Wise is the better app overall, scoring 8.7 to 8.3. Wise wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Robinhood on 1.
Travelers, expats and freelancers who send or receive money across borders
Self-directed investors who want a fast, simple brokerage app
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Wise | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Money & Investing | Money & Investing |
| Category rank | #4 of 10 | #8 of 10 |
| Developer | Wise plc | Robinhood Markets, Inc. |
| Pricing | Free | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Strengths and weaknesses
Wise
- Fees and exchange rate shown before you send
- Hold and convert dozens of currencies
- Fast transfers on most popular routes
- Not a bank, so it lacks loans and overdrafts
- Card and account features vary by country
Wise is the easiest way to move money across borders without losing a chunk to poor exchange rates. It uses the mid-market rate and shows its fee upfront, so you know exactly what arrives. The multi-currency account and debit card make travel and freelancing simpler. It is not a bank, though, and fees on large or unusual currency routes can add up.
Full Wise review
Robinhood
- Clean, fast app that makes trading easy to understand
- No commissions on stock and ETF trades
- IRA contribution match is a rare perk
- Relies partly on payment for order flow
- Research tools are thinner than at big brokers
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.
Full Robinhood review
