With globalization and technology making investing more accessible than ever, the stock market is a potentially lucrative option for many Italians. As experts in trading and investment analysis, we have conducted in-depth research to determine the best stock trading platforms in Italy.
Summary of the 5 Best Stock Trading Platforms in Italy
Our research identified the following five platforms as the best stock trading platforms in Italy in 2023:
- eToro – Best overall platform for beginner investors due to the copy trading feature, fractional investing, and strong security.
- Skilling – Best for low fees with commission-free trading and ultra-tight spreads. Compatible with TradingView.
- Plus500 – Best for trading CFDs on stocks with transparent fees. Regulated across multiple jurisdictions.
- EightCap – Best choice of trading platforms with availability of MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and integration with TradingView.
- AvaTrade – Most securely regulated broker ideal for those prioritizing safety and security regulations.
eToro
As our choice for the best overall stock trading platform available to Italian investors, eToro stands out for its beginner-friendly experience. With an intuitive interface and features like fractional share investing and copy trading, eToro enables new investors to start effectively. Additionally, eToro is reviewed as one of the Best Stock Trading Platforms in France.
Some key features include:
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading – No trading commissions payable on any stock or ETF trades
- Fractional share investing – Invest as little as $10 to gain exposure to expensive stocks like Amazon
- Copy trading – Automatically copy the trades of top performing investors on the eToro platform
- Mobile app trading – Fully-featured iOS and Android apps enable trading on-the-go
- Virtual portfolio – Practice risk-free with $100,000 of virtual funds via a demo account
In terms of security, eToro holds licenses from top-tier regulators including the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC. Client funds are also held in segregated accounts for additional protection.
Skilling
Skilling stands out as the best option for low fees – offering tight spreads from just 0.1% alongside zero commissions on stock trades. With compatibility to TradingView for advanced charting and analysis, Skilling is a great choice for active traders on a budget.
Some features include:
- Commission-free trading – No commissions charged on stock, ETF, or CFD trades
- Tight spreads from 0.1% – Ultracompetitive spreads on 1,000+ tradable assets
- Regulated – Overseen by CySEC and the FSA
- TradingView integration – Advanced analysis via seamless TradingView charts and tools
Plus500
For trading CFDs on stocks rather than physically buying the underlying asset, Plus500 stands out as a top choice – offering transparent pricing with no commissions and tight variable spreads.
Some key aspects include:
- CFDs on 2,000+ stocks – Exposure to global stocks without buying the assets themselves
- No commissions – Plus500 earns solely from markups built into the spread pricing
- Multiple regulations – Licenced across several jurisdictions like FCA and CySEC
- Wide range of CFDs – Also trade indices, commodities, crypto, forex as CFDs
EightCap
EightCap finishes off our list of the top five stock trading platforms in Italy for its choice of trading platforms – including integration with leading MetaTrader and TradingView softwares. This broker presents an excellent option in terms of analysis tools and order execution capabilities.
Some features include:
- MetaTrader 4 & 5 – Access the globally popular MetaTrader suite for technical indicators, EAs, and custom tools
- TradingView – Directly implement your TradingView analysis through EightCap’s integrated brokerage account
- 800+ assets – CFDs available on global stocks, forex, crypto, indices, and commodities
- Raw & Standard accounts – Choose your ideal account type based on spreads, commissions, and leverage
AvaTrade
If security is your top priority, AvaTrade stands out as the most strictly regulated broker ideal for risk-averse investors. AvaTrade finished #3 in our rankings for Best CFD Trading Platform in the UK.
Some key features:
- Regulated by top-tier authorities – Licensed across Europe, Australia, Japan, British Virgin Islands, UAE and South Africa
- 1000+ CFDs available – Trade stocks, forex, crypto, indices as CFDs with competitive spreads
- Award-winning platform – User-friendly web trader and mobile app for trading on the go
- Social trading tools – Copy top traders or share ideas with others via AvaSocial
How to Buy Stocks in Italy: Step-By-Step Guide
When buying stocks in Italy, investors should follow these 8 key steps for secure, informed investing:
Step 1: Research and Analysis
Conduct thorough research on the financials, news, products and team behind companies you’re interested in investing in. This provides the insight needed to determine worthwhile investments.
Step 2: Select a Brokerage
We recommend eToro as the best brokerage platform for most Italian investors. eToro offers commission-free stock trading alongside beginner-friendly features like copy trading. Make sure to consider factors like fees, security, and platform tools when choosing a brokerage.
Step 3: Fund Your Account
Register for an account with eToro by providing your personal details. You can then fund your account with as little as $50 to start trading. Popular funding options include bank transfer, debit/credit card, PayPal, or Neteller.
Step 4: Determine Number of Shares
Decide on the specific number of shares you wish to purchase based on your budget and investment goals for a company.
Step 5: Place Order
Use eToro’s web or mobile trading platform to place an order for your chosen stocks. Specify key details like ticker symbol, units, order type, expiry etc.
Step 6: Review and Confirm
Carefully check your order details before confirming to ensure you avoid any costly input errors.
Step 7: Monitor Investment
Check in periodically on your stock investment’s performance. Stay up-to-date on financial news and earnings reports related to the company.
Step 8: Reassess and Adjust
Review your investment strategy regularly and rebalance your portfolio as needed based on performance or your changing financial situation.
Fees for Buying Stocks in Italy
The fees involved in buying stocks in Italy can vary between online brokerages but typically consist of spreads, commissions, and overnight/swap fees in the case of CFDs. Many of the best platforms offer commission-free stock investing – generating revenue purely from minor markups in the spreads.
For example, our top rated platform eToro charges zero commissions or fees of any kind to buy real stocks and ETFs. For CFD positions kept open overnight, an overnight fee reflective of market interest rates will apply depending on trade size.
As a guide, expect to pay between 0.08% to 0.5% on stock CFD spreads depending on volatility, with additional overnight financing fees potentially applying for longer term holds.
Taxes on Investing in Stocks in Italy
Gains from investing in stocks as an Italian resident are subject to a 26% capital gains tax rate when your total annual gains exceed €2,065. This tax applies per annum.
Dividend payments are also taxable, charged at a flat 26% dividend tax rate.
If investing via an Italian online brokerage, any taxes owed will typically be deducted automatically when withdrawals or dividends are paid into your account.
Conclusion
Finding the right stock trading platform involves balancing factors like fees, security, platform tools and asset availability. As our top overall broker recommendation, eToro presents an unrivalled experience specifically for beginner investors – with features like copy trading helping enable effective stock investing.
Meanwhile, active traders can benefit from Skilling’s tight spreads or EightCap’s platform integrations for in-depth analysis. Those purely looking to speculate on stock prices themselves may prefer Plus500’s transparent CFD pricing model.
FAQs
What is the best stock trading platform for beginners?
For beginners, eToro is the best stock trading platform in Italy. Features like copy trading and virtual portfolios help new investors to start effectively.
What is the cheapest stock trading platform in Italy?
Skilling offers some of the lowest fees among Italian brokers. There are zero commissions on stock trades alongside ultracompetitive spreads starting from just 0.1%.
Which stock trading platforms accept PayPal deposits?
Many Italian brokers accept PayPal deposits, including eToro and Skilling. Be sure to double-check deposit methods before signing up.
Can I trade US stocks from Italy?
Yes, leading Italian brokers like eToro and Skilling enable you to buy and sell popular US stocks. Availability differs between brokers so be sure to verify.
