Investing Platforms for Irish Investors
There is no single best platform. The right one depends on how often you plan to invest, whether you want to buy part of a share or set things to run automatically, what it costs and the protection it gives you.
Interest on cash is a nice extra. It should not be the reason you pick a platform if you plan to stay invested.
Which sounds like you?
- I want the widest choice of shares and ETFs. DEGIRO has the most shares and stock exchanges, which helps if you're looking for a specific or niche company.
- I want to put in a set amount every month and not think about it. DEGIRO is currently the only one that doesn't allow this.
- I want to start off small. You can buy fractional shares, which are small parts of a share, on all the platforms except DEGIRO.
- I want to try investing in an app I already use. Revolut lets you start inside the app you bank with. The trade-off: you'll see your investments every time you check your balance, which can tempt you to react to short-term ups and downs. Investing works best left alone for the long term.
- I want to earn interest on cash waiting to be invested. Trade Republic keeps this simplest: it's bank interest, taxed as DIRT. Trading 212 and Lightyear pay some or all of their interest through money-market funds, where exit tax may apply.
Compare them side by side
| Trading 212 | Trade Republic | Lightyear | Revolut | DEGIRO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic monthly investing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Invest small amountsBuy part of a share instead of a whole one | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Range of shares and ETFs | Wide | Wide | Smaller | Smaller | Widest |
| Cost to buy an ETF | Free | Free if automatic monthly, otherwise €1 | Free | Free on selected ETF investment plans, and on 1 to 10 orders a month depending on your plan. Otherwise 0.25% (minimum €1) | €1 on Core Selection |
| Currency conversion | 0.15% | Not shown separately | 0.35% | Depends on plan | 0.25% |
| Interest on cashVariable. New-customer offers may be higher. | 2.8%. Partly DIRT, or exit tax may apply | 2.5%. DIRT | 2.39%, only in a money-market fund. Exit tax may apply | No | No |
| Regulated in | GermanyFounded 2004 | GermanyFounded 2015 | EstoniaFounded 2020 | LithuaniaFounded 2015 | GermanyFounded 2008 |
| Cash protection | Up to €100,000 | Up to €100,000 | Up to €20,000 | Up to €22,000 | Up to €100,000 |
| Investor compensation | Up to €20,000 | Up to €20,000 | Up to €20,000 | Up to €22,000 | Up to €20,000 |
Fees and rates change often. Check the platform's own site before you open an account.
Getting started matters more than picking the perfect platform.
You can use more than one platform to spread your risk at a later stage, or as you develop as an investor.
What the protection covers
Cash you haven't invested yet
Cash held in a bank is protected up to €100,000 if that bank fails. Some platforms place part of your cash in money-market funds, for example when you switch on interest. That part counts as an investment and is protected like your shares and ETFs.
Your investments
Your shares and ETFs belong to you, not the platform. Regulated platforms are required to keep them separate from their own assets.
If the platform goes out of business, your investments remain yours. They would normally be moved to another provider or returned to you.
That separation is your main protection. Investor compensation provides an additional safety net, subject to the scheme’s limits and rules.
These safeguards protect how your investments are held. Their market value can still rise and fall.
Two things to know
Seen a US ETF recommended online?
Most US-based ETFs can't be bought in the EU, because EU rules require an investor document that US providers don't publish. European (UCITS) versions of the same indices are widely available instead.
Your Irish tax is yours to do
All five platforms give you statements, but none of them work out or pay your Irish tax. No platform is better than another on this. All five let you download your full transaction history, which you'll need for your tax return.
Last checked 21 September 2026. This is financial education, not financial or tax advice. It isn't a complete comparison of the market and including a platform isn't a recommendation. OwnIt has no commercial relationship with, and receives no referral fee from, any platform listed. When you invest, your capital is at risk. For guidance on your own situation, talk to a financial adviser or accountant.