Robinhood: commission-free trading, plus crypto and prediction markets
Robinhood trades stocks, options, and crypto commission-free, with an optional Gold subscription for perks like 3.6% APY on cash. We check what's actually free.
Robinhood is the app most people mean when they say "just download an investing app" — commission-free trades and a design built around not feeling like a brokerage terminal.
What it gives you
Commission-free trading. Stocks, ETFs, and options with no per-trade fee, per the developer — the feature the app built its reputation on.
Crypto and prediction markets. Over 50 crypto assets, plus a regulated market for trading on the outcome of sports, politics, and economic events — neither is common among the other picks in this roundup.
Advanced tools for those who want them. Custom price alerts, technical indicators, and charting, without requiring a separate subscription to access.
What it costs
Robinhood Gold, for anyone who wants more than the base account: $5/month or $50/year for a higher APY on uninvested cash, bigger instant deposits, and reduced margin interest — genuinely optional, not a paywall on trading itself.
US only. The developer's own description and disclosures are all built around US regulatory bodies (SEC, FINRA, CFTC) — this isn't a fit for investing from the UK, Australia, Canada, or elsewhere.
Who it's for
People who want to trade stocks, options, or crypto without commissions and don't need a traditional full-service brokerage relationship. For retirement accounts and a more traditional institution, Fidelity is the better fit.
The rest of the picks are in our best investing apps roundup.
Common questions
- Is Robinhood available on Android?
- Yes, on both iPhone and Android. We checked both stores on September 22, 2026, with the developer name matching exactly.
- What languages does Robinhood support?
- Of the languages this site covers, the App Store lists: English only.
- Is Robinhood free?
- The core app is free — commission-free stock, ETF, and options trading, per the developer. Robinhood Gold is an optional $5/month (or $50/year) subscription for perks like a higher APY on uninvested cash and bigger instant deposits — not required to trade.