Ally Invest vs Robinhood 2025
In this head to head comparison of Ally Invest vs Robinhood, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of Ally Invest vs Robinhood, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When choosing between Ally Invest and Robinhood, investors will find key differences in their offerings, which cater to various investment preferences. Ally Invest offers a comprehensive range of investment options, garnering a 4.5-star rating from StockBrokers.com with an #8 ranking out of 14 brokers. It provides numerous traditional trading opportunities, which are ideal for those seeking an extensive selection of stocks, mutual funds, and options. On the other hand, Robinhood, rated at 3.5 stars and ranked #12 for range of investments, is particularly appealing to those interested in the convenience of fractional shares and cryptocurrency trading, making it easier for beginners and tech-savvy investors to diversify their portfolios with ease.
Ally Invest stands out for its broad spectrum of traditional investment options. It offers stock trading, margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options trading, and a variety of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), all without providing forex, futures, or crypto trading. Furthermore, Ally Invest has the added benefit of providing advisor services, which can be essential for investors looking for professional guidance to enhance their financial strategies.
Conversely, Robinhood has carved a niche for itself by providing features that appeal to modern investors, including fractional shares and a notable collection of 22 cryptocurrencies. Despite the absence of mutual funds and OTC stocks, Robinhood supports stock trading, options trading, margin trading, and offers traditional and Roth IRAs. Although it lacks advisor services, Robinhood remains a popular choice for its user-friendly platform that helps democratize investing for people who may be new to the market or prefer a more digital approach to managing their investments.
Feature |
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Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes |
OTC Stocks | Yes | No |
Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | No | No |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 22 |
Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
In comparing the trading platforms and tools of Ally Invest and Robinhood, Robinhood slightly edges out Ally Invest in overall usability and ranking, receiving a 3.5-star rating compared to Ally Invest's 3-star rating. Robinhood is positioned at number 9 among 14 brokers, while Ally Invest sits just behind at number 10. Both platforms do not offer downloadable trading software for Windows or Mac, but they do provide browser-based options, making them accessible from any internet-connected device. Despite having similar chart annotation tools, Robinhood has the edge in user-friendly features such as direct order adjustments on stock charts and setting custom date ranges.
Ally Invest offers a more comprehensive watchlist experience with 10 columns compared to Robinhood's 3. Furthermore, Ally Invest provides a richer set of charting options with 120 technical indicators and 36 drawing tools, far surpassing Robinhood’s 16 indicators and 23 drawing tools. Ally Invest also allows users to add notes to their charts and automates technical analysis by recognizing chart patterns, a feature not available with Robinhood. However, both platforms lack the ability to include paper trading as a practical feature and do not support a trading journal, potentially limiting the depth of risk-free practice and trading reflection.
When it comes to customizing stock studies, Ally Invest provides eight fields for editing Simple Moving Averages (SMA), in contrast to Robinhood's single customization field. Despite the additional flexibility in these areas, Ally Invest does not have the option for custom studies. Both platforms enable the saving of multiple chart profiles, but neither allow users to display historical trades or corporate events on their charts. Ultimately, while Robinhood might be more user-friendly for beginners or casual traders seeking straightforward features, Ally Invest provides more depth and flexibility where technical analysis is a focal point.
Feature |
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Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | No |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
Paper Trading | No | No |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 10 | 3 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 120 | 16 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 36 | 23 |
Platforms & Tools |
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Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
When it comes to supporting beginners and fostering investor education, both Ally Invest and Robinhood offer foundational resources across various investment categories. Ally Invest provides educational materials on stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds, while Robinhood covers stocks, ETFs, and options but lacks resources for mutual funds and bonds. Neither platform includes paper trading, educational videos, or progress tracking features, and both are rated four out of five stars for their educational efforts. However, Robinhood does offer webinars, appealing to those who learn best through live sessions, a feature Ally Invest does not provide.
Despite their identical ratings, Ally Invest holds a slightly better educational ranking, placing 7th compared to Robinhood’s 8th in a StockBrokers.com assessment of 14 brokers. This slight edge is due in part to Ally Invest's comprehensive educational coverage, including mutual funds and bonds—areas where Robinhood offers no guidance. Both platforms lack quizzes and tools to track progress, indicating potential growth opportunities in delivering more interactive and personalized learning experiences for investors. Whether you’re starting out or looking to deepen your understanding, both Ally Invest and Robinhood present credible yet distinct pathways to building financial literacy.
Feature |
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Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No |
Paper Trading | No | No |
Videos | No | No |
Webinars | Yes | |
Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When choosing between Ally Invest and Robinhood for stock trading via their mobile apps, Robinhood emerges with a slight edge. Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, but Robinhood also extends its functionality to the Apple Watch. Additionally, Robinhood outshines Ally Invest with streaming quotes, the ability to provide stock alerts, and customizable watch list columns. It also offers mobile after-hours charting and provides technical studies for charting, which Ally Invest lacks. With a rating of 4.5 stars compared to Ally's 4 stars, Robinhood is ranked at #7 by StockBrokers.com, compared to Ally Invest's #13 position, heightening its appeal for tech-savvy traders seeking a comprehensive mobile trading experience.
Both Ally Invest and Robinhood cater to mobile traders by offering reliable services through well-designed mobile apps available on iPhone and Android devices. Traders who appreciate customizable experiences will find Robinhood's additional options like stock alerts and streaming quotes beneficial. Meanwhile, Ally Invest users may find solace in its straightforward charting capabilities, such as viewing multiple time frames, even without the extensive customization options Robinhood provides.
Those looking for additional features, such as after-hours stock trading via a mobile platform, are covered by both brokers. However, users prioritizing advanced analytics and personalized trading platforms may prefer Robinhood, which offers technical studies for charts. While both brokers provide the essential functionality needed for mobile trading, the distinction lies in Robinhood's additional features, making it a better choice for those who value advanced options and up-to-date trading data delivered on the go.
Feature |
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iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch App | No | Yes |
Stock Alerts | No | Yes |
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes |
Charting - Technical Studies | 0 | 6 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When comparing Ally Invest and Robinhood, both offer $0 minimum deposits and charge no fees for regular stock trades, making them attractive options for cost-conscious investors. A notable distinction is in the options trading fees: Ally Invest charges $0.50 per contract, whereas Robinhood offers this service for free. Additionally, Ally Invest charges higher margin interest rates than Robinhood, with Ally’s rates starting at 13% for balances below $25,000 compared to Robinhood’s 5.75% for the same range. In terms of account transfers, Ally Invest is more economical, charging $50 for both partial and full transfers, while Robinhood has higher fees at $100 for each.
Ally Invest and Robinhood both provide commission-free trading, which is a significant advantage, offering a similar initial investment experience. However, Robinhood gains an edge with no fees on options contracts, making it more appealing to options traders or those looking to keep costs down. On the other hand, potential Ally Invest users should be mindful of various charges like the IRA closure fee of $25 compared to Robinhood’s lack of such fees, influencing financial strategies for retirement accounts.
For those planning on leveraging margin trading, Robinhood stands out due to its considerably lower margin rates, providing opportunity for greater cost savings. Nonetheless, for investors prioritizing ease with cost-effective account transfers, Ally Invest’s fee structure aligns better, potentially offsetting other higher charges they impose. Weighing these differences can help investors determine which brokerage aligns best with their individual trading needs and financial strategies.
Feature |
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.50 | $0.00 |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
IRA Closure Fee | $25.00 | $0.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When it comes to day trading capabilities, both Ally Invest and Robinhood offer a streamlined, user-friendly experience, but their feature sets have several overlaps and differences to consider. For traders looking for advanced tools, neither platform provides streaming time and sales for stocks, streaming live TV, or direct market routing. Both also lack trading hotkeys for quick keyboard trade entries, and do not support level 2 quotes, which might be a drawback for those who need to see deeper market data.
However, one area where Robinhood edges ahead is its ladder trading feature, a useful tool for traders interested in viewing price action in a vertical format, while Ally Invest does not offer this. Nevertheless, both platforms fall short in areas like basic and advanced strategy backtesting and lack a short locator tool for real-time share shorting availability. Additionally, neither Ally Invest nor Robinhood offers order liquidity rebates, which could impact profitability for high-volume traders relying on maker/taker rebates. Overall, while each platform offers basic trading features, Robinhood might provide an edge with its ladder trading capability for those who find that useful in their trading strategies.
Feature |
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Streaming Time & Sales | No | No |
Streaming TV | No | No |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No |
Short Locator | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing the market research capabilities of Ally Invest and Robinhood, it's clear that each platform has its strengths, though Ally Invest pulls ahead overall. With a rating of 3.5 stars for market research and a ranking of #8 by StockBrokers.com, Ally Invest outshines Robinhood, which holds a rating of 2 stars and is ranked #10. If comprehensive research tools are a priority for you, Ally Invest may offer more robust options. However, each platform excels in certain areas, making them worthwhile for different types of investors.
Ally Invest offers extensive research options including stock, ETF, mutual fund, and bond research, whereas Robinhood lacks research capabilities for mutual funds and bonds. Both platforms provide tools for researching Pink Sheets/OTCBB. Notably, Ally Invest gives users insights into portfolio allocation by asset class, an option not provided by Robinhood. Furthermore, Ally Invest incorporates social media sentiment data into its stock research, a feature absent from Robinhood.
While neither platform provides downloadable PDF research reports for stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds, Ally Invest offers more comprehensive screeners for generating trade ideas. You can access stock, ETF, and bond screeners on Ally Invest, while Robinhood only offers stock screeners and lacks an ETF or bond screener. Although both platforms provide foundational tools for research, Ally Invest's broader capabilities make it a stronger choice for those who want more detailed insights and a wider array of research options.
Feature |
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Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No |
Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
Research |
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When comparing the banking capabilities of online brokers Ally Invest and Robinhood, Ally Invest stands out with a range of banking services that Robinhood doesn't provide. Ally Invest offers checking and savings accounts, giving users more traditional banking options. In contrast, Robinhood does not offer these account types. Both platforms provide debit and credit cards, giving users access to some essential financial tools. Additionally, Ally Invest extends its services to include mortgage loans and certificates of deposit (CDs), both of which are not available with Robinhood. For individuals seeking a more comprehensive banking experience alongside investment services, Ally Invest offers more options compared to Robinhood's limited banking features.
Feature |
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Checking Accounts | Yes | No |
Savings Accounts | Yes | No |
Debit Cards | Yes | Yes |
Credit Cards | Yes | Yes |
Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
Brokerage CDs | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Ally Invest is better than Robinhood. Ally Invest finished with an overall score of 80.1%, while Robinhood finished with a score of 77.3%.
For current Ally customers looking to invest in stocks, Ally's universal-accounts experience and easy-to-use website offer a convenient solution. Its website is far stronger than the mobile app.
When comparing Ally Invest and Robinhood for trading options, Ally Invest does not offer crypto trading, while Robinhood supports crypto trading and provides access to 22 different coins.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both Ally Invest and Robinhood offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with zero annual fees, though Ally Invest charges a $25 closure fee for IRA accounts while Robinhood does not impose a closure fee.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
Select Brokers
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0 of 5Overall Rating | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
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Overall |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Customer Service |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Ally Invest Review | Robinhood Review |
Broker Screenshots | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
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Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
Trading Fees | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $4.95 | N/A | |
Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $0.00 | N/A | |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.50 | $0.00 | |
Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | (Not offered) | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $20 | N/A |
Margin Rates | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
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Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13% | 5.75% | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.75% | 5.75% | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12% | 5.55% | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 10.75% | 5.25% | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 9.75% | 5.25% | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 9.25% | 5.25% | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 8.5% | 5% |
Account Fees | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
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IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $25.00 | $0.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $50.00 | $100.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $50.00 | $100.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Investment Options | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes | |
OTC Stocks | Yes | No | |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
Futures Trading | No | No | |
Forex Trading | No | No | |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 22 | |
Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | No | |
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | No | |
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | No | |
Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
Advisor Services | Yes | No | |
International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
Order Types | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Limit | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - After Hours | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Trailing Stop | No | Yes | |
Order Type - OCO | No | No | |
Order Type - OTO | No | No | |
Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
Beginners | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No | |
Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
Retirement Calculator | No | No | |
Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | No | |
Videos | No | No | |
Webinars | Yes | ||
Progress Tracking | No | No | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
Stock Trading Apps | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch App | No | Yes | |
Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - Complex Options | Yes | Yes | |
Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
Order Ticket SRT Quotes | No | Yes |
Stock App Features | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
Stream Live TV | No | No | |
Videos on Demand | No | No | |
Stock Alerts | No | Yes | |
Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Streaming) | No | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Column Customization | No | Yes |
Stock App Charting | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | No | No | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 0 | 6 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | No | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | No |
Trading Platforms | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platform | N/A | Robinhood Legend | |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | No | |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No | |
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | No | |
Trade Journal | No | No | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 10 | 3 |
Stock Chart Features | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | No | Yes | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 120 | 16 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 36 | 23 | |
Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Historical Trades | No | No | |
Charting - Corporate Events | No | No | |
Charting - Custom Date Range | No | Yes | |
Charting - Custom Time Bars | No | Yes | |
Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 8 | 1 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
Day Trading | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | No | No | |
Streaming TV | No | No | |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No | |
Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
Trade Hot Keys | No | No | |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No | |
Short Locator | No | No | |
Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
Research Overview | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | No |
Stock Research | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 0 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | No | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - Social | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | No | No | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | No | No |
ETF Research | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | No | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | No | Yes | |
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Sector Exposure | No | Yes | |
ETFs - Risk Analysis | No | No | |
ETFs - Ratings | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | No | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | No | No |
Mutual Fund Research | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Prospectus | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - StyleMap | No | No |
Options Trading | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | No | Yes |
Banking | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
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Bank (Member FDIC) | Yes | No | |
Checking Accounts | Yes | No | |
Savings Accounts | Yes | No | |
Credit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
Debit Cards | Yes | Yes | |
Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
Customer Service | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | No | No | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
24/7 Support | Yes | Yes |
Overall | Ally Invest | Robinhood | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Ally Invest Review | Robinhood Review |