E*TRADE vs Robinhood: 2026 Fees and Features Compared

E*TRADE and Robinhood sit at opposite ends of the same street. One is a full-service broker now owned by Morgan Stanley, the other a mobile-first app that made commission-free trading famous. Picking between them comes down to whether your costs come from trading or from owning.

This E*TRADE vs Robinhood comparison lays out the fees, account types, tools, and support as of July 2026, so you can see which broker actually fits the way you invest.

E*TRADE vs Robinhood at a Glance

Neither is universally better. The right pick depends on which of those rows drives your costs.

Where Robinhood Wins

If your expenses come from active trading, Robinhood is usually cheaper. Options are the clearest example: Robinhood charges $0 per contract with no exercise or assignment fees, while E*TRADE charges $0.65 per contract. Over hundreds of contracts a year, that gap adds up fast.

Margin is another edge. Robinhood lends from around 5.75% down to about 3.95% for larger balances, and Gold members get their first $1,000 of margin interest-free, while ETRADE starts near 13% on smaller balances. Robinhood also pays an IRA match, matching 1% of contributions free or 3% with Gold at $5 a month, something ETRADE does not offer. Futures are cheaper too at $0.75 per contract versus $1.50. For the full margin picture, see our breakdown of the Robinhood margin interest rate.

Where E*TRADE Wins

E*TRADE shines when your costs come from owning rather than trading. It lets you buy mutual funds and Treasuries online for free, two things Robinhood does not offer at all. If your strategy leans on index mutual funds or a bond ladder, that alone can be the deciding factor.

ETRADE also offers a far broader set of account types, including custodial accounts for minors, rollover IRAs, and small-business plans like SEP and SIMPLE IRAs. Its platform stack, including Power ETRADE, gives serious traders deeper charting and research than Robinhood's lighter tools. And support is a real difference: 24/7 phone lines, live chat, and physical branches versus Robinhood's mostly in-app help. Moving out is cheaper too, with E*TRADE charging $75 for a full transfer against Robinhood's $100.

Fees Compared

Both brokers charge $0 for stock and ETF trades, so the fee story lives in the extras. Robinhood wins on options ($0 vs $0.65), margin (much lower rates), and futures. E*TRADE wins on the cost of owning funds and bonds, plus cheaper account exits.

The split is clean. Robinhood is cheaper if your costs come from trading, and E*TRADE is cheaper if they come from holding funds and bonds Robinhood cannot offer. If you want to see how Robinhood compares against another legacy giant, our Robinhood vs Fidelity guide covers a similar full-service matchup, and our TD Ameritrade (now Schwab) vs Robinhood comparison is another useful reference.

If You Want a Middle Ground

Maybe you want Robinhood's low costs but with real bond investing and a calmer, research-forward feel. That middle ground exists, and it is worth a look before you commit to either side.

Public offers commission-free stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, and crypto in one app, pays 3.3% APY on uninvested cash with no membership fee, and runs a Bond Account that targets a 5%+ yield. That gives you the bond access E*TRADE is known for, in a modern app closer to Robinhood's style. Read our full Public review to see whether it splits the difference for you.

What Users Commonly Report

Many users praise Robinhood for its simple app, $0 options, and the IRA match, and casual investors often say it is the easiest place to start. A common complaint is limited human support and the lack of mutual funds.

ETRADE users frequently mention the deep tools, strong retirement account options, and responsive phone support as reasons they stay, while noting the $0.65 options fee and higher margin rates as downsides. The pattern is consistent: traders lean Robinhood, long-term fund-and-bond owners lean ETRADE.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Robinhood if you trade options, use margin, want the lowest per-trade costs, or value the IRA match and a simple mobile experience. It is also a natural fit for beginners, as our Robinhood vs Acorns comparison shows for first-time investors.

Choose E*TRADE if you want mutual funds, free Treasuries, more account types, and full-service support. And if retirement is your focus, weigh the match carefully first with our guide on opening a Roth IRA with Robinhood. There is no single winner here, only the broker whose strengths match your costs. Terms and conditions apply, and rates and fees can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is E*TRADE or Robinhood cheaper?

It depends on how you invest. Robinhood is cheaper for options ($0 vs $0.65 per contract), margin, and futures. E*TRADE is cheaper for owning mutual funds and Treasuries, which it offers free online, and for transferring your account out. Match the broker to where your costs come from.

Does E*TRADE offer an IRA match like Robinhood?

No. Robinhood matches 1% of IRA contributions on a free account or 3% with Robinhood Gold at $5 per month. E*TRADE does not pay a contribution match, though it offers a wider range of retirement account types, including SEP and SIMPLE IRAs.

Which broker is better for beginners?

Robinhood's simple, mobile-first app is easier for many beginners to start with, especially for basic stock and ETF buying. E*TRADE offers more tools and support that can help as your needs grow, but it can feel heavier at first. Consider how hands-on you want to be.

Can I transfer my account from E*TRADE to Robinhood?

Yes. You can use an ACATS transfer to move your positions in-kind, and Robinhood periodically runs cash bonuses for transferring an account. E*TRADE charges $75 for a full outgoing transfer, and the process usually takes about a week. Terms and conditions apply.