Investing comparison
Robinhood vs Charles Schwab
Updated
Data as of
Robinhood checked Charles Schwab checked
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Robinhood
Investing app
Visit site for Robinhood (opens in a new tab)
Charles Schwab
Investing app
Visit site for Charles Schwab (opens in a new tab)
Before you compare: This compares features and fees from each company's own pages. It isn't investment advice, and investing involves risk, including loss of money.
Short answer
- Pick Robinhood if you want a lower minimum for its managed portfolio ($50, compared with $5,000).
- Pick Charles Schwab if you want a managed portfolio with no advisory fee (Robinhood lists 0.25% a year) or the higher App Store rating (4.8, compared with 4.3).
- The biggest difference is the managed portfolio fee: Charles Schwab lists no advisory fee, and Robinhood lists 0.25% a year.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Robinhood vs Charles Schwab at a glance
Robinhood
- Rating
- 4.3 of 5App Store, 4,901,225 ratings
- Platforms
- 2Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend
- Charles Schwab
- Rating
- 4.8 of 5App Store, 1,211,167 ratings
- Platforms
- 2iOS, Android
What it costs
- Robinhood
Robinhood Strategies has a 0.25% annual management fee. Eligible Robinhood Gold members ($5 monthly subscription) pay it on only the first $100,000 of assets in their account.
Source
robinhood.com/us/en/strategies, checked . - Charles Schwab
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Schwab's robo-advisor, lists no advisory fee and no commissions. You still pay the operating expenses of the ETFs in the portfolio.
Source
schwab.com/pricing, checked .
Bars show only when every app here lists a yearly price, so these prices sit side by side without them. Prices are list prices from each app's own page, before tax and any offer. Investing fees appear as each company states them. A yearly advisory fee is a percent of your balance, not a monthly price, so it never gets a bar or a price tag.
Robinhood and Charles Schwab, side by side
| Detail | Robinhood | Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Account minimumDiffers | RobinhoodRobinhood Strategies has a minimum investment requirement of $50. Sourcerobinhood.com/us/en/strategies, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab lists a $0 account minimum and $0 opening and maintenance fees for brokerage accounts and IRAs. Schwab Intelligent Portfolios has a $5,000 minimum. Sourceschwab.com/pricing, checked . |
| Stock and ETF commissionsDiffers | RobinhoodRobinhood says investing with a Robinhood investing account is commission free for stocks, ETFs and their options, and it doesn't charge fees to open or maintain your account. Sourcerobinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/trading-fees-on-robinhood, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab lists a $0 online commission for listed stocks and ETFs. Options are $0 plus $0.65 per contract. Sourceschwab.com/pricing, checked . |
| Account typesDiffers | RobinhoodRobinhood lists these account types: Individual, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Smart Income account, Revocable trust and Custodial. Sourcerobinhood.com/us/en/strategies, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab lists these account types: Brokerage (Individual and Joint), IRA (Traditional, Roth, or Rollover), Schwab One Custodial (UGMA/UTMA), 529 College Savings, Education Savings, Inherited IRA/Inherited 401(k), SEP-IRA, SIMPLE-IRA, Individual 401(k) Plan and Schwab One Trust. Sourceschwab.com/pricing, checked . |
| Fractional sharesDiffers | RobinhoodRobinhood says you can invest in certain stocks and ETFs with as little as $1 through fractional shares. Sourcerobinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/fractional-shares, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab says you can own fractional shares of most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs for as little as $1. Sourceschwab.com/fractional-shares-stock-slices, checked . |
| Automatic investingDiffers | RobinhoodRobinhood lists Recurring Investment: add to your investments on a consistent basis, even when you forget to. Sourcerobinhood.com/us/en/invest, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab says its robo-advisor builds, monitors and automatically rebalances a diversified portfolio. Sourceschwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, checked . |
| Managed portfolios (robo)Differs | RobinhoodRobinhood Strategies is Robinhood's managed portfolio service, with a $50 minimum investment. Sourcerobinhood.com/us/en/strategies, checked . | Charles SchwabSchwab Intelligent Portfolios is Schwab's robo-advisor. You can open an account with a minimum of $5,000. Sourceschwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, checked . |
| ProtectionDiffers | RobinhoodRobinhood Financial LLC and Robinhood Securities, LLC are registered broker dealers and members of SIPC. Sourcerobinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/trading-fees-on-robinhood, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. is a member of SIPC. Schwab says its clients also get excess SIPC coverage for securities and cash, with a $600 million aggregate limit for the excess portion. Sourceschwab.com/legal/account-protection, checked . |
| PlatformsDiffers | RobinhoodRobinhood lists Robinhood app and Robinhood Legend. Sourcerobinhood.com/us/en, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab lists iOS and Android. Sourceschwab.com/mobile, checked . |
| App store ratingDiffers | RobinhoodRobinhood has 4.3 out of 5 on the App Store from 4,901,225 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . | Charles SchwabCharles Schwab has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 1,211,167 ratings. SourceApp Store listing, checked . |
Store ratings are a dated snapshot from each listing, not our score. A row shows only when both apps have a current official source for it. How we source and date this data. Spotted a change? Tell us if something changed.
Weighing a third option? Add up to two more apps and compare up to four side by side.
Screen by screen
Pick a task to see what each app shows for it. App Store and Google Play images are the apps' own marketing, so they can show sample data and staged layouts. Help center images come from the app's support articles. See every app's screens.
Home
Robinhood
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Trade all in one place" showing a search bar, Now, Macro, Crypto and Sports tabs and a Market section.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe home screen: a Search Robinhood bar, Now, Macro, Crypto and Sports tabs, Market cards for the S&P 500 at 7,500.58 and Nasdaq 100 at 30,406.19, and Top movers chips.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageiPad App Store image with the headline "Trade all in one place" showing the market overview next to a stock detail.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe iPad layout: market cards and top movers on the left, and Lion Rock Inc. at $246.45 with a line chart, Stats and a Trade button on the right.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageMarket cards with small line charts: S&P 500 at 7,500.58 up 1.08% and Nasdaq 100 at 30,406.19 up 2.48%.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Manage your financial life in one app" showing a Summary screen with a $460,847.83 total value.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Summary tab: Total Value $460,847.83 with a 1Y change of +$101,123.75 (28.11%), a line chart, Transfer, Deposit, Orders and Insights buttons, and an Investment list of brokerage and retirement accounts.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageTotal Value $460,847.83, 1Y Change +$101,123.75 (28.11%) and a rising line chart from Aug '25 to Jun.App Store listing, as of
Accounts
Robinhood
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Grow your cash with 3.6% APY" showing an Earn 3.6% APY screen with a Join Gold button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAn Earn 3.6% APY screen saying "Get 8x the national savings average on eligible uninvested brokerage cash" with a Join Gold button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageiPad App Store image with the headline "Grow your cash with 3.6% APY" showing lifetime earnings and Robinhood Gold perks.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageLifetime earnings of $1,225.32 split into High-Yield Cash $1,000.32 and IRA match $225.00, next to a list of Robinhood Gold perks.App Store listing, as of 
From Robinhood's websiteThe Banking screen: $27,744.78 with "Next paycheck arrives Jun 15", Accounts with Checking $8,186.53 and Savings $19,558.25, and a Credit section with a Gold Card at $6,017.07, 3% Cash Back and autopay scheduled.robinhood.com, as of 
App Store marketing image$1,225.32 in lifetime earnings with a bar split into High-Yield Cash $1,000.32 and IRA match $225.00.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Track your portfolio" showing a brokerage account's positions.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Brokerage account on Positions: Account Value $10,206.20, day change -$26.07 (-0.25%), unrealized gain $5,000.13, and a table of six holdings with quantity, price and price change.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAn Investment list with value and day change: Brokerage Account $45,921.11, Retirement Account $48,481.40 and another Brokerage Account $1,062.45.App Store listing, as of
Reports and insights
Robinhood
No official screen found yet
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageInsights and Education with New To Investing, Retirement, Taxes and Trading filters and The latest commentary: a Schwab Market Update story titled "Stocks Up Ahead of Nvidia" and more articles.App Store listing, as of
Investments
Robinhood
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Trade crypto at the lowest cost on average" showing a Crypto balance of $1,500.00 and a price chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Crypto screen: $1,500.00, up $0.2800 (26.47%) today, a line chart and LIVE, 1D, 1W, 1M, 3M, YTD and 1Y buttons.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Earn a yearly $225 retirement boost" showing IRA contributions and an IRA Match ring.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA retirement screen: Contributions $7,500.00 with "$0 until max" and a ring labeled IRA Match $225.00 with 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% marks.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Trade anytime, day or night" showing a 24 Hour Market list.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe 24 Hour Market list: a header graphic, a note that limit orders work 24 hours a day from Sunday 8 PM ET to Friday 8 PM ET, and In This List with 1,059 items.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Advanced mobile & desktop trading" showing a candlestick chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageAn advanced chart for HMNI at $122.10 with open, high, low, close and volume values, candlesticks and Options, Buy Stop and Sell Limit labels on the chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Get an expert managed portfolio" showing Managed investing at $13,417.02.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageRobinhood Strategies: Managed investing at $13,417.02 with a ring chart showing Growth 30% and slices of 5%, 18%, 20%, 22% and 30%.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageiPad App Store image with the headline "Trade crypto at the lowest cost on average" showing crypto holdings and a chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageInvesting, Retirement and Managed tabs with a Crypto list of BTC, ETH and DOGE at $6.45 each, next to a Crypto chart at $1,500.00 and a Trade button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageiPad App Store image with the headline "Earn a yearly $225 retirement boost" showing contributions and an investing chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageContributions $7,500.00 with an IRA Match $225.00 ring and year buttons for 2024 to 2026, next to Investing $52,901.39 with a line chart and Buying Power $5,000.00.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageiPad App Store image with the headline "Advanced mobile & desktop trading" showing a full width candlestick chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA full width candlestick chart for RIVIN with volume bars from October to March and Buy MKT, 1 share and Sell MKT buttons.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA yellow ring with IRA Match $225.00 in the middle and 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% marks around it.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA portfolio ring with Growth 30% in the middle and slices labeled 5%, 18%, 20%, 22% and 30%.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Crypto list with BTC 5 shares, ETH 100 shares and DOGE 6 shares, each with a small chart and a $6.45 price tag.App Store listing, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Trade intuitively" showing a stock and ETF trade ticket.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Stay on top of the market" showing a Markets screen with an indices chart.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Trade ticket on Stock/ETF for a brokerage account: a ZQVX quote with bid and ask, Action, Shares or Dollars, Quantity, a Limit order type, Price and a Review Order button.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageThe Markets tab: an Indices line chart with 1 Day, 5 Day, 1 Month and 1 Year tabs and four indexes with values and gains, plus View More Indices.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA dark Watchlist with Basic, Custom and Heatmap views listing nine stocks with prices and daily changes in green and red.App Store listing, as of
Transfer and send
Robinhood
From Robinhood's websiteA $350 card reading "Logan sent $350" from Robinhood.com, under the message "This is for dinner. Thanks again!"robinhood.com, as of
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageFour round buttons: Transfer, Deposit, Orders and Insights.App Store listing, as of
Check deposit
Robinhood
From Robinhood's websiteA menu with Deposit a check, Mail a check and Order a checkbook.robinhood.com, as of
Charles Schwab
No official screen found yet
Settings and security
Robinhood
No official screen found yet
Charles Schwab
App Store marketing imageA Good Morning login screen with a Login ID field, a Remember Login ID toggle and a Continue button, with Fingerprint, Face ID and Passcode labels placed over it.App Store listing, as of
Other screens
Robinhood
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "Trade on real-world events" showing a Live Election Day Updates map.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA prediction markets screen with Midterms and All races filters, Live Election Day Updates, Senate, House and Governor tabs and a colored US map.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageApp Store image with the headline "24/7 support" showing a support chat about bank transfers.App Store listing, as of 
App Store marketing imageA Bank Transfers support chat: a customer message about not being able to transfer money from a stock sale, and a reply from an agent named Remi.App Store listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imageGoogle Play image with the headline "Trade on real-world events" showing a Prediction markets screen.Google Play listing, as of 
Google Play marketing imagePrediction markets: Combo, Live and Elections filters, a "US gas prices tomorrow?" card with three price ranges and a Trade button, then Newly listed.Google Play listing, as of
Charles Schwab
No official screen found yet
Who it's for
Pick the tab that sounds like you. Every answer comes from the app's own pages, and its source opens from the Source link.
Just me
Budgeting on your own? These are the basics people ask about first.
Is there support from the app's makers if I need help?
Robinhood: Yes. Chat (24/7) and phone (call back).
Source
In their words: “When you contact us, you can request a call back to discuss your issue, and we'll call you as soon as an agent is available, typically in less than 30 minutes.” robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/how-to-contact-support, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. Phone, chat and branches.
Source
In their words: “Reach out to Charles Schwab customer service by phone, chat, or visit your local branch.” schwab.com/contact-us, checked .
Partners
Sharing money with a partner? Here's how each app handles a second person.
Can my partner use their own login details?
Robinhood: Yes. Your partner gets their own login.
Source
In their words: “A joint account with your partner gives you both the same rights and account access to make trades, manage investments, and transfer funds at any time.” robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/joint-investing, checked .Charles Schwab: Joint accounts, yes. The source doesn't say your partner gets a separate login.
Source
In their words: “Schwab offers individual accounts if you're investing on your own, and joint accounts if you're planning and investing with a partner.” schwab.com/brokerage, checked .
Family
Bringing in more of the household? Here's what each app says about families and kids. See apps with custodial accounts for kids.
Does it have accounts or features for kids or teens?
Robinhood: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “Custodial accounts let you invest on behalf of a minor, directly from your Robinhood app.” robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/custodial-accounts-faq, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. It has accounts or features for kids or teens.
Source
In their words: “A Schwab One Custodial Account lets you invest in your child's future while teaching them how to build it.” schwab.com/custodial-account, checked .
Freelancer
Paid on an uneven schedule or running a side hustle? Here's what each app offers. See apps with a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k).
Can I export my transactions for tax prep?
Robinhood: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “For this tax year, you can import your Consolidated Form 1099 into common online tax providers, such as TurboTax and H&R Block.” robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/how-to-upload-your-1099-to-turbotax, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “On this page you can direct Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and its affiliates ("Schwab", "we" or "us") to allow third-party tax preparation software providers” schwab.com/legal/taxprep-third-party-terms, checked .
Business
Running a small business? Here's what each app says about business money.
Can I export my transactions for tax prep?
Robinhood: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “For this tax year, you can import your Consolidated Form 1099 into common online tax providers, such as TurboTax and H&R Block.” robinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/how-to-upload-your-1099-to-turbotax, checked .Charles Schwab: Yes. You can export your transactions for tax prep.
Source
In their words: “On this page you can direct Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and its affiliates ("Schwab", "we" or "us") to allow third-party tax preparation software providers” schwab.com/legal/taxprep-third-party-terms, checked .
A question shows only when every app here has a current official source that answers it. We only say no when the app's own page does.
Which fits your Money Type?
There are four Money Types: Strategist, Spender, Saver and Scrambler. Each card matches one type to what the sources say about these two apps.
StrategistNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Save the Raise.
SpenderNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Sleep on It.
SaverNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Put It to Work.
ScramblerNeither app's sources confirm a feature we match to this type yet, so the quiz is the better place to start.
First fix: Bills First.
Not sure which one you are? Take the free Money Types quiz. It takes about two minutes.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Another option: Fifecta
If neither Robinhood nor Charles Schwab feels right, here is one more option to look at. Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, and it starts from your Money Type, so the plan matches how you already handle money.
FAQ
How much does Robinhood charge?
Robinhood Strategies has a 0.25% annual management fee. Eligible Robinhood Gold members ($5 monthly subscription) pay it on only the first $100,000 of assets in their account. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
How much does Charles Schwab charge?
Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, Schwab's robo-advisor, lists no advisory fee and no commissions. You still pay the operating expenses of the ETFs in the portfolio. We checked this on Nov 3, 2026.
What is Robinhood's app store rating?
Robinhood has 4.3 out of 5 on the App Store from 4,901,225 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Nov 3, 2026, not our score.
What is Charles Schwab's app store rating?
Charles Schwab has 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store from 1,211,167 ratings. That's a snapshot from the store listing on Nov 3, 2026, not our score.
More comparisons
Similar comparisons
Keep comparing
- See Robinhood alternatives, closest category first.
- See Charles Schwab alternatives, closest category first.
- Browse our guide to the low-cost brokerage accounts.
- Want the bigger picture? Compare more money apps.
Full disclosure: Taylor Price, who runs Priceless Tay, owns Fifecta, so keep that in mind as you read this comparison.
Want a plan built on your Money Type?
Fifecta gives every paycheck a plan with FUNDS, so you know where each dollar goes.
Sources and confidence
- Last checked
- Sourced facts
- 20 facts, each linked and dated
Robinhood10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feerobinhood.com/us/en/strategies, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimumrobinhood.com/us/en/strategies, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsrobinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/trading-fees-on-robinhood, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesrobinhood.com/us/en/strategies, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesrobinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/fractional-shares, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investingrobinhood.com/us/en/invest, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)robinhood.com/us/en/strategies, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectionrobinhood.com/us/en/support/articles/trading-fees-on-robinhood, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsrobinhood.com/us/en, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
Charles Schwab10 sourced facts, last checked Nov 3, 2026
- Management or subscription feeschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account minimumschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Stock and ETF commissionsschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Account typesschwab.com/pricing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Fractional sharesschwab.com/fractional-shares-stock-slices, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Automatic investingschwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Managed portfolios (robo)schwab.com/intelligent-portfolios, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Protectionschwab.com/legal/account-protection, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Platformsschwab.com/mobile, as of Nov 3, 2026
- App store ratingApp Store listing, as of Nov 3, 2026
- Reference: sipc.org/for-investors/what-sipc-protects, checked Oct 24, 2026.
Each fact links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Once a fact is older than 30 days, it comes off the page until we check it again. How we source, date and index this data.
This is education, not financial advice.
