Best stock brokers in Ireland in 2026 (tested and compared)

One of the top trading platforms in Ireland is eToro, a publicly traded social investing platform with over 40 million users across 140+ countries. The company listed on NASDAQ in May 2025 (ticker: ETOR), reinforcing its credibility and transparency. eToro is best known for its social trading feature, which allows users to copy the trades of experienced investors. There are thousands of verified Popular Investors on eToro, and you can select traders to follow based on past return on investment (ROI), risk score, asset allocation, or other criteria.

The eToro platform provides access to over 3,000 financial instruments, including real stocks (not CFDs), ETFs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and indices. Additionally, users can invest in ready-made thematic portfolios called Smart Portfolios, which group together assets or traders around themes such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, dividend-paying stocks, or sector-specific opportunities. New users can also benefit from a sign-up bonus: eToro offers a free asset for new users meeting deposit thresholds.

eToro offers commission-free real stock and ETF trading in Ireland (other fees apply). Irish investors can also earn interest on uninvested USD cash balances of approximately 3.55% (subject to change and linked to US Federal Reserve policy). Account opening and funding are quick and straightforward, and you can practise with a $100,000 virtual demo account before committing real capital.

On the downside, spreads can be relatively high for some products (particularly forex and crypto), there is a $5 withdrawal fee, and a $10 monthly inactivity fee applies after 12 months of account inactivity. eToro is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities globally, including the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), and SEC and FINRA (US). Irish clients are typically served by eToro (Europe) Ltd, authorised and regulated by CySEC and passported across the EEA under MiFID II, with client funds protected up to €20,000 under the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund (ICF).

If you want to learn more, check out our eToro review.

Another exceptional trading platform in Ireland is Interactive Brokers. Founded in 1978 and publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: IBKR), Interactive Brokers became a constituent of the S&P 500 in 2024. The broker has survived multiple financial crises through resilient infrastructure and a rigorous risk management process, and now serves 3+ million client accounts globally across 170+ markets in 36+ countries.

Interactive Brokers offers an advanced investment platform with a wide range of products (stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, futures, bonds, forex, and crypto) sourced from global markets, robust trade execution through IB SmartRouting, and comprehensive technical and fundamental tools to support your investment decisions. Irish residents are typically served via Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), with MiFID II passporting providing access to global markets from a single account.

Beginners and intermediate investors can access extensive educational resources via IBKR Campus (formerly Traders’ Academy), though the platform’s learning curve is steep. Customer service provides clear and detailed answers, reducing the need for back-and-forth communication.

On the downside, IBKR’s fee structure is more complex than simpler apps, the registration process is more thorough (though fully online), and the broker doesn’t offer fully commission-free trading. However, when considering low FX conversion fees (0.0020% with $2 minimum), narrow spreads, the Stock Yield Enhancement Program (SYEP), and tiered cash interest on uninvested balances (USD 3.12%, EUR 1.5%, GBP 3.207% as of June 2026, above tier thresholds), Interactive Brokers’ clients typically achieve significant savings compared to most brokers – especially for active traders and larger portfolios.

Interactive Brokers offers several mobile and desktop platforms:

• IBKR GlobalTrader: a streamlined mobile app ideal for beginners, with fractional shares from $1, automatic currency conversion (EUR/USD/GBP), and a $10,000 virtual demo account;
• IBKR Mobile: the full-featured app with advanced order types, real-time data, options chains, and multi-currency portfolio views;
• Trader Workstation (TWS): the professional desktop platform with advanced analytics, algorithmic order types, and customisable workspaces;
• Impact: a values-aligned investing app for ESG-focused retail investors.

Want to know more about Interactive Brokers? Check our Interactive Brokers review.

Founded in 2008, Plus500 is an online broker offering a wide range of financial products including real shares and CFDs on forex, indices, shares, commodities, options, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Plus500 is available in over 50 countries and is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker: PLUS) as a FTSE 250 constituent.

Plus500 offers two distinct account types:

• Plus500 CFD: focused exclusively on CFD products (forex, indices, shares, commodities, options, crypto);
• Plus500 Invest: for trading real shares with 3,000+ instruments available.

The proprietary WebTrader platform provides a stable and reliable trading experience across desktop and mobile devices. All platforms are responsive and you can test the features through a free demo account. Customer support is available 24/7 through in-platform chat, with helpful and timely responses.

Plus500 supports 16 base currencies (including EUR, USD, and GBP), offering competitive spreads. Cost considerations include a 0.70% currency conversion fee on CFDs (0.30% on Plus500 Invest) and a $10 monthly inactivity fee after three months of no trading. On Plus500 Invest, a small commission applies per trade ($0.006 per share on US stocks, minimum $1). Negative balance protection is now offered globally to all retail clients.

Plus500 is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore), DFSA (Dubai), EFSA (Estonia), FSA (Japan), and ISA (Israel). Irish clients are typically served through Plus500CY Ltd (CySEC licence #250/14), passported across the EEA under MiFID II, with client funds protected up to €20,000 under the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund (ICF).

Want to know more about Plus500? Check our Plus500 review.

Founded in 2013, DEGIRO is a low-cost European brokerage that has become very popular thanks to its competitive pricing. With over 3 million users across 18+ European countries (including Ireland), the platform has built a reputation around its “do-it-yourself” philosophy – giving investors everything they need to manage their own portfolios. DEGIRO offers a wide range of financial assets including stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, warrants, investment funds, and leveraged products (which are similar to but not identical to CFDs – more details here). New Irish users can claim a DEGIRO welcome bonus through our referral link.

Key cost considerations:

• Core Selection ETFs: commission-free (a €1.00 flat handling fee for external costs still applies);
• US stocks: €1.00 per trade;
• European stocks: €3.90 + €1.00 handling fee on most major exchanges;
• Annual connectivity fee: €2.50 per exchange (charged once per year for each exchange you actively use);
• Options: €0.75 per contract on European and US exchanges.

The web and mobile platforms are intentionally minimalist – efficient and straightforward, with a short learning curve. On the downside, the absence of in-depth fundamental research, the lack of price alerts in the app, and the limited charting tools may frustrate more advanced traders.

In terms of safety, DEGIRO is the Dutch branch of flatexDEGIRO Bank AG, a German credit institution supervised by BaFin and Deutsche Bundesbank. Irish clients are served via MiFID II passporting under the same regulatory framework. In the unlikely event that segregated client assets cannot be returned, DEGIRO falls under the EdW German Investor Compensation Scheme, which compensates non-returned securities up to 90% with a maximum of €20,000 – worth bearing in mind if you are planning to invest much larger volumes.

Cash deposited into a DEGIRO Cash Account with flatexDEGIRO Bank AG is additionally protected up to €100,000 under the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

Still have doubts? Go through our DEGIRO review.

Launched in 1992, Saxo (rebranded from Saxo Bank) is one of the most established names in the European brokerage industry, with a proven multi-decade track record. In March 2025, Saxo was acquired by J. Safra Sarasin, further reinforcing its financial backing. Saxo holds an A- credit rating from S&P and provides access to over 71,000 financial instruments through its proprietary platforms: SaxoTraderPRO (desktop) and SaxoTraderGO (web and mobile).

The product range includes stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures, CFDs, forex, and commodities – covering both cash and margin trading across global markets. Saxo also provides advanced research tools designed to support both long-term investing and active leveraged trading. Note that direct cryptocurrency trading is not offered – only crypto ETPs.

Saxo account tiers:

• Classic: $0/€0 minimum deposit (since 2024, varying slightly by country of residence); access to tight spreads and 24/5 customer support;
• Platinum: €/$200,000 portfolio value; up to 30% lower trading fees and priority local-language support;
• VIP: €/$1,000,000 portfolio value; best available pricing, access to trading experts, and exclusive event invitations.

Pricing varies by account tier and instrument. For example, a US stock order costs 0.08% of trade value (minimum $1) on Classic, dropping to 0.03% of trade value (minimum $1) on VIP. Options start from USD 1.25 per contract on Classic. Accounts holding stocks, ETFs/ETCs, or bond positions incur a custody fee of up to 0.15% per year – this fee can be avoided by opting into Saxo’s securities lending programme.

The listed prices are approximate and will vary based on country of residence. For precise pricing details, refer to the platform’s trade tickets for a comprehensive overview.

Saxo Bank A/S is a fully licensed European bank supervised by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA). Saxo is a member of the Danish Guarantee Fund, which protects client cash deposits up to €100,000 and financial securities (stocks, ETFs, etc.) up to €20,000 per client. Saxo serves clients across 180+ countries through multiple regulated entities, with Irish clients accessing the platform via MiFID II passporting under Saxo Bank A/S supervision.

Would you like to know more about Saxo? Check out our Saxo review.

Founded in 2004 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and now headquartered in London, Trading 212 is a fintech that has democratised retail investing through an intuitive mobile and web platform. The company serves over 5 million registered users, offering access to 10,000+ stocks and ETFs, forex, commodities, CFDs, and cryptocurrencies. New users can claim a free fractional share worth up to €/£100 when signing up and depositing at least €/£10.

Trading 212 offers commission-free real stock and ETF trading, fractional shares from €/£1, and an automatic investing feature called Pies and AutoInvest (note: execution-only thematic portfolios, not a true robo-advisor). The platform also offers:

• Stocks and Shares ISA + Cash ISA: tax-wrapped accounts for UK residents;
• Cash interest: tiered rates across EUR, GBP, and USD (opt-in QMMF managed by BlackRock and Fidelity, linked to ECB/BoE/Fed policy);
• Multi-currency accounts: hold balances in 12 currencies;
• Stock lending (opt-in): 50/50 revenue split with government treasury collateral;
• 24/7 customer support in 16 languages.

Account opening is quick and fully digital. On the downside, the product range has notable gaps – no bonds, options, or futures – and there is a 0.15% FX conversion fee when trading assets in a currency different from your base account.

Within the Trading 212 app, you’ll find two distinct accounts: Trading 212 Invest, where you can trade real stocks and ETFs commission-free, and Trading 212 CFD, where you can trade leveraged financial products (CFDs on stocks, indices, commodities, forex, and crypto). UK retail clients can also access spread betting accounts as a tax-efficient alternative to CFDs.

FX conversion fees differ by account: 0.15% on Trading 212 Invest and 0.50% on Trading 212 CFD, charged when trading assets in a currency other than your base currency.

Minimum deposit and withdrawal are both €10. Deposits via bank transfer are free, with additional methods including debit/credit cards and Apple Pay/Google Pay. No withdrawal fees apply regardless of method.

In terms of safety, Trading 212 is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Client funds are protected by jurisdiction-specific investor compensation schemes (FSCS up to £85,000 in the UK; up to €100,000 under the German Deposit Guarantee Scheme; €20,000 under the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund).

If you want to learn more, check our Trading 212 review.

Lightyear is a European investment platform operating via two regulated entities: Lightyear Europe AS, authorised and regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority (EFSA, licence number 4.1-1/31), and Lightyear UK Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Irish clients are served via Lightyear Europe AS under MiFID II passporting, with client assets protected up to €20,000 by the Estonian Investor Protection Sectoral Fund. US securities held by Lightyear clients are additionally covered by SIPC up to $500,000 (with a $250,000 cash sub-limit).

Lightyear offers a highly competitive fee structure:

• ETFs: zero execution fees;
• Stocks: commissions capped at €/$/£1 per order;
• FX conversion: 0.10% flat fee (one of the lowest in Europe, further minimised through the multi-currency account in EUR, GBP, and USD);
• Cash interest via AAA-rated BlackRock Money Market Funds on EUR, USD, and GBP balances (linked to ECB/BoE/Fed policy);
• Crypto trading: available to Irish clients with competitive pricing;
• Card deposit fee: 0.6% (bank transfers via SEPA and Faster Payments are free).

The investment platform is well-suited to beginners and intermediate investors who want to build long-term diversified portfolios through fractional shares. With an easy-to-use mobile and desktop app and access to 6,000+ instruments across 16 stock exchanges (US, UK, European, and Asian markets), 500+ ETFs from leading providers (iShares, Vanguard, Invesco, HSBC, Amundi, Xtrackers), EU/UK government bonds via the Bonds Showcase, and cryptocurrencies, Lightyear provides solid exposure to global capital markets.

Lightyear also offers a free share worth up to €100 with the promo code INVESTINGINTHEWEB.

There are, however, some product gaps to be aware of: Lightyear does not offer options, futures, forex, CFDs, or mutual funds, and there is no demo account for paper trading. GBP-denominated UK stocks are not available as fractional shares (only whole-share purchases on these), a notable limitation for those wanting fractional exposure to London-listed names.