Cryptocurrency investing is one thing that’s comparatively new nonetheless, however undeniably fashionable. Decentralized currencies promise buyers a hedge towards issues like inflation. However what’s one of the best platform to commerce crypto: Robinhood vs Coinbase?
A variety of buyers need info to check Coinbase vs Robinhood and we’re right here to assist. Whereas each are digital platforms the place you may commerce cryptocurrencies, there are some vital variations. Which platform is healthier to your crypto funding wants?
Robinhood is an digital buying and selling platform that’s regulated by the SEC. On the corporate’s fashionable app, buyers should buy shares, ETFs, and a restricted variety of crypto cash. A number of the hottest cryptocurrencies can be found, together with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. In whole, they provide 19 completely different cash for buy.
Robinhood’s declare to fame is that they don’t cost a charge for trades. They do supply a premium subscription possibility, Robinhood Gold, that prices $5 per 30 days.
Coinbase can also be a buying and selling platform, however it focuses solely on cryptocurrencies. They’ve roughly 240 digital property and 300 supported buying and selling pairs out there with Coinbase Prime.
Individuals who need their alternative of cryptocurrencies or who need entry to cryptocurrency assets could favor Coinbase.
The SEC says it has regulatory authority over Coinbase, however Coinbase has contested that and is pursuing clarification in court docket. Their declare is that cryptocurrencies don’t fall underneath the present definition of ‘safety’ and require a brand new definition and separate regulation.
The first distinction between Robinhood and Coinbase is within the variety of cryptocurrencies you can commerce there and whether or not different funding courses can be found. We’ll get into the main points of each points later on this assessment.
Now, let’s dive into whether or not Coinbase vs Robinhood for crypto is the appropriate alternative for you.
Robinhood vs Coinbase – Which Platform is Greatest for Cryptocurrency?
There’s no query that each Robinhood and Coinbase supply worth to customers. Which one’s greatest for which kind of investor? Right here’s our rundown.
Robinhood provides no-fee crypto buying and selling for all supported property, though there are some quantity charges baked into their charges. That mentioned, they nonetheless declare to supply buyers extra worth for his or her cash than different platforms, together with Coinbase.
For those who’re already a Robinhood buyer, then chances are you’ll need to take into account getting your ft moist with crypto within the app you’re already utilizing for different investments. There’s a comfort issue for current Robinhood customers and it’s undeniably helpful to have the ability to handle your entire investments, together with crypto, in a single place: thereby simplifying your funding technique.
Individuals who aren’t already utilizing Robinhood or who need a broad array of crypto to purchase usually tend to profit from utilizing Coinbase. Customers have the power to simply convert one cryptocurrency to a different, which can also be helpful.
By way of investor varieties, we must always discuss in regards to the danger concerned with shopping for crypto usually. Cryptocurrencies are sometimes much more unstable than shares or ETFs. We wouldn’t advocate shopping for solely crypto. Our rule of thumb is that buyers shouldn’t put extra money into digital property than they will afford to lose.
On the entire, we’d say that newbie buyers and people who need an all-in-one funding buying and selling resolution can be higher off utilizing Robinhood, whereas skilled crypto merchants could favor Coinbase for its giant number of cash and crypto conversion.
Professional Tip:
Join at the moment and get $50 of BTC after making your first commerce on Coinbase, or obtain as much as $1500 of inventory per 12 months by referring associates on Robinhood!
Robinhood vs Coinbase – Function Comparability
Robinhood and Coinbase each have options which are helpful to buyers. Let’s begin with Robinhood. Listed below are the options that you just’ll get in the event you commerce crypto with Robinhood.
- Person-friendly app
- Potential to commerce 19 completely different crypto cash, together with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and extra
- Charge-free buying and selling
- In-app assist
- Robinhood crypto pockets
- Fractional shares are allowed for all out there cyrtocurrencies besides Dogecoin, the place the minimal quantity to purchase is one coin
- Begin shopping for cryptocurrency with as little as $1
Robinhood has applied a broad array of security measures to guard customers from hacking and theft. Right here’s a breakdown of what they’ve put in place.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) in order that no one can entry your account and not using a texted code
- Devoted crypto pockets for buyers
- Most of buyers’ cryptocurrencies are saved offline in a chilly pockets
- Robinhood has bought insurance coverage to supply some safety to insurers. (As a reminder, Robinhood deposits are usually not insured by the FDIC the best way financial institution deposits are.)
Now, let’s have a look at Coinbase. Listed below are the options you’ll discover there.
- Purchase and promote over 240 varieties of crypto
- Ship and obtain cryptocurrencies without cost (amongst Coinbase customers, exterior mining charges apply)
- Cryptocurrency one-stop-shop, together with main stability service, an trade, and service provider instruments inside the similar interface
- Use with an current crypto pockets in the event you favor
- Start buying and selling with as little as $2
Right here’s a listing of Coinbase’s security measures:
- State-of-the-art encryption and safety
- Transparency about how and when info is shared
- 2FA with safety key assist
- Password safety
- Insurance coverage to guard some property from theft or safety breaches
You’ll must needless to say neither firm’s insurance coverage coverage will defend you in the event you share your password and expertise theft of crypto property because of this.
Robinhood vs Coinbase – Charge Comparability
Now, let’s have a look at Robinhood vs Coinbase charges. Be mindful as you assessment these that some charges might not be apparent, and we’ll level these out.
Buying and selling Charges
Robinhood touts its “free-free” buying and selling, however let’s speak about what that basically means. It’s true that you just gained’t see any itemized charge whenever you purchase or promote crypto. That mentioned, you’re positively getting charged a charge.
Robinhood makes its cash by rolling the price of buying and selling into a variety markup on the commerce. What which means is that you just’ll pay extra whenever you’re shopping for and obtain much less whenever you’re promoting than you’ll in the event you bought one of the best market value. You possibly can estimate what you’re paying by evaluating the acquisition value to the stay market value.
Coinbase is equally cagey about its charges, however they’re utilized in tiers. You’ll pay extra if you are going to buy a small quantity and fewer if you are going to buy a considerable amount of crypto. For instance, with a small commerce you’ll pay a flat charge plus a 0.5% markup of the acquisition value of no matter coin you’re shopping for.
Extra Charges
Robinhood costs charges (underneath some circumstances) for withdrawing cash out of your account. Normal withdrawals are free, however in the event you do an instantaneous financial institution withdrawal or a withdrawal to a linked debit card, chances are you’ll pay as much as 1.75% as a charge.
Coinbase provides free ACH transfers, however costs $10 for wire deposits and $25 for wire withdrawals. Additionally they cost $3.99 for debit card withdrawals.
Abstract Desk of Charges
Right here’s a fast comparability of charges (insofar as charges have been disclosed) so that you can assessment.
Robinhood | Coinbase | |
SEC/FINRA charges | $27.80 per $1m of precept | |
Buying and selling Charge | Unfold charge (hidden) | Base charge plus 0.5%. The bottom charge is $0.99 for transactions $10 or much less and vary as much as $2.49 for transactions as much as $200. Quantities over $200 nonetheless pay the 0.5% charge. |
ACH | No charge | No charge |
Wire Switch | As much as 1.75% | $10 for deposits and $25 for withdrawals |
Debit Card | As much as 1.75% | $3.99 flat charge |
Professional Tip:
Join at the moment and get $50 of BTC after making your first commerce on Coinbase, or obtain as much as $1500 of inventory per 12 months by referring associates on Robinhood!
Robinhood vs Coinbase – Person Expertise Comparability
Each Robinhood and Coinbase have centered closely on the person expertise to be sure that their respective platforms are straightforward to navigate.
Coinbase has a easy interface and is user-friendly for each rookies and skilled customers. There’s a menu on the prime of the house web page. Right here’s a glance what you’ll discover in the event you click on on Cryptocurrency.
Buyer assist is a key factor of the person expertise. Coinbase provides 24/7 phone assist. Additionally they have a devoted Coinbase Assist Heart the place you may ask questions, get on-line assist, or make recommendations.
Robinhood additionally has an easy-to-understand interface. They began as a cellular app, so it ought to come as no shock that the app expertise is nice for customers.
We like that it’s straightforward to entry Robinhood. Transactions take nearly no time to finish and general, the UX is superb.
There’s 24/7 customer support by the app. One factor we want have been completely different is that there’s no cellphone assist. Right now, the one possibility is to ship a message by the app and watch for a response.
Robinhood vs Coinbase – Which Platform is Greatest for Crypto Buying and selling?
Right here’s our overview of which platform is greatest for crypto buying and selling.
Coinbase’s Crypto Choices
As we’ve already famous, Coinbase provides a powerful listing of cryptocurrencies for buying and selling. These embody those everyone knows, reminiscent of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. It additionally features a bunch of others that you could be not be aware of:
- Polkadot
- Avalanche
- Pepe
- SWELL
- Fantom
- Arbitrum
- Filecoin
There are too many to listing right here: greater than 240 in whole, plus 300 pairings. If you wish to purchase a wide range of cryptocurrencies and supported property, Coinbase provides much more choices than Robinhood for crypto buying and selling for superior crypto merchants.
Robinhood’s Crypto Choices
Robinhood began as a buying and selling platform for shares and ETFs and is a relative newcomer on the planet of crypto buying and selling. As of November 2024, they provide a complete of 19 cash for buying and selling, together with:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Dogecoin
- Litecoin
- Solana
It’s possible that Robinhood will add further cash sooner or later. We are saying it’s possibility for current Robinhood customers who need to get their ft moist with cryptocurrency, however not the appropriate alternative for superior crypto buyers.
Comparability Desk: Out there Cryptos
Cryptocurrency | Coinbase | Robinhood |
Bitcoin | Y | Y |
Ethereum | Y | Y |
Dogecoin | Y | Y |
Solana | Y | Y |
Cronos | Y | N |
Aptos | Y | N |
Litecoin | Y | Y |
Render | Y | N |
The Graph | Y | N |
Popcat | Y | N |
That is only a small sampling of what Coinbase has out there.
Professional Tip:
Join at the moment and get $50 of BTC after making your first commerce on Coinbase, or obtain as much as $1500 of inventory per 12 months by referring associates on Robinhood!
Is Robinhood Higher than Coinbase?
By now, you’re in all probability questioning if Robinhood is healthier than Coinbase. Right here’s our rundown.
Coinbase has a ton of academic assets plus a broader coin choice than Robinhood. The platform’s concentrate on crypto signifies that it’s preferrred for knowledgeable crypto buyers and may additionally be helpful for rookies who need to get began with crypto.
We additionally like that Coinbase has prioritized safety and that there’s the flexibleness to make use of your current crypto pockets.
Robinhood has a user-friendly app that makes it very straightforward to commerce shares and to get began with crypto investing. It provides zero-commission trades, though there are some baked-in charges to contemplate.
Like Coinbase, Robinhood has taken pains to make its platform safe and to guard buyers. We respect that buyers, significantly rookies, can combine their crypto investing with different securities, together with shares and ETFs.
Conclusion
Evaluating Coinbase vs Robinhood, our takeaway is that Coinbase is designed for individuals who need to get severe about cryptocurrency buying and selling and their crypto property and are on the lookout for a wide selection of cash to purchase and promote. It has greater than 10 instances the variety of cash that Robinhood does, it’s straightforward to transform one foreign money to a different, and there are many academic assets to assist buyers find out about crypto. In case you are inquisitive about how Coinbase stacks as much as a competitor reminiscent of eToro, take a look at our assessment evaluating the 2: ETORO VS COINBASE!
Newbie buyers who need an app to seamlessly combine cryptocurrency buying and selling with shares and ETFs could favor Robinhood. Whereas there aren’t as many cash in the stores, the preferred cash are there. Try our information reviewing crypto buying and selling on Robinhood right here in the event you nonetheless want extra info.
On the entire, we give Robinhood the sting on the subject of charges and as a device to handle a number of securities. Coinbase will get the sting for people who find themselves already skilled buying and selling crypto or who simply need a extra complete platform for digital property.
At all times keep in mind that investing entails danger and that cryptocurrency buying and selling on each Coinbase and Robinhood may include some danger!
We expect Robinhood is an efficient all-around app for rookies, significantly those that need to get began with crypto however don’t need to use multiple device to handle all their investments. The one space the place we predict Robinhood might do extra for rookies is in training, however there are different locations the place you may get free assets that will help you find out about cryptocurrency if you wish to use Robinhood.
As a result of each platforms could possibly be extra clear with charges, it’s tough to say for positive. Nevertheless, Coinbase’s 0.5% charge plus flat charge construction signifies that normally, they’re dearer than Robinhood.
Each Coinbase and Robinhood have taken pains to guard customers and protect them from losses associated to hacking or theft. They each supply password safety, 2FA, and insurance coverage. Neither is insured by the FDIC. By way of safety, we predict they’re equal.
Sure, Bitcoin is one in all 19 cryptocurrencies out there to commerce on Robinhood as of November, 2024.