11 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa with High Leverage (2024)

One of the most attractive advantages of the foreign exchange market is that forex trading can be done with leverage. This means that forex traders can open larger positions despite their initial minimum deposit, with the broker taking a small percentage (margin requirement) as collateral for the trade.

While this can increase the chances of earning significant profits, it can also lead to significant losses. South African traders are urged to work according to a tested risk management plan when they use leverage to protect their capital.

Many forex brokers offer high maximum leverage ratios in South Africa and the following 11 are the best in the industry.

11 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa with High Leverage (1)

IFX Brokers

Features

Headquartered in South Africa and regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), the market regulator for the country, IFX Brokers is one of the top brokers in South Africa known for its transparent fee schedules, wide range of tradable assets, and high leverage of 1:500.

In addition to this IFX Brokers offers the use of MetaTrader 4 through which trades can be executed, providing traders with a range of useful tools that can be used from conducting technical analysis, testing strategies, and using a helpful demo account to navigate live market conditions in a safe environment using virtual funds.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Strict regulation

High leverage up to 1:500

Supports MetaTrader 4

Educational resources offered

11 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa with High Leverage (2)

Alpari

Features

Alpari is one of the best international forex brokers that has been in operation since 1998 and which serves millions of forex traders, including South African forex traders.

Alpari is unique and offers more leverage than most regulated forex brokers ordinarily would, up to 1:1000 for retail traders. Alpari also has an ultra-low minimum deposit requirement of $20, allowing traders to register for a live trading account with low capital.

Active traders and high-volume traders can qualify for higher leverage ratios up to 1:3000, which is strictly reserved for professional traders who have the necessary trading experience paired with effective risk management protocols.

Alpari is also known for its loyalty program that offers traders up to a 20% refund on their spreads.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Trade with up to 1:1000 leverage for retail traders

Professional traders in South Africa have up to 1:3000 leverage

Provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5

Suitable for beginner traders and professionals

Well-regulated and trusted

Loyalty program offered

CONS

Neither debit cards nor credit cards supported as payment options

FBS

Features

FBS is an international forex broker that offers a wide range of forex and CFD trading instruments that are spread across several asset classes. FBS is well-known for its competitive trading conditions and flexible trading solutions.

FBS caters for South African traders and offers low minimum deposit requirements paired with high maximum leverage ratios up to 1:3000 for retail traders. However, despite this, it is recommended that only experienced traders in South Africa use leverage this high with effective risk management.

With FBS, forex traders in South Africa can expect a wide range of major pairs, minor pairs, and several others along with stock trading, crypto trading, commodity trading, and more which can be traded through powerful trading platforms including an innovative proprietary trading mobile app.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Ultra-low minimum deposit of $1

User-friendly trading platforms

Wide range of financial instruments

Trading tools and educational materials offered

Demo accounts provided

Dedicated customer service

AvaTrade

Features

AvaTrade is a globally recognised market maker forex broker used by thousands of South African traders, from beginner traders to professionals, despite their trading needs and objectives.

AvaTrade offers traders access to a wide range of financial instruments including major forex pairs, minor pairs, commodities, options, and several other asset classes while using leverage up to 1:400.

Apart from supporting the use of the MetaTrader suite, AvaTrade also offers its proprietary trading platform that can be used by traders in South Africa.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Well-regulated forex broker

More than 55 currency pairs

Supports MetaTrader

Supports social trading

Accepts a wide range of trading strategies

Advanced trading tools and education offered

CONS

High inactivity fee

Spreads are not the tightest

Blackstone Futures

Features

Blackstone Futures is a trusted South African forex broker that is well-known for its competitive trading conditions with tight spreads, commission-free trading, and the benefit that deposit fees and withdrawal fees are not charged.

In addition to this, Blackstone Futures allows South African traders the use of maximum leverage up to 1:400 that can be applied to forex major pairs. Another important feature is that Blackstone Future applies negative balance protection to retail investor accounts, offering traders additional protection.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Tight spreads from 0.6 pips EUR/USD

Offers ZAR Accounts to traders in South Africa

Provides maximum leverage up to 1:400

Accounts have negative balance protection applied

Supports the use of MetaTrader 4

Well-regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa

CONS

A limited selection of forex pairs that can be traded

FOREX.com

Features

FOREX.com is one of the most popular forex brokers in South Africa where decent maximum leverage is concerned. FOREX.com is the ideal broker for forex traders who want to carry out their in-depth research into the currency market and different market conditions.

FOREX.com offers advance price charts on its proprietary trading platform that features 50 built-in technical indicators, performance analytics modules, and more.

In addition to this, FOREX.com is known for offering competitive trading conditions in South Africa, consisting of tight variable spreads, transparent trading fees, and ultra-low non-trading fees.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Access to a wide range of tradable instruments

Supports Metatrader and NinjaTrader

Provides a pivot points analysis and several research reports

Economic calendar provided

Well-regulated forex broker

Execution scorecard

CONS

The platform may be too complex for beginner traders

Vantage FX

Features

Vantage FX is one of the largest, most popular international forex brokers that offer South African traders access to the forex market with high maximum leverage of up to 1:500.

Vantage FX offers a wide range of forex and CFDs including more than 40 currency pairs and several other financial instruments spread across a variety of asset classes.

Vantage FX offers South African traders commission-free retail trading accounts with competitive spreads. For more advanced traders in South Africa, Vantage FX offers a choice between two dynamic account types.

11 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa with High Leverage (3)

Pros and Cons

PROS

Adequate leverage ratio offered to traders in South Africa

Supports both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5

Automated copy trading supported

Spread-free ECN accounts offered

Well-regulated

Competitive trading conditions

CONS

High minimum deposit requirement

Plus500

Features

Plus500 is another popular CFD trading broker that offers competitive trading conditions to South African traders, regardless of whether they are a beginner or professional traders.

With Plus500, traders from South Africa can trade more than 70 forex pairs, over 1,900 stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and several cryptocurrencies.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Beginner-friendly trading platform

Advanced trading platform

Mobile trading offered through the Plus500 proprietary trading platform

Technical analysis tools offered

Well-regulated

24/7 customer support

CONS

Inactivity fees charged

Skilling

Features

Skilling is one of the best high leverage brokers for forex traders in South Africa, with more than 70 currency pairs offered. Traders can trade forex major pairs with a maximum leverage up to 1:500.

Skilling is well-known for its low trading costs and fees, with spreads that start from 0.7 pips with the advantage that deposit fees, withdrawal fees, and inactivity fees are not charged, making it one of the cheapest forex trading platforms for traders in South Africa.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Tight variable spreads

No inactivity fees

Trade assistant module provided

High maximum leverage offered

Algorithmic trading supported

Well-regulated

CONS

Dynamic leverage model, which means that leverage can change

FinmaxFX

Features

FinmaxFX is a popular high leverage broker in South Africa that offers 60 forex pairs that can be traded using maximum leverage up to 1:200. FinmaxFX offers a choice between different retail account types, each catering for a different type of trader.

However, FinmaxFX charges high minimum deposit requirements, even for entry-level accounts. However, as traders upgrade through the accounts, they gain access to different advantages such as forex signals and bonuses.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Offers high maximum leverage

Supports forex trading signals

Trading bonuses offered

Automated copy-trading through ZuluTrade

Well-regulated

Competitive trading conditions

CONS

The social trading network is not robust

High minimum deposit requirement

Exness

Features

Exness is a popular and well-regulated broker in South Africa that serves retail traders along with institutional investors. Exness offers competitive trading conditions along with high maximum leverage up to 1:2000.

Exness is known for its ultra-low minimum deposit requirements, powerful trading platforms, and multi-currency account types. Exness offers negative balance protection, demo accounts, and a wide range of assets that can be traded through MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.

Pros and Cons

PROS

Global broker with strict regulation

Negative balance protection offered

Supports MetaTrader 4 and 5

High maximum leverage ratio

Demo account provided

Islamic accounts available

Suited to all types of traders

CONS

Accounts are not multi-currency

11 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa with High Leverage (4)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No, there is currently no cap on leverage for South African forex brokers. However, some brokers have a cap on leverage for retail/professional traders.

If possible, it is recommended to use a broker that offers ZAR accounts to avoid currency conversion fees.

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) regulates forex trading in South Africa.

There is no cap on leverage that you can use in South Africa, but it will depend on the amount of leverage that the broker offers.

Yes, leverage can expose you to many opportunities to earn great profits, but it also exposes you to an equal amount of risk.

Other Guides for South African Traders:

The Best Forex Brokers in South Africa

Forex Brokers with ZAR Accounts

FSCA Regulated Forex Brokers in South Africa

South African Forex Brokers with Islamic Accounts

South African Brokers with $100 Minimum Deposit

South African Brokers with Low Minimum Deposits

11 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa with High Leverage (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Laurine Ryan

Last Updated:

Views: 6247

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Laurine Ryan

Birthday: 1994-12-23

Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603

Phone: +2366831109631

Job: Sales Producer

Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy

Introduction: My name is Laurine Ryan, I am a adorable, fair, graceful, spotless, gorgeous, homely, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.