eToro vs. Robinhood: Which brokerage is better?
Sep 23, 2025・5 min read
The internet has changed how everyone invests. Instead of printing out reams of ticker tape and calling brokers, 21st-century traders now have everything they need in a mobile app. To stay competitive, today ’s brokerages offer a seamless, high-tech experience with minimal fees and access to multiple assets.
Two apps in particular have shaped these expectations: eToro and Robinhood. Both are mobile-friendly platforms with a beginner-friendly interface, commission-free trading, and access to traditional assets and cryptocurrencies. But despite these similarities, a few distinctions can significantly alter the trading experience.
If you’re comparing eToro versus Robinhood, this guide explains the differences to help you decide which platform is the best fit.
What’s eToro?
Headquartered in Tel Aviv, eToro is a publicly listed brokerage offering traditional and crypto assets to a global community of traders. Community is the key word here, thanks to eToro’s distinctive Social Trading features. Anyone who creates an eToro account will find pages reminiscent of social media apps, where users can post or react to anything finance-related. To take Social Trading a step further, eToro also offers its CopyTrader feature, which lets users allocate funds to another eToro trader and automatically mirror their moves (for a fee). For a more passive approach, investors can also access professionally managed Smart Portfolios.
In terms of assets, eToro currently offers thousands of stocks and hundreds of ETFs for zero-commission trading on its desktop and mobile apps in the U.S. market. In select jurisdictions outside the United States, eToro also lets users trade foreign currencies and commodities. On the crypto side, the platform supports over 100 cryptocurrencies, including major projects like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). Although traders can send cryptocurrencies to the eToro Money crypto wallet, the company doesn’t provide private keys to users. This means anyone who buys crypto on eToro can’t take advantage of self-custody or connect to decentralized applications (dApps).
What’s Robinhood?
Stanford grads Vladimir Tenev and Baiju Bhatt launched the Robinhood app in 2013 to democratize access to financial assets. Beyond simplifying trading with a mobile-friendly interface, Robinhood was one of the first brokerages to introduce commission-free stock trading, lowering barriers to entry. This intuitive and affordable approach to investing attracted millions of U.S. users, especially younger traders who prefer a mobile-first experience.
While 24/5 stock, option, and ETF trading remains Robinhood’s core offering, the platform has branched into other financial sectors and services. For example, Robinhood introduced crypto trading in 2018 and now supports over 30 cryptocurrencies and offers a self-custodial wallet. Advanced traders can use technical analysis and charting tools through Robinhood Gold, as well as more sophisticated products and services like margin and futures. Robinhood additionally offers individual retirement accounts (IRAs), banking services, and a credit card.
Although Robinhood primarily serves U.S. clients, it has begun expanding internationally with the launch of Robinhood Europe. Like eToro, Robinhood is a publicly traded company, listed on the NASDAQ.
eToro vs. Robinhood: Key differences
eToro and Robinhood both provide a wide range of products through intuitive platforms. Both companies are also highly regulated and transparent thanks to SEC registration and quarterly earnings reports. Despite these similarities, there are a few significant areas where eToro and Robinhood differ.
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eToro vs. Robinhood: Which is the better option?
For traders looking for a beginner-friendly platform with access to stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies, both eToro and Robinhood are reputable and easy to navigate. Choosing between the two largely depends on the features you want to use – and whether you’re based in the U.S.
Availability and market reach
Although Robinhood is moving into the European market, it remains dominant in the U.S., while many international traders only have access to eToro. Global investors may also find more asset categories on eToro, including forex and commodities. Even in the U.S., eToro has a broader cryptocurrency selection compared with Robinhood – roughly 100 versus 30 coins.
How each handles crypto
The biggest difference lies in how each platform handles digital assets. With eToro, all cryptocurrencies are stored in custodial wallets, meaning users can’t move funds into self-custodial wallets or connect to decentralized finance (DeFi). By contrast, Robinhood lets users transfer crypto to external wallets and offers a separate self-custodial Robinhood Wallet that provides private keys. Robinhood also supports in-app staking for select proof-of-stake (PoS) cryptocurrencies, giving users a way to earn passive income.
This distinction is especially important if you want to use DeFi apps or move assets freely between platforms. For traders who prioritize control over their digital assets and don’t mind a narrower coin selection, Robinhood may be the more attractive choice.
Other features and services
Beyond crypto, other services distinguish eToro from Robinhood. eToro appeals to those who value its social-media-style layout for idea generation and collaborative investing. Robinhood, meanwhile, offers more traditional financial products like banking, a credit card, and IRAs, as well as advanced features such as margin trading and Robinhood Gold. Ultimately, prospective account holders should weigh their preferences against these differences to decide which trading platform best fits their needs.
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FAQ
Which has lower fees: eToro or Robinhood?
Both eToro and Robinhood offer commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options. However, Robinhood typically has lower fees for cryptocurrencies and often charges less (or nothing) for transfers, deposits, and withdrawals.
Is eToro better than Robinhood for crypto trading?
In terms of altcoin selection, eToro offers more cryptocurrencies than Robinhood. However, Robinhood lets users transfer cryptocurrencies to a self-custodial wallet and provides in-app staking for passive income.
Can you trade stocks and crypto on both eToro and Robinhood?
Yes, both eToro and Robinhood offer stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies.
Which is safer: eToro or Robinhood?
eToro and Robinhood meet high standards for safety and compliance, with multiple accreditations in their operating regions. Both are publicly listed companies that follow SEC rules and provide regular financial disclosures.
Is eToro allowed in the United States?
Yes, eToro is legal in the United States and offers trading services in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
Disclaimer: This post is informational only and is not intended as tax advice. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.