Chase Vs. Robinhood: Which is Better?
Both Chase and Robinhood are solid brokers with zero-commission trading, but they approach investing in different ways. The better choice depends on what you need.
Keep reading to see what each broker offers.
Key Takeaways
• Both Chase and Robinhood offer zero-commission trading, but neither broker is truly free.
When you add up all fees, Robinhood is usually the cheaper option.
• Robinhood is easier to use and includes features like better charting and tools for advanced options, which can make it a better choice for beginners and active traders.
• Chase offers a wider range of account types and financial products that can connect with a brokerage account, which may be better for customers who already use other Chase services.
Chase Brokerage and Robinhood
Chase and Robinhood both offer low-cost trading through a website and a mobile app. Knowing how they differ is key to picking the right one for you.
Before we get into the details, here’s a quick summary: Robinhood is generally better for active traders. At the same time, existing Chase customers (such as those with checking, savings, or credit card accounts) may find it more convenient to open a J.P. Morgan Wealth Management account through Chase.
Here are the details.
Services
| Broker Review |
Cost |
Investment Products |
Trading Tools |
Customer Service |
Research |
Overall Rating |
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Robinhood
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Chase
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Promotions
Robinhood:
3% deposit match and FREE stock worth up to $200 at Robinhood.
J.P. Morgan:
Get $0 stock commissions at J.P. Morgan.
Ease of Use
If ease of use matters to you, Robinhood may be the better choice. Both Chase and Robinhood are easy to use, but Robinhood has simplified its app and website to make complex tasks feel easier. Chase’s brokerage looks and works more like a traditional broker.
At Chase, you can find stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds using a search box or a screener. Each security has its own page with financial data and analyst reports, and the order ticket includes all available trade settings.
Robinhood offers similar features, but its layout makes navigation easier. You can search for tickers directly, and it also offers themed lists that help you find ideas faster.
Robinhood also makes it easy to switch between accounts for brokerage, IRA, cash management, and crypto services. Each section includes the settings and options you would expect for that service.
Cost
Both Chase and Robinhood are commission-free brokers, but Robinhood is generally the cheaper one. Here is how their pricing differs.
Trading Fees
| Broker Fees |
Stock/ETF
Commission |
Mutual Fund
Commission |
Options
Commission |
Maintenance
Fee |
Annual IRA
Fee |
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Robinhood
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$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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Chase
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$0
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$0
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$0.65 per contract
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$0
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$0
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Beyond commissions, there are other costs to consider. Two of the most common are contract fees and regulatory fees.
Regulatory fees apply when you sell securities, and most brokers pass these charges on to customers. Robinhood only charges regulatory fees when transactions exceed $500. Chase does not waive these fees.
The two brokers handle options fees differently. Robinhood does not charge a per-contract fee, but Chase charges $0.65 per contract.
Each broker also has unique products. Chase offers mutual funds and fixed-income products, while Robinhood offers cryptocurrencies. Chase mutual funds trade for free, and bonds and Treasuries cost $10 per trade when purchased on the Secondary Market. At Robinhood, crypto trades are commission-free and have no spread markups.
Subscriptions
Robinhood offers add-on services that you can buy after opening an account.
Robinhood Gold is its premium subscription plan. It offers a higher APY on cash management funds, a better IRA Match, advanced charting, higher instant deposits, and more. The monthly fee is $5.
Account Types
Robinhood and Chase offer similar account types. However, Robinhood adds a crypto account with a dedicated crypto wallet, which gives it an advantage for crypto-focused traders.
Robinhood also offers an IRA and a Spending account, which are separate from standard brokerage accounts. The IRA includes a 1% match on contributions, which is a strong perk. The Spending account comes with a debit card for purchases, and a growing network of ATMs supports Robinhood’s card.
Robinhood offers a lot of useful account features, but Chase provides a broader set of financial products and account types that can be linked to a brokerage account.
Chase offers checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and personal loans. All of these can be accessed from the same place you use for your brokerage account. Chase also makes it easy to move money between accounts.
Bonuses and Special Offers
Both Chase and Robinhood offer strong bonuses and special offers.
Bonus offers can change at any time, but the current deals still show how Chase and Robinhood structure their promotions.
Welcome Bonus
Robinhood Welcome Bonus:
1% (3% for Gold members) IRA and 401(k) rollovers match bonus.
Chase Welcome Bonus: $50, $150, $350, and $700 Welcome bonuses for deposits ranging from $5,000 to $250,000.
Referral Bonus
Robinhood has a referral bonus of
one stock valued between $5 and $200 for each referral, with a maximum annual payable amount of $1,500.
Promotions
Robinhood:
3% deposit match and FREE stock worth up to $200 at Robinhood.
J.P. Morgan:
Get $0 stock commissions at J.P. Morgan.
Which Broker is Better?
The kind of investor you are will likely decide which broker you prefer. Investors who want simplicity and long-term investing with a more traditional broker may prefer Chase’s brokerage, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. Robinhood also keeps things simple, so it can appeal to many of the same investors.
Where Robinhood stands out is how easy it makes investing across different styles. Whether you are a day trader, swing trader, long-term investor, or an options trader, Robinhood’s tools help you avoid feeling limited by the platform. Active traders will likely prefer Robinhood because it offers short selling, fractional shares, and direct access to cryptocurrency markets.
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Updated on 1/5/2026.
I work in investment analytics and have been investing in the market since I was in high school. I enjoy anything that involves lots of strategy (i.e. a good game of chess), which is why I was naturally drawn to investing and researching companies. Outside of investing, I’m a big fan of the outdoors. In summer, you’re most likely to find me kayaking, camping, and hiking in the mountains.
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