Robinhood is controversial. Some investors love the app’s UX and how easy it makes certain tasks — like options research — that are a chore on “dinosaur” brokerages like Fidelity and Vanguard. Others have beef, whether because of software bugs, reportedly poor customer service, or Robinhood’s halting of buying Gamestop in 2021, a move seen as protecting hedge funds and hostile to small investors.
Fortunately, Robinhood alternatives abound. Acorns is a simplified investing platform (no fancy stuff here) with optional banking products. J.P. Mortgage Self-Directed Investing is a typical brokerage that’s offering up to a $700 bonus on new money* through July 19, 2024.
Overview: Best Robinhood alternatives
- Best for new investors: Acorns
- Best for sign-up bonus: J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
- Best for a comprehensive brokerage: Fidelity
- Additional options that are also great
Acorns: Best for beginning investors
Acorns is a robo-advisor that offers commission-free trading and built-in features to help you save and invest with less effort. The ease and accessibility for beginning investors makes it a top alternative to Robinhood.
Acorns makes it easy to start investing (even if you know nothing) and provides helpful tools to help you save more automatically. In under 3 minutes, start investing spare change, saving for retirement, earning more, spending smarter, and more.
- Effortless automated investing
- Easy-to-use savings features
- Low-cost solution to manage money
- Flat monthly fee more expensive for smaller accounts
- Can use more robo-advisor features
Because it uses a robo-advisor, Acorns works differently than Robinhood. Rather than building your portfolio yourself, you’ll choose one of five pre-made portfolios made up of ETFs. You’ll start by answering a few questions about your investing goals and then Acorns will recommend a portfolio for you. You can either go with this one or choose another. You can schedule recurring transfers from a linked account for as little as $5 a month and set up Round Ups to invest the spare change from your everyday spending. Acorns calls this “investing in the background.”
Like Robinhood, Acorns lets you invest in fractional shares. This makes it possible to have a well-diversified portfolio even if you only have a little money to invest, with more than 7,000 different stocks and bonds available. And the Acorns app is just as easy to use as Robinhood, if not easier.
This likely isn’t the right investment account for advanced traders who want to choose individual investments for themselves, but it’s a great fit for people who want to invest on a smaller scale and save without thinking about it. The Personal plan costs $3 a month while Personal Plus costs $5 a month. Acorns also offers a Premium plan option that allows you to customize your portfolio with individual stocks. Get our full take in our Acorns review or:
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing: Best brokerage sign-up bonus
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing offers online commission-free trading of stocks and ETFs as well as the ability to trade options and mutual funds. New customers who transfer or rollover assets before 07/19/2024 can get a reward of up to $700*.
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing offers Chase clients tremendous convenience and new investors an intuitive investing platform with unlimited commission-free online stock, ETF and options trades.
It's ideal for those who are interested in learning the market with no investment minimums attached.
- Exceptional customer support
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Easy integration for existing Chase customers
- Advanced traders may want additional functionality
- Portfolio Builder requires $2,500 min.
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing is Chase Bank’s stock market trading platform. SDI allows you to trade stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds and bonds. You can make trades in a taxable brokerage account or IRA.
For a limited time, new investors can earn a cash bonus when you transfer or rollover funds from a competing account before 07/19/2024:
- Earn $50 when you transfer $5,000-$24,999
- Earn $100 when you transfer $25,000-$99,999
- Earn $325 when you transfer $100,000-$249,999
- Earn $700 when you transfer $250,000+
Read more about what we think in our J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing review or:
Sign up for J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
Fidelity: Best for serious investing
Fidelity offers self-directed investing and commission-free stock, ETF, and option trading. It’s one of the best platforms ideal for people looking to do more than just trade stocks since it offers more account types than many online brokers, advanced trading options, and plenty of research tools.
Unlike Robinhood, Fidelity also lets you invest in bonds, CDs, and mutual funds. Some of these come with trading fees, but there are a number of ZERO expense ratio index mutual funds available. If you like the idea of fractional share trading, you’ll like Fidelity. Plus, there are no account minimums required to trade.
Overall, Fidelity has a much more comprehensive platform and suite of services than Robinhood. It’s a well-rounded brokerage that works for all investors, including beginners. It also has the advantage of being a massive company with a solid reputation (that Robinhood lacks at times) and nearly $10 trillion in assets.
» MORE: Read more in our Fidelity review
Also great
There’s a big market for Robinhood alternatives that share common traits with Robinhood while still standing out on their own with a best-of offering. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or still in the learning phase, these are some other options we’d recommend.
Public
Public is another free web platform and mobile app for investing that’s primarily aimed toward new investors. The number number of features include a social feed, AI-powered insights and investing themes.
Public stands out from Robinhood (and some others on this list) because in February of 2021 it stopped relying on payment for order flow. It also sticks out for its wide range of offerings outside stocks and ETFs that includes crypto, bonds, Treasuries, music royalties and alternative assets (“alts”). The last two of these being offered are specifically unique. There’s also a High-Yield Cash Account with a competitive APY you can move your money in and out of so you earn when it’s not in an investment.
Public’s inclusivity for new investors—and where it really stands out— is its social feed. You can invest right alongside other more experienced investors as well as your friends. This is where the social aspect comes in. On top of that, Public includes (verified) public figures (hence the name) within the app. You can then see what these people are investing in, watch their trading activity, and either pull ideas from their moves or copy their portfolios completely.
» MORE: Read our full Public review
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a longstanding favorite trading platform of professionals and serious individual investors. Features include commission-free stocks, powerful trading tools and access to foreign markets and cryptocurrency trading. Whether your primary goal is simply to invest in individual stocks and ETFs or you want to be able to trade options, on foreign markets, or on margin, Interactive Brokers stacks up well versus Robinhood and other alternatives.
Clients from over 200 countries can trade on 150 global markets from a single unified platform with Interactive Brokers. They can also fund their account and trade assets in 27 currencies. You can also trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash.
Interactive Brokers has two pricing models: Pro and Lite. Interactive Brokers Lite will appeal to most casual traders. You’ll enjoy $0 U.S. stock and ETF trades and the same option pricing as Pro. The biggest difference between Lite and Pro is the priority and cost of order execution. Interactive Brokers earns money from Lite customers through “payment for order flow”, just like Robinhood and most commission-free stock brokers.
E*TRADE
E*TRADE is one of the most advanced trading platforms out there. Their app is incredibly intuitive and lets you trade not only stocks and ETFs, but also options and mutual funds. You’ll have the ability to do extensive research if you want to or simply use an ETF screener to find a match for your investment needs.
These options make this app great for beginners and more advanced investors alike. I also really like the educational information E*TRADE provides for free. If you’re a new investor, these resources will help teach you how to research a stock, diversify your portfolio, do technical analysis, actually buy stocks, and more.
M1
M1 is a well-known free investment service as well as an interesting rival to Robinhood. With M1, you can get both traditional investment services and professional investment guidance. And what I love is that the app lets you control where your dollars will go.
This platform is like a hybrid between a traditional brokerage and a robo-advisor. However, as opposed to some other apps or robo-advisors that invest your money automatically and tell you the details, this app uses its cutting-edge “pie” system to explain all of your investment options in detail and help you make choices for yourself. First, the app asks about your investing plans. Depending on the information you give, M1 makes a “pie.” This pie is broken into “slices” that represent individual investments. But instead of requiring you to buy the full share, you can buy a fractional share for each. After that, M1 will rebalance your portfolio every time you make an investment.
Webull
Webull is an investment platform, designed for both new and seasoned investors. It has no fees – including commissions – with the exception of some minor wire transfers and SEC fees. This makes it a viable alternative to Robinhood.
There are a lot of things to like about Webull when compared to Robinhood. One feature that’s incredibly valuable is that Webull’s app will analyze investments for you, based on your financial situation, to help determine which investments are the best choices for you. This way, you don’t spend all day deciding on each investment and can instead make quick, informed decisions.
Webull also works hard to ensure its customers understand the stock market well. For example, you’ll have access to a really helpful practice account that lets you make trades with fake money. This way, you can practice certain investment strategies before you take them live in your real Webull account. Then once you’re happy with a plan of attack, you can use those tactics on real investments with real money.
Betterment
Betterment is a true robo-advisor, so it’s a bit different than some others on this list. That said, they’re a good replacement for Robinhood purely because of the simplicity they offer. Betterment requires a $10 minimum deposit — so people coming from Robinhood will probably like that.
Betterment also offers a checking and cash management account (called Cash Reserve) at no cost. When you sign up, you’ll go through a series of questions that help Betterment understand your goals and overall risk tolerance. From there, Betterment will craft a unique portfolio of ETFs that they’ll automatically manage for you. And as your life changes, your goals will change. So you can modify your investment strategy at any time in the future.
On the downside, you can’t pick individual stocks as you can with Robinhood, and the platform isn’t totally free.
» MORE: Read our full Betterment review
What is a Robinhood alternative platform?
The financial ecosystem has seen the rise of numerous investment platforms democratizing access to the stock market. Among them, Robinhood has emerged as a dominant player. Yet, with its rise, the demand for Robinhood alternative platforms has also grown.
Key features of Robinhood alternative platforms
- Ease of use: Many alternatives, like Robinhood, prioritize a user-friendly interface. This allows even beginners to navigate with ease.
- Diverse investment options: Some alternatives offer broader asset ranges, from international stocks to real estate.
- Educational resources: Certain platforms emphasize investment education, providing materials, webinars, or financial consultations.
- Advanced trading tools: Experienced investors often seek platforms with enhanced charting tools, research, and analytics.
Notable Robinhood alternative platforms
- eToro: Focusing on social trading, eToro users can mimic successful investors’ trades and explore a diverse asset portfolio.
- Charles Schwab: One of the pioneers of the discount brokerage business, Schwab is known for its research offerings and variety for investors of all types.
- Webull: Known for commission-free trading and advanced charting, Webull caters to both novices and seasoned traders.
- Fidelity: Offering zero-commission trading and notable research capabilities, Fidelity appeals to both newbies and professionals.
Security measures in alternative platforms
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): This security feature necessitates identity verification through two methods before account access.
- Data encryption: Many platforms use advanced encryption to safeguard sensitive financial data.
- Regular audits: To ensure high security standards, platforms often undergo frequent third-party reviews.
How I came up with the list of best Robinhood alternatives
To find the best Robinhood alternatives, there were a few primary factors I considered:
Commissions
Since Robinhood really opened the door for $0 commissions, I wanted to find brokerages that offered trading for free. Where this used to mean you gave something up, now nearly all major brokers offer $0 commissions and you still get loads of features.
Ease of use
Robinhood crushes it with ease of use. That’s one reason they got so popular so fast – their mobile app gamifies the investment experience. I looked for brokerages that had a clean and easy-to-use mobile app as well as a useful desktop option if you want to invest from home.
Extra features
Robinhood has extra features like the ability to invest in crypto or using Robinhood Snacks – their news feed that I absolutely love. When looking for suitable replacements, I wanted to make sure each option had a unique feature or two so you have options.
Who should use a Robinhood alternative?
If you’re moving off of Robinhood, or just like what they generally stand for but want to look elsewhere, you should look into an alternative. Robinhood may have been one of the only ones offering commission-free trading when they launched, but there have since been a number of brokerages and apps that have wiped away most of their fees in order to compete and make investing more accessible since.
Generally speaking, Robinhood-like brokers are best for:
Newer investors
Robinhood (and its alternatives) are primarily geared toward newer investors. This isn’t to say that more advanced investors won’t benefit from them, though. It just means they have options, a platform, pricing, etc. that cater to new investors.
People who want to trade for free
Robinhood set the bar with free investing. So if you’re looking for no-commission trades, looking at a Robinhood alternative platform that I’ve listed above will start you off in the right direction (and save you some money).
Just note that the caveat to this is more limited options. A lot of simple platforms limit free trading to a small subset of assets such as stocks and ETFs.
People looking for easy trading
Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-use app or you want something completely hands-off like one of the best robo-advisors, those who are seeking an alternative to Robinhood will want investing to be easy. All the options listed here are extremely easy to get started with and use.
Who shouldn’t use a Robinhood alternative?
Platforms like Robinhood don’t cover every kind of investing and may be missing certain features and choices. There are some people who might not find what they’re looking for if they limit themselves to Robinhood-like online brokers. Instead, you might need to look into a different type of investing platform altogether.
Explore other types of investing platforms if you fall into one of the following categories.
People who want to trade crypto
If you want to trade cryptocurrency, I recommend using a credible crypto exchange like Coinbase or Gemini™. While some of these brokers do offer crypto, your crypto has to stay with the platform. If you use an exchange, you have more ownership over your coin.
Advanced investors and those who like to research
With the exception of E*TRADE, none of these platforms really dominate with advanced research and charting. So if you’re a day trader or someone who wants to do deep, deep research, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
People who plan to invest a lot
If for some reason you have a lot of money to invest (I’d say $300,000 and up) you might want to look into a wealth management solution, which will give you more tailored advice and dedication to your money. In our Empower review, we discuss how the hybrid digital paid wealth management company includes a finance app that gives you the ability to you explore your entire investment portfolio visually, regardless of where you hold the investment assets, for free.
Is Robinhood only for US citizens?
Robinhood, a game-changing investment platform, revolutionized the stock market with its commission-free trading approach. While initially targeting the US market, many wonder if its reach extends beyond American borders.
Robinhood’s primary market
- US-centric beginnings: Robinhood was developed with the US market in mind. Its services, especially at the outset, catered primarily to US residents.
- Expansion efforts: Over time, Robinhood has sought to expand its user base, looking at markets beyond the US.
Account eligibility and restrictions
- US social security number: To open an account, one typically requires a US social security number. This can limit access for non-US citizens residing abroad.
- International aspirations: Despite its US focus, Robinhood has expressed interest in serving international investors in the future.
Alternative platforms for non-US investors
- Webull: Similar to Robinhood in many ways, Webull offers services to a broader international audience.
- eToro: With a global reach, eToro offers a platform for stock trading, cryptocurrencies, and more to users worldwide.
- Interactive Brokers: Known for its global market access, this platform is an option for those outside the US seeking diverse investment opportunities.
Regulatory considerations
- US regulations: Robinhood operates under US financial regulations, which can influence its decision to expand internationally.
- Global compliance: Serving international markets requires navigating and complying with diverse regulatory landscapes, a challenge for any platform considering global expansion.
Most important features of a Robinhood alternative
Here are the key features you want to look for in a Robinhood alternative platform:
Fees
Make sure you find a platform that has little to no fees. Usually, there is going to be some kind of fee for things like wire transfers and standard SEC fees (like on options contracts), but for the most part, you can find brokers who won’t charge you trading fees for most or all securities they offer.
Make sure to read the terms and conditions of the account, as well as browse the broker’s fees section of their website so you understand exactly what you will be charged, if anything. Sometimes there are hidden fees if, for example, you have an IRA and want to move it out at some point in the future.
Mobile app
Everyone is on their phones nowadays. Make sure whichever broker you use has a great mobile app experience. The app doesn’t have to be loaded with features, but it should be easy to navigate, easy to make investments, and have some type of news section so you can quickly get nuggets on the happenings in the markets.
In-app customer support is also a plus for sure.
Extra account options
You won’t have this with all Robinhood alternatives, but one nice thing to look for is extra account options, such as a checking account or savings account. Stash does this, so does Betterment, and many other brokerages are jumping on board.
The reason this is helpful is that you can keep all of your money, theoretically, with one brokerage/app. Instead of having a checking account somewhere, an online savings somewhere else, and an investment account on an app.
What is Robinhood?
Let’s back up and talk about what Robinhood is.
Robinhood is an investing app and stock trading platform that was created in 2013. The company’s founders, Baiju Bhatt and Vladimir Tenev, felt that the financial industry unfairly disadvantaged the non-wealthy. They wanted to create a platform that would make it possible for anyone to start investing, no matter how much money or experience they had.
What initially made Robinhood stand out was the fact that you could trade stocks without paying commission fees and buy into large companies with fractional shares. Robinhood also made it easy to learn about investing and access real-time market data. This was all new and novel back in 2013, but now there are a lot of beginner-friendly online brokerage accounts with similar features and benefits.
Although Robinhood is still very much in business, more and more people are choosing to invest with other companies because they have a problem with how Robinhood has handled certain things.
Why did some investors leave Robinhood?
So you know Robinhood has faced some controversy, but maybe you don’t quite understand why this trading platform gets all the hate. Well, for a lot of people, it started with GameStop.
Back in early 2021 when GameStop stock started skyrocketing (almost to the moon), buoyed by a meme and a bunch of enthusiastic amateur traders, Robinhood investors were buying shares as fast as they could. With its low trading fees and easy breezy interface, this platform was the first choice for a lot of retail investors trying to get in on the action.
Then, on January 28th, Robinhood froze the hottest stocks. Specifically, they shut down buying and trading of Gamestop (GME), AMC (AMC), Nokia (NOK), and a few others, explaining that these stocks were highly volatile and they wanted to protect their users. Investors could only sell their shares, which was incredibly frustrating at a time when acquiring more could have turned out to be pretty profitable.
The stocks, of course, dropped in price, and a lot of investors lost a lot of money. Many people felt that Robinhood was acting in Wall Street’s best interest and giving market makers a chance to scramble their way out of the squeeze. There were calls for class action lawsuits and the company claiming to “democratize finance” was widely accused of market manipulation.
Since this incident, many folks lost respect for and trust in Robinhood. And the company still hasn’t recovered, having lost billions of dollars in 2021 after investors bailed in droves.
While there’s nothing wrong with using Robinhood, it could be argued that they haven’t always acted ethically, and you may prefer another platform.
What is a Robinhood alternative platform?
A Robinhood alternative is an investment app that is similar to Robinhood in its cost and simplicity but provides new and unique features. These investment apps should allow former Robinhood users to switch with ease and maybe get a little more out of their trading experience.
Summary: Best Robinhood alternatives
There are plenty of Robinhood alternatives, including our top pick for beginning investors, Acorns. Remember that no brokerage or robo-advisor investing platform is going to be exactly the same, so you should pick one that offers the features you need, including breaking down what types of investments you want to have in your portfolio with goals in mind.
