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WellsTrade vs Robinhood in 2026
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Compare Robinhood vs. WellsTrade
Key Points:
• Brokerage and managed accounts can be opened through Wells Fargo and Robinhood.
• Cryptocurrencies, futures, and event contracts can be traded only at Robinhood.
• Financial planning, bonds, and mutual funds will only be found through Wells Fargo.
Are you looking for a broker to help you invest and trade better? If so, Robinhood and Wells Fargo Advisors (and its budget firm WellsTrade) should be at the top of your list. Here’s the rundown on these investment houses:
Pricing
| Broker Fees |
Stock/ETF
Commission |
Mutual Fund
Commission |
Options
Commission |
Maintenance
Fee |
Annual IRA
Fee |
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Robinhood
|
$0
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na
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$0 per contract
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$0
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$0
|
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WellsTrade
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$0
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$35
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$0.65 per contract
|
$0
|
$0
|
Services
| Broker Review |
Cost |
Investment Products |
Trading Tools |
Customer Service |
Research |
Overall Rating |
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Robinhood
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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WellsTrade
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Promotions
Robinhood:
3% deposit match and FREE stock worth up to $200 at Robinhood.
WellsTrade: does not offer promotions.
Trading and Investing
At Robinhood and WellsTrade, self-directed brokerage accounts can be opened; these accounts provide trading in the following asset classes:
Robinhood customers also get cryptocurrencies, futures, and event contracts. WellsTrade clients get bonds, mutual funds, OTC stocks, and closed-end funds.
Then there are investment-advisory accounts. Both Wells and Robinhood have robo accounts that use software programs to pick ETFs. Robinhood’s program, called Strategies, also provides stock investments.
Through Wells Fargo Advisors, full-service brokerage and managed accounts can be opened. These accounts have human financial advisors for extra help and planning. In-person service is available through a network of branch locations. Robinhood does not offer any type of full-service program.
Winner: Wells Fargo
Mobile Apps
Kicking off the software battle are two mobile apps. The WellsTrade app integrates in the Wells Fargo app; simply tap on the investment account to bring up the trading tools. During our examination, we found a trade ticket with 4 order types:
- Market
- Limit
- Stop
- Stop limit
There are just 2 duration choices (GTC and day).
Charts on the WellsTrade app are almost pointless with no tools and only one plot style (line). Rotating the graph horizontally does not result in a better experience.
On the Robinhood app, there are lots and lots of graphing tools; we’re talking technical studies, plot styles, and auto scaling. There is no horizontal mode, though. The software’s order ticket has 6 trade types.
Winner: Robinhood
Websites
As with its mobile app, the WellsTrade site also integrates with the Wells Fargo site; this setup results in connections among the various financial accounts through Wells Fargo. The trading section has the same order form we saw on the mobile app. This time, however, charts do have lots of useful gadgets (think drawing tools, plot styles, and technical studies). A chart cannot be expanded the full width of the screen, however, and there’s no right-click menu.
On Robinhood Legend, the broker’s web-browser platform, there is a right-click menu; it has a trade link. Other useful tools on the Robinhood site include an options strategy builder, trade recommendations from analysts, and Level II quotes.
Winner: Robinhood
Margin Trading
A brokerage account at either WellsTrade or Robinhood can be set up for margin or cash trading. A margin account at WellsTrade can short stocks; and Robinhood now permits shorting as well. Also, Robinhood margin customers can trade some option spreads, which are unavailable at WellsTrade.
Using margin for any purpose will come at a cost. WellsTrade charges interest on a sliding scale that begins at 12.5% and ends at 8.5%. Clients with sufficient household assets get discounts up to 2.5%.
Robinhood’s stepped margin schedule begins at 5% and ends at 3.95%; as great as that pricing sounds, Gold customers who pay $5 per month get the first $1,000 at 0.00%.
Winner: Robinhood
Additional Services
Fractional Shares: Whole-dollar trades can be submitted at Robinhood and WellsTrade.
Initial Public Offerings: IPO shares can be purchased inside a Robinhood brokerage account.
DRIP Service: Both broker-dealers offer free dividend reinvesting.
Periodic Mutual Fund Investing: WellsTrade customers can establish recurring purchases of mutual funds. Robinhood traders can do the same for stocks and exchange-traded funds.
Fully-Paid Stock Lending: Robinhood clients can earn cash by loaning out their stock shares.
IRA Lineups: Retirement accounts are available at both investment firms; WellsTrade charges $49.95 to close an IRA.
Extended Hours: WellsTrade customers can trade from 4:01 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. Robinhood has
post-market, pre-market, and 24/5 trading in securities (not to mention 24-hour trading in
cryptocurrencies and futures).
Winner: Robinhood
Recommendations
Mutual Funds: WellsTrade is the only option here.
Small Investors: Neither firm has an account minimum for a brokerage account. Robinhood requires $50 for a robo account, while Intuitive Investor, the Wells automated program, requires $500.
Beginners: A managed account at either firm is a good way to begin. Because Intuitive Investor comes with free phone calls with financial advisors, we would go with Wells.
Retirement Savers & Long-Term Investors: The lion’s share of financial planning and retirement prep will be found at a Wells Fargo Advisors branch location.
Active Stock Trading: Robinhood has better software, although only WellsTrade permits short positions and over-the-counter trading. Toss up.
Promotions
Robinhood:
3% deposit match and FREE stock worth up to $200 at Robinhood.
WellsTrade: does not offer promotions.
Wells Fargo vs Robinhood Verdict
WellsTrade is a good option for a simpler and more traditional investment experience. For everything else, there is Robinhood.
Updated on 2/4/2026.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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