Comparison of Robinhood vs Trading212 [ 2024 ]

The best brokers to invest in cryptocurrencies compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is theRobinhood vs Trading212 comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

robinhood

Robinhood

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Trading212

Main points

Fees

Low 4,7/5

Regulated

SEC, FINRA

Demo account

No
Low 4/5

Fees

FCA, CySEC

Regulated

Yes

Demo account

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

No

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

4.1 – Robinhood offers commission-free trading, which is excellent for beginners. However, the inability to transfer cryptocurrencies off the platform and limited cryptocurrency options can be limiting .
4.3 – Trading212 provides commission-free trading and a user-friendly platform. However, the 0.3% to 0.5% fee on currency conversion orders and inactivity fee are potential downsides .

Level

Low 4,7/5
Low 4/5

Brief explanation

Robinhood Crypto does not charge any commission fees for trading cryptocurrencies on its platform. Users can buy and sell 15 different cryptocurrencies without incurring additional costs, making it an attractive option for those looking to trade without worrying about hidden fees. However, while Robinhood does not impose direct trading fees, it passes on network fees from crypto miners and validators to users when processing blockchain transactions. Additionally, Robinhood makes money through payment for order flow (PFOF), which involves selling user order information to market makers and may not always result in the best execution prices for trades. In summary, Robinhood Crypto offers commission-free trading, but users should be aware of network fees and the potential implications of PFOF on trade execution prices .
Trading212 employs a straightforward fee structure with no commissions on most trading activities, particularly for CFD accounts. Users benefit from free deposits and withdrawals, making the platform financially accessible. However, there are fees associated with specific services. For instance, a 0.7% fee is charged on deposits exceeding €2,000 when using credit/debit cards or electronic wallets. Currency conversion carries a fee of 0.15% for Invest accounts and 0.5% for CFD accounts. Additionally, inactive accounts are charged £9, €9, or $9 after six months of inactivity​​ .

Robinhood

Trading212

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Account Minimum

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Product selection

Native token

Robinhood does not have a native token.
Trading212 does not have a native token.

Earns

Robinhood does not offer staking or other earning options for cryptocurrencies. The platform is geared towards trading a select few cryptocurrencies .
Trading212 does not offer staking or other earning options for cryptocurrencies. It provides trading through crypto CFDs .

NFT marketplace

Robinhood does not have an NFT marketplace.
Trading212 does not have an NFT marketplace.

Cripto/debit card

Robinhood provides a debit card that can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted .
Trading212 does not offer a card for its clients .

Company information

Full name

Robinhood Markets, Inc.​​.
Trading 212 UK Ltd​​.

Regulation

SEC, FINRA (USA)​​.
FCA (UK), CySEC​​.

Year founded

2013​​
2004​​

Founder

Vladimir Tenev, Baiju Bhatt​​
Ivan Ashminov, Nick Saunders

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes, Robinhood accepts bank transfers for both deposits and withdrawals .
Yes, Trading 212 accepts bank transfers for both deposits and withdrawals .

Mastercard

No, Robinhood does not accept Mastercard for deposits​​.
Yes, Trading212 accepts Mastercard for deposits​​.

Wire transfer

Wise is not mentioned as a supported payment method .
Yes, Wise is supported as a payment method .

Card

No, Robinhood does not accept credit/debit cards for deposits, but it offers a debit card for use .
Yes, Trading 212 accepts credit/debit cards .

Comparative table

Robinhood Features Trading212
Robinhood Crypto allows users to start trading with as little as $1, making it highly accessible to beginners and those with limited capital.
Minimum Trade
The platform allows users to start trading with as little as £1, making it highly accessible for beginners.
The platform is known for its commission-free trading, which means users can trade cryptocurrencies without incurring additional costs, making it very cost-effective.
Trading and Transaction Fees
Trading212 offers competitive fees with no commissions on real stock trades, but CFD trading involves spreads.
While the platform supports 15 cryptocurrencies, this number is relatively low compared to other exchanges that offer a broader range of digital assets.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Trading212 supports a limited selection of cryptocurrencies, which might not satisfy traders looking for a wide variety of digital assets.
Robinhood does not support direct trading between different cryptocurrencies, limiting trading flexibility.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
The platform does not offer direct crypto-to-crypto trading pairs, limiting the trading options available.
The website is user-friendly and provides clear information, but it could benefit from more detailed explanations on certain services and policies.
Website Transparency
Trading212 provides clear and comprehensive information about its fees, services, and regulatory status, ensuring transparency for users.
Robinhood provides a debit card that can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted .
Credit/Debit Card
Trading212 does not offer a card for its clients .
Robinhood does not support external wallets, meaning users cannot transfer their cryptocurrencies off the platform, which is a significant limitation for those seeking more control over their assets.
Storage Offering
Trading212 does not provide dedicated cryptocurrency storage solutions, as it primarily deals with CFDs rather than actual cryptocurrency ownership.
The platform does not offer staking or rewards programs, which are features available on many other cryptocurrency exchanges.
Staking and Rewards
There are no staking or rewards programs available on Trading212, limiting passive income opportunities for users.
Robinhood provides an excellent mobile and desktop trading experience, known for its seamless integration and user-friendly design.
Mobile App and Desktop
Trading212 offers robust mobile and desktop applications with a user-friendly interface and advanced trading tools.
Customer service has been a point of criticism, with reports of slow response times and limited support options, which can be frustrating for users needing immediate assistance.
Customer Service
The platform offers good customer support through various channels, though there is room for improvement in response times.
Deposits and withdrawals are straightforward, but the lack of support for transferring cryptocurrencies to external wallets remains a drawback.
Deposit and Withdraw
Deposits and withdrawals are straightforward and support multiple payment methods, though crypto withdrawals are not available.

Key features

Analysis tools

Robinhood offers advanced charting and screener tools, with in-depth charting, dozens of technical indicators, and market data from multiple sources. However, their crypto trading is separated into a different app, Webull Pay, which continues the same features .
Trading 212 offers a web-based platform and mobile apps with many features, including technical indicators and charting tools. They also provide educational resources and a demo account for practice trading .

Mobile APP

Yes, Robinhood has a highly rated mobile app that allows users to trade cryptocurrencies along with other assets .
Yes, Trading 212 provides mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices, featuring many of the functionalities found on their web-based platform .

Security

Robinhood is regulated by the SEC and FINRA, providing a high level of investor protection. They offer SIPC insurance for securities up to $500,000, including a $250,000 cash limit. However, they do not provide negative balance protection​​.
Trading 212 is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, ensuring a high level of security. However, they do not provide basic security features like two-factor authentication, which could be a concern for some investors​​.

Additional features

Robinhood provides commission-free trading on a selection of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin through their mobile app. They offer a user-friendly platform with features such as instant deposits, real-time data, and access to margin accounts with Robinhood Gold. However, their crypto services are limited compared to specialized crypto exchanges .
Trading212 allows trading of cryptocurrency CFDs with benefits like leverage and short selling. They offer a user-friendly platform with a demo account for practice. Trading212 supports a wide range of payment methods and provides low fees for trading CFDs on stocks, indices, commodities, and forex in addition to cryptocurrencies .

Anonymity

Robinhood does not offer anonymous accounts. Users must provide personal details and complete verification steps .
Trading212 does not support anonymous accounts. The registration process includes providing personal details and identity verification​​.

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

Robinhood supports trading in a limited number of cryptocurrencies. The available cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Bitcoin SV (BSV), Dogecoin (DOGE), Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), and Litecoin (LTC)​​.
Trading212 supports trading in cryptocurrency CFDs. The available cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and other popular cryptocurrencies .

User-friendliness

Robinhood offers a sleek and user-friendly mobile app that makes it easy for users to trade cryptocurrencies alongside other assets. The platform’s simplicity and commission-free trading are major advantages, though it lacks some advanced features and educational tools. Additionally, Robinhood does not allow users to withdraw their crypto holdings to external wallets, which could be a limitation for some traders .
Trading212 offers a user-friendly and fast platform for trading crypto CFDs. The account setup process is quick, and the platform supports multiple payment methods. While the range of cryptocurrencies available for trading is limited, Trading212’s intuitive design and ease of use make it a good option for beginners​​.

Value for money

Robinhood is renowned for its commission-free trading, providing excellent value for money, especially for beginners. However, its limited cryptocurrency offerings and inability to transfer crypto out of the platform may limit its appeal for more advanced users​​.
Trading212 provides excellent value with commission-free trading and a user-friendly platform. However, its fee for credit/debit card deposits and a small commission on stock trades might be a downside for some users​​.

Countries of operation

United States (in most states) .
United Kingdom, European Union, available in most countries that allow crypto trading .

Best for

Robinhood is perfect for beginners and younger investors who want an easy-to-use, commission-free platform to trade a limited range of cryptocurrencies. Its integration with stock and ETF trading makes it convenient for those looking to diversify their investments​​.
Trading212 is best for beginner and intermediate traders looking for a user-friendly platform with commission-free trading of crypto CFDs. It’s suitable for those who want to start trading quickly and benefit from a wide range of other financial instruments​​.

Account

Trading

Robinhood allows direct cryptocurrency trading with zero commissions, making it an attractive option for retail investors. However, it offers a limited range of cryptocurrencies compared to other platforms.
Trading212 supports crypto CFD trading with leverage, offering a straightforward and easy-to-use platform. It is ideal for beginners who want to start trading cryptocurrencies without owning them.

Deposit and withdrawal

Robinhood allows deposits and withdrawals via bank transfers. The process is straightforward and free of charge, but the limited options can be a drawback for some users.
Trading212 offers free deposits and withdrawals through a variety of methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets. The process is typically fast and efficient.

Account opening process

Robinhood offers an easy and quick account opening process. Users complete an online application, provide personal information, and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and accounts are typically approved within a day.
Trading212 offers a simple and fast account opening process. Users fill out an online form, provide personal and financial information, and submit verification documents. The process is fully digital and accounts are typically approved within one business day.

KYC required?

Yes, KYC is required at Robinhood. Users must submit personal identification documents and proof of address to verify their accounts.
KYC is mandatory at Trading212. Users must submit identification documents and proof of address during the account opening process.

Customer Service

Robinhood offers customer support primarily through email and in-app messaging. They have recently introduced phone support, but response times can vary. The support team is helpful, though some users report delays in getting issues resolved.
Trading212 offers customer support through live chat, email, and phone. The support is available 24/7 and is known for being responsive and helpful, providing users with timely and effective assistance.

Security

Robinhood is regulated by the SEC and FINRA, providing a high level of investor protection. They offer SIPC insurance for securities up to $500,000, including a $250,000 cash limit. However, they do not provide negative balance protection​​.
Trading 212 is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, ensuring a high level of security. However, they do not provide basic security features like two-factor authentication, which could be a concern for some investors​​.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

As an expert on our website, I recommend Robinhood Crypto for its ease of use and commission-free trading. It’s an excellent choice for beginners who want to start trading cryptocurrencies with minimal initial investment. However, be mindful of its limitations, such as the lack of support for external wallets and limited customer service. Overall, it’s a solid platform for those new to crypto trading, offering a straightforward and accessible entry into the market.
As an expert at our website, I recommend Trading212 for beginners and casual traders who are looking to explore the world of cryptocurrency trading in a secure and user-friendly environment. The platform’s ease of use, competitive fees, and strong regulatory oversight make it a reliable choice. However, if you’re an advanced trader seeking a wide variety of cryptocurrencies or specialized features like staking, you might find the platform somewhat limited. Nonetheless, Trading212 is an excellent starting point for anyone new to crypto trading.

How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

 

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).


For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.

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