US stock trading platform Robinhood is known for being the low-cost app of choice among millennial traders in the US, and it may be the most widely recognised online broker today – but you can’t access it in the UK. After more than a year of ramping up its UK launch and with thousands of would-be investors on a waitlist, Robinhood postponed its UK launch indefinitely in 2020. We’ve pulled together some UK alternatives to Robinhood, comparing features, fees and stocks available.
Best for 0% commission stocks
Finder Award
Go to site
Capital at risk. Other fees apply.
Copy picks from top traders
- Commission-free stock trades
- Receive dividend payments
- Invest in fractional shares
Best for US shares
Finder Award
Go to site
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
Try Plus free for 3 months
- 0% commission on trades
- Choose from 3000+ stocks
- Real-time live pricing
Best for fractional shares
Go to site
Capital at risk. T&Cs apply.
Personalised market updates
- Commission-free trading
- Invest in fractional shares
- Over 5,400 stocks & ETFs
We analysed all popular share dealing platforms in the UK using 35 data points and combined this with our expert insight from using the apps. The platforms we've selected as best for each category offer stand-out features or a unique combination of elements for a specific aspect of investing. If we show a "Promoted for" pick, it's been chosen from among our partners and is based on factors that include special features or offers, and the commission we receive. Keep in mind that our picks may not always be the best for you – it's important to compare for yourself. More details in our full methodology.
What does Robinhood offer?
Robinhood is a US trading platform founded in 2013. It offers zero commissions on stocks, options and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It’s popular among traders thanks to its low fees, range of trading options and minimalist design targeting younger investors.
Users of the app often trade stock options and other assets, such as cryptocurrencies, using leverage (typical UK investors won’t be able to access the latter). This is a higher-risk form of trading because both your profits and losses are amplified.
eToro: the closest alternative in the UK
 | ||
| Finder score | ★★★★★ | |
| Customer satisfaction survey | ★★★★★ | |
| FSCS protected? | ||
| Stocks and shares ISA available? | ||
| Standard trading fee | £0 | £0.00 |
| Foreign exchange fees | 0% | 0.5% |
| UK - London Stock Exchange | ||
| US - New York Stock Exchange | ||
| US - NASDAQ | ||
| App | ||
| Desktop or web access | ||
| Keep in mind | Capital at risk | Capital at risk. 76% of retail CFD accounts lose money |
| Go to site More Info |
eToro offers commission-free stock trading as well, with a foreign exchange fee of 0.50%. Robinhood doesn’t charge a foreign exchange fee in the US, but most UK platforms do. It also has professional charting tools and research, as well as social trading features like copy trading.
With eToro, you can trade stocks, commodities and currencies. The platform has more than 1,000 stocks available to invest in.
Unlike the other providers we’ve listed here, eToro doesn’t let you invest with your ISA allowance, so any profits you make over £6,000 might be subject to capital gains tax.
We’ve got a comprehensive eToro review if you want to know more.
CMC Invest: a close UK alternative to Robinhood
| ||
| Finder score | ★★★★★ | |
| Customer satisfaction survey | ★★★★★ | |
| FSCS protected? | ||
| Stocks and shares ISA available? | ||
| Standard trading fee | £0 | £0 |
| Foreign exchange fees | 0% | 0.5% |
| UK - London Stock Exchange | ||
| US - New York Stock Exchange | ||
| US - NASDAQ | ||
| App | ||
| Desktop or web access | ||
| Keep in mind | Capital at risk | Capital at risk |
| Go to site More Info |
IG: a good alternative to Robinhood in the UK
| ||
| Finder score | ★★★★★ | |
| Customer satisfaction survey | ★★★★★ | |
| FSCS protected? | ||
| Stocks and shares ISA available? | ||
| Standard trading fee | £0 | £8 |
| Foreign exchange fees | 0% | 0.5% |
| UK - London Stock Exchange | ||
| US - New York Stock Exchange | ||
| US - NASDAQ | ||
| App | ||
| Desktop or web access | ||
| Keep in mind | Capital at risk | Capital at risk. 68% of retail CFD accounts lose money |
| More Info |
Freetrade: a popular beginner-friendly investment app
| ||
| Finder score | ★★★★★ | |
| Customer satisfaction survey | ★★★★★ | |
| FSCS protected? | ||
| Stocks and shares ISA available? | ||
| Standard trading fee | £0 | £0 |
| Foreign exchange fees | 0% | 0.59% |
| UK - London Stock Exchange | ||
| US - New York Stock Exchange | ||
| US - NASDAQ | ||
| App | ||
| Desktop or web access | ||
| Keep in mind | Capital at risk | Capital at risk |
| More Info |
Freetrade is a little more beginner-friendly than eToro and Fineco. Like Robinhood, it’s commission-free, with a whole host of stocks available to free users. You can upgrade for additional features and a larger range of stocks for a set fee per month with its additional subscriptions, including one that gives you access to an ISA.
Freetrade is app-only, so you can’t trade on a desktop. However, it’s testing desktop trading for Plus users at the moment. The charting tools are more basic with Freetrade than with eToro and Fineco. You can’t trade on margin with Freetrade.
If you’d like to know more, you can read our full review of Freetrade.
Why Isn’t Robinhood Available in the UK?
Money expert Mark Tovey answers
Robinhood, the commission-free investment platform, has yet to make its services available in the UK. Originally scheduled for a 2020 launch, the expansion was indefinitely postponed due to “global events” in the first half of that year, according to a statement by the company.
Despite this setback, Robinhood – available only to US investors for now – has said it remains committed to rolling out its app globally.
While the company’s global expansion plans are currently on hold, they aim to introduce brokerage services in the UK by the end of 2023, as stated in their Q1 2023 financial report.
In early 2022, Robinhood aborted a takeover bid of Ziglu, a London-based crypto trading app. Robinhood was on course to buy Ziglu for $170m in April 2022 before cutting back its bid to $72.5m and ultimately pulling out altogether.
Bottom line
It’s unlikely that Robinhood will be coming to the UK anytime soon. If you want to start investing, you’re better off finding a UK Robinhood alternative. We think eToro is a great alternative if you’re not interested in investing in an ISA. Experienced investors are suited well to Fineco, while beginners may prefer Freetrade.
If you’re still not convinced, you can compare share dealing accounts with our comparison table. It lets you choose what’s important to you and narrow your options.
Frequently asked questions
-
With eToro, you can trade and invest in the major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Cardano.
You can’t buy cryptocurrency with Freetrade or Fineco. If you want to invest through an ISA, you can’t buy cryptocurrency regardless of your provider.On the other hand, you can get indirect exposure to crypto through an ISA by buying shares in companies that operate in the space – like Coinbase or Marathon Digital Holdings.
-
Zero commission brokers make money through alternative revenue sources such as interest fees on client accounts, offering premium services for a fee and receiving payment for order flow by directing customer orders to specific providers. While they save on trading commissions, downsides include potential execution quality issues, limited tools and customer service. Active day traders may find specialised brokers more suitable.
-
As of April 2022, Freetrade offers a beta version of its web interface, Freetrade Web, for Plus members to test. The web interface lets Plus members view their portfolios on a desktop browser and provide feedback. Freetrade plans to enhance the web experience with more features and functionalities in the future. Non-Plus members can consider getting a Plus subscription to access Freetrade Web.
- Finder UK trading fee statistics
All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
