Robinhood vs. tastytrade – A Detailed Comparison
Discover our detailed comparison of Robinhood and tastytrade to help determine which is best for you. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just starting out, choosing the right platform can significantly impact your trading experience.
To make your research easier, we manually found key data for Robinhood and tastytrade across the internet and compiled it all in this article.
- Best for options trading
- Low derivative commissions
- Solid charting tools
Overview of Robinhood
Robinhood is a popular commission-free brokerage platform that was founded in 2013. It gained significant attention for its user-friendly mobile app and the democratization of investing by eliminating traditional trading fees. Robinhood has attracted a large user base, primarily consisting of millennials and new investors seeking easy access to financial markets.
✓ No options commissions
✓ User-friendly interface
✓ Extended hours trading
Robinhood is Best For
Robinhood is best for beginners who want easy access to stocks, options, and crypto. The mobile app has an amazingly simple design, allowing anybody to take control of their financial future. Robinhood is a great choice for all investors except active traders requiring more advanced charting and order placement tools.
Overview of tastytrade
tastytrade is a brokerage platform built for active traders, especially options traders. It was founded by Tom Sosnoff, who also founded the thinkorswim platform. Sosnoff recently sold tastytrade to IG, and is still the main host of his financial education company tastylive.
✓ Best for options trading
✓ Low derivative commissions
✓ Solid charting tools
tastytrade is Best For
tastytrade is best for active traders, especially those who want a high tier margin account and low fees for futures and options trades. The platform is also great for regular investors with features like fractional shares. Additionally, you can trade cryptocurrency on the platform.
Key Characteristics of Robinhood and tastytrade
| Platform | Platform Type | Tradeable Assets | Charting Features | Data | Premium Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | Brokerage Platform | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Crypto | Basic charting on mobile and web app | Real-time data with funded account | $5/mo for Gold |
| tastytrade | Brokerage Platform | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Index Options, Futures, Futures Options, Crypto, Bonds | Downloadable desktop platform and web app | Real-time data with funded account | No premium features |
Trading Features and Tools
| Platform | DRIP | Margin Trading | Insurance | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | Yes, no fees | Yes | SIPC Insured | Yes |
| tastytrade | Yes, no fees to enable, but clearing fee to sell fractional shares | Yes | SIPC Insured | Yes |
Trading Costs and Commissions Compared
| Fee Type | Robinhood | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Commission | Free | Free |
| Option Commission | Free | $1 to Open, Free to Close |
| Futures Commission | No futures | $1.25 per contract, $0.85 micro, $0.25 smalls |
| Futures Options Commission | No futures options | $2.50 per contract, $1.50 micro |
| Option Exercise Fee | None | $5 fee |
Robinhood vs tastytrade – Bottom Line
Choosing between Robinhood and tastytrade depends on your specific trading needs, preferred trading tools, and the type of assets you’re interested in.
Both platforms offer distinct advantages, but by considering the detailed comparison above, you can select the one that aligns best with your trading strategy and goals.
For more detailed reviews and comparisons, continue exploring our other articles on brokerage platform comparisons.
What is the Overall Best Charting Software?
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- All of TradingView’s key features are free to use
- TradingView provides real-time data for free whenever possible
- You are not tied to a single broker and can use whichever you want while charting on TradingView
- You can track all markets on a single platform, including stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, and futures.
- TradingView has an excellent economic calendar and various screeners
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