How to Buy U.S. Shares on EasyEquities as a South African (2025 Guide)
Your step-by-step guide to investing globally from SA—easily and affordably.
Investing in U.S. shares is no longer reserved for wealthy South Africans or complicated offshore accounts. Thanks to EasyEquities, everyday investors can now buy fractional U.S. stocks—from Amazon to Tesla—with just a few clicks. If you're looking to diversify your portfolio, gain exposure to global companies, or hedge against a weakening Rand, this guide walks you through exactly how to buy U.S. shares on EasyEquities.
Why Invest in U.S. Shares?
Before diving into the “how,” it helps to understand the “why.” Many South Africans are turning to U.S. markets to:
- Access world-leading companies like Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Tesla.
- Diversify risk beyond the South African economy and local stock market.
- Benefit from USD exposure, which can help protect your money against Rand volatility.
- Tap into global growth sectors like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, biotech, and clean energy.
Can South Africans Buy U.S. Shares on EasyEquities?
Yes! EasyEquities makes it possible for South Africans to invest in U.S. shares directly from your phone or laptop. The platform offers:
- A dedicated EasyEquities USD Account
- Ability to buy fractional shares
- Low minimum investment
- A simple, beginner-friendly interface
Step-by-Step: How to Buy U.S. Shares on EasyEquities
1. Create and Verify Your EasyEquities Account
If you don’t already have an account:
- Go to the EasyEquities website or app
- Sign up using your ID and basic details
- Complete FICA verification (your proof of address + ID)
Verification usually takes a few hours.
2. Open Your USD Investment Account
Once logged in, navigate to:
Accounts → Add an Account → USD Account
This will create your U.S. Dollar investment wallet where your money for U.S. shares is stored.
3. Fund Your USD Account
South Africans can fund their USD account in two ways:
A. Convert ZAR to USD inside EasyEquities
This is the easiest method.
- Deposit Rands into your ZAR account
- Use the “ZAR → USD Transfer” option
- EasyEquities will convert your Rands into Dollars at the prevailing rate + a small conversion fee
B. Use Your Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA)
For amounts above R1 million, you’ll need tax clearance.
For normal day-to-day investing, method A is more than enough.
4. Search for the U.S. Shares You Want to Buy
Once your USD wallet is funded, go to the Invest tab and select:
EasyEquities USD → Equities
Search for U.S. companies such as:
- Apple (AAPL)
- Microsoft (MSFT)
- Amazon (AMZN)
- Tesla (TSLA)
- Meta (META)
- Nvidia (NVDA)
EasyEquities also lets you buy fractional shares, meaning you can start with as little as a few dollars instead of paying hundreds for a full share.
5. Buy Your U.S. Shares
Once you’ve selected the share:
- Click Buy
- Enter the amount in USD you want to invest
- Confirm the transaction
- Your shares will appear in your USD Portfolio
Congrats—you're now a global investor!
What Fees Do You Pay When Buying U.S. Shares?
EasyEquities is known for low fees, but here’s what to expect:
1. USD Conversion Fee
A small fee is applied when converting ZAR → USD.
2. Trading Fee
Usually much lower than traditional brokers.
3. Withholding Tax on Dividends
U.S. dividends are taxed at 15%, but this is automatically handled inside the platform.
Tips for Buying U.S. Shares as a South African
✔ Start with fractional shares
You don’t need to buy full shares of expensive companies like Nvidia or Amazon.
✔ Diversify across sectors
Instead of buying only tech, mix in ETFs like the S&P 500 (VOO) or Nasdaq 100 (QQQ).
✔ Invest consistently (dollar-cost averaging)
Regular small investments often outperform once-off big purchases.
✔ Understand currency fluctuations
Your USD portfolio value will move with the Rand/Dollar exchange rate.
Best U.S. Shares for Beginners (2025)
If you're just starting out, consider:
- S&P 500 ETF (VOO or SPY)
- Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ)
- Apple, Microsoft, or Amazon
- Broad-based ETFs like VTI (Total U.S. Market)
These offer strong long-term performance with lower risk.
Final Thoughts
Buying U.S. shares on EasyEquities is one of the easiest and most affordable ways for South Africans to diversify and grow their wealth. Whether you're investing R50 or R50,000, the platform gives you access to global markets without complicated paperwork or offshore accounts.
If you’re ready to take your investment journey global, EasyEquities is one of the best tools to get started.