Robinhood review

Robinhood keeps investing simple: its fee schedule says self-directed accounts pay $0 commissions on US-listed stocks, ETFs and their options through the app or website. The paid layer is Robinhood Gold at $5 a month, and it is where most of the value for everyday investors sits. Gold adds a 3% match on IRA contributions, which Robinhood says is worth up to $225 at the 2026 contribution limit, and 3.6% APY on eligible brokerage cash with no cap and no minimum. Members also get instant deposits up to 3 times portfolio value and lower index options fees of $0.35 per contract instead of $0.50. The catch with the match is commitment: you must stay subscribed to Gold for one year and keep the assets in the IRA for five years to keep the full 3%. Compared with Fidelity or Schwab, Robinhood has fewer account types and less research, but the app is the easiest on this list to pick up.

Who it is for

Mobile-first investors who want a simple app and are willing to pay $5 a month for an IRA match and extra yield.

Price

Commission-free US stock, ETF and options trades; 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 10, 2026.

Key features

• $0 commissions on US-listed stocks, ETFs and their options for self-directed accounts
• Gold: 3% match on IRA contributions
• Gold: 3.6% APY on eligible brokerage cash with no cap and no minimum
• Gold: instant deposits up to 3x portfolio value
• Lower index options fee for Gold members, $0.35 versus $0.50 per contract

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Very simple mobile app and website
• Strength: Gold's 3% IRA match is among the larger broker matches
• Strength: First 30 days of Gold are free
• Weakness: The full IRA match requires one year of Gold and keeping assets in the IRA for five years
• Weakness: Best perks sit behind a $5 monthly subscription
• Weakness: Fewer research tools and account types than full-service brokers

Key facts

• Stock and ETF commission: $0
• Gold price: $5 per month
• IRA match with Gold: 3% on new contributions

Where it ranks

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