Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Markets.com vs Robinhood
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Markets.com |  Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $10 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread betting | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulators | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | no deposit or withdrawal fees | $100 outgoing transfer |
| Platforms | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 72.4% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.6% | 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: Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0), Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000).
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Key differences
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FCA, FSCA.
- Regulators: only Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC.
- Markets.com is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Robinhood: $0 vs $100.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Robinhood: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Forex, CFDs, Bonds.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Options, Futures.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
Our verdict on each
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
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 | Markets.com | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.9Higher | 9.3 |
What each covers
| Markets | Markets.com | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | Yes | No |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Markets.com | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 40 of 490 | 13 of 490 |
| Brokers for beginners | 14 of 88 | 6 of 88 |
What it costs in practice
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Markets.com
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Robinhood
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Both come to the same total.
Excludes currency conversion fee (not stated by Robinhood). Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Markets.com | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, Crypto | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Finalto Financial Services Limited | Robinhood Europe UAB |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Lithuania |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2013 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Markets.com | Robinhood | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $10above the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 72.4%above the median | Not confirmed | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.6%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.4% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $0
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
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
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
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra charges.
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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