Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Robinhood vs Smartbroker
Where Robinhood and Smartbroker differ
| Compare |  Robinhood |  Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €0 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds, Metals |
| Regulators | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) |
| Platforms | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend | Web, App |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | 3.95% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $100 outgoing transfer | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | 10X | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.25% |
Same on both: Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Smartbroker offers Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
- Robinhood is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Options, Futures.
- Markets: only Smartbroker offers Bonds, Funds, Metals.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
- Platforms: only Smartbroker offers Web, App.
- Features: only Robinhood offers Fractional shares, Options, Futures.
- Pricing model: only Robinhood offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
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.
Smartbroker
Smartbroker runs a European brokerage with a €0 account fee and a €0 minimum deposit, which puts it at 1 on the site for deposit levels. It suits investors who want stocks, ETFs, funds and crypto in one account and would rather not pay a monthly charge.
Score breakdown
| Area | Robinhood | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. | 9.5 |
| Offer | 9.3Higher | 9.2Low-fees model across stocks, etfs and crypto, supervised by BaFin and Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and reachable on email, phone and help centre. |
| Trust | 9.3 | 9.5Higher |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Robinhood | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 13 of 471 | 60 of 471 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Robinhood | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Metals | No | Yes |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Robinhood | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free, Low feesCovers more | Low fees |
| Audience | Beginners, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Robinhood Europe UAB | Smartbroker AG |
| Headquarters | Lithuania | Germany |
| Founded | 2013 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Robinhood | Smartbroker | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | 3.95%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0lowest quarter | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.25%below the median | 3% |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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
Smartbroker
Pros
- Account fee of €0, matching the $0 account fee at eToro and sitting at 1 among 138 brands on account fee.
- Nothing to pay to open, with a minimum deposit of €0 against a site median of €4.64.
- One account covers stocks, etfs and crypto.
Cons
- Protection is limited to what the scheme pays, listed as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, so larger balances rely on your own holdings.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre only, with no live chat listed.
- Markets stop at stocks, etfs and crypto, with no forex, options or futures listed.
Who each suits
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
Smartbroker
Who it suits
- European investors who want a German-regulated account holding stocks, etfs and crypto under one roof.
- Anyone with spare cash to park while they decide, with 2.25% on the daily deposit account.
- People who trade away from a desk, since access runs through Web and App.
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage, if you would rather start against a published floor of $5 than an open entry of €0.
- eToro, if your trading runs past the stocks, etfs and crypto list here and you want to weigh its range against Smartbroker's.
- Anyone holding a large cash balance, since protection is listed as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Country by country
| Country | Robinhood | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | No | Yes |
Questions about each
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.
Smartbroker
What does Smartbroker charge to hold an account?+
The account fee is €0, so there is no monthly charge for keeping the account open. Entry is also open, with a minimum deposit of €0. Trading costs still apply on individual orders, and the pricing page is where per-trade charges are set out.
Is my money protected at Smartbroker?+
Smartbroker is regulated by BaFin and Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), and the listed investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000. The German regulator supervises the firm, while the compensation scheme pays out on eligible balances up to the stated limit.
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