standard	2008	5 methods · local
21	IC Markets	7.5	200	500ZA	24	4.12	ECN/raw + standard	2007	9 methods · local
22	Land-FX	3.35	10	2000ZA	1	4.1	ECN/raw + standard	2008	7 methods · local
23	Moneta Markets	7	50	1000ZA	24	4.02	ECN/raw + standard	2019	5 methods
24	FxPro	7	100	200ZA	3	3.98	ECN/raw + standard	2006	3 methods · local
25	Pepperstone	7	200	400ZA	24	3.97	ECN/raw + standard	2010	5 methods · local
26	Traders Trust	6	50	3000ZA	24	3.96	ECN/raw + standard	2009	5 methods
27	Plus500	8	10	30ZA	72	3.95	Standard	2008	5 methods · local
28	BlackBull Markets	6	0	500ZA	72	3.92	ECN/raw + standard	2014	6 methods · local
29	Scope Markets SA	9	100	1000ZA	120	3.92	Standard	2014	4 methods · local
30	FIBO Group	6	50	1000ZA	48	3.88	ECN/raw + standard	1998	5 methods
31	GO Markets	6	200	500ZA	48	3.84	ECN/raw + standard	2006	4 methods
32	XTB	1	0	500ZA	72	3.83	ECN/raw + standard	2002	2 methods
33	Orbex	8	100	500ZA	24	3.82	ECN/raw + standard	2010	5 methods
34	FXChoice	7	100	200ZA	24	3.8	ECN/raw + standard	2010	3 methods
35	Dukascopy	8	100	200ZA	48	3.77	ECN/raw + standard	2004	3 methods
36	IronFX	18	100	500ZA	240	3.76	ECN/raw + standard	2010	6 methods · local
37	Alpari	3.5	30	3000ZA	24	3.71	ECN/raw + standard	1998	5 methods
38	Trive South Africa	10	0	—stated, not verified	168	3.68	ECN/raw + standard	2022	4 methods · local
39	LiteFinance	18	50	1000ZA	24	3.67	Standard	2005	3 methods
40	FXTM	16	10	2000ZA	24	3.6	Standard	2011	5 methods · local
41	ForexMart	10	15	500ZA	7	3.59	Standard	2015	6 methods · local
42	Skilling	8.5	100	500ZA	24	3.58	ECN/raw + standard	2016	6 methods
43	Interactive Brokers	5	0	—stated, not verified	48	3.54	ECN/raw + standard	1978	1 methods
44	Swissquote	16	1000	100ZA	24	3.5	ECN/raw + standard	1996	2 methods
45	Equiti	8	500	500ZA	24	3.38	ECN/raw + standard	2003	3 methods
46	NAGA	11	250	1000ZA	24	3.3	Standard	2015	4 methods · local
47	ZuluTrade	—	100	500 groupZA	—	—	—	2007	4 methods · local
48	GT247.com	—	0	25ZA	—	—	—	1998	2 methods · local
49	Nedbank Online Share Trading	—	0	—stated, not verified	—	—	—	2001	2 methods · local

Ten are shown; the button opens the rest.

"group" marks a figure the broker publishes for the group rather than for this country. It is shown because the broker states it, and it is not ranked, averaged or used to sort.

— the broker does not publish this figure; it is not read as a zero and it is not scored.

IC Markets publishes a retail leverage of 1:500 without naming the entity that grants it, so the figure is marked group and left out of the leverage ranking and median.

The ten above illustrate the term. Brokers with the lowest minimum deposit in South Africa lists every broker that qualifies, with the figure each one publishes.

Identical for every row, so it is stated once: Who onboards Local · FSCA · Swap-free fee none, no limit · ZAR account Yes.

1. OctaFX — highest score of the three · locally licensed · withdrawal in 3 h (score 4.55)

Round turn: 9 USD
Withdrawal: 1-3 hours on business days
ZAR account: USD, EUR
Leverage: 1000ZA
Licence: FSCA 51913
Accepts residents: yes
Onboarding entity: Orinoco Capital Pty Ltd
Founded: 2011
Group leverage: uncleargroup
Instruments: Forex, crypto, stocks
Platforms: MT5cTraderWebTradingView
Funding: EFT, OZOW, local bank
Not served: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, North Korea, Iran, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore

Reviews25%90
Round-turn cost20%80
Safety
Payouts15%98
Track record10%75
Platforms65

Why it ranks here

Round turn 9 USD against the slice median 7 USD. strongest axis payouts 98 of 100. total score 4.55.

Watch for

Payouts axis 58 of 100; e-wallet times not published.

Full review of OctaFX

2. Capital.com — locally licensed · withdrawal in 24 h (score 4.48)

Round turn: 6 USD
Withdrawal: 24 hours
ZAR account: USD-denominated; local ZAR account availability not verified at review.
Leverage: 30 groupZA
Accepts residents: yes
Onboarding entity: South African clients are now onboarded by the new local entity Capital Com South Africa (Pty) Ltd, which received FSCA approval in June 2026 (previously SA was served offshore/restricted).
Founded: 2016
Register: https://capital.com/en-int/press · 09.07.2026
Group leverage: unclear
Instruments: CFD-only broker; the SA entity advertises 5,000+ CFD markets across equities, commodities, indices, FX and crypto.
Platforms: MT5MT4Web
Funding: Cards, bank transfer and e-wallets; ZAR instant-EFT support not verified at review.
Not served: Afghanistan, American Samoa, Belgium, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Burkina Faso, United States of America, Cameroon, Canada, China, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Gibraltar, Guam, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Kosovo, North Korea, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Palestine, Palau, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Samoa, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, US, Yemen

Why it ranks here

Round turn 6 USD against the slice median 7 USD. strongest axis safety 100 of 100. total score 4.48.

Watch for

Min deposit 200 USD, double the South Africa median of 50; withdrawal time not published.

Full review of Capital.com

3. FXGT — locally licensed · withdrawal in 24 h (score 4.36)

Round turn: 6 USD
Withdrawal: within 24 hours
ZAR account: USD, EUR, JPY and ZAR - South Africans can hold a ZAR account and avoid conversion.
Leverage: 5000ZA
Licence: 48896
Accepts residents: yes
Onboarding entity: South African clients are onboarded under the local entity GT IO Markets (Pty) Ltd, with the Seychelles entity used for global products.
Founded: 2019
Register: https://fxgt.com · 09.07.2026
Group leverage: localgroup
Instruments: 50+ FX pairs, 30+ crypto CFDs, synthetic crypto pairs, 50+ US share CFDs, 10+ indices, metals and energy CFDs.
Platforms: MT5WebMobile
Funding: Cards, local bank/EFT, e-wallets (Neteller/Skrill/STICPAY) and crypto; ZAR deposits supported.
Not served: United States, Canada, European Union member states, Iran, North Korea, Belize, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Why it ranks here

Round turn 6 USD against the slice median 7 USD. strongest axis safety 100 of 100. total score 4.36.

Watch for

Onboards South African residents through an offshore entity: no FSCA licence, no FSCA complaints route, no ZAR account.

Full review of FXGT

What the data shows(49 of 103 distributions · 100 brokers)

Swap-free availability (49 of 103 brokers)

Offered30Not offered14

Admin fee after the free period (49 of 103 swap-free)

Never16After 3–30 days9not published5

Who onboards South African residents (49 of 103 brokers)

Local FSCA entity20Offshore entity24

ZAR account (49 of 103 brokers)

Yes16No23not published5

Round turn, one lot, USD (80 of 103 · median 7 USD)

14<5

5010

915

620

1>20

Full list(49 of 103)

1CFI4.69
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Min deposit, USD
0
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
2OctaFX4.55
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
9
Min deposit, USD
25
Leverage
1000ZA
ZAR
Yes
3Capital.com4.48
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6
Min deposit, USD
20
Leverage
30 groupZA
ZAR
Yes
4FP Markets4.46
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6.5
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
5FXGT4.36
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6
Min deposit, USD
10
Leverage
5000ZA
ZAR
Yes
6Admirals4.36
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6
Min deposit, USD
25
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
7Mitrade4.32
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
8.5
Min deposit, USD
20
Leverage
200ZA
ZAR
Yes
8ThinkMarkets4.28
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
7
Min deposit, USD
50
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
9IG Markets SA4.28
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
7.5
Min deposit, USD
50
Leverage
30ZA
ZAR
Yes
10AvaTrade4.27
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
9
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
400ZA
ZAR
Yes
11Tickmill4.27
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
1000ZA
ZAR
Yes
12FXCM4.26
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
7
Min deposit, USD
4
Leverage
400ZA
ZAR
Yes
13CMTrading4.24
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
8
Min deposit, USD
300
Leverage
200ZA
ZAR
Yes
14STARTRADER4.23
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
4
Min deposit, USD
50
Leverage
1000ZA
ZAR
Yes
15Headway4.2
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
3
Min deposit, USD
1
ZAR
Yes
16CAPEX4.15
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6.5
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
300ZA
ZAR
Yes
17Grand Capital4.14
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
5
Min deposit, USD
10
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
18Fusion Markets4.13
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
4.5
Min deposit, USD
0
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
19IG Markets4.13
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
13.6
Min deposit, USD
50
Leverage
20ZA
ZAR
Yes
20Markets.com4.13
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
300ZA
ZAR
Yes
21IC Markets4.12
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
7.5
Min deposit, USD
200
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
22Land-FX4.1
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
3.35
Min deposit, USD
10
Leverage
2000ZA
ZAR
Yes
23Moneta Markets4.02
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
7
Min deposit, USD
50
Leverage
1000ZA
ZAR
Yes
24FxPro3.98
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
7
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
200ZA
ZAR
Yes
25Pepperstone3.97
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
7
Min deposit, USD
200
Leverage
400ZA
ZAR
Yes
26Traders Trust3.96
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6
Min deposit, USD
50
Leverage
3000ZA
ZAR
Yes
27Plus5003.95
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
8
Min deposit, USD
10
Leverage
30ZA
ZAR
Yes
28BlackBull Markets3.92
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6
Min deposit, USD
0
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
29Scope Markets SA3.92
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
9
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
1000ZA
ZAR
Yes
30FIBO Group3.88
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6
Min deposit, USD
50
Leverage
1000ZA
ZAR
Yes
31GO Markets3.84
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
6
Min deposit, USD
200
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
32XTB3.83
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
1
Min deposit, USD
0
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
33Orbex3.82
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
8
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
34FXChoice3.8
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
7
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
200ZA
ZAR
Yes
35Dukascopy3.77
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
8
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
200ZA
ZAR
Yes
36IronFX3.76
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
18
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
37Alpari3.71
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
3.5
Min deposit, USD
30
Leverage
3000ZA
ZAR
Yes
38Trive South Africa3.68
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
10
Min deposit, USD
0
ZAR
Yes
39LiteFinance3.67
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
18
Min deposit, USD
50
Leverage
1000ZA
ZAR
Yes
40FXTM3.6
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
16
Min deposit, USD
10
Leverage
2000ZA
ZAR
Yes
41ForexMart3.59
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
10
Min deposit, USD
15
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
42Skilling3.58
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
8.5
Min deposit, USD
100
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
43Interactive Brokers3.54
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
5
Min deposit, USD
0
ZAR
Yes
44Swissquote3.5
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
16
Min deposit, USD
1000
Leverage
100ZA
ZAR
Yes
45Equiti3.38
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
8
Min deposit, USD
500
Leverage
500ZA
ZAR
Yes
46NAGA3.3
Onboards
Local · FSCA
Swap-free
none, no limit
Round turn, USD
11
Min deposit, USD
250
Leverage
1000ZA
ZAR
Yes

How to read the ten below

Start with the figure this page ranks on.
Every row here is ordered by computed score, highest first; unscored brokers follow. A broker that publishes no figure is shown without one rather than guessed at.
Check which company would onboard you.
The same brand can take a resident of South Africa through a locally licensed entity or an offshore one, and the leverage cap, the complaint route and the protection all follow the entity, not the brand.
Read the cost beside the deposit.
The median round turn across this country is 7.0 USD and the median minimum deposit 50.0 USD; a low deposit beside a wide spread takes the difference back on every trade.

Neighbouring slices(6 rankings · 5 explainers)

Same country

Explained

FAQ

How many brokers qualify for this ranking in South Africa?: 49 of 103 brokers measured for this country qualify.
Which broker leads it, and on what basis?: OctaFX leads it with a score of 4.55. The order is computed score, highest first; unscored brokers follow.
What does a trade typically cost here?: The median round turn - spread plus commission for one standard lot, in and out - is 7.0 USD across the brokers that publish both parts.
Why do some rows show a dash instead of a figure?: Because the broker does not publish that figure for this country. A dash is a statement about what is published, and a figure is never filled in from a group-wide page as if it applied locally.
Why are only ten brokers shown here?: This page explains the term; the ten illustrate it. The full ranking lists 49 of 103 and is one click away.

How this slice is scored

Slice score = 2 + 3 × weighted mean of the six axes; the swap-free fee and availability feed price and reliability. A missing axis drops out and weights are renormalised; group-wide figures never enter. Full methodology

Verified · What changed · Sources(49 of 103 broker records)

Verified01.10.2026

data re-captured 28.09.2026

Risk warning and affiliate disclosure

CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A swap-free account removes overnight interest, not market risk. We earn a commission on some links; paid rows are marked and never ranked first.