Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of E*TRADE vs Robinhood, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
E*TRADE vs. Robinhood: If you want a wider mix of traditional investments, E*TRADE is the stronger pick, earning 4.5/5 stars for Range of Investments and ranking #4 of 14 at StockBrokers.com. Robinhood scores 4/5 stars and ranks #10, but it shines for accessible features like crypto and fractional shares. Both platforms cover the basics—stocks, options, margin, OTC stocks, futures, and IRAs—yet their sweet spots differ: E*TRADE includes mutual funds, while Robinhood offers crypto (22 coins) and fractional shares.
Both brokers let you trade stocks and options with margin, and both support OTC stocks and futures. Neither offers forex. The key trade-offs are simple: E*TRADE does not support crypto or fractional shares but does offer mutual funds; Robinhood flips that—no mutual funds, but crypto trading with 22 coins and the ability to buy fractional shares.
For account types, each offers Traditional and Roth IRA accounts, plus access to advisor services. If you value mutual funds alongside stocks and options, E*TRADE is likely the better fit. If you prioritize crypto access and buying small slices of shares, Robinhood may suit you more.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 22 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
E*TRADE is the better pick for trading platforms and tools in an E*TRADE vs Robinhood matchup. E*TRADE earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #6 of 14 brokers with StockBrokers.com, while Robinhood scores 3 stars and ranks #8. E*TRADE offers more ways to trade and richer chart features, making it a stronger choice for active traders. Robinhood’s platform is simpler and web-based, which can suit casual users who don’t need advanced extras.
Platforms: E*TRADE offers downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, plus a browser-based platform. Robinhood provides only a browser-based platform (no Windows or Mac downloads). E*TRADE includes paper trading so you can practice; Robinhood does not. Neither broker has a built-in trading journal. Both let you adjust open orders directly on a stock chart and save multiple chart profiles.
Tools and charts: E*TRADE supports larger watch lists (43 columns vs 34), more technical indicators (121 vs 90), and more drawing tools (37 vs 26). Both let you add notes to charts and set custom date ranges. Only E*TRADE can show historical trades and corporate events on charts and can display automated chart patterns. Editing a simple moving average also offers more options on E*TRADE (8 fields vs 6). Neither broker allows fully custom studies.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | No |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 43 | 34 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 121 | 90 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 37 | 26 |
| Advanced Trading |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
A full-featured account for investing
Get up to $1K on new brokerage account*
When comparing E*TRADE and Robinhood for beginner and investor education, both provide lessons on stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, and both include educational videos. E*TRADE also offers mutual funds education, while Robinhood does not. E*TRADE adds webinars and paper trading so you can practice without risking real money; Robinhood lacks webinars and does not provide paper trading. Neither broker offers quizzes or a way to track your learning progress.
E*TRADE is rated 4 stars for education and is ranked #5 out of 14 brokers by StockBrokers.com. Robinhood is rated 3.5 stars and ranked #7 out of 14. In short, E*TRADE is the stronger pick for broader learning and practice tools, while Robinhood covers the basics with fewer extras.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
Bottom line: For a stock trading app, E*TRADE edges out Robinhood on features and third-party ratings. E*TRADE earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while Robinhood scores 4 stars and ranks #7. If you value richer charts, streaming financial TV, and a few extra tools, E*TRADE is the stronger pick. Robinhood remains a solid, easy-to-use choice that covers everyday trading needs.
Both brokers offer iPhone, Android, and Apple Watch apps. Each supports mobile options trading, streaming quotes, stock alerts, and custom watch lists with customizable columns. Both provide after-hours charting and multiple time frames. E*TRADE supports mobile after-hours stock trading; the data provided here doesn’t specify whether Robinhood does. One notable difference: E*TRADE allows landscape chart viewing on mobile, while Robinhood does not.
Charting and media tilt further toward E*TRADE. It includes 107 technical studies versus Robinhood’s 90 and lets you compare stocks on the same chart, a feature Robinhood lacks. E*TRADE also streams live TV in-app, while Robinhood does not. Neither broker offers videos on demand. For traders who rely on deeper charts and live market coverage, E*TRADE offers more; for simple, on-the-go trading, Robinhood remains appealing.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 107 | 90 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026
When considering fees and charges, E*TRADE and Robinhood each offer distinct advantages to potential investors. Both platforms delight users with no minimum deposit requirement or fees for regular stock trades, making them accessible to beginners. However, E*TRADE charges $0.65 per options contract, while Robinhood offers these trades at no cost, providing a cost-saving advantage for options traders on Robinhood. On the flip side, Robinhood applies a $100 fee for both complete and partial account transfers, whereas E*TRADE has a zero-fee policy for partial transfers and a $75 charge for full transfers, which might be appealing for clients planning to move only part of their assets.
Margin account holders will notice notable differences as well. For balances under $25,000, Robinhood charges a lower margin rate of 5.75%, significantly less than E*TRADE's 12.95%. This pattern continues with Robinhood's consistent rate of 5.75% for balances between $25,000 and $49,999, whereas E*TRADE slightly drops to 12.7%. For higher balances between $50,000 and $99,999, Robinhood offers a 5.55% rate, while E*TRADE reduces its rate to 12.2%. Clearly, Robinhood stands out for those wanting to leverage borrowing for investments.
Both E*TRADE and Robinhood impressively avoid charging any fees for IRA accounts, whether annual fees or closure fees, making them appealing to retirement account holders. Additionally, both platforms ensure no added costs for options exercise and assignment fees. Choosing between E*TRADE and Robinhood will largely depend on what specific savings matter most to you: free options contracts, lower margin interest rates, or cost-effective account transfer options.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $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 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026
In an E*TRADE vs Robinhood day trading comparison, E*TRADE packs more built-in tools for active traders. It offers streaming time and sales, streaming live TV, direct market routing for stocks, trading hotkeys, and Level II quotes. Robinhood supports Level II quotes and adds ladder trading (a price ladder for quick order placement), but it lacks streaming time and sales, streaming live TV, direct routing, and hotkeys. Neither platform includes basic or advanced strategy backtesting, a short locator tool, or maker/taker rebates.
If you rely on tape reading, fast keyboard entries, choosing your market route, and live market TV, E*TRADE will feel more complete for day trading. If you prefer a simpler setup and want a ladder view, Robinhood may appeal, but you’ll give up time and sales, routing control, hotkeys, and streaming TV. Because both skip backtesting, short locates, and liquidity rebates, some day traders may still pair these accounts with third‑party analytics or execution tools.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
| Streaming TV | Yes | No |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No |
| Short Locator | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2026 for Beginners and Active Traders
If market research is a priority, E*TRADE is the stronger choice. It earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #3 of 14 brokers for research at StockBrokers.com, while Robinhood scores 2.5 stars and ranks #10. E*TRADE stands out with wider asset coverage, more screening tools, and downloadable PDF research reports, making it better suited for investors who want deeper insights. Robinhood can work for simpler needs, but it skips key areas like mutual funds, bonds, and downloadable reports.
Both brokers offer stock and ETF research, Pink Sheets/OTC data, and a view of portfolio allocation by asset class. E*TRADE adds research for mutual funds and bonds, which Robinhood does not. For stock analysis, E*TRADE also includes social media sentiment data; neither platform provides ESG research. When it comes to reports, E*TRADE supplies 8 downloadable stock research PDFs plus reports for ETFs and mutual funds, while Robinhood offers no downloadable research.
For idea generation, both have a stock screener. E*TRADE goes further with ETF, mutual fund, and bond screeners; Robinhood lacks these. Put together, E*TRADE’s research tools and report library give investors more ways to compare stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, while Robinhood mainly covers the basics for stock and ETF research.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | No |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Research |
|
|
When comparing the banking capabilities of E*TRADE and Robinhood, E*TRADE provides a wider range of financial services. E*TRADE offers checking and savings accounts, giving you more options to manage your money, while Robinhood does not offer these accounts. Both platforms offer debit and credit cards, allowing users to make convenient transactions, but only E*TRADE extends its services to include mortgage loans and Certificates of Deposit (CDs), which are not available with Robinhood. This variety makes E*TRADE a more comprehensive choice for those seeking diverse banking solutions alongside their investment needs.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 2026
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that E*TRADE is better than Robinhood. E*TRADE finished with an overall score of 86.0%, while Robinhood finished with a score of 69.6%.
With two distinct platforms (E*TRADE Web and Power E*TRADE) the broker effectively serves both the "set-it-and-forget-it" investor and the high-volume derivatives trader. Whether you aim to construct a long-term retirement portfolio or deploy complex options strategies, E*TRADE provides a sophisticated, dependable environment that grows with your ambition.
While E*TRADE does not provide crypto trading options, Robinhood offers a robust selection with 22 different cryptocurrencies available for trading.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026
Both E*TRADE and Robinhood offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts without annual fees or closure fees, making them attractive options for individuals seeking cost-effective retirement investment solutions.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Advanced Trading |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Customer Service |
| N/A | |
| Education |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | E*TRADE Review | Robinhood Review |
| Broker Screenshots | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Trading Fees | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $6.95 | N/A | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $0.00 | N/A | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.00 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | $1.50 | $0.75 | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $25 | N/A |
| Margin Rates | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 12.95% | 5.75% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.7% | 5.75% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.2% | 5.55% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.7% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 11.2% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | Varies | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | Varies | 5% |
| Account Fees | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $100.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $75.00 | $100.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Investment Options | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
| Futures Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 1 |
| Order Types | E*TRADE | 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 | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OCO | Yes | No | |
| Order Type - OTO | Yes | No | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
| Beginners | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Progress Tracking | No | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Features | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | Yes | No | |
| Videos on Demand | No | No | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Charting | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 107 | 90 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | Power E*TRADE | Robinhood Legend | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | No | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
| Trade Journal | No | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 43 | 34 |
| Stock Chart Features | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 121 | 90 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 37 | 26 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | 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 | 6 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
| Day Trading | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
| Streaming TV | Yes | No | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No | |
| Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | No | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No | |
| Short Locator | No | No | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
| Research Overview | E*TRADE | 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 | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 8 | 0 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Social | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | No | No | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | No |
| ETF Research | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Prospectus | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - StyleMap | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | No | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | No | No | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | Yes |
| Overall | E*TRADE | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Advanced Trading |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | E*TRADE Review | Robinhood Review |
Charles Schwab
Interactive Brokers
Fidelity
E*TRADE
Merrill Edge
TradeStation
tastytrade
Finviz
Stock Rover
Seeking Alpha
TipRanks
TrendSpider
Trade Ideas
TraderSync
TradingView
Tradervue
TradeZella