Robinhood launched in 2013 with a simple premise: commission-free stock trading for everyone. It worked โ the platform helped open investing to a generation of younger investors. In 2025, it’s expanded significantly but still leads with simplicity. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Robinhood Offers
Stocks and ETFs: commission-free. Fractional shares: invest in any company from $1. Crypto: commission-free BTC, ETH, and 15+ other coins. Options trading: no per-contract fees. IRAs: now available with 1% match on contributions. Cash management: 4.9% APY on uninvested cash. Margin investing: for experienced investors (use with caution).
Robinhood Gold: Is It Worth $5/Month?
Gold includes: 5% APY on cash (vs. 4.9% standard), Morningstar research, professional research reports, larger instant deposit limits, and 3% IRA match (vs. 1% standard). At $5/month, it pays for itself if you keep $1,200+ in cash at Robinhood. For active investors: yes, get Gold.
Limitations to Know
Customer service is online only (improving but not phone-based). No mutual funds (ETFs only). Limited research tools compared to Fidelity or Schwab. Best for: beginners, crypto investors, simple long-term stock/ETF investing.
Our Verdict
Robinhood is excellent for beginning investors and anyone who wants the simplest possible interface. For long-term, serious investing: Fidelity or Schwab offer better research, no IRA contribution limit differences, and more account types. Use Robinhood to start, consider migrating as your needs grow.
Comments