Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of TradeStation vs Robinhood, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
TradeStation vs Robinhood: If you want the widest mix of investments, TradeStation comes out ahead, earning 4.5 stars and a #5 spot out of 14 for Range of Investments from StockBrokers.com, while Robinhood holds 3.5 stars and ranks #12. TradeStation adds mutual funds and broad market access, whereas Robinhood shines for newer investors who want crypto, fractional shares, and advisor services. In short, choose TradeStation for breadth; pick Robinhood if crypto and small-share buying matter most.
Both brokers cover the core basics: stock trading, margin trading, options trading, OTC stocks, futures trading, and neither supports forex. Key differences include fractional shares (available at Robinhood, not at TradeStation) and mutual funds (available at TradeStation, not at Robinhood). Crypto is another divider: TradeStation doesn’t offer crypto, while Robinhood does, with trading in 22 coins.
For accounts, both support Traditional and Roth IRAs. Robinhood also offers advisor services, while TradeStation does not. Weigh whether you value mutual funds and a wider product lineup (TradeStation) or fractional shares, crypto access, and guidance features (Robinhood) to pick the better fit for your goals.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
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 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
Bottom line: for trading platforms and tools, TradeStation comes out ahead of Robinhood. TradeStation earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #3 of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while Robinhood scores 3.5/5 stars and ranks #9. If you want deeper charting, paper trading, and a Windows desktop platform, TradeStation is the better fit. If you prefer a simpler, browser-first experience, Robinhood can work for everyday trading.
Platforms: TradeStation offers a downloadable Windows desktop platform (no Mac download) and a browser-based platform; Robinhood offers a browser-based platform only, with no Windows or Mac downloads. Paper trading is available on TradeStation but not on Robinhood. Neither broker includes a built-in trading journal. Both let you adjust open orders directly on a stock chart. For watchlists, TradeStation supports 341 data columns versus Robinhood’s 34. When editing a simple moving average study, TradeStation provides 12 settings versus Robinhood’s 6. TradeStation also lets you build custom studies; Robinhood does not.
Charting features favor TradeStation: 294 technical indicators vs 90 on Robinhood, plus the ability to add notes, display corporate events, show automated chart patterns, and overlay your historical trades—none of which are available on Robinhood except notes. Both brokers let you set custom date ranges and save multiple chart profiles. For drawing tools, TradeStation lists 23 while Robinhood lists 2,326. Overall, TradeStation offers more analysis firepower, while Robinhood covers basics with simpler charts.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 341 | 34 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 90 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 2326 |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
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TradeStation and Robinhood both offer stock and options education along with educational videos. Robinhood also includes learning on ETFs and bonds, while TradeStation does not. Neither broker provides mutual fund education, quizzes, or tools to track your learning progress. For hands-on practice, TradeStation offers paper trading and hosts webinars; Robinhood lacks paper trading and does not offer webinars.
For beginner and investor education, TradeStation is rated 3 out of 5 stars and ranks 13th out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while Robinhood earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 8th. Pick Robinhood if you want broader coverage that includes ETFs and bonds. Choose TradeStation if you value paper trading and live webinars to practice and learn.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | No | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | No | Yes |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
TradeStation and Robinhood are both strong picks for a stock trading app. Each earns 4.5 stars, with Robinhood ranked #7 of 14 by StockBrokers.com and TradeStation close behind at #8. If you want Apple Watch support and more built‑in indicators, Robinhood has the edge. If those aren’t must‑haves, TradeStation delivers a very similar mobile trading experience.
App availability is broad for both: iPhone and Android are supported by TradeStation and Robinhood. Only Robinhood adds an Apple Watch app. On the trading side, both apps offer mobile options trading, streaming quotes, after‑hours charting, stock alerts, and custom watch lists with customizable columns. Neither app provides streaming live TV or videos on demand. TradeStation supports mobile after‑hours stock trading; the provided info does not confirm this for Robinhood.
For charting, both apps let you view multiple time frames and include after‑hours data, but neither supports landscape chart view or side‑by‑side stock comparisons on charts. Indicator depth differs: TradeStation offers 45 technical studies, while Robinhood offers 90.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | No | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 45 | 90 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
Bottom line: In the TradeStation vs Robinhood fees matchup, both brokers offer a $0 minimum deposit and $0 commissions for stock trades, but Robinhood is generally cheaper for options, margin, and common account charges. Robinhood has no per-contract options fee and no exercise or assignment fees, plus lower margin rates across the tiers shown. It also charges $0 for IRA annual and closure fees and lower ACAT transfer fees. If you trade options, use margin, or expect to move or close IRAs, Robinhood typically keeps costs down; if you mainly place stock trades, costs are similar.
For trading costs, each broker charges $0 for regular stock trades. Options are where they diverge: TradeStation charges $0.60 per contract and adds a $14.95 options exercise fee and a $5.95 assignment fee, while Robinhood charges $0 per contract with $0 for both exercise and assignment. Margin rates are lower at Robinhood across the board: for balances under $25,000 and $25,000–$49,999, TradeStation lists 12.5% vs Robinhood’s 5.75%; for $50,000–$99,999, TradeStation is 11.5% vs Robinhood’s 5.55%.
On account and transfer fees, TradeStation lists a $35 IRA annual fee and a $50 IRA closure fee; Robinhood charges $0 for both. For transfers, TradeStation’s ACAT partial and full transfers are $125 each, while Robinhood’s are $100 each. Both have a $0 minimum deposit. Pricing can change, so confirm current rates on each broker’s site before you open or move an account.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.60 | $0.00 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $0.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $0.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 | $0.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
Choosing a day trading platform often comes down to the tools you get for speed, insight, and order control. TradeStation gives streaming time and sales for stocks, direct market routing, ladder trading, keyboard hotkeys, and Level II quotes. Robinhood supplies ladder trading and Level II quotes, but it does not include streaming time and sales, direct routing, or hotkeys—features many active day traders rely on for faster entries and better order control. Neither platform streams live TV, which won’t matter to most traders focused on charts and order flow.
For planning and testing, TradeStation stands out with both basic and advanced strategy backtesting, while Robinhood offers none. Short selling support also differs: TradeStation has a real-time short locator so you can see share availability before you trade; Robinhood does not. If you care about trading costs and execution quality, TradeStation also supports maker/taker order rebates, something Robinhood doesn’t provide. Bottom line: TradeStation is the better fit for serious day trading with its deeper toolset and order-routing control, whereas Robinhood suits casual traders who place occasional trades and don’t need these specialized features.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
| Streaming TV | No | No |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No |
| Short Locator | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2025 for Beginners and Active Traders
Bottom line: TradeStation and Robinhood offer similar, entry-level market research. Both earn 2 stars, with Robinhood ranked slightly higher (#10 of 14) than TradeStation (#11) by StockBrokers.com. Choose TradeStation if an ETF screener matters; otherwise, Robinhood’s overall standing may appeal. For everyday stock and ETF checks and a quick view of your portfolio mix, either platform works, but deeper research will likely require outside sources.
Research coverage is largely the same: both provide stock and ETF research and include Pink Sheets/OTCBB data. Neither supports research for mutual funds or bonds. Portfolio analysis is basic but present on both, letting you see allocation by asset class. Advanced data sets are absent—there’s no social media sentiment or ESG research. Downloadable PDF reports are not available for stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds on either broker.
Screening tools are limited. TradeStation and Robinhood both include a stock screener for trade ideas. TradeStation adds an ETF screener, while Robinhood does not. Neither offers mutual fund or bond screeners. If you’re comparing market research tools head to head, expect comparable features overall, with TradeStation’s ETF screener as the main difference and Robinhood carrying a slight edge in third-party rankings.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | No |
| Research - Mutual Funds | No | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | No | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | No | No |
| Research |
|
|
When comparing the banking features of online brokers TradeStation and Robinhood, there are some key differences to consider. TradeStation does not provide checking or savings accounts, and it also doesn’t offer debit or credit cards. Mortgage loans and certificates of deposit (CDs) are not part of TradeStation’s offerings either. In contrast, Robinhood also lacks checking and savings accounts, mortgage loans, and CDs, but it does provide users with debit and credit card options. Therefore, if having access to debit and credit cards through your brokerage platform is important to you, Robinhood may be the preferable choice.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Robinhood
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | No | No |
| Savings Accounts | No | No |
| Debit Cards | No | Yes |
| Credit Cards | No | Yes |
| Mortgage Loans | No | No |
| Brokerage CDs | No | 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 TradeStation is better than Robinhood. TradeStation finished with an overall score of 80.2%, while Robinhood finished with a score of 77.3%.
TradeStation supports casual traders through its web-based platform and active traders through its desktop platform. We like the web-based platform and mobile app, but the flagship desktop platform could use a refresh.
TradeStation does not offer crypto trading, while Robinhood provides access to 22 different cryptocurrencies, making Robinhood a more appealing choice for those interested in crypto investments.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both TradeStation and Robinhood provide options for traditional and Roth IRA accounts, but TradeStation charges a $35 annual fee and a $50 closure fee, whereas Robinhood offers these services with no annual or closure fees, making Robinhood a cost-effective choice for IRA account management.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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| Review | TradeStation Review | Robinhood Review |
| Broker Screenshots | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
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| Trading Fees | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $0.01 | N/A | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $14.95 | N/A | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.60 | $0.00 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | $1.50 | $0.75 | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $25 | N/A |
| Margin Rates | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 12.5% | 5.75% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.5% | 5.75% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 11.5% | 5.55% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.5% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.0% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 7.5% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 7.5% | 5% |
| Account Fees | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 | $0.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $125.00 | $100.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $125.00 | $100.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $0.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $0.00 |
| Investment Options | TradeStation | 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) | No | No | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | No | No | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | No | No | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 1 |
| Order Types | TradeStation | 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 | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | No | No | |
| Investor Dictionary | No | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Progress Tracking | No | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | TradeStation | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Features | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | No | 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 | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | No | No | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 45 | 90 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | TradeStation 10 | Robinhood Legend | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
| Trade Journal | No | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 341 | 34 |
| Stock Chart Features | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 90 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 2326 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 12 | 6 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | Yes | No |
| Day Trading | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
| Streaming TV | No | No | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No | |
| Ladder Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | No | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No | |
| Short Locator | Yes | No | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | Yes | No |
| Research Overview | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Fixed Income | No | No | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | No | No | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 0 | 0 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | No | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Social | No | No | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | No | No | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | No | No |
| ETF Research | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | No | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | No | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | No | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | No | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | No | Yes | |
| ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | No | Yes | |
| ETFs - Sector Exposure | No | Yes | |
| ETFs - Risk Analysis | No | No | |
| ETFs - Ratings | No | No | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | No | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | No | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | No | 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 | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - StyleMap | No | No |
| Options Trading | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | No | No | |
| Checking Accounts | No | No | |
| Savings Accounts | No | No | |
| Credit Cards | No | Yes | |
| Debit Cards | No | Yes | |
| Mortgage Loans | No | No |
| Customer Service | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | No | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | Yes | No | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | No | Yes |
| Overall | TradeStation | Robinhood | |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | TradeStation Review | Robinhood Review |
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