Not all mobile betting apps are built to the same standard. While every foreign bookmaker on this site offers a responsive mobile experience, the depth of features varies significantly. This guide ranks the key features by importance for Irish bettors and compares how international apps stack up against each other — and against the domestic Irish bookmakers many players are used to.
Essential Features
These are the features that determine the day-to-day usability of a betting app. If a bookmaker falls short on any of these, it is a significant practical disadvantage for regular bettors.
1. Live In-Play Betting
In-play betting is the single most important feature for active mobile bettors. The key quality indicators are speed of odds updates (sub-second on premium apps), the number of in-play markets available simultaneously, and interface stability during peak events like Champions League knockout stages. All foreign bookmakers on this site offer in-play betting; quality varies from good to excellent.
2. Cash-Out
The ability to settle a bet before the event concludes is now a standard expectation. Look for cash-out on both pre-match and in-play bets, partial cash-out options (settling part of your stake), and auto cash-out (triggering automatically when a set return is reached). Betlabel and MrXbet offer the most comprehensive cash-out on mobile.
3. Fast Loading on Irish Networks
Ireland's 4G and 5G infrastructure is well-developed in urban areas, but coverage varies in rural counties. A well-optimised app loads in under two seconds on 4G and handles odds updates smoothly without draining battery. Lightweight apps (under 50MB installed) tend to perform better on older devices.
4. Push Notifications
Push notifications for upcoming events you have bet on, results, and cash-out prompts are a practical quality-of-life feature. The best implementations allow granular control — you choose exactly which types of alerts you receive without being spammed.
Nice-to-Have Features
These features add meaningful value but are not deal-breakers if absent. They are particularly relevant for bettors who use mobile as their primary platform.
Secondary Features Worth Checking
- Biometric login — fingerprint or Face ID for faster access during live betting
- Dark mode — reduces eye strain during evening or night betting sessions
- One-tap / quick-bet — pre-set stake, single confirmation for in-play speed
- Widget support — iOS and Android home screen widgets for live scores and quick access
- Live streaming — integrated stream alongside the betting interface (see our streaming comparison)
- Bet slip saving — retain multiple selections across sessions
- Stats and match tracker — live match data within the app without switching to a third-party site
Features Comparison Table
Key mobile features available at each foreign bookmaker accessible to Irish players.
| Feature | Description | Available At |
|---|---|---|
| Live in-play betting | Bet during an event with updated live odds | All seven bookmakers |
| Cash-out (full) | Settle any open bet before the event ends | Betlabel, MrXbet, 20bet, 22bet |
| Partial cash-out | Settle part of a bet, leave the rest running | Betlabel, MrXbet, 22bet |
| Live streaming | Watch streamed events within the app | Betlabel, MrXbet, 20bet, 22bet |
| Biometric login | Fingerprint or Face ID account access | Betlabel, MrXbet, 20bet, 22bet |
| One-tap / quick-bet | Single tap places bet at pre-set stake | Betlabel, MrXbet |
| Push notifications | Alerts for results, odds boosts, cash-out | Betlabel, MrXbet, 20bet, 22bet, Maxibet |
| Match tracker / stats | In-app live match data and statistics | Betlabel, MrXbet, 22bet |
Related Pages
- Best mobile betting apps from foreign bookmakers — full comparison
- How to download international betting apps — iOS and Android guide
- Live streaming on mobile — which sites stream live events
- In-play betting at foreign bookmakers — markets and strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important feature in a betting app?
For most Irish bettors, live in-play betting performance is the top priority. This means fast odds updates, a clear and responsive interface during high-traffic events, and one-tap bet placement. Cash-out availability comes a close second. Everything else is secondary to these two core functions.
Do foreign apps support biometric login?
Yes. Betlabel, MrXbet, 22bet, and 20bet all support fingerprint and Face ID login on compatible iOS and Android devices. Enable it in the app settings after your first login. It is the fastest way to access your account during live betting.
Can I do one-tap betting on mobile?
Several foreign bookmaker apps support quick-bet or one-tap betting, where a default stake is pre-set and a single tap confirms the bet without a separate confirmation screen. This is particularly useful for in-play betting. Betlabel and MrXbet both offer this feature.
Do mobile betting apps use a lot of data?
Standard betting activity (browsing markets, placing bets) uses very little data — typically under 50MB per hour. Live streaming adds considerably more, around 500MB–1GB per hour. Using the app on Wi-Fi is recommended if you plan to stream multiple events.