Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Robinhood vs TradeStation
Where Robinhood and TradeStation differ
| Compare |  Robinhood |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | $0Lower | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPCCovers more | SIPC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Options contract fee | $0Lower | $0.50 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $100 outgoing transfer | free deposits |
| Platforms | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Margin rate | 3.95% | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | 10X | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15% |
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 Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL.
- Founded is lower at TradeStation: 1982 vs 2013.
- Robinhood is licensed in 1 more country.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Robinhood: $0 vs $10.
- Options contract fee is lower at Robinhood: $0 vs $0.50.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Forex, Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
- Platforms: only TradeStation offers TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile.
- Account types: only Robinhood offers Roth IRA.
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.
TradeStation
TradeStation suits experienced traders who want one account spanning stocks, options, futures and forex, and it is headed in the US. Stock trades cost $0, options run $0.50 a contract, deposits are free deposits, and an inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | Robinhood | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. | 9.2Stock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 9.3 | 9.4HigherOne account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 9.2 |
Choosing between them
Pick Robinhood if cost, inactivity fee, regulators, and options contract fee matter most.
Pick TradeStation if markets matter most.
Licences and countries
| Country | Robinhood | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 69916 | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
| Lithuania | Bank of Lithuania (LSC) MiCA CASP 254900GTP4UXQO1UMI36 LT_BL PSD_PI 306377915 | Not confirmed |
What each covers
| Markets | Robinhood | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Account types | Robinhood | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | Robinhood | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 13 of 490 | 95 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 1 of 85 | 21 of 85 |
| Options trading platforms | 1 of 103 | 35 of 103 |
| Futures trading platforms | 3 of 83 | 24 of 83 |
| IRA providers | 1 of 43 | 15 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Robinhood | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free, Low fees | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Beginners, Day traders | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Robinhood Europe UAB | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Lithuania | United States |
| Founded | 2013 | 1982Lower |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Robinhood | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $10above the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.4% |
| Margin rate | 3.95%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.79% |
Median across 99 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
TradeStation
Pros
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, so equities, derivatives and bonds trade side by side without extra logins.
- Stock trades cost $0 and deposits are free deposits, so there is nothing extra to fund the account.
- Platforms run from TradeStation desktop, web and mobile, so charts and order tickets travel with you between desk and phone.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, so a dormant balance keeps being charged rather than left alone.
- Options contracts are charged at $0.50 each, even though the equity model is listed as commission free and low fees.
- Currency conversion costs 0.5%, so trading across currencies adds a cut to the trade price.
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
TradeStation
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know which markets they want to reach and trade them often
- Day traders who need desktop, web and mobile order entry on one and the same account
- Retirement savers who want one account that also carries options, futures and forex markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who trade a single asset class: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and stops short of the bonds and funds here
- Readers who prefer the eToro route, where stocks, etfs and forex leaves out the bond and fund side of this account
- Readers who want a published entry threshold: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5 against the $0 here
Country by country
| Country | Robinhood | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
TradeStation
How much does TradeStation charge to buy shares?+
Stock trades are commission free at $0, and options are charged separately at $0.50 per contract. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, while deposits are free deposits, so the everyday cost of trading sits in the currency line rather than the share price.
Is my money protected at TradeStation?+
TradeStation sits under SIPC in the US, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a member reference of SIPC member 48711. That cover applies to securities held if the firm fails, not to losses on a falling position.
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