Robinhood review

Robinhood is the easiest app on this list to pick up. Its fee schedule says commission-free trading means $0 commissions for self-directed accounts trading US-listed securities, including ETFs, and its help pages show real-time fractional share orders from $1. Recurring investments and dividend reinvestment are built in, so a beginner can automate a small monthly ETF purchase. The optional Robinhood Gold plan costs $5 a month after a free first 30 days. Gold pays 3.6% APY on eligible brokerage cash with no cap and no minimum, and adds a 3% boost on annual IRA contributions, worth up to $225 based on the 2026 limit. Read the terms on that match: you must stay subscribed for a year and keep the assets in the IRA for five years to keep the full 3%. Robinhood is lighter on mutual funds and bonds than Fidelity or Schwab, so it suits people focused on stocks and ETFs.

Who it is for

Beginners who want the simplest app and may pay $5 a month for a higher cash rate.

Price

Free standard account with $0 commissions; Robinhood Gold $5 per month with the first 30 days free.

Do more with your money with high-impact tools, rates, and insights—all with Gold for $5/month.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• $0 commissions on US-listed stocks and ETFs in self-directed accounts
• Real-time fractional share trades from $1
• Recurring investments and dividend reinvestment
• Gold: 3.6% APY on eligible brokerage cash with no cap and no minimum
• Gold: 3% boost on annual IRA contributions

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Very simple app built around dollar-amount orders
• Strength: Gold costs $5 a month and the first 30 days are free
• Strength: The Gold cash rate has no cap or minimum
• Weakness: The best perks need a paid subscription
• Weakness: Keeping the full 3% IRA match requires a year of Gold and five years in the IRA
• Weakness: Fewer mutual funds and bonds than traditional brokers

Key facts

• Stock and ETF commission: $0
• Fractional shares: From $1
• Robinhood Gold: $5 per month, first 30 days free
• Gold cash rate: 3.6% APY on eligible brokerage cash
• Gold IRA boost: 3% on annual contributions

Where it ranks

Robinhood is No. 3 in our Best Investing Apps verdict.