Robinhood review: trading US stocks
The simplest US app for buying a first share; the trade-off is depth of tools and research.
In one line: Robinhood lets you own US shares outright, founded 2013, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, USA, regulated by SEC, with no minimum deposit and access to US listed stocks and ETFs.
The facts
| What you actually hold | The share itself |
|---|---|
| US stock access | US listed stocks and ETFs |
| Fractional shares | Yes |
| Minimum deposit | None |
| Published pricing | $0 commission on US stock and ETF trades; payment for order flow is disclosed in its SEC filings. Source |
| Platforms | Robinhood mobile, Robinhood web |
| Extended hours | Extended sessions available, longest on paid tiers |
| Founded / HQ | 2013 · Menlo Park, California, USA |
| Regulation | SEC / FINRA — United States (SIPC member) |
Best for
- Mobile-first US investors
- Small dollar-amount buys
- Simplicity over depth
Watch out for
- Thin research tooling
- Limited to a small set of countries
Frequently asked questions
Is Robinhood good for US stocks?
The simplest US app for buying a first share; the trade-off is depth of tools and research. Positions are real shares, so dividends and shareholder rights pass through to you.
Do you own the shares with Robinhood?
Yes — Robinhood offers real share ownership on US listings.
What does Robinhood cost for US stocks?
$0 commission on US stock and ETF trades; payment for order flow is disclosed in its SEC filings. The authoritative figure is on Robinhood's own pricing page, linked on this profile — we restate it rather than estimating it.
Is Robinhood regulated?
Robinhood holds authorisations from SEC / FINRA (United States, licence SIPC member). Which entity holds your account — and therefore which protections apply — depends on your country of residence.
What is the minimum to open a Robinhood account?
Robinhood does not require a minimum deposit, though a practical minimum is set by the price of what you want to buy and any currency conversion cost.
Reviewed August 2026. Every figure above is restated from Robinhood's own published pages, linked in the table.