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Robinhood Review
A mobile-first US broker known for commission-free stocks, ETFs, options and crypto with a very simple interface.
Best for
- Beginners
- Mobile-first traders
- Commission-free options
Not best for
- You want deep research tools
- You trade futures
- You're outside the US
Our verdict & scoring
Robinhood popularised commission-free trading in the US with a clean, beginner-friendly app. It earns largely through payment for order flow, interest and its Gold subscription. Great for simplicity; lighter on research and advanced tools than legacy brokers.
Scores are based on our review methodology. Affiliate relationships do not buy higher ratings.
Pros
- Extremely easy to use
- No commissions and no per-contract fee on stock/ETF options
- Fractional shares and crypto in one app
Cons
- Limited research and charting
- Payment for order flow model
- History of outages during volatility
Fees & hidden costs explained
$0 commissions on stocks, ETFs and their options (no per-contract fee on stock/ETF options). Index options carry a per-contract fee ($0.35 with Gold, $0.50 without). Regulatory pass-through fees apply on sells. Gold subscription for premium features.
Safety, regulation & availability
US: registered broker-dealer regulated by the SEC and FINRA. Launched a UK brokerage (FCA-authorised) in 2024 with a different product set — verify current UK availability.
Account protection: SIPC coverage up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash) via Robinhood Financial LLC and Robinhood Securities LLC; supplemental private insurance above SIPC limits.
Available to retail traders in:
Verify this platform yourself:
Frequently asked questions
Is Robinhood safe?
Robinhood is a FINRA-regulated US broker-dealer with SIPC coverage. SIPC protects against broker failure, not market losses.
How does Robinhood make money if trading is free?
Mainly through payment for order flow, margin lending, interest on cash and its Gold subscription.
Official sources
Risk warning: Trading stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto, CFDs and funded accounts involves risk. You can lose money. This website is educational only and does not provide financial, investment, tax or legal advice.
Leverage, volatility, fees, spreads, liquidity and platform rules can increase losses.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you click some links on our site. This does not cost you extra. Our comparisons are educational and transparent, and our rankings are not affected by commissions.