Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Global Prime vs Robinhood
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Global Prime |  Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulators | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), SIPC | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 deposit fees | $100 outgoing transfer |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend |
| Account types | Joint, Corporate | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:1000 | 10X |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.1% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Global Prime offers Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC).
- Regulators: only Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL.
- Founded is lower at Global Prime: 2010 vs 2013.
- Global Prime is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only Global Prime offers Forex, CFDs, Metals.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Options, Futures.
- Platforms: only Global Prime offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
- Account types: only Global Prime offers Corporate.
- Account types: only Robinhood offers IRA, Roth IRA.
Our verdict on each
Global Prime
Global Prime is a low-cost broker for traders who already work in a standard terminal and want shares, forex and CFDs in one place. A minimum deposit of $0 and a listed EUR/USD spread of 0.1% keep the running costs down, though leverage of 1:1000 is not for beginners.
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 | Global Prime | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 9.6Stock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.4Higher | 9.3 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Global Prime | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 46 of 490 | 13 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 13 of 85 | 1 of 85 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Global Prime | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Crypto | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free, Low fees | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | TD PRIME SERVICES LLC | Robinhood Europe UAB |
| Headquarters | Australia | Lithuania |
| Founded | 2010Lower | 2013 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Global Prime | Robinhood | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| 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 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.1%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95%lowest quarter | 8.79% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Global Prime
Pros
- Regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and SIPC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and SIPC), so the money sits in a regulated structure.
- One account covers stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs, crypto and metals (stocks, etfs and forex) on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 (MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5).
- A demo account is offered, so you can test the terminals before funding, and pricing comes in commission free and low fees variants.
Cons
- Account types run to joint and corporate only, with no ISA, SIPP or IRA listed, so tax wrappers sit elsewhere.
- Leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses as much as gains, so oversized positions hurt quickly.
- SIPC cover attaches to TD PRIME SERVICES LLC, the US entity, while the brand sits in Australia, so the entity on your account matters.
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
Global Prime
Who it suits
- Traders who already work in MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 and want one account for shares, forex, CFDs and crypto.
- Anyone testing a platform first, since a demo account is offered and both joint and corporate accounts sit in the range (joint and corporate).
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for beginners: leverage of 1:1000 turns a wrong position into a fast loss, and the platforms are MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 rather than a simplified app.
- Not for futures traders: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, which adds futures that the Global Prime markets list leaves out.
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
Global Prime
What will it cost me to get started?+
The minimum deposit is $0 and the published deposit charge is $0 deposit fees. What you pay afterwards depends on the account model you pick, either commission-free or low-fee (commission free and low fees), and on the spread you trade through, with an EUR/USD spread of 0.1% listed.
How is my money protected?+
Global Prime is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), and it appears on the SIPC membership list. The listed investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000. That cover belongs to the US entity, so check the legal entity named on your account before you fund it.
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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