Stock Brokers Ireland – 5 Best Stock Brokers Ireland 2021

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More and more people in Ireland are diving into the stock market in the hope of generating a return on their investment. However, if you’re interested in following suit, you’ll need to create an account with a reputable stock broker. These days there are plenty of brokers to choose from for Irish traders – so it can be challenging to know where to start!

Not to worry – this guide will cover the Best Stock Broker Ireland in detail, touching on what the options are and how they can benefit you. We’ll also show you how to get started with a stock broker today – all in less than ten minutes!

#1 Stock Broker in Ireland – eToro

1
$50
Mobile AppYes
  • Buy over 800 stocks with 0% commission
  • Social trading network
  • Copy over 12 million traders and investors

Best Stock Broker Ireland – Compare Top Stock Brokers

If you’re looking to buy stocks Ireland, you’ll want to ensure you use the platform that best suits your investment goals. Below is a breakdown of the top five stock brokers in Ireland this year, decided on via in-depth research and testing. The following section will review each of these stockbrokers in detail, providing you with the information you need to choose effectively.

  • 1. eToro – Overall Best Stock Broker Ireland
  • 2. Capital.com – Best Stock Broker Ireland with Low Fees
  • 3. AvaTrade – Best Stock Broker Ireland for Leverage
  • 4. Libertex – Best Stock Broker Ireland with ZERO Spreads
  • 5. Plus500 – Best Stock Broker Ireland for New Traders

Best Stock Broker Ireland – Full Reviews

Choosing between the best trading platforms can be tricky – after all, there are so many options these days! However, you must decide effectively, as the right platform can make all the difference in your trading journey. With that in mind, read on to learn more about our five top stock brokers in Ireland this year, along with their features and advantages.

1. eToro – Overall Best Stock Broker Ireland

etoro logo

Taking the top spot in our list of best Irish stockbrokers is eToro. Founded back in 2006, eToro has grown exponentially over the past 15 years and is now one of the world’s largest online trading platforms. eToro boasts over 23 million users worldwide and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ASIC, and CySEC. All of this means the eToro has a fantastic reputation within the trading community.

One of the best things about eToro is its fee structure. Users can trade thousands of financial instruments (such as equities, ETFs, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies) with 0% commissions. This means that if you were trading a CFD, the only thing you’ll need to worry about is the spread and the overnight financing fee if you opt to hold your position overnight. Notably, you can even trade real stocks with eToro – which come with no fees whatsoever!

etoro review

In terms of deposits, eToro accepts credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and various e-wallets – including PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. Deposits are free to make if made in USD; however, they will incur a small currency conversion fee of 0.5% if made in another currency. The minimum deposit threshold is only $50 (€43), ideal for beginner traders.

Finally, eToro is packed with valuable features, most notably their CopyTrader feature. This allows users to automatically copy the trades placed by other eToro users – essentially creating a passive income stream in the process! Specific traders even make double digits per month and can be copied, meaning this feature is incredibly valuable.

Pros

  • 0% commission broker
  • Regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC
  • Accepts PayPal deposits
  • Innovative CopyTrader feature
  • Vast selection of asset classes
  • Minimum deposit only $50

Cons

  • Small currency conversion fee
  • Minor inactivity fee

67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

2. Capital.com – Best Stock Broker Ireland with Low Fees

capital.com review

Another of the best stock brokers in Ireland is Capital.com. Capital.com has only been around since 2016 but has grown rapidly since then, becoming the go-to trading platform for many Irish traders. The broker is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, and NBRB. Through this oversight, Capital.com ensures they provide the highest level of safety to traders.

Capital.com offers actual stock and stock CFD trading, making it one of the best CFD brokers for versatility. At present, Capital.com has 3700 stocks to trade from seven different stock exchanges. All assets are available to trade commission-free, with CFD trading only incurring a small spread. This spread is variable, although it tends to be tightest during peak trading hours.

capital.com review

Capital.com supports EUR as a base currency, meaning that there is no currency conversion fee when depositing – ideal for European traders. The minimum deposit is only $20 (€14.60) and is free to make. The great thing is that Capital.com doesn’t charge any withdrawal fees whatsoever, regardless of how many times you withdraw or which payment method you use!

Finally, Capital.com is great for beginner traders as they offer a massive library of educational resources. These resources include webinars, articles, glossaries, courses, videos, and more. You can even use Capital.com’s free demo account if you wish to practice before trading for real!

Pros

  • No commissions when trading
  • Regulated by numerous top organisations
  • Free withdrawals
  • Minimum deposit only $20
  • Massive library of educational resources

Cons

  • Cannot set price alerts
  • The trading platform offers limited customisation

Or go to Capital.com>

67% of all retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

3. AvaTrade – Best Stock Broker Ireland for Leverage

avatrade review

Another great stockbroker for Irish traders is AvaTrade. AvaTrade is ideal for people looking to invest in stocks as the online broker has been around since 2006. The great thing is that AvaTrade is regulated in the EU by MiFiD and the Central Bank of Ireland, ensuring Irish traders are protected.

Much like other CFD brokers, AvaTrade doesn’t charge any commission when you place a trade. Instead, the spread they charge is relatively tight – especially on other asset classes such as currencies. In terms of non-trading fees, AvaTrade doesn’t charge any deposit, withdrawal, or monthly account fees – although you will have to pay an inactivity fee after three months of inactivity.

avatrade review

The account opening process at AvaTrade is swift and requires a minimum deposit of €100. Deposits can be made in EUR, and AvaTrade accepts credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets such as Neteller, Skrill, Klarna, and Webmoney. Depositing via credit/debit card tends to arrive in a short space of time, whilst bank transfers can take a few days.

Finally, AvaTrade offers a variety of trading apps, including a web-based app and a mobile app. Each of these apps provides high levels of functionality, allowing you to search for assets, place orders, and receive portfolio breakdowns. AvaTrade even supports MT4 and MT5, which is excellent for people interested in forex trading.

Pros

  • Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
  • Supports MT4 and MT5
  • Variety of platforms to trade on
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees
  • 0% commissions on CFD trading

Cons

  • The minimum deposit is pretty high
  • Inactivity fee after three months of no trading

Or go to AvaTrade>

67% of all retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

4. Libertex – Best Stock Broker Ireland with ZERO Spreads

libertex logo

Taking the fourth spot in our list of the best stock brokers Ireland is Libertex. Libertex was founded in 1997 and has gained a lot of traction over the past decades due to the platform’s appeal to beginners and experienced traders. Libertex has over 2.9 million users in 120 countries and is regulated by CySEC.

Libertex is one of the best low spread brokers for Irish traders – because they don’t charge a spread at all! This is quite rare for a CFD broker, as they tend to charge no commissions and incorporate their fee into the spread. As Libertex doesn’t charge a spread, they make their money through a commission that is charged when you place a trade. This commission is difficult to determine as it is based on the asset and leverage, although it tends to range between 0.1% and 0.2% for stock CFDs.

libertex review

Libertex users can trade on their proprietary web platform or opt to use MT4 or MT5. Although it is not too advanced, the web trading platform is sleek and offers several features, meaning it is accessible for beginners. Libertex also provides a mobile app available on iOS or Android. Finally, you can even download the MT4 or MT5 app and log in on your smartphone using your Libertex credentials.

The minimum initial deposit at Libertex is €100, although this drops to €10 after your first deposit. Deposits are free to make and can be made from major credit/debit cards, along with bank transfers and e-wallets, including PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. Finally, there is no withdrawal fee if you withdraw using PayPal or Skrill – although there is a fee if you use a different payment method.

Pros

  • ZERO spreads
  • Offers MT4 and MT5 support
  • Accepts PayPal
  • Regulated by CySEC
  • Massive range of CFDs to trade

Cons

  • High minimum deposit
  • Commissions aren’t very transparent

Or go to Libertex>

67% of all retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

5. Plus500 – Best Stock Broker Ireland for New Traders

plus500 review

Rounding off our list of the best stock brokers in Ireland is Plus500. This broker is ideal if you’re looking to invest in Amazon (or any other company) as its platform is designed to appeal to beginners and advanced traders alike. In terms of safety, Plus500 is regulated by the FCA and ASIC – and is even listed on the London Stock Exchange!

Plus500 only offers CFDs and does not charge a commission when you trade them. The only thing to be aware of is the spread, and the overnight financing rate set when you hold a position overnight. Plus500 doesn’t charge a deposit, withdrawal, or monthly account fee – although there is an inactivity fee after three months of no trading.

plus500 review

Account opening at Plus500 is fully digital, with the minimum deposit being $100 (€86.55), although this rises to $500 (€432.70) for bank transfers. The excellent news for Irish traders is that Plus500 accepts EUR deposits, meaning no currency conversion fees. Payments made via credit/debit card and e-wallet tend to arrive instantly, whilst transfers from your bank account can take a few days.

Finally, one of Plus500’s main selling points is its user-friendly trading platform, which offers excellent levels of functionality. You can set price alerts on the platform and even view multiple charts at once, which is great for analysis. The mobile trading platform offers the same features as the web-based platform and is available on iOS, Android, and Windows phones.

Pros

  • 0% commissions
  • Listed on the LSE
  • Great trading platform for beginners
  • Accepts EUR deposits
  • Huge selection of CFDs

Cons

  • Inactivity fee after three months
  • High initial deposit

Or go to Plus500>

67% of all retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Stock Brokers in Ireland Comparison

Now that you have an idea of what the best stock brokers in Ireland are, let’s take a look at them in comparison to one another through the handy table below.

Broker Number of Stocks Pricing Structure Deposit Fee Withdrawal Fee
eToro 2500 stock CFDs 0% Commission + Spread No $5
Capital.com 3700 stock CFDs 0% Commission + Spread No No
AvaTrade 625 stock CFDs 0% Commission + Spread No No
Libertex Over 50 stock CFDs ZERO spread + commission No Yes – depends on the method
Plus500 1900 stock CFDs 0% Commission + Spread No No

 

What is a Stock Broker?

If you’re interested in the best shares to buy now and wish to begin trading right away, then you’ll need to set up an account with a stockbroker. Put simply, a stockbroker is an online brokerage that helps to facilitate any trade that you wish to place. It does this by pairing buyers and sellers together – so if you were looking to buy Amazon shares, the broker would find another party that was selling them.

stock trading ireland

In return for this service, stock brokers will command a fee – which is either a commission or the spread. By using a stockbroker, beginners and advanced traders alike can operate in the stock market from the comfort of their own homes. Most stock brokers accept a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options, meaning it’s never been this easy to invest in stocks in Ireland!

How to Find the Best Stock Broker Ireland

Now that you have an idea of who the best stock brokers are, let’s turn our attention to the factors you need to consider when choosing one. As you can imagine, the popularity of trading has meant that there are more online brokers in the market than ever. So, to help you narrow down this vast selection, we’ve listed some of the main things to consider when making your decision.

Safety

Understandably, safety should be your number one priority when choosing an Irish stockbroker. Selecting a safe and reputable broker will ensure your trading capital is protected and your details are secure. The safest brokers are regulated by top entities such as the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, or the Central Bank of Ireland.

Brokers regulated by these entities have to abide by strict KYC laws and security policies designed to protect customers. Another thing to consider is segregated accounts, which is when the broker keeps client money separately from their own money. Ultimately this is much safer than the alternative, as it ensures client money is not accidentally used for operational purposes.

Fees and Commissions

Another thing to consider when looking to buy stocks is the types of fees that you’ll have to pay. Most brokers will attempt to make their service as cheap as possible to appeal to retail investors. The main charges to look out for are commissions and spreads, with each broker usually charging one or the other.

etoro fees

Non-trading fees should also be considered, as these can stack up. Deposit fees, withdrawal fees, and inactivity fees all fall under the banner of non-trading fees. Finally, some brokers will charge a currency conversion fee if you do not deposit in their base currency.

Selection of Tradeable Assets

Although you may be solely interested in buying stocks, it’s great to use a broker with an extensive asset selection. Most platforms will offer stocks, ETFs, currencies, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and more. If you opt for a broker with a diverse range of assets, you’ll be able to create a diversified portfolio easily.

Some brokers (such as eToro) even offer actual stock trading. This differs from CFD trading as you’ll own the underlying stock. However, CFD trading enables you to use leverage, so it’s wise to consider your goals before investing.

Trading Features

You may wish to choose a trading platform that has additional features that can optimise your trading. Many stockbrokers UK will offer things such as AI-powered insights, market sentiment analysis, and options-trading services. However, eToro is one of the best options in this regard, as they offer a CopyTrader and CopyPortfolio service. Ultimately, these services allow you to invest your cash in a way that can create a passive income for you – which is excellent for new traders who wish to generate a return whilst still learning the market.

etoro copytrader

Trading Platform

The platform that the broker offers is also worth researching to ensure it’ll meet your needs. Most brokers offer a web-based platform and a mobile app, allowing you to trade wherever you are. Some brokers even offer a desktop app, although the functionality is the same as the web-based platform most of the time.

Furthermore, there are many MT4 brokers out there that offer support for MT4 and MT5. This feature will mainly be used by forex traders, as these applications provide fast execution speeds and extensive customisation. So, if you’re looking to trade stocks and currencies, it may be worth looking into this.

Payment Methods paypal logo

Payment methods refer to the sources that a broker will accept deposits from. These days it is easy to buy stocks with debit card, as pretty much all brokers will accept major credit/debit cards. Bank transfers are also accepted by most brokers, although it’s common for funding to take a few days to arrive if you use this method.

Furthermore, many brokers (including eToro) accept e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. This makes funding your account even more accessible – and adds a level of safety that will appeal to traders. Notably, most brokers allow withdrawals back to the same method, streamlining the whole process.

Leverage and Short Selling

If you are a risk-seeking investor, you may wish to use leverage. This refers to the process of ‘borrowing’ money from the broker to magnify potential profits. Many brokers in the EU will offer up to 30:1 leverage, meaning you can boost profits (and losses) by up to 30x.

Another consideration is short selling, which is when you speculate that an asset’s price will go down rather than up. Short selling is much riskier than purchasing an asset, as the potential losses are theoretically unlimited. Thus, if you were to begin short selling, it’s wise to ensure you’ve set a stop loss.

Research Tools

Stock trading can be pretty complex, which is why research tools are so crucial. These mainly include charting capabilities but may also comprise market updates and fundamental data. Having this information available from your chosen trading platform means that you don’t have to use multiple sources when operating in the financial markets.

Educational Materials

Educational materials will be an essential consideration if you are a beginner. The financial markets can be daunting at first, but many of the best stock brokers Ireland will offer extensive educational resources which are designed to smooth your transition into the market. These resources tend to include videos, tutorials, glossaries, articles, and courses.

etoro educational materials

Customer Support

Finally, it’s wise to consider stockbrokers that have a good level of customer support available. Stock trading can be stressful, so having a live chat feature is a great way to connect with your broker and get answers to any issues you may be having. Other things to look out for include a FAQs section or a help centre.

How to Get Started with the Best Stock Broker Ireland

The final section of this guide will look at how you can get started with one of the best stock brokers Ireland right away. Although we’ve mentioned a few throughout this guide, our top pick in terms of trading platforms is eToro. This is due to eToro’s low fees, user-friendliness, and high regulation. So, by following the four quick steps below, you’ll be able to create an account and begin trading with eToro – all in less than ten minutes!

Step 1 – Create an eToro Account

Head to eToro’s homepage and click the ‘Join Now’ button. You’ll then be asked to enter a valid email address and choose a username and a password to create your trading account.

etoro sign up

67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Step 2 – Verify your Account

As eToro is regulated by some top entities, new users must verify themselves before trading. To do so, click the ‘Complete Profile’ button on your dashboard and enter the details required for the KYC checks. You’ll also have to upload proof of ID (a copy of your passport or driver’s license) and proof of address (a copy of a bank statement or utility bill). eToro will then verify these documents, which usually only takes a few minutes.

Step 3 – Make a Deposit

New eToro users must deposit a minimum of $50 (€43) before trading, which is free to make if you deposit in USD. We’d recommend using a credit/debit card or e-wallet, as funds will arrive instantly. In terms of deposit methods, eToro accepts the following:

  • Credit card
  • Debit card
  • Bank Transfer
  • Rapid Transfer
  • PayPal
  • Skrill
  • Neteller
  • Klarna

Step 4 – Buy Shares

Once you’ve funded your account, click into the search bar and type the name or ticker symbol of the asset you’d like to trade. Click ‘Trade’ next to your chosen asset, and an order box will appear. In this box, enter your desired position size (minimum of $50), check that everything is correct, and click ‘Open Trade’.

etoro stock CFDs

Congratulations! You’ve just started investing with the best stock broker Ireland – all without paying any commissions!

Best Stock Broker Ireland – Conclusion

In conclusion, this guide has discussed the best stock broker Ireland in detail, highlighting the top platforms in the market today and showing you how to get started right away. Although there is an abundance of options available, the ones we have mentioned in this guide represent the best brokers for Irish traders. By using one of these brokers, you’ll be able to trade safely and effectively – giving you the highest chance of success.

So, if you’d like to begin trading today, we’d recommend using eToro. eToro is a commission-free broker and accepts deposits from only $50 (€43). What’s more, eToro is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring you are safe whilst trading.

#1 Stock Broker in Ireland – eToro

1
$50
Mobile AppYes
  • Buy over 800 stocks with 0% commission
  • Social trading network
  • Copy over 12 million traders and investors

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About Connor Brooke PRO INVESTOR

Connor is a Scottish financial expert, specialising in wealth management and equity investing. Based in Glasgow, Connor writes full-time for a wide selection of financial websites, whilst also providing startup consulting to small businesses. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, and a Master’s degree in Investment Fund Management, Connor has extensive knowledge in the investing space, and has also written two theses on mutual funds and the UK market.