RS
Rakuten Securities
3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 2
A two-decade-old Japanese brokerage combining zero-commission trading with genuine multi-asset market access.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:3
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FSA
Reviewed by Experts Updated 11/2/2026
Rakuten Securities vs EasyEquities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Rakuten Securities and EasyEquities both offer zero-commission entry points for new investors, but they differ sharply in regulation, leverage, and market access. Our research gives Rakuten Securities the edge overall, though EasyEquities remains compelling for specific regional traders.
E
EasyEquities
3.2 / 5Score: 0 / 2
A South African-born investing platform built to make stock and ETF ownership simple and accessible for first-time investors.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FSCA
Overall Winner
Rakuten Securities
Best for Beginners
Rakuten Securities
Lowest Fees
Rakuten Securities
Top Regulation
Rakuten Securities
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | RS Rakuten Securities | E EasyEquities |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.4 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 1999 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Regulation | FSA | FSCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | $0.25/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:3 | 1:1 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MarketSpeed II | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
| Markets Offered | Stocks, Etf, Crypto, Forex, Indices | Stocks, Etf, Crypto |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Rakuten Securities
$0
EasyEquities
$0
Spreads From
Rakuten Securities
0 pips
EasyEquities
0 pips
Commission
Rakuten Securities
None
EasyEquities
$0.25/lot
Deposit Fees
Rakuten Securities
None
EasyEquities
None
Withdrawal Fees
Rakuten Securities
None
EasyEquities
None
Pros & cons
RS
Rakuten Securities
Pros
- Higher overall rating at 3.4/5 compared to EasyEquities's 3.2/5
- No commission charged on trades, reducing overall transaction costs
- Higher maximum leverage of up to 1:3 for eligible markets
- Broader market selection spanning five asset classes
- Backed by a well-established, long-running Japanese financial institution
- Three platform options including an advanced professional terminal
- Strong, internationally respected FSA regulatory oversight
Cons
- Leverage of 1:3 is still relatively conservative compared to some offshore brokers
- MarketSpeed II platform may have a steeper learning curve for casual investors
- Single-regulator licensing rather than multi-jurisdictional coverage
- Primarily oriented around the Japanese market, which may affect accessibility for non-Japanese residents
E
EasyEquities
Pros
- $0 minimum deposit keeps the platform accessible to new investors
- No deposit or withdrawal fees on either platform
- Simple, beginner-friendly web and mobile interface
- Credible regulatory oversight from South Africa's FSCA
- Established reputation within the South African retail investing community
Cons
- Lower overall rating of 3.2/5 compared to Rakuten Securities's 3.4/5
- Charges a $0.25/lot commission on top of spreads
- Maximum leverage limited to 1:1, offering no margin trading
- No access to forex or indices markets
- Only two platform options with no advanced or professional terminal
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Rakuten Securities
Lowest fees Rakuten Securities
Best regulation Rakuten Securities
Better for beginners Rakuten Securities
Rakuten Securities is our recommended pick in this comparison, scoring 3.4/5 versus EasyEquities's 3.2/5 on our independent rating system. Rakuten Securities wins on leverage, market breadth, and platform variety, while EasyEquities still holds appeal for traders focused specifically on South African markets. For most global investors, though, Rakuten Securities offers the stronger all-round package.
Regulation & Safety
Rakuten Securities is regulated by Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA), one of the most rigorous financial watchdogs in Asia, known for strict capital adequacy and client-asset segregation rules.
EasyEquities is regulated by South Africa's FSCA, a credible and established regulator within its own jurisdiction, though its global recognition and enforcement scope are narrower than the FSA.
Both brokers maintain single-regulator oversight rather than multi-jurisdictional licensing, which is worth noting for traders who prioritize layered regulatory protection.
Overall, Rakuten Securities edges ahead here due to the FSA's broader international reputation and the backing of a long-established Japanese financial institution founded in 1999.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, making headline pricing look identical at first glance. The real differentiator lies in commission structure.
Rakuten Securities charges no per-trade commission at all, which is a meaningful advantage for active traders who transact frequently across stocks, ETFs, or forex.
EasyEquities, by contrast, applies a $0.25/lot commission on top of its spread, which can add up for higher-volume traders over time.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, and both maintain a $0 minimum deposit, keeping the entry barrier equally low for newcomers on both platforms.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Rakuten Securities supports three platform options: its Proprietary Web portal, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the dedicated MarketSpeed II terminal, which is popular among more active Japanese retail traders for its charting depth.
EasyEquities keeps things simpler with just a Proprietary Web platform and a Proprietary Mobile app, which suits casual investors but offers less flexibility for traders wanting advanced order types or multi-asset charting.
For traders who value platform choice and the option to scale up to a more professional terminal, Rakuten Securities provides noticeably more flexibility.
Market Access & Leverage
Rakuten Securities offers access to five market categories: stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, and indices, giving traders a genuinely diversified single-account experience.
EasyEquities is more limited, covering stocks, ETFs, and crypto only, with no native forex or indices trading available on the platform.
On leverage, Rakuten Securities offers up to 1:3, while EasyEquities caps out at 1:1, meaning EasyEquities operates on a fully cash-covered basis with no margin amplification.
Traders seeking exposure to currency markets or leveraged index products will find Rakuten Securities the only viable option between the two.
Company Background & Track Record
Rakuten Securities was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, giving it over two decades of operating history backed by the broader Rakuten financial ecosystem.
EasyEquities was founded in 2014 and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, making it a comparatively younger platform that has nonetheless built a strong reputation for democratizing retail investing in its home region.
Longevity alone doesn't guarantee quality, but Rakuten Securities's longer track record and larger institutional backing contribute positively to its higher overall rating.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Rakuten Securities wins overall
Rakuten Securities edges out EasyEquities overall based on our expert rating score.
RS
Highest Rated
Rakuten Securities
3.4 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).
Rakuten SecuritiesBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Rakuten SecuritiesLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Rakuten SecuritiesStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Rakuten Securities
Frequently asked questions
Yes, based on our independent rating system, Rakuten Securities scores 3.4/5 compared to EasyEquities's 3.2/5. Rakuten Securities performs better across regulation strength, market variety, and fee structure, though the right choice still depends on your specific trading goals and region.
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, but Rakuten Securities charges no per-trade commission at all, while EasyEquities applies a $0.25/lot commission. For frequent traders, this makes Rakuten Securities the more cost-efficient option over time.
Both Rakuten Securities and EasyEquities allow you to open an account with a $0 minimum deposit, making either platform equally accessible for traders starting with limited capital.
Rakuten Securities is regulated by Japan's FSA, a globally respected financial authority, while EasyEquities is regulated by South Africa's FSCA. Both are legitimate regulators, but the FSA generally carries broader international recognition.
Rakuten Securities offers three platform choices: a Proprietary Web portal, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the advanced MarketSpeed II terminal. EasyEquities offers a simpler setup with just a Proprietary Web platform and a Proprietary Mobile app.
No, EasyEquities currently limits its market offering to stocks, ETFs, and crypto. Traders wanting forex or indices exposure would need to use Rakuten Securities, which supports five market categories including both.
Yes, there is nothing preventing you from holding accounts with both Rakuten Securities and EasyEquities simultaneously. Many traders split their capital across multiple brokers to access different regional markets, asset classes, or platform tools.
Rakuten Securities offers leverage up to 1:3, while EasyEquities caps leverage at 1:1, effectively operating as a cash-only trading model. Traders seeking margin-based strategies will find Rakuten Securities the more flexible option.
Rakuten Securities was founded in 1999 in Tokyo, Japan, giving it over 25 years of operating history. EasyEquities is newer, founded in 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa, though it has built a solid reputation within its shorter lifespan.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.