Robinhood and thinkorswim sit at opposite ends of the trading world. One is the simplest investing app most people have ever used. The other is a professional-grade platform packed with tools that can feel like a cockpit. Picking between them comes down to how much power you actually need.
This comparison breaks down the two on cost, platform, and features, with details current as of July 2026, so you can choose the right fit.
The quick version
thinkorswim is owned by Charles Schwab, which absorbed TD Ameritrade and kept the platform. It is built for active and advanced traders who want deep charting, backtesting, and complex options tools. Robinhood is a mobile-first broker built for fast, low-cost trades, fractional shares, and a clean interface.
If you want a simple app that gets you invested in minutes, Robinhood is the natural starting point. It offers commission-free stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto in one place, which is exactly what a newer or casual investor tends to want.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Robinhood vs thinkorswim at a glance
| Feature (as of July 2026) | Robinhood | thinkorswim (Schwab) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beginners, casual and mobile traders | Active and advanced traders |
| Platform | Mobile app and simple web | Pro desktop, web, and mobile |
| Stock and ETF commissions | $0 | $0 |
| Options fee | $0 per contract | $0.65 per contract |
| Account minimum | $0 | $0 |
| Crypto | Yes, spot crypto | No spot crypto |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research and tools | Lighter, deeper with Gold | Extensive, pro-grade |
| Extras | Gold cash sweep, IRA match | paperMoney simulator, backtesting |
The headline difference is depth. Robinhood keeps things minimal, while thinkorswim gives you almost every tool a serious trader could ask for.
Costs: where each one wins
Both brokers charge $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades, so casual investing is free on either. Options are where they split. thinkorswim charges $0.65 per options contract, the industry standard, while Robinhood charges no per-contract fee, which adds up if you trade options often.
Robinhood also layers in a paid tier. Robinhood Gold costs $5 a month and unlocks a higher cash sweep rate, Nasdaq Level II data, and an IRA contribution match. thinkorswim has no membership fee, but Schwab charges commissions on futures and some other products.
Platform and tools
This is thinkorswim's home turf. It offers advanced charting, a paperMoney simulator to practice with fake money, backtesting through OnDemand, custom scripting, and one of the most powerful options analysis suites available to retail traders. Schwab also brings deep research from in-house analysts plus third parties like Morningstar and CFRA.
Robinhood is intentionally lighter. The free tier keeps research simple, and Gold members get Morningstar reports and Level II data. For most beginners, that is plenty. For someone running complex multi-leg options or backtesting strategies, thinkorswim is in a different league.
A middle-ground alternative
If Robinhood feels too bare but thinkorswim feels like too much, there is a middle option. Public is a commission-free investing app that adds a more modern, research-forward experience, with stocks, ETFs, bonds, and a competitive yield on uninvested cash. It suits investors who want a clean app but also want more context and community around their trades than Robinhood gives.
Public
Public
Investing for those who take it seriously. Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto & more.
Standout feature
A 5%+ yield Bond Account paired with 3.3% APY on cash — Public is one of the only consumer apps where idle and conservative money is treated as seriously as the equity portfolio.
Fees
Free
Pros
• Invest in stocks, bonds, crypto & more• Earn 3.3% APY* on your cash with no fees• 1% match when you transfer your portfolio• Lock in a 5%+ yield with a Bond Account
Cons
Customer support is in-app and email only, no phone
Crypto and extras
Robinhood supports spot crypto trading directly in the app, alongside stocks and options, which is a real advantage if you want everything under one login. thinkorswim does not offer spot crypto; Schwab clients access crypto mainly through funds and futures.
Robinhood's other extras stand out for retirement savers. Its IRA match pays a percentage on contributions, an unusual perk with no equivalent at Schwab, and Gold members earn a higher yield on swept cash. You can read more in our Robinhood Gold benefits guide.
Which one should you choose
Choose thinkorswim if you are an active trader who wants pro charting, backtesting, and serious options tools, and you do not mind a steeper learning curve. Choose Robinhood if you want a simple, low-cost app to buy stocks, options, and crypto, plus perks like the IRA match.
For most everyday investors, the mobile simplicity and commission-free options make Robinhood the easier place to start, and you can always add a more advanced platform later as your needs grow. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal, and past performance does not guarantee future results.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is thinkorswim better than Robinhood?
It depends on your needs. thinkorswim is better for active and advanced traders who want pro-grade charting, backtesting, and options tools. Robinhood is better for beginners and casual investors who want a simple, low-cost mobile app with crypto and an IRA match.
Is thinkorswim free to use?
Yes. thinkorswim is free and has no account minimum, and stock and ETF trades are commission-free. Schwab charges $0.65 per options contract and commissions on futures and certain other products.
Does Robinhood have a platform like thinkorswim?
Not really. Robinhood is intentionally simple and mobile-first. It added more charting and Level II data for Gold members, but it does not match thinkorswim's advanced desktop tools, scripting, or backtesting.
Can I use both Robinhood and thinkorswim?
Yes. Many investors keep a simple app like Robinhood for quick trades, crypto, and the IRA match, and use thinkorswim for advanced analysis or active trading. There is no rule against holding accounts at more than one broker.
