Robinhood vs E*TRADE
Robinhood offers commission-free trading with a mobile-first interface ideal for beginners, while E*TRADE provides more advanced research tools, professional-grade features, and better support for active traders and investors.
Robinhood
Commission-free, mobile-first stock and crypto trading platform for beginners
Beginner to intermediate investors, mobile traders, those with smaller account balances, and people interested in fractional share or crypto investing
E*TRADE
Full-service brokerage with advanced trading tools and professional-grade research for active investors
Active traders, serious investors, professionals seeking advanced analytics, those needing comprehensive support, and traders executing complex multi-leg options strategies
Short Answer
Robinhood offers commission-free trading with a mobile-first interface ideal for beginners, while E*TRADE provides more advanced research tools, professional-grade features, and better support for active traders and investors.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Robinhood if you're a beginner or casual investor prioritizing simplicity, low costs, and a superior mobile experience—it's ideal for buying and holding stocks and ETFs. Choose E*TRADE if you're an active trader or serious investor who values comprehensive research tools, advanced options strategies, professional support, and sophisticated analytical features.
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Choose Robinhood if
Beginner to intermediate investors, mobile traders, those with smaller account balances, and people interested in fractional share or crypto investing
Choose E*TRADE if
Active traders, serious investors, professionals seeking advanced analytics, those needing comprehensive support, and traders executing complex multi-leg options strategies
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
33 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Robinhood | E*TRADE | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission on Stock Trades(USD) | Free | — | — |
| Funded Customers(millions) | 27.2 (Jan 2026) | — | — |
| Total Platform Assets(billions USD) | $324.4 (Jan 2026) | — | — |
| Retirement Account Types(count) | Limited (basic IRA options) | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating(stars) | 4.8/5 (iOS) | — | — |
| Mutual Fund Selection(count) | Limited | — | — |
| 2025 Revenue(billion USD) | $4.5B | — | — |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | — | — |
| Quarterly Trading Volume(USD Billions) | $22.9B (Jan 2026, crypto only) | — | — |
| Net Deposits Growth (Recent)(USD Billions) | $4.5B (January 2026) | — | — |
| Monthly Account Fee(USD) | $0 | — | — |
| Commission Per Trade(USD) | $0 | — | — |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | — | — |
| Estimated User Base (2026)(millions) | 22+ million | — | — |
| Average Options Spread Tightness(percent difference vs market) | Standard spreads | — | — |
| Order Execution Speed(milliseconds) | 50-100ms | — | — |
| Stock Trading Commission(USD per trade) | Free | — | — |
| Options Trading Commission(USD per contract) | Free | — | — |
| Educational Content Available(learning resources) | Basic tutorials only | — | — |
| Cryptocurrencies Supported(coins) | 7 cryptocurrencies | — | — |
| Total Assets Under Management(billions USD) | $85 billion | — | — |
| Active User Base(Millions) | 23.5 million | — | — |
| Stock Commission per Trade(USD) | $0 | — | — |
| Options Contract Fee(USD per contract) | $0.00 | — | — |
| Account Types Supported(Count) | 2 types | — | — |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | — | — |
| Commission Per Stock Trade(USD) | $0 | $0 | |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | $0 | |
| Minimum Trade Amount (Fractional Shares)(USD) | $1 | $1 | |
| Mobile App User Rating(stars / 5.0) | 4.7/5 (520K reviews) | 4.3/5 (89K reviews) | +9% |
| Research Reports Available Daily(count) | Limited/basic | 500+ analyst reports | — |
| Maximum Options Trading Level(level) | Level 3 | Level 4 | -25% |
| Cryptocurrency Trading Support(count of assets) | 30+ cryptocurrencies | None |
Sourced from publicly available data · Jun 2026
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
Robinhood
$0 per trade
E*TRADE
$0 per trade
Robinhood
$0
E*TRADE
$0
Robinhood
Basic charts and limited data
E*TRADE
Advanced screening, StreetSmart Edge platform, 500+ research reports🏆
Robinhood
4.7/5 stars (520K reviews)🏆
E*TRADE
4.3/5 stars (89K reviews)
Robinhood
Level 0-3 (Level 3 requires approval)
E*TRADE
Level 0-4 (Level 4 includes spreads)🏆
Robinhood
Chat & email only (no phone)
E*TRADE
24/5 phone, chat, email support🏆
Robinhood
Individual, joint, IRA (traditional, Roth, SEP)
E*TRADE
Individual, joint, IRA, custodial, trust, 401(k) rollovers🏆
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Robinhood | E*TRADE |
|---|---|---|
| Commission on Stock Trades(USD) | Free | — |
| Commission Per Trade(USD) | $0 | — |
| Stock Trading Commission(USD per trade) | Free | — |
| Options Trading Commission(USD per contract) | Free | — |
| Stock Commission per Trade(USD) | $0 | — |
Show 1 more attributeOptions Contract Fee(USD per contract) $0.00 — | ||
| Funded Customers(millions) | 27.2 (Jan 2026) | — |
| Total Platform Assets(billions USD) | $324.4 (Jan 2026) | — |
| Cryptocurrency Products(count) | Extensive with global expansion 2026 | — |
| Retirement Account Types(count) | Limited (basic IRA options) | — |
| International Trading(availability) | Limited, expanding in 2026 | — |
| Options Trading(availability) | Available | — |
| Research Tools Quality(tier) | Basic charting and market data | — |
| Research Tools Depth | Basic | — |
| Mobile App Rating(stars) | 4.8/5 (iOS) | — |
| Professional Advisory Available(boolean) | No | — |
| Account Types Available | Trading & crypto accounts | — |
| Mutual Fund Selection(count) | Limited | — |
| Commission on Stock Trading | Free | — |
| Fee Efficiency for Small Trades(Relative Cost) | Lower fees on small crypto buys | — |
| Fee Efficiency for Large Trades(Relative Cost) | Less efficient for large orders | — |
| Average Options Spread Tightness(percent difference vs market) | Standard spreads | — |
| Commission Per Stock Trade(USD) | $0 | $0 |
| 2025 Revenue(billion USD) | $4.5B | — |
| Cryptocurrency Support | Full support (20+ coins) | — |
| AI/Digital Planning Tools | Emerging tools | — |
| Fractional Shares Available | Yes (from $1) | — |
| Social/Community Features(feature count) | Minimal integration | — |
| Mobile App Experience | Best-in-class for beginners | — |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | — |
| Trading Availability(Hours/Week) | 24/5 with crypto focus | — |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | — |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | $0 |
| Minimum Trade Amount (Fractional Shares)(USD) | $1 | $1 |
| Quarterly Trading Volume(USD Billions) | $22.9B (Jan 2026, crypto only) | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | Millions (exact 2026 figure undisclosed) | — |
| Cryptocurrency Assets Available(Count) | Limited selection | — |
| Asset Classes Offered(Types) | Stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, prediction markets | — |
| Net Deposits Growth (Recent)(USD Billions) | $4.5B (January 2026) | — |
| Monthly Account Fee(USD) | $0 | — |
| Minimum Account Balance(USD) | $0 | — |
| Portfolio Management | Self-directed | — |
| Cryptocurrency Trading | Full support (50+ cryptocurrencies) | — |
| Options Trading Available | Yes (with approval) | — |
| Cryptocurrency Trading Support(count of assets) | 30+ cryptocurrencies | None |
| Estimated User Base (2026)(millions) | 22+ million | — |
| Order Execution Speed(milliseconds) | 50-100ms | — |
| Educational Content Available(learning resources) | Basic tutorials only | — |
| Cryptocurrencies Supported(coins) | 7 cryptocurrencies | — |
| Total Assets Under Management(billions USD) | $85 billion | — |
| Active User Base(Millions) | 23.5 million | — |
| Account Types Supported(Count) | 2 types | — |
| Mobile App User Rating(stars / 5.0) | 4.7/5 (520K reviews) | 4.3/5 (89K reviews) |
| Research Reports Available Daily(count) | Limited/basic | 500+ analyst reports |
| Maximum Options Trading Level(level) | Level 3 | Level 4 |
| Phone Support Hours(days per week) | Not available | 5 days/week (24 hours) |
E*TRADEShow 1 more attribute
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Robinhood
Pros
- Zero commission on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto
- Intuitive mobile app ranked 4.7/5 by 520K+ users
- Fractional shares available ($1 minimum investment)
- Instant stock transfers (no settlement delays)
- Crypto trading available (30+ currencies)
Cons
- No phone customer support—only chat and email
- Limited research tools compared to competitors
- Options trading capped at Level 3 for most accounts
E*TRADE
Pros
- StreetSmart Edge platform with advanced charting and analysis
- 24/5 phone support with dedicated specialists
- Comprehensive research: 500+ daily analyst reports and expert insights
- Higher options trading levels (up to Level 4 for spreads and straddles)
- Supports multiple account types including custodial and trust accounts
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for platform and tools
- Desktop platform can feel cluttered with information
- Lower mobile app rating (4.3/5 vs Robinhood's 4.7/5)
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Robinhood is better for beginners due to its simpler interface, zero learning curve, fractional shares starting at $1, and highly-rated mobile app (4.7/5). E*TRADE's advanced tools can overwhelm new investors, though its educational resources are excellent once you're ready to level up.
Yes, both offer $0 commissions on stocks, ETFs, and options trades. However, E*TRADE offers more advanced order types and research to justify the learning curve, while Robinhood prioritizes simplicity for casual investors.
Yes, both offer options trading. Robinhood supports up to Level 3 (covered calls, protective puts, spreads for most users), while E*TRADE supports up to Level 4 (including complex multi-leg strategies like straddles and iron condors). E*TRADE's higher approval levels benefit active traders.
E*TRADE significantly outperforms with 24/5 phone support from specialists, plus email and chat. Robinhood only offers chat and email support, which is a major weakness for traders needing immediate assistance during market volatility.
Robinhood supports 30+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum with fractional share purchases. E*TRADE does not offer cryptocurrency trading, so Robinhood is the clear choice if crypto investing is important to you.
Resources & Learn More
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