In the world of investing, there are many different options when it comes to who you choose to invest your money with. And here I am about to talk about TD Ameritrade and Robinhood, which are considered two of the most popular platforms.

Both of these platforms offer a variety of features and benefits, so it can be tough to decide which one is the right fit for you. In this article, I am going to compare TD Ameritrade vs Robinhood and help you decide which one is the best investment platform for you.

It's going to be an unbiased comparison. AtoZ Markets is in no way responsible for any information given by the writer.

About TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade is a brokerage firm founded in 1971. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and has more than 6 million client accounts. TD Ameritrade offers online trading of stocks, options, futures, and forex, as well as a wide range of investment products and services.

The company is well-known for its innovative ideas in the online trading world. Consequently, they are the first trading company to come up with mobile trading.

TD Ameritrade is one of the most well-respected brokers in the industry and has been awarded numerous honors, including being named Kiplinger's "Best Online Broker" for nine consecutive years and a "Best of the Web" broker by Barron's for 14 consecutive years.

YOU CAN READ OUR FULL REVIEW OF TD AMERITRADE

About Robinhood

Robinhood is the newest but spread out widely because of its low-cost trading services. The app was created in 2013 by two Stanford graduates, Vladimir Tenev and Baiju Bhatt, with the goal of making the stock market more accessible to everyone.

Since its launch, Robinhood has gained a large following among millennials and other novice investors. The app has been praised for its user-friendly design, its wide selection of stocks, and its low commission fees.

Robinhood is currently available to users in the United States. However, the company is planning to expand to other countries in the future.

TD Ameritrade vs Robinhood: Trading Experience

When it comes to online stock trading, there are many different options to choose. TD Ameritrade and Robinhood both offer their unique benefits and drawbacks, so it can be tough to decide which is the right choice for you.

Desktop Trading Platforms

As web trading platforms, both offer almost similar features. However, they have significant differences that can differ in your online trading experience.

Layout

When it comes to the layout of their platforms, TD Ameritrade and Robinhood are quite different. TD Ameritrade's platform is very cluttered and overwhelming, with a lot of different options and features crammed into a small space.

On the other hand, Robinhood is much simpler and easier to navigate. All of the important features are easily accessible, and there's no clutter to distract you from your trading.

Features

Both online trading platforms have various features but surely have some key differences.

TD Ameritrade offers a lot of advanced features, like options trading and futures trading. On the other hand, Robinhood is much more limited in terms of the features it offers.

Ease of Use

TD Ameritrade and Robinhood are fairly easy to use, but some key differences are.

TD Ameritrade's platform can be a bit overwhelming, especially for beginners. On the other hand, Robinhood is much simpler and easier to navigate.

Mobile Apps

Let's start with TD Ameritrade. They are the first who thought about mobile trading. And, day by day, made a superb mobile app. You can easily access your account, research stocks, and make trades. Plus, they have a ton of educational resources to help you learn about investing and trading.

Robinhood, on the other hand, is a little bit different. They don't have a great mobile app (yet), but they do have zero commissions on stock trades. This means that you can buy and sell stocks for free. This can be a great option if you're just starting out and don't have much money to invest.

So, TD Ameritrade vs Robinhood: which is the best option for you? If you're looking for a great mobile app with lots of educational resources, TD Ameritrade is the best choice. On the other hand, if you're looking for zero commissions on stock trades, Robinhood is the best choice.

TD Ameritrade vs Robinhood: Usability

There are a few key things to look for when comparing the usability of TD Ameritrade and Robinhood. First, both platforms are relatively easy to set up, with TD Ameritrade taking a little longer due to the number of questions it asks. However, the questions are all relevant and important in order to get your account set up properly.

Let's talk about trading. This is where Robinhood falls a little short. The platform is very bare-bones, with no real order management features. This can make it difficult to execute complex orders or even just to see what you've ordered. TD Ameritrade, on the other hand, has a wealth of order management features, as well as a great charting package that makes it easy to see what's happening in the markets.

Finally, let's take a look at the customer service. TD Ameritrade has a large team of customer service representatives available 24/7, 365 days a year. Robinhood, on the other hand, has no customer service department.

Overall, TD Ameritrade is the clear winner when it comes to usability. The platform is easy to use, has a wealth of features, and has great customer service. Robinhood is a good option for very simple trading, but if you need more features or want better customer service, TD Ameritrade is the better choice.

TD Ameritrade vs Robinhood: Fees

TDA is a well-known and well-respected broker that has been around for over 40 years. Since they offer various features and products, indeed they have a wide range of fee structures. For example, if you have a margin account and trade frequently, you will likely pay a higher fee than someone who just buys and holds stocks.

Comparatively, Robinhood is a newer brokerage firm. They offer commission-free trading, which is a major draw for many investors. However, Robinhood does not offer as many features as TD Ameritrade. For example, they do not offer retirement accounts or investment advice.

Trading fees

At TD Ameritrade, you will pay $6.95 per trade. However, if you are a frequent trader and make more than 30 trades per quarter, you will get discounted rates. In contrast, Robinhood charges zero amount for trading.

So, Robinhood is the best option for free trading. However, keep in mind that TD Ameritrade offers a lot of other features that Robinhood does not, such as a wide range of investment options, research tools, and customer support.

Trading Commissions

Td Ameritrade charges a commission on every trade, while Robinhood does not charge a commission on any trade.

This can be a big advantage for Robinhood, as it can save you a lot of money in commissions over time.

However, it's important to note that TD Ameritrade offers a number of features that Robinhood does not, such as access to research and analysis, educational resources, and more.

Inactivity Fees

TD Ameritrade does charge an inactivity fee, but it's relatively low, at only $25 per quarter. But, Robinhood charges no activity fee at all.

However, TD Ameritrade does have a number of other fees that Robinhood does not. For example, TD Ameritrade charges a $9.99 fee for online stock trades, while Robinhood does not charge any fees for stock trades.

Non-Trading/Other Fees

TD Ameritrade has a $6.95 fee for equity and options trades. There is also a $25 fee for broker-assisted trades. If you decide to use the platform's automated phone system, there is a $0.50 fee for each call. There is a $9.99 fee for mutual fund trades and a $49.99 fee for broker-assisted mutual fund trades.

If you have more than $25,000 in assets, you have to pay a $75 annual account fee.

Robinhood has no fees for equity or options trades. There is also no fee for automated phone system trades. But, they have a $5 fee for each mutual fund trade.

There is no annual account fee or inactivity fee with Robinhood.

Withdrawal Fees

TD Ameritrade charges a $25 fee for wire transfers and a $75 fee for returned checks. They also have a $3.95 fee for each stock or options trade, which is waived for Active Trader accounts.

Robinhood does not charge any fees for withdrawing money. But, they charge a $6 fee for each stock or options trade.

So, if you are looking to make a large withdrawal from your brokerage account, TD Ameritrade would be the better option, as they have lower fees for both wire transfers and returned checks. However, if you are only making small withdrawals, Robinhood would be the cheaper option, as they do not charge any fees.

TD Ameritrade vs Robinhood: Investment options

There are a few key things to look for when it comes to investment options. The first is the number of options available. Td Ameritrade offers more than 11,000 options, while Robinhood offers just 4,000. The second thing to look for is the quality of the options. Td Ameritrade offers a wide variety of investment options, including options from well-known providers like Vanguard and Fidelity. Robinhood offers a few more obscure options, which may or may not be right for your needs. The third thing to look for is the cost. Td Ameritrade has higher fees than Robinhood, but the difference is relatively small. If you're looking for a wide variety of investment options with high-quality options, Td Ameritrade is the better choice. If you're looking for a low-cost option with a limited number of options, Robinhood is the better choice.

TD Ameritrade vs Robinhood: Account Types

TD Ameritrade has various account types, including Standard, Retirement, Education, Specialty, Managed Portfolios, Margin Trading account, etc. And Robinhood offers three types of accounts: Instant, Cash, Gold.

Therefore, Robinhood has fewer trading options than TD Ameritrade. If you are looking for a broker with a lot of account types, then TD Ameritrade is the best option for you. On the other hand, Robinhood is simple and easy with fewer account types and straightforward processes. And, I suggest having a Robinhood Gold account for beginners.

TD Ameritrade vs Robinhood: Security

When it comes to security, both TD Ameritrade and Robinhood are equal. Both use top-notch security measures to protect users' data. However, there are a few small differences.

First, TD Ameritrade encrypts all user data, while Robinhood does not. This means that TD Ameritrade's data is harder to hack. Second, TD Ameritrade requires two-factor authentication, while Robinhood does not. This means that you have to enter two pieces of information (e.g., your password and a code from your phone) to log in to your account. Again, this makes it harder for someone to hack into your account.

Overall, both TD Ameritrade and Robinhood are very secure platforms. However, TD Ameritrade's security measures are a bit more robust than Robinhood.

Td Ameritrade vs Robinhood: Product Offering and Cost

Indeed TDA has more products than Robinhood. This includes stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, and fixed income products. Robinhood, on the other hand, offers a limited selection of stocks and ETFs.

Another difference is that TD Ameritrade has a higher commission for stock and option trades. For example, stock and option trades cost $6.95 at TD Ameritrade, compared to $0 at Robinhood.

However, Robinhood has no charges for account maintenance, deposits, or withdrawals. TD Ameritrade, on the other hand, charges $25 per quarter for accounts with balances under $10,000.

Overall, TD Ameritrade is a better choice for investors who want a wide selection of investment products and want to pay lower commissions. On the other hand, Robinhood is a better choice for investors who are looking for a commission-free trading platform.

TD Ameritrade Pros & Cons

Pros

• It is one of the largest online brokers in the world.
• Also, they offer various products and services, including stocks, bonds, options, and futures.
• Offers 24/7 customer service with phone and online support.
• Various account options, including individual and joint accounts, IRAs, and trusts.
• Offers educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and trading platforms.
• Strong reputation for security, with multiple layers of security measures in place

Cons

• No commission-free ETFs
• No fractional shares
• High margin rates

Robinhood Pros & Cons

Pros

• No commission trading
• Easy to use mobile app
• No account minimums
• User-friendly website
• Free real-time market data
• Free stock quotes

Cons

• No retirement accounts
• No options trading
• No mutual funds

Td Ameritrade vs Robinhood: Customer support

Cost

TD Ameritrade offers 24/7 customer support through its toll-free number, website chat, and email. Unfortunately, Robinhood does not offer any customer support on weekends, and its phone line is only open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm EST.

Availability

TD Ameritrade is available by phone, chat, or email from 6 am to midnight CT. In addition, Robinhood is available from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm ET for phone call support.

Phone support is more important than chat or email support because you can't always predict when you'll need help. For example, TD Ameritrade offers phone support from early morning to late night, while Robinhood offers phone support only from Monday to Friday.

Speed

Our tests found that it took an average of just six minutes to get a response from TD Ameritrade's customer service team, while it took Robinhood an average of 16 minutes to reply to queries.

Quality

Robinhood offers only a limited set of support options, including email, chat, and a phone line that's open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm ET. If you need help on the weekend, you're out of luck.

On the other hand, TD Ameritrade offers a wide range of support options, including email, chat, phone, in-person support, and even a support Twitter account. If you need help on the weekend, you can still get it – TD Ameritrade's support line is open from 7 am to midnight ET on Saturdays and from 8 am to 10 pm ET on Sundays.

Td Ameritrade vs Robinhood: Research and Tools

TD Ameritrade has a wide variety of research options, including third-party research from top firms, as well as its own in-house research. This research is available to all clients, regardless of account size.

In contrast, Robinhood does not offer any third-party research. It does have its in-house research, but this is only available to premium members. Non-premium members only have access to basic company information and news.

Another important factor to consider is the tools that each broker offers. For example, TD Ameritrade has various tools, including a trading platform, a mobile app, and a wealth of educational resources. Unfortunately, Robinhood does not have any of these tools.

When comparing TD Ameritrade vs Robinhood, indeed, TDA is a better option. This is because it offers more research options and a wider variety of tools.

Regulations of TD Ameritrade and Robinhood

Regulation is one of the biggest factors when it comes to broker selecting. TDA is among the largest stockbrokers based in the United States and is subject to the highest-level authorities like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Similar to that, Robinhood is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and has a membership in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Why should you choose TD Ameritrade?

There are many reasons to choose TD Ameritrade as your online broker, but here are some of the most important:

1. It is an award-winning trading platform. Also, it is widely considered to be the best in the industry. It offers powerful tools and features that allow you to trade stocks, options, futures, and forex, all from one platform.
2. Various investment options, including stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and fixed income products.
3. Also, they have a large selection of commission-free ETFs and no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
4. 24/7 customer support, including live chat, phone support, and email support.
5. Various account types, including individual and joint accounts, retirement accounts, and business accounts.
6. These are several account features, including instant account verification, mobile check deposit, and account syncing.
7. It is a publicly-traded company, which means that they are highly regulated, and our financial stability is top-notch.
8. They have a large customer base, which means that you can find plenty of trading partners and investment ideas.
9. Various banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and mortgages.

Why should you choose Robinhood?

There are many reasons why you should choose Robinhood as your preferred stock trading app.

1. Cost-effective: Robinhood is a cost-effective option for stock trading. They do not charge commission or fee for trading. This makes it a more affordable option than other stock trading apps.

2. User-friendly: Robinhood is a user-friendly app. The design is simple and easy to navigate. So, it is easy to start trading immediately.

3. Comprehensive: Robinhood offers a comprehensive range of features. This includes real-time market data, alerts, and a variety of order types. Therefore, you have everything to do with trading with the app.

4. Innovative: Robinhood is an innovative app. It was the first app to offer commission-free stock trading. This makes it a leading option in the stock trading market.

5. Secure: Robinhood uses bank-level security to protect your data and money. So it is safe to use the app to secure your money and information.

If you're looking for an affordable, user-friendly, and comprehensive stock trading app, then Robinhood is the ideal option for you.

Conclusion

TD Ameritrade and Robinhood are both excellent online trading platforms. However, TD Ameritrade is best suitable for advanced traders, while Robinhood is more suitable for beginner investors.

If you want a brokerage account with various account types and trading features, then TD Ameritrade's should be your choice. It offers independent financial advice, an asset protection guarantee, and many features. Therefore, TDA will be a better option for experienced investors.

And Robinhood offers straightforward features with a maximum asset protection guarantee. As a result, it will be good for new investors to start international trading with Robinhood.

FAQs

• Is Robinhood as safe as TD Ameritrade?

Yes. Both brokerages are regulated by the SEC and FINRA. They both offer account protection up to $500,000 through the SIPC. And both brokerages offer 24/7 support.

• Is TD Ameritrade good for beginners?

Ameritrade is a good online broker for beginners because it is user-friendly and has a wide range of educational resources. However, it is important to remember that beginners should always consult with a financial advisor to get tailored advice.

• Are Ameritrade and Robinhood the same?

No. Ameritrade is a full-service brokerage that offers a wide variety of investment products, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, as well as retirement planning and other wealth-management services. Robinhood is a commission-free stock brokerage that allows investors to buy and sell individual stocks and ETFs.

• What is a better trading platform than Robinhood?

If you are looking for a better trading platform than Robinhood, I recommend using either TD Ameritrade or Charles Schwab. They offer investment options, including options trading and mutual funds. They also have fast order execution and great customer service.

• Is TD Ameritrade affiliated with Robinhood?

Technically, TD Ameritrade is not affiliated with Robinhood, but the two companies do have a partnership. Robinhood is a commission-free stock trading app. TD Ameritrade has a partnership with them that allows Robinhood users to invest in ETFs and mutual funds that TD Ameritrade offers. This partnership is beneficial for both companies, as it allows TD Ameritrade to attract new customers, and it allows Robinhood to offer more investment options to their users.

• Does TD Ameritrade pay the Robinhood transfer fee?

No. TD Ameritrade does not pay the transfer fee for clients who close their Robinhood account and transfer their assets to an account at TD Ameritrade. However, we do offer a variety of account types, which come with different features and benefits, so clients may want to consider opening an account that is best suited for their needs.