Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Robinhood vs Stash
Robinhood vs Stash: the differences
| Compare |  Robinhood |  Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $0Lower | $144 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, CryptoCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Regulators | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC | SEC, FINRA |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend | Web, iOS, Android |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA |
| 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 |
| Maximum retail leverage | 10X | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Robinhood scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Stash offers SEC, FINRA.
- Founded is lower at Robinhood: 2013 vs 2015.
- Robinhood is licensed in 1 more country.
- Account fee is lower at Robinhood: $0 vs $144.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Options, Futures, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
- Platforms: only Stash offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Account types: only Robinhood offers Joint.
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.
Stash
Stash suits US beginners who want a retirement pot built from a phone rather than a wide market. Trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is free, but the account fee of $144 a year is the price of that simplicity.
Score breakdown
| Area | Robinhood | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. | 9.1A free minimum deposit and $0 trades rank 1 of 213 and 1 of 161, but the $144 account fee is the weight. |
| Offer | 9.3Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 9.0 |
What each covers
| Markets | Robinhood | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Account types | Robinhood | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | Robinhood | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 14 of 471 | 148 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 1 of 86 | 31 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 6 of 88 | 38 of 88 |
| IRA providers | 1 of 43 | 22 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Robinhood | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free, Low feesCovers more | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Day tradersCovers more | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Robinhood Europe UAB | Stash Investments LLC |
| Headquarters | Lithuania | United States |
| Founded | 2013Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Robinhood | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | $108 to $144 |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | $5 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Robinhood | Stash | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $144highest quarter | $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 |
Median across 134 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
Stash
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so small orders carry no per-trade charge.
- The portfolio option is an etf portfolio alongside ira and roth ira accounts, which keeps retirement saving in one place.
- Access runs through Web, iOS and Android, and fractional shares spread small contributions across holdings.
Cons
- The account fee of $144 a year leaves Stash at 134 of 138 brands on that measure, while eToro lists $0.
- Support runs on help centre only, so questions about a retirement account are left to articles.
- Trading is limited to stocks and etfs with an etf portfolio, so there is no forex, crypto or CFD route.
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
Stash
Who it suits
- US beginners who want a retirement account, a phone app and a small starting amount rather than a wide market.
- Long-term savers content to hold stocks and etfs and an etf portfolio without picking markets themselves.
- Readers who weigh regulation first, since Stash is registered with SEC and FINRA in the US.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want forex, crypto or CFDs, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Anyone put off by a yearly charge, as eToro lists $0 for its account.
- Readers who prefer a provider with a published entry figure, such as Vantage at $5, rather than a free minimum deposit.
Current offers
Stash
Current offer
Free trial
Try Stash for 7 days: 7-day trial
new Stash Plan subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Robinhood | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 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.
Stash
How much does Stash cost to run?+
Running the plan costs a management fee of $108 to $144 a year, and the account fee is $144. Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so the charge sits with the subscription rather than the order. The site median account fee is €0, so Stash sits at the dear end of the table.
How much do I need to start?+
The minimum deposit is free, and the minimum investment is $5, so an account can be opened at a size that suits a monthly habit rather than a lump sum. Stash ranks 1 of 213 brands on this measure, against a site median of €4.64.
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