Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CFI vs Robinhood
Where CFI and Robinhood differ
| Compare |  CFI |  Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulators | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, FCA | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit fees | $100 outgoing transfer |
| Platforms | MT5, TradingView, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 10X |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000).
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Key differences
- CFI scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only CFI offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, FCA.
- Regulators: only Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC.
- Founded is lower at CFI: 1998 vs 2013.
- Markets: only CFI offers Forex, CFDs.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Options, Futures.
- Platforms: only CFI offers MT5, TradingView, CFI Multi Asset.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
- Features: only CFI offers Demo account.
- Features: only Robinhood offers Crypto, Fractional shares, Options.
Our verdict on each
CFI
CFI suits traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex on a commission-free model commission free, with a minimum deposit of $0 and a Cyprus entity licensed by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA. Note that 66% of retail accounts lose money, and protection under the EU scheme is limited.
Robinhood
Robinhood suits first-time investors and small, regular investors who want nothing charged for holding or trading. It is the cheapest way in on our data, with a minimum deposit of $0, no account fee and no inactivity charge, under the Bank of Lithuania and SIPC.
Score breakdown
| Area | CFI | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 9.6Stock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.4Higher | 9.3 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | CFI | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| Lithuania | Not confirmed | Bank of Lithuania (LSC) MiCA CASP 254900GTP4UXQO1UMI36 LT_BL PSD_PI 306377915 |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 69916 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | CFI | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 43 of 471 | 13 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CFI | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd | Robinhood Europe UAB |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Lithuania |
| Founded | 1998Lower | 2013 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CFI | Robinhood | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95%lowest quarter | 8.75% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CFI
Pros
- No minimum deposit, at $0, and No deposit fees, so funding does not cost a fee and the account can open at any size.
- Regulated on both sides of Europe: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA, with the Cyprus entity named as Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd.
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex rather than forcing separate apps per asset class.
Cons
- Protection caps out at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 on the Cyprus entity, so balances above that sit outside the scheme.
- 66% of retail accounts lose money, which is the risk that matters most for anyone sizing a position.
- Leverage sits alongside shares and ETFs in stocks, etfs and forex, so a single account mixes instruments with very different risk levels.
Robinhood
Pros
- Nothing to pay to open or hold an account, with an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0
- Trading a share costs $0, so a small first order is not eaten by commission
- You can start with a deposit of $0, lower than most brands on our data
Cons
- Leverage is available at 10X, which magnifies losses as well as gains
- Outgoing transfers carry a charge of $100 outgoing transfer
- Margin borrowing is priced at a margin rate of 3.95%, so interest adds to your cost
Who each suits
CFI
Who it suits
- People who want stocks, etfs and forex held in one place instead of several broker accounts.
- Traders who prefer the commission-free model commission free and a minimum deposit of $0 over a larger entry threshold.
- Savers who want a Cyprus or UK regulated option, given Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA and the Cyprus licence 179/12.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a wider asset list, since stocks, etfs and forex runs to futures as well and CFI's list is stocks, etfs and forex.
- EU traders who want a rival with a low entry point, such as XTB at €0.
- Traders put off by losses in the retail book, where 66% lose money and the median here is 70.15%.
Robinhood
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a first account with a small deposit
- Day-traders working in options, futures and crypto on mobile
- Retirement investors using an IRA, Roth IRA or joint account
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage if a flat minimum deposit of $5 suits you better
- CFI if you want forex and CFDs alongside shares, since its markets cover stocks, etfs and forex
- eToro if social copy trading matters more than options and futures
Questions about each
CFI
What is the minimum deposit to open a CFI account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened at any size and a first deposit does not have to clear a threshold. For comparison, Vantage lists $5 and XTB €0. The median minimum across the brands ranked is €4.64, and the highest reaches €26,308.87. CFI places 1 of 213 on that measure.
Does CFI charge commission on trades?+
CFI trades on a commission-free model, commission free, so positions are opened without a per-trade commission charge. The cost of a trade therefore sits in the spread and the market rather than in a commission line. Commission-free models are common in the field, appearing for 69.8% of the brands compared. Low-fee models sit alongside them at 40.5%.
Robinhood
What does it cost to trade shares on Robinhood?+
Trading a share costs $0, and an options contract costs $0. There is also an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0, so nothing is taken for simply holding the account open. Borrowing on margin is charged at a margin rate of 3.95%, which is the main running cost if you use leverage.
Is there a minimum deposit to open a Robinhood account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so you can open an account and place a small first order without funding a large balance. It is worth comparing that with the deposits other brands ask for before you commit, since the figure varies widely across the market. Outgoing transfers are charged at $100 outgoing transfer, so factor that in if you plan to move money out early.
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