EasyEquities vs Lightyear - BrokerCue
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Broker Comparison

EasyEquities vs Lightyear

Compare EasyEquities and Lightyear side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

EasyEquities

EasyEquities

Beginner investors in South Africa

EasyEquities is a South African investment platform offering fractional shares, ETFs, stocks, crypto and tax-…

VS
Lightyear

Lightyear

Cost-conscious long-term investors

Low-cost investing platform with free ETFs, multi-currency accounts, fractional investing, savings products, …

Head-to-head comparison

EasyEquities vs Lightyear
Feature EasyEquities Lightyear
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee 0.25% per trade; minimum charge applies US shares: 0.10% (0.10 USD min - 1 USD max); UK shares: 1 GBP; EUR-denominated stocks, bonds, ETNs and ETCs: 1 EUR; other European stocks: 0.10%
Regulators FSCA FCA, EFSA, FINRA, SIPC
Best for Beginner investors in South Africa Cost-conscious long-term investors
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
Bonds
-
Fractional Shares
Funds
Ready Made Portfolios
Investment Plans
Money Market Funds
Multi Currency
Demo Account
-
Savings Vaults
-
Business Account
-

Pros & cons

EasyEquities

EasyEquities

Pros

  • No minimum deposit required
  • No inactivity fee
  • Thrive platform fee (R25/month) is waived for active users and exempt groups
  • 0.25% trading commission is low relative to traditional SA brokers
  • Fractional Share Rights allow investing with small amounts
  • Demo account provided automatically (R100,000 ZAR and $10,000 USD)
  • Multi-currency accounts (ZAR, USD, AUD, GBP, EUR)
  • Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and retirement annuity options

Cons

  • R25/month Thrive platform fee applies to users below Thrive Level 3
  • Currency conversion fee applies when moving funds between currency accounts
  • Per-asset fee when transferring account to another broker
  • Research and charting tools are basic compared to specialist platforms
  • Customer support does not offer live chat; response times reported as slow
  • Fractional shares are held as Fractional Share Rights, not direct share ownership
  • Limited advanced order types for active traders
  • Primarily suited to South African investors; international account options are more limited
Lightyear

Lightyear

Pros

  • No account fee
  • Free ETF execution and custody
  • 0.35% FX conversion fee
  • Multi-currency account
  • Fractional investing
  • Web, iOS and Android access
  • Savings Vaults with money market funds
  • SIPC protection for US securities

Cons

  • Stock fees vary by instrument
  • Card deposits cost 0.6%
  • Crypto assets lack investor compensation cover
  • Product availability may vary
  • Money market fund fees apply
  • Some withdrawals may require currency conversion
EasyEquities

EasyEquities

EasyEquities is a South African investment platform offering fractional shares, ETFs, stocks, crypto and tax-free accounts with no minimum deposit, 0.25% commissions, and a waivable R25/month platform fee.

Visit EasyEquities Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Lightyear

Lightyear

Low-cost investing platform with free ETFs, multi-currency accounts, fractional investing, savings products, and a 0.35% FX fee.

Visit Lightyear Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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