Robinhood review
Commission-free investing in stocks, ETFs and crypto
- Robinhood Markets, Inc.
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
Does it deserve #8?
The verdict
Robinhood made investing feel simple, and it is still the slickest way to buy stocks, ETFs, options and crypto from your phone. Stock and ETF trades are commission-free, and the optional Gold plan adds a higher cash yield, research reports and a bigger retirement match. The catch is a design that can nudge you toward frequent trading. Treat it as a tool, not a game.
- Commission-free stock and ETF trades
- Options and crypto trading
- Retirement accounts with match
- Optional Robinhood Gold plan
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Clean, fast app that makes trading easy to understand
- No commissions on stock and ETF trades
- IRA contribution match is a rare perk
What could be better
- Relies partly on payment for order flow
- Research tools are thinner than at big brokers
Self-directed investors who want a fast, simple brokerage app
you want in-depth research, advice or a full-service broker
Questions about Robinhood
Is Robinhood free?
Opening an account and trading stocks and ETFs carries no commission. Robinhood Gold is an optional paid subscription that adds extras like a higher cash yield and research reports.
How does Robinhood make money if trades are free?
Robinhood earns revenue from payment for order flow, interest on cash and margin lending, crypto trading and Robinhood Gold subscriptions.
What are the best alternatives to Robinhood?
The closest alternatives are Empower Personal Dashboard, Revolut and Monarch Money. See all of them ranked on our Robinhood alternatives page.
Where does Robinhood rank?
Robinhood ranks #8 of 10 in our Money & Investing ranking, with an overall score of 8.3 out of 10.