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Deciding between Stash vs. Robinhood? Robinhood provides access to a wider variety of different assets to invest in, but Stash offers some unique features including its Stock-Back program, which allows you to earn free stock when you shop with your debit card.
Take a look at the key differences between Stash vs. Robinhood to find out which investing app is right for you.
Robinhood and Stash work very differently in terms of pricing.
Stash charges $3 for its Stash Growth plan and $9 per month for its Stash+ plan. Robinhood doesn't charge any monthly fees (unless you opt for Robinhood Gold at $5 per month). However, Stash offers services Robinhood doesn't, which may make this fee worth paying for some investors.
Some of Stash's key features that justify its monthly fee include access to personalized portfolio recommendations, life insurance, and the Stock-Back Rewards® card, a debit card that allows you to earn stock rewards with purchases.
Robinhood has traditionally required investors to be more hands-on than Stash, both with moving money into their investment accounts and with selecting their investment mix. However, the Robinhood app provides personalized portfolio recommendations for investors who haven’t yet made their first trade. This feature may help cement Robinhood's place as one of the best online brokers for beginners, and may make it more attractive to those who need more hand-holding when it comes to building their portfolio.
The good news is, neither Robinhood nor Stash charge commission fees for buying stocks so you won't pay for your trades with either platform.
Stash | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|
Stock & ETF commissions | $0 | $0 |
Options commissions | N/A | $0 |
Crypto commissions | N/A | 0% |
Mutual fund commissions | N/A | N/A (Robinhood doesn't allow trading of mutual funds) |
Account transfer fee | $75 for Automated Customer Account Transfers | $100 |
Account maintenance fee | $3- $9 per month | $0, or $5 per month for Robinhood Gold |
Stash allows you to invest in thousands of different stocks and ETFs. You also have the option to select personalized portfolios or set up automated investing so the app will buy assets for you.
You have the option to buy fractional shares on Stash with as little as $5, and can gain exposure to different asset classes, such as bonds, through Stash's extensive ETF offerings. If you're looking for the best robo-advisors, Stash may also be worth considering given its investment options. It's unique in that it offers some automated investing opportunities and pre-built portfolios while also allowing you to select individual investments. With many robo-advisors, you must give up the option to control your own portfolio entirely, but Stash doesn't require that.
Robinhood, on the other hand, doesn't provide as much investing help as Stash does. But, like Stash, it also offers stocks, ETFs, and fractional share investing. It also offers cryptocurrency investing, which Stash doesn't. If you want to try your hand at investing in virtual coins, Robinhood Crypto could be the solution. And if you're looking for the best options trading platforms, Robinhood is also worth a look as the brokerage firm doesn't charge an options contract fee as many competitors do.
Stash | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|
Stocks and ETFs | Yes | Yes |
Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
Options | No | Yes |
Mutual funds | No | No |
CDs | No | No |
Bonds | No | No |
Futures | No | No |
Crypto | No | Yes |
Currencies | No | No |
Robinhood and Stash's account offerings differ a bit.
Robinhood and Stash both offer traditional and Roth IRAs. Stash won't let you trade on margin, though, while Robinhood does.
Stash's banking offerings are also much more robust than Robinhood's and its Stock-Back® Card really sets it apart. This unique feature allows you to earn stock with purchases. You can acquire stock in companies you shop with. You can also choose a custom investment for your Stock-Back® rewards when you make local purchases at companies that don't have stock shares available to buy on Stash.
Stash | Robinhood | |
---|---|---|
Taxable brokerage | Yes | Yes |
Joint tenant | No | No |
Margin | No | Yes |
Robo-advisor | Yes | No |
Traditional IRA | Yes | Yes |
Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
Other IRA | No | No |
Custodial | Yes (With Stash+ $9 monthly plan) | No |
Checking | Yes | No, but offers a spending account |
Savings | Yes | No, but has an interest-bearing cash sweep feature |
Credit card | Yes | No |
Both Stash and Robinhood are well-known for their user-friendly, well-reviewed apps. Robinhood's app received a 4.2 out of 5 stars rating on the iOS store, while Stash's app received 4.7 stars.
Both Stash's app and Robinhood's app allow you to easily research stocks and purchase investments. Stash also allows you to track your Stock-Back® rewards and manage your banking account, while Robinhood offers more in-depth trading and research tools on its platform than Stash does.
If you're interested in crypto investing or don't want to pay a monthly fee for your investment app, Robinhood is likely your better bet. But if you're intrigued by the idea of earning Stock-Back® rewards for purchases or you want an investment platform that's a cross between a robo-advisor and a traditional discount brokerage firm, Stash may be the ideal choice. Ultimately, you can't go wrong when deciding between Stash vs. Robinhood so you'll just need to think about which app best meets your needs.
We recommend comparing brokerage options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of our best trading platforms of 2024.
The best investment app depends on your preferences. Robinhood tends to be better for those who aren't seeking personalized portfolio recommendations, along with those who want access to options trading and cryptocurrency. Stash is a better fit for those who want personalized investment and financial recommendations.
The Stash subscription fee may be worth paying if you're a new investor who wants access to customized portfolio recommendations and personal finance advice. It may also be worthwhile for people who make frequent debit card purchases and want to earn stock rewards.
Yes, but whether you actually make money depends on what investments you choose. With any investment platform, if you buy a stock or ETF and the price rises, you'll make money if you sell it at a profit. If the price drops and you sell, you'll lose money.
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Fidelity disclosure
Fractional share quantities can be entered out to 3 decimal places (.001) as long as the value of the order is at least $1.00. Dollar-based trades can be entered out to 2 decimal places (e.g. $250.00)
Robinhood disclosure
All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible.
Securities are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cryptocurrency services are offered through an account with Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected. For more information see the Robinhood Crypto Risk Disclosure.
Trades of stocks, ETFs and options are commission-free at Robinhood Financial LLC. Other fees may apply. Please see Robinhood Financial’s Fee Schedule to learn more.
Fractional shares are illiquid outside of Robinhood and are not transferable. Not all securities available through Robinhood are eligible for fractional share orders. For a complete explanation of conditions, restrictions and limitations associated with fractional shares, see the Fractional Shares section of our Customer Agreement.
Robinhood Gold is an account offering premium services available for a $5 monthly fee. Not all investors will be eligible to trade on Margin. Margin investing involves the risk of greater investment losses. Additional interest charges may apply depending on the amount of margin used. Bigger Instant Deposits are only available if your Instant Deposits status is in good standing.
Stash disclosure
Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Paid client testimonial. Not representative of all clients and not a guarantee. View important disclosures.
Stash has full authority to manage a Smart Portfolio, a discretionary managed account. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss of principal. Stash does not guarantee any level of performance or that any client will avoid losses in their account
Ancillary fees charged by Stash and/or its custodian are not included in the subscription fee.
* Stash Banking services provided by Stride Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. The Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard® is issued by Stride Bank pursuant to license from Mastercard International. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Any earned stock rewards will be held in your Stash Invest account. Investment products and services provided by Stash Investments LLC and are Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value.
** Get fee-free transactions at any Allpoint ATM, see the app for location details, otherwise out-of-network ATM fees may apply. For a complete list of fees please see the Deposit Account Agreement for details.
*** All rewards earned through use of the Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard® will be fulfilled by Stash Investments LLC and are subject to Terms and Conditions. You will bear the standard fees and expenses reflected in the pricing of the investments that you earn, plus fees for various ancillary services charged by Stash. In order to earn stock in the program, the Stash Stock-Back® Debit Mastercard must be used to make a qualifying purchase. Stock rewards that are paid to participating customers via the Stash Stock Back program, are Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value. What doesn’t count: Cash withdrawals, money orders, prepaid cards, and P2P payment. If you make a qualifying purchase at a merchant that is not publicly traded or otherwise available on Stash, you will receive a stock reward in an ETF or other investment of your choice from a list of companies available on Stash. See Terms and Conditions for more details.
**** 1% Stock-Back® rewards available only on Stash+ ($9/mo) and only for client’s first $1,000 of Qualifying Purchases in each calendar month program.
***** Limitations apply; 3% Stock-Back rewards available only for qualified bonus merchants on Stash+.
Ancillary fees charged by Stash and/or its custodian are not included in the subscription fee.
Stash offers access to investment and banking accounts under each subscription plan. Each type of account is subject to different regulations and limitations. Stash Monthly Subscription Wrap Fee starts at $3/month. You’ll also bear the standard fees and expenses reflected in the pricing of ETFs, plus fees for various ancillary services charged by Stash and/or the Custodian. Please see the Advisory Agreement for details. Other fees apply to the bank account. Please see the Deposit Account Agreement.