Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Fennel vs Robinhood
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Fennel |  Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $4.99 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, CryptoCovers more |
| Regulators | FINRA, SIPC | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | Mobile app, Web | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend |
| Account types | IRA | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | $100 outgoing transfer |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 10X |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Robinhood scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only Fennel offers FINRA.
- Regulators: only Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL.
- Robinhood is licensed in 1 more country.
- Account fee is lower at Robinhood: $0 vs $4.99.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Options, Futures, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Fennel offers Mobile app, Web.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
- Account types: only Robinhood offers Roth IRA, Joint.
- Features: only Robinhood offers Crypto, Fractional shares, Options.
Our verdict on each
Fennel
Fennel is a US retirement app built around an IRA, with stock trades at $0. It suits US investors saving for retirement from a phone, and not UK or European readers who want local markets or a cash savings option.
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 | Fennel | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Commission-free commission free trading and a $0 minimum deposit, against an account fee of $4.99 that is above the site median of €0. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.3 |
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Fennel
$4.99
48 × $0 + 1 × $4.99
Robinhood
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Robinhood costs $4.99 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Fennel | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 88 of 490 | 13 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 19 of 85 | 1 of 85 |
| IRA providers | 14 of 43 | 1 of 43 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Fennel | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Account types | Fennel | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | No | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
What we checked
Fennel
- fennel.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- finder.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- play.google.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Robinhood
- finder.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- mymillennialguide.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- financer.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- robinhood.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Fennel | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | FENNEL FINANCIALS LLC | Robinhood Europe UAB |
| Headquarters | United States | Lithuania |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2013 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Fennel | Robinhood | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $4.99above the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95%lowest quarter | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0lowest quarter | $0.59 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Fennel
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0, so entry costs sit at the floor of the market.
- A minimum deposit of $0 lets an account start from a small sum.
- Regulators listed are FINRA and SIPC, with investor protection at SIPC up to USD 500,000.
Cons
- The account types listed are ira, so there is no taxable brokerage account on offer.
- Markets stop at stocks and etfs, where CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- There is no live chat, since support runs on email, phone and help centre.
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
Fennel
Who it suits
- US investors opening or holding an IRA, since the account types are ira.
- Investors trading shares and exchange traded funds from a phone, since the platforms are mobile app and web.
- Readers starting with a small amount, since the minimum deposit is $0.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for CFI users who want forex, contracts for difference or crypto, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Not for readers who would rather hold no account fee, as the eToro account fee is $0 against Fennel's $4.99.
- Not for Vantage users who want a stated starting level, since Vantage asks for $5 and Fennel asks for $0.
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
Country by country
| Country | Fennel | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Fennel
What does Fennel charge for trading and holding?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the pricing model is commission free. The account fee is $4.99, above the site median of €0, and the minimum deposit is $0. Trading costs therefore sit at the floor of the market while the account charge is higher than most brands listed here.
Is my money protected at Fennel?+
Regulators listed for Fennel are FINRA and SIPC, and the membership record shows SIPC member 70779. Investor protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. The legal entity behind the brand is FENNEL FINANCIALS LLC, and the headquarters country is the US.
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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