Coinbase vs. Robinhood: 2024 Comparison - NerdWallet (2024)

The main difference between Coinbase and Robinhood is that Coinbase is a full-service crypto exchange, while Robinhood is a traditional stockbroker that also offers a limited set of cryptocurrency options.

Long story short: If you want advanced digital asset options such as crypto-to-crypto trades and staking, Coinbase has a wider selection of those options. But if you want access to other asset classes such as stocks in the same place you're trading crypto, then Robinhood offers a serviceable, low-cost alternative to dedicated crypto exchanges.

Here are some of the key points for crypto users to consider when deciding between Coinbase and Robinhood.

Robinhood is best for:

  • No-fee crypto trading.

  • Existing Robinhood customers who want dabble in crypto.

Robinhood at a glance

Minimum trade

$1.

Trading and transaction fees

$0.

Number of cryptocurrencies

15.

Crypto-to-crypto trading pairs

None.

Website transparency

Important information, including investment minimums, supported assets and how to close the account, can be easily found on the website.

Storage offering

Customers can use their own digital wallet, but service lacks much of the functionality that pure-play crypto exchanges provide.

Staking offering

Not available.

Mobile app

Smooth trading interface with access to charts, news and data.

Customer service

24/7 phone support for logged-in customers.

Coinbase is best for:

  • Cryptocurrency traders looking for convenience.

  • Traders who want to easily convert one cryptocurrency to another.

Coinbase at a glance

Minimum trade

$2.

Trading and transaction fees

Varies depending on payment method, cryptocurrency type, transaction size and platform. $2.99 for $200 Bitcoin purchase, or about 1.5%.

Number of cryptocurrencies

More than 200

Crypto-to-crypto trading pairs

More than 400.

Website transparency

Important information, including investment minimums, supported assets and how to close the account, can be easily found on the website.

Storage offering

Customers can use their own crypto wallets, and Coinbase has some insurance against cybercrime.

Staking offering

Rewards on a handful of coins, with rates up to about 10%

Mobile app

Coinbase's highly rated apps have options suited to both beginners and advanced users.

Customer service

Phone, email and chat.

So which is better, Robinhood or Coinbase?

When it comes to cryptocurrencies, Coinbase is the clear winner here. Robinhood’s free trading is nice, but it doesn’t make up for the lack of crypto capabilities and the short list of cryptocurrencies to invest in.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Looking for more detail? Read our full reviews of Robinhood or Coinbase.

If you value trading stocks and crypto on the same service, or if you want to start with a small, more curated selection of digital assets, then Robinhood could be a better fit, given the free trades.

NerdWallet rating

3.9

/5

NerdWallet rating

4.8

/5

Fees

$0

per trade

Fees

0% - 3.99%

varies by type of transaction; other fees may apply

Account minimum

$0

Account minimum

$0

Promotion

None

no promotion available at this time

Promotion

Get $200 in crypto

when you sign up. Terms Apply.

Track your finances all in one place

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Coinbase vs. Robinhood: 2024 Comparison - NerdWallet (3)

Coinbase vs. Robinhood: 2024 Comparison - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to use Coinbase or Robinhood? ›

If you're interested in traditional and digital assets on a single platform, Robinhood might be the better choice. However, if you're interested in a crypto-focused portfolio with a wider range of currencies and advanced features, Coinbase is likely the better choice.

Is there a downside to Coinbase? ›

High fees compared to competitors: Many reviewers believe that Coinbase charges relatively high fees when compared to other platforms in the industry. Users express dissatisfaction with these fees, especially considering that they are imposed on top of the fees already charged by crypto networks.

Which platform is best for crypto trading? ›

  1. OKX. Best for: OKX is an excellent choice for those seeking a large cryptocurrency exchange with a wide range of trading instruments and international presence. ...
  2. Bybit. ...
  3. KuCoin. ...
  4. Gate.io. ...
  5. MEXC. ...
  6. BingX. ...
  7. Coinbase. ...
  8. Kraken.
5 days ago

Is Bitcoin a good investment in 2024? ›

Our most recent Bitcoin price forecast indicates that its value will increase by 11.21% and reach $73,974 by April 24, 2024. Our technical indicators signal about the Bullish Bullish 90% market sentiment on Bitcoin, while the Fear & Greed Index is displaying a score of 73 (Greed).

Is Coinbase safer than Robinhood? ›

Robinhood: Security. Robinhood and Coinbase both put a strong emphasis on security, providing robust security measures to safeguard customer funds. Both platforms provide two-factor authentication (2FA) and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance.

Who charges more fees Robinhood or Coinbase? ›

Coinbase vs Robinhood: Fees

With Coinbase Pro, trading fees start at a 0.60% taker fee and 0.40% maker fee. As for Robinhood, the company claims it offers commission-free crypto trading.

Is Coinbase safe to leave money in? ›

The vast majority of Coinbase client cash is stored in FDIC-insured bank accounts and U.S. government money market funds to keep it safe and liquid. Like all assets on Coinbase, we hold client cash 1:1 and your assets are your assets.

Why not use Coinbase? ›

Data breaches.

Coinbase is as susceptible to hackers' attacks as any other company or online platform. If cyberattackers manage to gain access to Coinbase's inner resources or user information, both user accounts, sensitive information, and other digital assets may be at stake.

Is Coinbase safe anymore? ›

That said, Coinbase has one of the strongest suites of security measures to protect its users, including AES-256 encryption, 2-factor authentication, and even offline storage for asset storage. Read our Coinbase review to see why they're one of the top exchanges of 2024 for buying bitcoin and beyond!

Which crypto will boom in 2024? ›

1. Dogeverse – A Multi-Chain Doge Token Expected to Boom in 2024. Dogeverse ($DOGEVERSE) is a multi-chain doge-based token. With the ability to “hop” between different networks, eager investors can purchase $DOGEVERSE on six major blockchains, from Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Polygon to Solana, Avalanche, and Base.

Which crypto exchange is best in USA? ›

Binance.US is the best crypto exchange with low fees. Bitcoin trades are free, and there are zero fees for Tier 0 pairs. You can get 5% off all maker and taker fees when using BNB tokens to pay your trading fees.

What is the highest rated crypto platform? ›

NerdWallet's Best Crypto Exchanges, Apps & Platforms of April 2024
  • Coinbase: Best for crypto exchanges.
  • Robinhood Crypto: Best for online brokers.
  • Gemini: Best for crypto exchanges.
  • Binance.US: Best for crypto exchanges.
  • Webull Pay: Best for online brokers.
  • Kraken: Best for crypto exchanges.
5 days ago

How much will $100 Bitcoin be worth in 10 years? ›

A $100 investment in Bitcoin could purchase 0.00607 BTC today based on a price of $16,466.14 at the time of writing. If Bitcoin hits the $1 million price target by Wood in 2030, the $100 investment would turn into $6,070. This represents a gain of 5,970% from now until 2030.

Will Bitcoin skyrocket in 2024? ›

What could give Bitcoin a boost in 2024? More than half of the experts Finder surveyed expected the price to increase after a so-called "BTC halving event" in April 2024. A halving event refers to a period every few years when the reward for mining Bitcoin transactions is cut in half.

How much will $1 Bitcoin be worth in 2025? ›

Peter Brandt: $120k — $200k per 1 BTC by September 2025

This significant event led to an update in the forecast for the current bull market cycle, expected to end around August/September 2025. While the initial prediction was a Bitcoin value of $120,000, the revised estimate now ambitiously sets the target at $200,000.

Which is better Robinhood or crypto? ›

The Robinhood vs Crypto.com online crypto exchange comparison tool revealed that Robinhood has better features & higher in-depth evaluation scores than Crypto.com.

Should I keep my crypto in Robinhood? ›

We hold the majority of your coins in cold storage, entirely disconnected from the internet. This gives you an additional layer of protection. We also carry crime insurance that protects a portion of the assets held across our storage systems against losses from theft, including cybersecurity breaches.

Do I actually own crypto on Robinhood? ›

Do I own my own crypto or am I just getting price exposure to coins? Once you purchase crypto on Robinhood, Robinhood believes you're the legal owner of the crypto. You have all the rights and benefits of ownership, including the rights to appreciation and depreciation of the crypto.

Is it worth trading on Coinbase? ›

What Makes Coinbase a Good Choice. With an account minimum of only $2, it's easy to get started as a Coinbase user, making it a good place to start for beginners. Coinbase encourages beginning crypto traders to learn more about their investments with the platform's “earn while you learn” program.

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