The nature of the financial markets means that the ability to trade on the go is a critical factor in trading success. Luckily, most brokers will now offer a smartphone app that allows users to place trades and monitor their positions. However, it can be tricky to narrow down the possibilities with so many options to choose from.
With that in mind, this guide will cover the Best Trading Apps Ireland in detail. We’ll review the top Irish trading apps and their features before showing you how to get started with a trading app today – all in less than ten minutes!
If you’re looking to invest in stocks (or any other asset class), then the five trading apps we’ve noted below represent the best options on the market for Irish traders. In the section that follows, we’ll explore each of the best trading apps Ireland in detail, covering their pros and cons so that you can decide which is the best brokerage for you.
2. Capital.com – Best Trading App Ireland with Low Fees
3. AvaTrade – Best Irish Trading App with MT4 Support
4. IG – Best Trading App Ireland for Advanced Traders
5. Plus500 – Best Trading App Ireland with Useful Features
Best Trading App in Ireland – Full Reviews
If you’re looking to buy stocks Ireland, it’s vital that you have the option to trade whilst out and about. This will ensure you don’t miss profitable trade opportunities and can monitor your positions. Most brokers have handy smartphone apps that allow traders to accomplish these things, which makes the trading process streamlined.
Found below are our reviews of the best trading apps in Ireland this year. Each review covers the app’s core features and benefits, ensuring you have the insight needed to make an effective decision.
1. eToro – Overall Best Trading App Ireland
Our top pick when it comes to Irish trading apps is eToro. eToro has been around since 2007 and has grown to become one of the world’s largest brokers, with over 23 million registered users. Furthermore, eToro is regulated by some of the top organisations globally, including the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC.
One of the best things about eToro is that this broker doesn’t charge any commissions when trading. This would be the case if you were to invest in real stocks or stock CFDs, as eToro offers both. If you invest in the latter, you will have to pay the spread, which is the difference between the bid and ask prices. However, if you invest in the former, there are no fees whatsoever, making eToro one of the best stock brokers to trade cost-effectively.
In terms of their trading platform, eToro offers a web-based platform and a mobile app. The mobile app is available on iOS and Android and is completely free to download and use. Notably, eToro’s app supports two-factor authentication (2FA), which boosts safety by a significant amount. The app features most of the web-based platform’s elements, including the ability to set price alerts!
Finally, eToro’s minimum deposit amount is now only $50 (€43) and can be made via credit/debit card, bank transfer, or e-wallet. Deposits are free to make if you fund your account in USD; however, there will be a 0.5% conversion fee if you use a different currency. Also, you can use eToro’s free demo account feature before depositing real money if you’re looking to gain risk-free experience in the market!
Pros
0% commission broker
Offers real stocks and stock CFDs
Minimum deposit only $50
Two-factor authentication on app
Regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC
Accepts PayPal
Cons
Small currency conversion fee for depositing in a non-USD currency
67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
2. Capital.com – Best Trading App Ireland with Low Fees
Thanks to its user-friendly interface and low fees, Capital.com comes a close second on our list of the best trading apps Ireland. Firstly, Capital.com is one of the safest trading platforms and is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, and MiFID. What’s more, Capital.com has been around since 2016 and has gained a stellar reputation in the community, adding to its credibility.
Much like eToro, Capital.com is a commission-free broker and only charges a spread when trading CFDs. Capital.com makes our best trading platforms list as they offer real stock trading and CFD trading. If you trade stock CFDs, you’ll be able to use leverage up to 30:1 for EU-based clients. This means that you can boost your potential profits by up to 30x without depositing more money!
Aside from the spread, Capital.com don’t charge any deposit, withdrawal, or inactivity fees. In terms of the trading experience, Capital.com offer three different ways to trade – a web-based platform, a mobile app, and a desktop app. The web-based platform has all of the functionality you’d expect, with various order types and portfolio reports available to use.
The mobile app provides most of the features you’d get in the web-based platform, including two-factor authentication and biometric authentication on the iPhone. You can easily set price alerts on the app, whilst the interface is highly user friendly and doesn’t require extensive trading knowledge to use. You can even create a demo account and trade risk-free first before entering the market with real money.
67% of all retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
3. AvaTrade – Best Irish Trading App with MT4 Support
AvaTrade takes third place in our list of Ireland’s best trading apps thanks to its offering of valuable features for traders of all asset classes. AvaTrade was founded in 2006 and has become one of the most respectable CFD brokers in the industry. Furthermore, AvaTrade is regulated by some well-respected organisations – including the Central Bank of Ireland.
As a CFD broker, AvaTrade doesn’t charge any commissions and instead incorporates their fee into the spread. Forex spreads average around 0.91pips for the major pairs, whilst other CFDs can vary depending on the market conditions. Notably, AvaTrade doesn’t charge any deposit or withdrawal fees – although you will have to pay an inactivity fee after three months of no trading.
AvaTrade offers a web-based platform, along with a mobile app and a desktop app. The great thing is that AvaTrade offers support for MT4 and MT4, which is ideal for people interested in forex trading. These platforms provide fast execution speeds and advanced charting capabilities, which can enhance trade effectiveness.
Through MT4 and MT5, you can set price alerts and monitor your open positions. The primary order types such as market and limit orders are offered, although there are no other ‘advanced’ order types. Alternatively, you can use AvaTrade’s native app called AvaTradeGO, which is very user-friendly and ideal for beginners. Finally, AvaTrade users can even utilise AvaTrade’s ‘AvaOption’s feature, allowing options trading along with various trading strategies.
67% of all retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
4. IG – Best Trading App Ireland for Advanced Traders
Another great option when it comes to trading apps is IG. IG has a stellar reputation worldwide and was initially launched in 1974! In terms of regulation, IG is covered by the FCA and BaFin – and is even listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Due to this, IG has a tremendous amount of credibility within the industry.
As a CFD broker, IG incorporates their fee into the spread. These spreads vary depending on the trading hours but can go as low as 0.4 points for ETFs and 0.6 points for major currency pairs. Notably, if you are stock trading, IG does charge a commission and has a minimum investment of $15 (€12.95). The exact commission charged depends on which country the shares are from, with UK-based equities charged at £3 per trade.
One of IG’s main selling points is its user-friendly platform, ideal for beginner and advanced traders. It is highly customisable and offers charts, watchlists, and portfolio reports. There are also various order types, and you can even use two-factor authentication to bolster the security level. Finally, IG even offers price alerts on its web and mobile platform.
In terms of the mobile platform, IG allows users to download their native app or use MT4. IG’s app is very user-friendly and will enable you to use biometric authentication to log in. The great thing is that users have access to a vast range of assets on both the web platform and the app – with over 10,500 stock CFDs available to trade!
Pros
Regulated by the FCA and BaFin
Listed on the London Stock Exchange
Established for over 40 years
Massive selection of CFDs to trade
Platform tailored for beginners and experienced investors
67% of all retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
5. Plus500 – Best Trading App Ireland with Useful Features
Rounding off our list of the best trading apps Ireland is Plus500. Plus500 is one of the best FCA brokers UK, thanks to the intense oversight from the FCA and ASIC. Furthermore, Plus500 is also listed on the LSE, which boosts the platform’s credibility as it has to disclose its financials.
Like most CFD brokers, Plus500 will not charge a commission and instead use the spread as their ‘fee’. This spread is variable and will depend on the asset and the time of day – so make sure to double-check this before investing. Aside from the spread, Plus500 don’t charge any deposit, withdrawal, or monthly account fees. However, they do charge an inactivity fee of $10 per month after three months of no trading.
Moving onto the platform, Plus500 offer a web-based and mobile app to trade on. The web platform is intuitive and can be authenticated using Facebook and Google, adding an extra layer of security. Furthermore, you can even set up price alerts via email and SMS, ensuring you never miss a trading opportunity. In terms of charting, Plus500 allow you to view multiple charts at once, which tends only to be offered by third-party applications.
The mobile app offers most of the same functionality as the web app and can be downloaded on iOS, Android, Windows – and can even send notifications to your smartwatch! You can use biometric authentication to log in, and you can search and invest in the same assets as you would on the web platform. Finally, Plus500 offers a free demo account and many articles and videos, ensuring beginners are comfortable entering the market.
67% of all retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
How to Find the Best Trading Apps in Ireland
Now that you have an idea of the best trading apps in Ireland, let’s turn our attention to the factors you need to consider when making your decision. If you’re looking to invest $5000 (or more), you’ll want to ensure that you opt for the best trading platform to suit your needs, as this will allow you to trade to the best of your ability. To help smooth the decision-making process, some of the main elements to research before creating your broker account are found below.
Safety and Regulation
The first thing you should be looking out for when choosing an Irish trading app is its safety. Most reputable brokers will be regulated by one of the top organisations in the industry, such as the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC. Although these regulators may not cover the location that you’ll be trading in, if any of these entities regulates a platform, it tends to signify that they can be trusted.
Furthermore, many brokers keep their client’s money in a segregated account, ensuring that money is not used for operational purposes. Ultimately this adds to the level of safety offered by the broker, as it means your money will not be tampered with or moved around.
User-Friendliness
If you are looking to invest in the best shares to buy now, you’ll want to ensure that the app you use is user-friendly – especially if you are a beginner. Many apps will be designed with newcomers in mind, meaning that they do not use any advanced jargon or features that only experienced traders will understand. Furthermore, it’s also good to use an app with a clean and straightforward interface, as this will allow you to trade much easier than a complicated app.
Most brokers will now offer a demo account feature, meaning you can sign into the app and use fake money to trade the markets. This is ideal for beginners, as it’ll allow you to get hands-on experience with trading before using real money.
Fees and Commissions
Understandably, fees and commissions are something to keep your eye on. The two main types are commissions and spreads, with most online brokers charging one or the other. Let’s take a quick look at what each of these is:
Commissions – This is a fee charged when you place a trade and is either a percentage of your position size or a flat fee. Some brokers will charge this when you first place the trade, whilst others will charge it when you exit a trade.
Spread – This is the difference between the buy and sell prices on an asset. The bid price will commonly be set below the ask price, as the broker will purchase an asset for less than they’d sell it. Essentially this is the broker’s ‘profit margin’ and is how they make their money.
Aside from fees and commissions, it’s wise to look out for other costs such as deposit, withdrawal, and inactivity fees. Again, not all brokers will charge these, with many charging no non-trading fees at all.
Payment Methods
The methods accepted by an online trading platform in terms of funding your trading account should also be researched. Many people wish to buy stocks with a credit card, which is very easy to do on all of the trading apps we’ve mentioned earlier. Furthermore, most platforms also accept debit cards, bank transfers, and various e-wallets – including PayPal.
Another thing to consider is the minimum deposit amount. Each broker will have its own minimum deposit that must be met before trading. With eToro, this amount is only $50 (€43) and is free to make.
Selection of Assets
The best investments UK tend to come from various asset classes, so having a good selection of financial instruments is one way to ensure you are trading effectively. Most CFD brokers will offer stocks, ETFs, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies to trade, making it easy to construct a diversified portfolio. The best brokers will also provide stocks from various top exchanges, enabling you to gain exposure to many areas of the stock market.
Also, certain brokers like eToro will allow you to trade CFDs and real stocks. Each one comes with its own benefits, although CFD trading will enable you to employ leverage. On the other hand, if you invest in real stocks, you’ll fully own that particular share.
Leverage and Short-Selling
Leverage refers to the ability to boost your position size by borrowing money from the trading platform without depositing any more money. Brokers in the EU can offer leverage of up to 30:1, which means you can theoretically boost potential profits by 30x. However, leverage can also magnify losses, so be very careful when using it.
Short selling is the process of speculating on an asset’s price decreasing. Many top stock trading apps will offer the ability to ‘short’ an asset with the click of a button. Although short selling can offer another way to make a return, it’s also very risky as the price could go infinitely higher, leaving you out of pocket.
Educational Materials
If you’re a complete beginner to the financial markets, it’s best to partner with a platform that offers some educational materials. These will likely come in the form of tutorial videos, guides, articles, and glossaries. Some platforms even provide daily market updates, ensuring you have the requisite information to trade effectively.
Research Tools
To determine the best companies to invest in, you’ll need to do your research. That’s why research tools are so necessary, as they’ll allow you to analyse an asset and then place a trade on the same platform. Specific things to look out for include customisable charts, fundamental data, and even the ability to set price alerts.
Customer Service
Finally, customer support is a crucial aspect to consider when choosing between the best trading apps in Ireland. Ideally, you’ll want to use a platform with a ‘Live Chat’ feature, as this will enable you to receive the help you need instantly. Also, keep an eye out for platforms with an extensive Help and FAQs section, as this will also clear the mist when you are experiencing issues.
How to Get Started with the Best Trading Apps in Ireland
Before we round off this guide on the best trading apps in Ireland, let’s discuss the process of signing up and beginning to trade. As we’ve noted previously, if you’re looking to buy stocks, commodities, currencies, or cryptocurrencies, the trading app that you choose can make all the difference.
Through our extensive research and testing, we’ve found that eToro takes the top spot when it comes to trading apps for Irish traders. With that in mind, the five quick steps below will show you how to get set up and begin trading with eToro – all in less than ten minutes!
Step 1 – Create an eToro Account
Head over to eToro’s website and click the ‘Join Now’ button in the top right. Enter a valid email address and choose a username and a password to open your eToro account.
67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Step 2 – Verify your Identity
Due to anti-money laundering rules, regulated brokers must ask for some KYC information and verification before allowing users to trade. To provide this, head to your account dashboard and click ‘Complete Profile’. You’ll then be asked to provide some personal details and upload proof of ID (copy of your passport or driver’s license) and proof of address (copy of a bank statement or utility bill).
Step 3 – Make a Deposit
New eToro users must deposit at least $50 (€43) into their account before trading. Deposits are entirely free to make (if made in USD) and can be completed using the following methods:
Credit card
Debit card
Bank transfer
Rapid transfer
PayPal
Skrill
Neteller
Trustly
Step 4 – Download app
Head to the App Store or Google Play and search for ‘eToro’. Download the eToro app and then log in using the credentials you created earlier.
Step 5 – Buy Shares
Now you’re ready to trade! You can easily search for your chosen asset using the eToro app’s search function, or you can choose from some of the top markets on the homepage. Once you’ve found an asset to trade, click on it and then enter your desired position size. Finally, double-check everything is correct and click ‘Open Trade’.
And that’s it! You’ve just begun trading with one of the best trading apps in Ireland – without paying any commissions!
Best Trading App in Ireland – Conclusion
In summary, this guide has discussed the best trading apps in Ireland in detail, highlighting what they are and how they can benefit you as a trader. Each of these apps comes with its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s wise to consider all of the options before choosing. However, by opting for any of these apps, you’ll be able to trade safely and optimally in the financial markets.
If you’re looking to get started right away, we’d recommend using eToro. The sign-up process with eToro is seamless and tends only to take ten minutes to complete. What’s more, eToro offers commission-free trading on a vast selection of assets and requires a minimum deposit of only $50 (€43).
What is the best trading app in Ireland for beginners?
Through our research, we’ve found that eToro offers the best trading app for beginners. This is because the mobile app is straightforward to use and enables you to invest in a wide range of assets with 0% commissions.
Are trading apps in Ireland safe?
To ensure you’re trading safely, it’s best to use a provider regulated by a top organisation such as the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC. Make sure to steer clear of unregulated or unlicensed brokers, as these do not offer any investor protection.
How much do trading apps in Ireland cost to use?
Each provider will have its own fee structure, although many trading apps (such as eToro) offer 0% commission trading. However, keep an eye out for deposit, withdrawal, and inactivity fees, as these can creep up on you.
What assets can you trade on Irish trading apps?
The best Irish trading apps offer stocks, bonds, commodities, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and currencies. Certain apps even allow you to invest in the underlying asset or a CFD, providing an added level of flexibility.
Can I use leverage on trading apps in Ireland?
EU law allows brokers to offer up to 30:1 leverage – although this amount goes much higher outside the EU. Each broker will have its own leverage amount, which will vary depending on the asset.
Are trading apps in Ireland difficult to use?
Most trading apps in Ireland are designed with beginners in mind and can be downloaded on iOS or Android. These apps are easy to use as they offer all the basics without any advanced and unnecessary features.
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.
REGULATION & HIGH RISK INVESTMENT WARNING: Trading Forex, CFDs and Cryptocurrencies is highly speculative, carries a level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. You may lose some or all of your invested capital, therefore you should not speculate with capital that you cannot afford to lose.
The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing your capital is at risk.
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