Editorial standards
How we will compare PIA providers
No rankings until firms publish real terms. When they do, every comparison will follow the same evidence-led framework.
Updated 10 September 2026
What we compare
| Area | What we record |
|---|---|
| Total cost | Account, platform, dealing, fund, transfer and closure charges — shown separately and as worked annual examples. |
| Safety and security | Regulatory authorisation and register entry, investor compensation cover, asset segregation and custody, login and payment security, incident and outage history. |
| Minimums | Opening deposit, regular contribution and minimum trade, including promotional conditions. |
| Investment choice | Eligible shares, bonds, funds, ETFs and insurance-based products, plus material restrictions. |
| Ease of use | Time to open an account, identity checks, funding options, app and web usability, and how clearly charges and holdings are presented. |
| Tools and resources | Research, screeners, projections, tax statements, regular-investing automation, education and the quality of guidance for first-time investors. |
| Service | Application route, support channels, accessibility and the clarity of tax statements. |
| Transfers | Time, cost and process for moving cash or assets to another PIA provider. |
| Tax administration | How valuations, the annual charge, threshold and reporting are handled. |
Who each factor matters to
The same provider will not suit everyone, so every factor is weighted differently depending on the reader. We publish the weightings rather than hiding them behind a single score.
| Reader | Weighted most heavily | Weighted least |
|---|---|---|
| First-time investor | Ease of use, tools and resources, safety and security | Breadth of investment choice |
| Regular monthly saver | Total cost on small balances, minimums, automation | Advanced research tools |
| Experienced fund investor | Total cost at scale, investment choice, transfers | Beginner education |
| Lump-sum or larger balance | Safety and security, tax administration, total cost at scale | Minimums |
| Switcher from an existing product | Transfers, tax administration, total cost | Onboarding speed |
Evidence standard
A provider enters the confirmed directory only when its participation and material terms are supported by a dated first-party source. Promotional claims are labelled as provider claims. Missing information stays marked as unavailable rather than estimated.
Safety and security is recorded from the regulator's public register and the firm's own disclosures, not from marketing language. Ease of use and tools are assessed from the live product once accounts are open, and the date of assessment is shown.
Ranking and commercial independence
Price alone will not determine order. Rankings will weigh total cost, safety and security, usable investment choice, ease of use, tools and resources, service, transfer terms and tax administration against the stated reader profile. Each profile's weighting and worked examples will be published with the first comparison.
PIA·IE may earn a referral fee when accounts open. Payment never buys inclusion, a higher score or favourable editorial treatment. Commercial relationships will be disclosed on the relevant provider page.
Corrections
Providers and readers can send sourced corrections to press@personalinvestmentaccounts.ie. Material changes will carry a review date.
Until terms are confirmed, see the provider tracker.
Run your own numbers
Compare a Personal Investment Account against a deposit account and a standard fund over 10, 20 or 30 years — with real Irish rates.
Open the PIA calculatorInformation only, not financial or tax advice. Final PIA rules — the contribution limit, the tax-free threshold and the flat rate — are due to be confirmed in Budget 2027 and the related Finance Bill. Figures cited are from the Department of Finance roadmap, Revenue, Skatteverket, GOV.UK and the IRS.