Best ETF Brokers in 2025

What is an ETF or Exchange Traded Fund?

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a financial product that allows you to invest in a basket of assets in a single transaction. It is an index fund listed on the stock exchange, the objective of which is to replicate the performance of a benchmark index, such as the ISEQ 20, the S&P 500 or the MSCI World.

Unlike traditional actively managed funds, an ETF follows passive management: it replicates the composition of the index it tracks, with lower fees compared to active funds. It is continuously tradable on the markets, just like a stock, which allows investors to buy or sell their shares at any time during the trading day.

ETFs are very popular due to their numerous advantages:

• Immediate diversification: By buying an ETF, the investor positions themselves on several assets in a single transaction.
• Reduced fees: ETF management fees are generally much lower than those of traditional investment funds.
• Accessibility: It is possible to invest in ETFs with a modest amount, and some brokers offer fractional purchases.
• Transparency: The composition of ETFs is generally accessible in real-time, allowing investors to know exactly what they are investing in.

Advantages of ETFs

ETFs offer instant diversification: a single transaction allows you to invest in a range of assets reflecting the composition of the tracked index. For example, an ETF replicating the Euro Stoxx 50 provides access to the 50 largest companies in the Eurozone, while an ETF based on the ISEQ 20 gives exposure to the main listed companies in Ireland.

What is an ETF broker?

An ETF broker is a financial platform that allows investors to buy and sell Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). These brokers provide different options depending on your investment goals, whether you're focused on long-term portfolio building or short-term trading.

There are two main types of ETF brokers in Ireland:

• Traditional brokers that offer direct access to ETFs through a standard investment account. These platforms allow you to own real ETF shares listed on global stock exchanges like the LSE, Euronext, or NYSE.
• CFD brokers that allow you to speculate on ETF price movements using leveraged products known as Contracts for Difference (CFDs), without actually owning the underlying ETF.

The best ETF broker for you depends on your strategy:

• If you’re investing for the long term with a passive strategy, choose a broker that offers access to real ETFs via a standard investment account, such as DEGIRO, Interactive Brokers, or Trade Republic.
• If you want to speculate actively with leverage, a CFD broker like eToro, Plus500, or IG may suit your needs — but remember, these products carry significantly higher risk and are not recommended for beginners.

How to choose an ETF broker?

Choosing an ETF broker is an essential step for investing effectively in the stock market. Some brokers allow you to buy ETFs directly, while others offer CFDs on ETFs. Each type of platform caters to different investment strategies. Here are the criteria to consider to make the right choice.

1. ETF accessibility

Not all brokers offer the same access to ETFs. It is important to check:

• Available ETFs: Some brokers offer a wide selection of physical ETFs, while others only offer CFD ETFs.
• Access to international ETFs: Some brokers allow you to invest in European and American ETFs, while others restrict their offer to certain geographical areas.
• Eligibility for a savings plan: If you want to optimise your taxation, choose a broker that offers ETFs compatible with a savings plan.

2. Brokerage and Management Fees

Fees directly influence the profitability of your investment. Here are the main costs to compare:

• Order fees: commission applied to each purchase or sale of an ETF. Some stock brokers offer free orders, while CFD brokers often apply a spread (difference between the purchase and sale price).
• Management fees: levied annually by the ETF issuer (generally between 0.05% and 0.50%).
• Inactivity fees: some brokers charge fees if no order is placed over a given period, particularly CFD trading platforms.
• Conversion fees: for ETFs listed in foreign currencies, there may be exchange fees on transactions.

3. Ergonomics and Platform Tools

Whether you're a beginner or experienced investor, an intuitive and high-performing platform is essential. Check for:

• The quality of research tools and filters to easily find ETFs.
• The existence of a mobile application to manage your investments in real time.
• The availability of advanced charts and technical indicators for active investors, especially for those who trade CFDs.

4. Account Type and Taxation

The type of account you use with a broker in Ireland can significantly affect how your ETF profits are taxed.

• Standard investment account : Most Irish investors buy ETFs through a regular brokerage account. With this setup, capital gains are taxed at 33%, while dividends are taxed at your marginal income tax rate, which may reach up to 52% (including PRSI and USC). There is a €1,270 annual CGT exemption, which can reduce your taxable gains.
• Pension accounts (e.g., PRSA, Self-directed pensions) : While it's not always straightforward to buy ETFs inside pension wrappers, some self-directed PRSAs or SIPPs may allow it. In these accounts, growth is tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed at retirement (usually at a lower rate). However, ETF selection may be more limited and subject to scheme rules.
• Trading ETFs via CFDs : If you trade ETFs using CFDs, gains are also subject to 33% Capital Gains Tax in most cases. However, the high turnover and potential losses mean it’s more suitable for experienced, risk-tolerant traders.

5. Leverage and Risk Management

If you wish to use leverage, only brokers offering ETF CFDs will allow you to amplify your positions (generally with leverage of x2 to x5). However, the risk of loss is increased, as leverage can also multiply losses. Make sure your broker offers:

• Negative balance protection to avoid losing more than your initial capital.
• Stop-loss and take-profit orders to manage your positions effectively.

6. The Quality of Customer Service

Good customer service is essential, especially for active investors. Before opening an account, find out about:

• The available contact methods (phone, live chat, email).
• The availability of support (opening days and hours).
• The quality of the educational resources offered (guides, webinars, tutorials).

7. Security and Regulation

Choosing a regulated broker is crucial for protecting your funds and ensuring compliance with Irish and EU investor protection laws.

In Ireland, brokers are typically regulated by the:

• Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) – for Irish-based brokers
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – for UK brokers operating under equivalence
• CySEC (Cyprus) – for EU-based brokers with passporting rights
• BaFin (Germany) or AFM (Netherlands) – for other EU-regulated brokers
• SEC and FINRA – for U.S. brokers, though most do not service Irish residents

Make sure the broker is part of the Investor Compensation Scheme (ICS) or a similar EU-level protection fund, which may cover you up to €20,000 if the broker fails.

Which ETF Broker is Best for Beginners?

If you're just starting out with ETF investing in Ireland, it's important to choose a broker that offers a simple, intuitive platform, low fees, and educational support to help you build confidence.

Key features for beginner-friendly brokers:

• A clean and easy-to-use interface
• Low or zero commissions on ETF trades
• Access to a broad range of low-cost index ETFs (e.g. S&P 500, MSCI World)
• Tax-efficient investing options (e.g. CGT exemption planning or pension accounts)
• Responsive customer support available in English
• Educational content: tutorials, investment guides, simulators, webinars

Before choosing a broker, a beginner should also think about their preferred investment style and level of involvement.

What are the different types of ETFs accessible in Ireland?

In Ireland, investors have access to a wide range of ETFs allowing them to invest in different assets and strategies. Here is a summary table of the main types of ETFs, with their description and some popular examples among Irish traders.

How to Invest in ETFs Online?

Investing in ETFs online is a simple and accessible method to diversify your stock portfolio. Here are the essential steps to start investing effectively.

1. Choosing a Suitable Broker

The first crucial choice is the broker that will allow you to buy ETFs. To do this, you need to compare several criteria:

• Brokerage Fees: Prioritise platforms with reduced fees.
• ETF Offering: Make sure the broker offers a wide selection of ETFs (stocks, bonds, sector-specific, thematic, etc.).
• Account Type: Check if you want to invest via a general investment account for unlimited access to global ETFs.
• Security and Regulation: Opt for a broker regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland or other recognised authorities.

2. Open an investment account

Once you have chosen a broker, you need to open an account by providing a few documents:

• Proof of identity (identity card or passport).
• Proof of address (bill, tax notice).
• Bank account details (RIB) for deposits and withdrawals.

Account validation can take a few hours to a few days, depending on the broker.

3. Deposit funds into your account

Before buying ETFs, you need to fund your account by making a deposit. Depending on the broker, you can deposit funds via:

💳 Bank transfer (most common method).
💰 Bank card (faster but sometimes with fees).
📱 Electronic wallets (PayPal, Skrill, etc., depending on the platforms).

4. Select the ETFs to Buy

It is important to choose ETFs that are suitable for your strategy. You can invest in:

• Index ETFs (MSCI World, S&P 500) for a passive and diversified approach.
• Sector ETFs (technology, healthcare, renewable energy) to target a trend.
• Bond ETFs for a more defensive allocation.
• Dividend ETFs to generate passive income.

5. Place an Order to Buy

Once the ETF is chosen, you need to place a buy order. There are several types of orders:

• Market Order: Immediate purchase at the current price.
• Limit Order: Purchase only if the ETF reaches a defined price.
• Stop Order: Purchase triggered when the price exceeds a certain threshold.

6. Monitor and adjust your portfolio

Investing in ETFs requires regular monitoring to ensure your portfolio remains aligned with your goals. To do this:

• Analyse performance: Monitor the performance of your ETFs through your broker or tools like Google Finance.
• Rebalance your portfolio: Adjust your asset allocation if one sector becomes too dominant.
• Invest regularly: Adopt a Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) strategy by buying ETFs at regular intervals to smooth out risk.

What Fees to Expect with an ETF Broker?

Investing in ETFs involves fees that can impact the profitability of your portfolio. These costs vary depending on the type of account, the targeted market, and the investment method. Here are the main fees to anticipate with concrete examples.

1. Brokerage Fees

Brokerage fees are applied to each order to buy or sell ETFs. They can be fixed (example: 1 [€] per order) or proportional (example: 0.1% of the amount invested). Some brokers offer commission-free ETFs under certain conditions, such as a scheduled purchase or one limit order per month.

Example of ETF brokerage fees

Buying an ETF for 1,000 with fees of 0.5% → 5 in fees.

Buying the same ETF with a broker offering a free order per month → 0 in fees.

2. ETF Management Fees

These fees are directly levied by the ETF issuer and slightly impact the fund's performance. They are expressed as an annual percentage of assets under management.

Example of ETF Management Fees

• A global ETF with 0.40% management fees incurs an annual cost of €4 for every €1,000 invested.
• An S&P 500 ETF at 0.07% costs only €0.70 for every €1,000 invested over a year.

3. Currency Conversion Fees

If the ETF is listed in US dollars (USD) or British pounds (GBP) and the account is in euros, currency exchange fees apply to the purchase and sale. These fees vary between 0.1% and 1% depending on the platform.

Example of Currency Conversion Fees

Buying a Nasdaq-100 ETF in dollars for 2,000, with a currency exchange fee of 0.5% → 10 in fees.

4. Inactivity Fees

Some brokers charge fees if no order is placed for several months. These fees are usually charged after 6 to 12 months of inactivity and can be fixed or proportional to the account balance.

Example of inactivity fees

• An account inactive for 1 year with a fee of 10 [currency] per month results in a cost of 120 [currency] over the year.

5. Withdrawal fees

Some platforms charge fees to withdraw funds to a bank account. These fees can be fixed (example: 5 [currency] per withdrawal) or proportional (example: 1% of the amount withdrawn).

Withdrawal Fee Example

A withdrawal of 500 with a fixed fee of 5 results in a cost of 1% of the amount withdrawn.

6. Spreads and Overnight Fees (for ETF CFDs)

If you trade ETF CFDs, you need to consider:

• The spread: the difference between the buying and selling price, which can be fixed or variable.
• Overnight fees: applied when you hold a leveraged position from one day to the next.

Example of ETF CFD fees

• Purchase of an S&P 500 ETF CFD with a spread of 0.2% on a €1,000 position → €2 fee.
• Holding the CFD for 5 days, with overnight fees of 0.01% per day → €0.50 cumulative fee.

What Investment Strategies Can Be Used with ETFs?

ETFs offer numerous investment strategies suited to different investor profiles. Depending on your objectives (growth, passive income, protection against volatility, etc.), some approaches will be more suitable than others.

Here is a summary table of the main investment strategies for ETFs:

What is the taxation of ETF income in Ireland?

In Ireland, income from ETFs is taxed based on the type of income generated—capital gains or dividends. The type of investment account (e.g. standard brokerage or pension wrapper) may also affect how and when tax is paid.

1. Tax on ETFs held in a standard brokerage account

When you invest in ETFs via a regular investment account, two main forms of income may apply:

Example

You sell ETF shares with a €2,000 profit:
→ After the €1,270 CGT exemption, you pay 33% on the remaining €730 = €240.90 tax.

You receive €500 in dividends:
→ Taxed at your marginal rate, e.g. €260 at 52%.

2. Tax treatment inside pension wrappers (e.g. PRSAs, RACs)

If you hold ETFs within an approved pension structure such as a PRSA or Self-directed Pension, all capital gains and dividends are tax-deferred:

Example

You invest €10,000 in ETFs inside a PRSA. Over 20 years, it grows to €25,000.

→ No tax due until you begin drawing from the pension.

3. Tax on foreign ETFs and withholding tax

If you invest in non-Irish domiciled ETFs (e.g. U.S. ETFs), foreign withholding tax may apply to dividends:

• U.S. ETFs: Subject to 30% withholding tax on dividends unless you file Form W-8BEN, reducing it to 15% under the U.S.-Ireland tax treaty.
• Irish-domiciled ETFs (UCITS): Often more tax-efficient as they avoid U.S. withholding tax and may offer better cross-border tax treatment.

Example:

An S&P 500 ETF domiciled in the U.S. pays a €1,000 dividend:

→ Without W-8BEN, €300 withheld.

→ With W-8BEN, only €150 withheld. The remaining dividend is still subject to Irish income tax.

4. Tax on leveraged ETFs and CFDs on ETFs

If you trade leveraged ETFs or CFDs on ETFs, the gains are still treated as capital gains, taxed at the same CGT rate (33%).
Frequent traders may trigger reporting and recordkeeping obligations under Irish Revenue rules.

Example:

You earn €3,000 in profit trading ETF CFDs:

→ After the €1,270 exemption, you pay CGT on €1,730 = €570.90 tax

.

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.