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Head to head
Coinbase or Robinhood? Fees, regulation, platform and product range compared side by side — with a verdict drawn from the data.
Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged products are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly. Investments can fall in value. Past performance is not an indicator of future results.
The most trusted on-ramp in crypto, and one of the most expensive ways to actually trade.
The cheapest way to trade options and the best trading app ever built — attached to the thinnest research desk and the longest enforcement record in the sector.
Advertising disclosure: where a partnership is active, we may earn a commission through broker links. The provider’s terms apply. Commissions do not influence our ratings; paid placements are separately labelled as sponsored.
Four decision axes, each derived from the recorded data.
Overall Robinhood takes it, 3.9 against 3.7 out of 5. On commissions there is little between them — €0.00 against €0.00 for a reference EUR 5,000 order. Both score 78 out of 100 on the group index. Your account's protection depends on its legal entity. Robinhood covers more ground with 7 of 14 asset classes against 6. We rate platform and app at 4.4 out of 5 for both. Which one is right depends on which of these axes matters for your trading profile.
CoinbaseRobinhoodCoinbaseRobinhoodCoinbaseRobinhoodCoinbaseRobinhoodCoinbaseRobinhoodUp to four brokers at once — every row a decision point.
Data as of: 30 Aug 2026
| Criterion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.7 | 3.9 — Better |
| Group index | 78 of 100 | 78 of 100 |
| Best for | First-time crypto buyersMobile-first investorsUS and UK investors wanting crypto and stocks in one appAnyone who prioritises a listed, audited counterparty | Active options tradersMobile-first investorsMargin usersCrypto and equities in one appSmall starting balances |
| Regulation | CSSFCBIFINRAFCAFCA | SECFINRACFTCFCABank of Lithuania |
| Top-tier licences | 5 — Better | 4 |
| Investor protection | US$500,000 | US$500,000 |
| Listed group | Yes | Yes |
| Banking licence | No | No |
| Segregated client accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Negative balance protection | No | No |
| Audited financials | Yes | Yes |
| Disclosed regulatory actions | 3 | 4 |
| Founded | 2012 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Remote-first, incorporated in Delaware, US | Menlo Park, US |
| Fees | 2.6 | 4.8 — Better |
| Safety & regulation | 4.4 — Better | 3.6 |
| Trading platform | 4.1 — Better | 3.9 |
| Product range | 4.2 — Better | 3.4 |
| Mobile app | 4.6 | 4.8 — Better |
| Research | 3.4 — Better | 2.8 |
| Customer support | 2.8 | 3.0 — Better |
| Deposit & withdrawal | 3.8 | 4.0 — Better |
| Account opening | 4.5 | 4.7 — Better |
| Education | 3.8 — Better | 3.4 |
| Reference order EUR 5,000 | €0.00 | €0.00 |
| Minimum deposit | None | None |
| Stocks (per order) | Free | Free |
| US stocks | Free | Free |
| ETFs | Free | Free |
| Options | Not offered | Free |
| Futures | tiered | US$0.75 |
| Crypto | tiered | in the spread |
| Bonds (order) | n/a | Not offered |
| Funds (order) | n/a | Not offered |
| EUR/USD spread | n/a | n/a |
| Index CFD spread | n/a | n/a |
| FX conversion | 0.5 % | n/a |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Custody fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal fee | n/a | US$25 |
| Deposit fee | n/a | free |
| Overnight financing | n/a | n/a |
| Other fees |
|
|
| Asset classes (of 14) | 6 | 7 — Better |
| Exchanges | n/a | n/a |
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | No |
| CFDs | No | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | No |
| Funds | No | No |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Warrants | No | No |
| Spread betting | No | No |
| Social trading | No | No |
| Platforms | Coinbase (web)Coinbase AdvancedCoinbase mobile appCoinbase Advanced API / Coinbase Developer PlatformCoinbase PrimeCoinbase International Exchange | Robinhood MobileRobinhood WebRobinhood Legend |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
| Maximum leverage | EEA and UK retail customers get spot only — Coinbase Luxembourg's MiCA permissions do not include leveraged retail products. | 1:2 |
| Account opening | Fully online, typically minutes; identity verification is automated for most European and US applicants | Minutes in-app; approval usually the same day |
| Account types | CoinbaseCoinbase One BasicCoinbase One PreferredCoinbase One PremiumCoinbase Prime | Robinhood brokerage accountRobinhood GoldRobinhood Retirement (Traditional / Roth IRA)Stocks and shares ISA (UK only) |
| Payment methods | SEPABank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalApple PayGoogle PayiDEALCrypto | Bank transferCrypto |
| Account currencies | USDEURGBP | USDGBPEUR |
| Deposit time | SEPA 1–3 business days; cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay instant | Instant up to your instant-deposit limit; 3–5 business days to fully clear |
| Withdrawal time | SEPA 1–3 business days; PayPal instant where supported | 1–3 business days by ACH; same day by wire |
| Free withdrawals | n/a | n/a |
| Languages | EnglishGermanFrenchSpanishItalianPortuguese | EnglishSpanish |
| Channels | PhoneEmailLive chatTicket system | Live chatEmailPhone |
| Availability | 24/7 chat and phone, with priority queues reserved for Coinbase One Preferred and Premium | 24/7 in-app chat and callback |
Editorial assessment based on the recorded data.
Coinbase
The most trusted on-ramp in crypto, and one of the most expensive ways to actually trade.
Pros
Cons
Best for
Robinhood
The cheapest way to trade options and the best trading app ever built — attached to the thinnest research desk and the longest enforcement record in the sector.
Pros
Cons
Best for
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Advertising disclosure: where a partnership is active, we may earn a commission through broker links. The provider’s terms apply. Commissions do not influence our ratings; paid placements are separately labelled as sponsored.
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