Search
Close this search box.

Top 7 Best Investment Platforms in Ireland for 2025 Ranked

Authored by:
Adam Woodhead
Adam Woodhead

Adam Woodhead

Co-Founder

Adam is a Co-Founder and content creator for The Investors Centre. His key areas of interest and expertise are cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

Twitter Profile
Author Bio
Reviewed by:
Thomas Drury
Thomas Drury

Thomas Drury

Co-Founder

Seasoned finance professional with 10+ years' experience. Chartered status holder. Proficient in CFDs, ISAs, and crypto investing. Passionate about helping others achieve financial goals.

Twitter Profile
Author Bio

Fact Checked

How we test

At The Investors Centre, we pride ourselves on our rigorous fact-checking process. To delve deeper into our meticulous testing procedures and discover how we ensure accuracy and reliability, visit our dedicated page on how we test.

Risk Warning

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

Updated 14/12/2024

Quick Answer: The Best Investment Platform in Ireland is:

For me, eToro stands out as the best investment app in Ireland. It’s perfect for beginners thanks to its zero commissions on stocks and its unique social trading feature, where you can copy the portfolios of experienced traders. Its simple design makes investing accessible and hassle-free.

Featured Exchange - eToro

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

The popularity of investing in Ireland has grown significantly in recent years, with more people seeking to grow their wealth. According to StatistaThe digital investment market in Ireland is projected to grow by 2.46% annually from 2024 to 2028, reaching a market volume of approximately US$16.06 billion by 20281.”

Choosing the right investment platform is critical, as it impacts fees, asset options, and overall user experience. Here, I’ll share my experiences and insights into Ireland’s top platforms for 2025.

The Top 7 Investment Platforms Ranked:

  1. eToro – Social trading, zero commissions, beginner-friendly interface.
  2. IG – Comprehensive market access, professional-grade tools, strong reputation.
  3. XTB – Low fees, robust trading tools, excellent customer service.
  4. Interactive Brokers – Global access, low trading costs, best for seasoned investors.
  5. Saxo – Advanced analysis tools, perfect for experienced traders.
  6. Trading 212 – Commission-free trading, ideal for newcomers.
  7. Admiral Markets – Focus on forex and CFDs, competitive fees.

How Do Investment Platforms Compare?

When comparing investment platforms, it’s essential to weigh factors like fees, usability, and tradable assets. Below is a quick comparison of the top platforms available in Ireland:

PlatformRegulatorBeginner ScoreTradable AssetsMin DepositTrustpilot ScoreFee ScoreOverall Score
eToroCySEC, FCA4.5/5Stocks, ETFs, Crypto€ 504.4/54.5/54.6/5
IGFCA04-MayStocks, Forex, Commodities€ 3004.3/504-May4.3/5
XTBCySEC, FCA04-MayCFDs, Forex€ 04.5/54.3/54.4/5
Interactive BrokersSEC, FCA3.5/5Global Stocks, ETFs€ 04.0/54.6/54.3/5
SaxoFCA, FSA3.5/5Forex, Futures€ 5003.9/54.1/54.0/5
Trading 212FCA, FSC4.5/5Stocks, ETFs€ 14.6/54.7/54.5/5
Admiral MarketsFCA, ASIC3.5/5Forex, CFDs€ 1004.2/54.2/54.1/5

The 7 Best Investment Platforms:

etoro logo

#1 eToro - Social Trading, Easy to Use, Rated Highest

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

PlatformRegulatorBeginner ScoreTradable AssetsMin DepositTrustpilot ScoreFee ScoreOverall Score
eToroCySEC, FCA4.5/5Stocks, ETFs, Crypto€ 504.4/54.5/54.6/5

eToro’s social trading feature is a game-changer. You can copy top traders’ portfolios, making it ideal for beginners.

I’ve personally found it easy to use, and its commission-free stock trading makes it highly accessible.

According to Statista “As of June 2023, eToro had 35 million registered users worldwide, reflecting its extensive global reach2.”

eToro charges zero commissions on stocks and ETFs, but there is a $5 withdrawal fee and forex spreads start at 1 pip. While slightly higher than others for forex, the platform’s cost transparency is excellent.

eToro offers stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and indices, giving a well-rounded asset range. I particularly enjoyed the variety in crypto and ETFs for diversification.

The interface is clean, intuitive, and beginner-friendly. The CopyTrader tool simplifies trading decisions, and the demo account is a perfect way to practise without risks.

Pros and Cons

IG Logo in red

#2 IG - Wide Market Range, Professional Grade, Strong Reputation

Your capital is at risk.

PlatformRegulatorBeginner ScoreTradable AssetsMin DepositTrustpilot ScoreFee ScoreOverall Score
IGFCA04-MayStocks, Forex, Commodities€ 3004.3/504-May4.3/5

Pros and Cons

IG offers access to 17,000+ markets, making it the go-to choice for professionals. Its tools are incredibly powerful, and I’ve enjoyed using its forex analysis features for deep insights.

IG’s share dealing fees range from £3 to £8, depending on trade frequency, with forex spreads starting at 0.6 pips. The £12 inactivity fee after two years of no trading can be a drawback for less active users.

The platform supports stocks, ETFs, forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and indices. This broad selection allowed me to diversify my portfolio significantly.

While advanced, IG’s tools can feel overwhelming for beginners. However, the mobile app offers a more intuitive experience, and their educational materials helped me better understand its features.

xtb logo in red and black

#3 XTB - Low Fees, Robust Trading Tools, Excellent Customer Service

Your capital is at risk.

PlatformRegulatorBeginner ScoreTradable AssetsMin DepositTrustpilot ScoreFee ScoreOverall Score
XTBCySEC, FCA04-MayCFDs, Forex€ 04.5/54.3/54.4/5

XTB shines with its low fees and the highly responsive xStation 5 platform. The trading tools are perfect for active traders, and I found the customer support exceptionally helpful when resolving my queries.

XTB provides commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs up to a volume of €100,000 per month. Forex spreads start from 0.8 pips, and there’s a €10 inactivity fee after one year of no trading.

The platform features over 5,700 instruments, including forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs, and commodities, making it highly versatile. However, it doesn’t support bonds.

The xStation 5 interface is smooth and customisable. I found it to be equally effective for both beginners and experienced traders, with detailed charting tools that are a pleasure to use.

Pros and Cons

Interactive brokers logo in red

#4 Interactive Brokers - Global Access, Low-Cost Trading, Best for Experienced Investors

The inclusion of Interactive Brokers’ (IBKR) name, logo or weblinks is present pursuant to an advertising
arrangement only. IBKR is not a contributor, reviewer, provider or sponsor of content published on this site, and is not responsible for the accuracy of any products or services discussed.

PlatformRegulatorBeginner ScoreTradable AssetsMin DepositTrustpilot ScoreFee ScoreOverall Score
Interactive BrokersSEC, FCA3.5/5Global Stocks, ETFs€ 04.0/54.6/54.3/5

Interactive Brokers offers global market access and some of the lowest fees in the industry. I recommend it for experienced investors, as the range of tools available makes managing complex portfolios straightforward.

Fees are highly competitive, with stock trades costing as little as $0.005 per share. However, the fee structure can feel complicated, and margin rates, while low, require a good understanding of leverage.

Interactive Brokers excels with its stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, and even more, providing unmatched diversity for seasoned traders.

The Trader Workstation software is powerful but complex. It took me some time to adapt, but the mobile app simplifies things for trading on the go.

Pros and Cons

saxo logo in blue

#5 Saxo - Advanced Tools, Technical Analysis, Best for Pros

Your capital is at risk.

PlatformRegulatorBeginner ScoreTradable AssetsMin DepositTrustpilot ScoreFee ScoreOverall Score
SaxoFCA, FSA3.5/5Forex, Futures€ 5003.9/54.1/54.0/5

Saxo stands out for its premium tools and in-depth market insights. It’s one of my favourites for active trading, but it’s best suited to investors with larger accounts.

Saxo’s fees are on the higher side, with trading fees starting at £8 per stock trade. However, frequent traders with larger portfolios benefit from discounted pricing tiers.

The platform supports forex, stocks, futures, options, and ETFs, offering a wide range of assets for those looking to diversify into professional-grade investments.

The SaxoTraderGO platform is excellent for detailed technical analysis but has a steeper learning curve. I found the customisation options particularly useful for my trading style.

Pros and Cons

#6 Trading 212 - Sign-Up Bonus, Commission-Free, New Investor Friendly

Your capital is at risk.

PlatformRegulatorBeginner ScoreTradable AssetsMin DepositTrustpilot ScoreFee ScoreOverall Score
Trading 212FCA, FSC4.5/5Stocks, ETFs€ 14.6/54.7/54.5/5

Trading 212 is a beginner’s dream, offering commission-free trading and an incredibly user-friendly interface. I especially appreciated how quickly I could get started with a small deposit.

Trading 212 offers zero commissions on stocks and ETFs, with no hidden fees for withdrawals or inactivity. Forex and CFD spreads are competitive as well.

The platform supports stocks, ETFs, forex, and commodities, making it perfect for basic investing. However, it lacks advanced options like futures or bonds.

I found the mobile app to be one of the simplest and cleanest platforms I’ve used. It’s perfect for new investors, and the demo account is a bonus.

Pros and Cons

admirals logo

#7 Admiral Markets - Trading Focus, Competitive Fees, MT4 Available

Your capital is at risk.

PlatformRegulatorBeginner ScoreTradable AssetsMin DepositTrustpilot ScoreFee ScoreOverall Score
Admiral MarketsFCA, ASIC3.5/5Forex, CFDs€ 1004.2/54.2/54.1/5

Admiral Markets is an excellent platform for forex and CFD traders, offering access to the robust MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms. I appreciated their focus on trading education, which is ideal for improving skills while using the platform.

Admiral Markets offers competitive spreads, starting at 0.5 pips on forex, and charges no inactivity fees. However, stock CFD fees can be higher compared to platforms like eToro or Trading 212.

The platform specialises in forex and CFDs, but you can also trade indices, cryptocurrencies, and commodities. This makes it perfect for traders focusing on short-term market opportunities.

MetaTrader 4 and 5 are powerful tools, but they’re better suited for experienced users. While the platform is packed with features, I found the initial setup a little overwhelming.

Pros and Cons

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Investment Platform

When selecting an investment platform, it’s vital to consider fees, usability, asset variety, and regulation.

  • Fees: High fees can eat into profits, so compare charges like trading commissions, spreads, and inactivity fees.
  • Usability: Platforms should be easy to navigate, especially for beginners. Look for intuitive interfaces and strong customer support.
  • Assets: Ensure the platform offers the assets you want to trade, such as stocks, forex, ETFs, or cryptocurrencies.
  • Regulation: Check that the platform is regulated by reliable authorities like the FCA or CySEC to ensure safety and trustworthiness.

How Did The Investors Centre Rank the Top Investment Platforms in Ireland?

To rank the best platforms, we used key criteria such as fees, user experience, and security. Platforms were assessed based on their range of tradable assets, overall value for investors, and ease of use.

We also factored in my personal experiences, Trustpilot reviews, and insights from Irish investors. Additionally, platforms with transparent fee structures and strong regulation scored higher in our rankings. Our goal was to recommend platforms that balance affordability, reliability, and functionality.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Choosing the right investment platform is crucial for maximising returns and minimising costs.

For Irish investors, eToro, IG, and XTB offer the best balance of features, fees, and user-friendliness. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned trader, these platforms provide tools to help you achieve your financial goals.

FAQs

The best place to invest depends on your goals. For long-term growth, stocks, ETFs, and pensions (PRSA) offer solid options. Platforms like eToro and IG are excellent for stocks, while pension funds can be explored with financial advisors for tax efficiency.

For most Irish investors, eToro stands out due to its zero-commission stock trading, intuitive design, and social trading features. However, if you’re an experienced trader, IG and Interactive Brokers offer advanced tools and a wide range of assets.

Yes, eToro is safe for Irish investors. It is regulated by the CySEC, FCA, and other reputable financial authorities. Additionally, its user funds are held in segregated accounts for extra protection.

eToro is ideal for beginners due to it’s intuitive interfaces, low minimum deposits, and demo accounts for practice. They also offer educational tools to help new investors learn as they trade.

References:

  1. Statista. (2023). Digital Investment Market in Ireland. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/fintech/digital-investment/ireland
  2. BBC. (2023). How younger investors are reshaping digital trading. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57466918

Our #1 Rated Investment Platform

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

EnglishIreland