Robinhood launched in the UK: Review and Alternatives in 2026

You’ve probably heard about the Robinhood app on YouTube or TikTok and want to know if it’s available in the UK, right?

Robinhood is a modern and easy-to-use investment platform from the US, which pioneered the concept of commission-free trading in stocks and ETFs – now a standard feature offered by most UK brokers including Webull, Trading 212, and Freetrade.

Robinhood officially launched its app in the UK in March 2024, following a multi-month waiting list. Since then, the platform has significantly expanded its UK offering – adding margin investing (late 2024), options trading (2025), futures trading (October 2025), the Robinhood Legend advanced desktop platform, and a Stocks & Shares ISA in February 2026. Want to know the current pros and cons of the platform plus the best alternatives before opening an account? We’ve got you covered.

Is Robinhood available in the UK?

Yes, Robinhood is available in the UK. After an initial waiting list of several months, Robinhood officially launched to all UK customers in March 2024, as announced in its official press release. The platform is operated by Robinhood U.K. Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 09908051) and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 823590. UK customers are introduced to Robinhood Securities, LLC (US) for execution and custody services.

Recently, the company opened up several job listings to support the launch in the UK market. As stated in the job listings:

Robinhood joins the likes of Webull and Public.com, which also launched in the UK recently.

Robinhood in the UK: what does it offer?

Since its UK launch, Robinhood has rapidly expanded its product suite. Its current main features include:

• Commission-free US stock trading: access to 6,000+ US-listed stocks and ADRs with no platform fees and no trading commissions;
• Fractional shares from $1: invest in expensive companies like Apple, Nvidia, or Microsoft starting from as little as $1;
• 24-hour US stock trading: trade selected US stocks nearly 24 hours a day, five days a week – useful for reacting to after-hours market news;
• Stocks & Shares ISA (launched February 2026): tax-efficient ISA wrapper offering around 5,000 US-listed stocks and ADRs with zero platform fees, zero commissions, and a 0.10% FX fee per trade. £20,000 annual contribution allowance per the UK ISA rules;
• Options trading: trade US stock and index options;
• Futures trading (launched October 2025): access to 40+ CME Group futures products including S&P 500, oil, gold, and FX futures, available on both mobile and Robinhood Legend desktop;
• Margin investing (launched late 2024): borrow against your portfolio to amplify positions (high risk – leverage magnifies both gains and losses);
• Robinhood Legend: advanced desktop trading platform designed for active traders with customisable layouts and professional-grade tools;
• Cortex Digests (launched February 2026): AI-powered tool providing near real-time context on stock price movements – the first of several AI features rolling out in the UK;
• 3.35% AER on uninvested USD cash via the brokerage cash sweep program (as of June 2026). Note that the rate is variable and linked to US Federal Reserve policy;
• 0.10% FX fee per trade during US FX market hours (0.30% on Fridays between 22:00 and 02:00 GMT/BST). All trades execute in USD – you can hold both GBP and USD
  

Robinhood alternatives in the UK

To help you find a Robinhood UK alternative, we have focused on low-cost brokers available in the UK with broader product ranges or tax-efficient account options. Here are our suggestions:

All the companies here mentioned are regulated and/or registered in the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.

Founded in 2007, eToro is an international online broker with over 40 million users in 140+ countries who can trade over 3,000 financial assets, including real stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, commodities, forex, indices, and cryptocurrencies. Stocks and ETFs are traded commission-free, as whole or fractional shares (other fees apply). eToro became publicly traded on the NASDAQ in May 2025 (ticker: ETOR).

eToro’s investment platform, accessible through both web and mobile, is a social trading hub. Here, investors can engage in discussions about investments, speculations, and market news with fellow investors. eToro also allows users to replicate trading strategies via CopyTrader and invest in ready-made thematic portfolios via Smart Portfolios (including AI, renewable energy, dividend, and crypto themes).

UK investors can also earn interest on uninvested USD cash held in their account (current rate of 3.55% on USD balances, subject to change and linked to US Federal Reserve policy). UK customers are onboarded by eToro (UK) Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 583263. UK clients benefit from FSCS protection up to £85,000.

The demo account is particularly useful for beginners ($100,000 in virtual money). It lets you gain real hands-on experience as you would using real money, so when switching to a real account, you will notice no difference between your training and live investing.

On the downside, there is a $5 withdrawal fee, a $10 monthly inactivity fee if you do not log into your account for over one year, and Stocks & Shares ISA or SIPP wrappers are not available – meaning UK investors cannot use eToro for tax-efficient retirement saving.

For a complete picture of eToro, take a look at our review.

Founded in 1978 and publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: IBKR, an S&P 500 constituent since 2024), Interactive Brokers is a global online broker that has weathered every major financial crisis since its founding – demonstrating exceptional resilience and rigorous risk management. The broker serves 3+ million client accounts globally and provides access to 170+ markets across 36+ countries.

Interactive Brokers offers an advanced investment platform with a wide range of products (stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, futures, bonds, and currencies), solid trade execution through IB SmartRouting (which automatically routes orders to the venue offering the best available price), and a comprehensive set of technical and fundamental tools to support your investment decisions.

Pricing for UK clients is competitive:

• US stocks: tiered pricing starting at $0.0035 per share on IBKR Pro ($0.35 minimum per order, max 1% of trade value);
• UK-denominated stocks and ETFs: 0.05% of trade value (minimum £1, maximum £29);
• FX conversion: 0.0020% of trade value (minimum $2) – one of the industry’s lowest;
• Cash interest on uninvested balances: tiered rates on balances above $100,000 NAV (3.207% on GBP, 1.5% on EUR, 3.12% on USD as of June 2026, linked to central bank policy).

Beginners and intermediate investors have educational tools to explore through IBKR Campus, though the learning curve is steep – which is why we mainly endorse IBKR to more advanced traders. Customer service is responsive and provides clear answers to client questions.

On the downside, IBKR’s fee structure is complex, and the registration process is lengthy though fully online. However, when accounting for FX fees, narrower spreads, the Stock Yield Enhancement Program (SYEP), and tiered cash interest, IBKR clients still achieve significant cost savings compared to most UK brokers.

Interactive Brokers also operates IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app for stocks, options, and ETFs, ideal for beginner and intermediate investors. Features include automatic currency conversions, fractional shares, a demo account ($10,000 virtual balance), and more. UK clients are served by Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited, authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN: 208159), with FSCS protection up to £85,000.

Want to know more about Interactive Brokers? Check our Interactive Brokers review.

Founded in 2016, Capital.com is a global CFD trading platform that has grown rapidly thanks to its commission-free model and user-friendly technology. Trusted by 770,000+ traders worldwide, it offers access to a wide range of markets, including CFDs on forex, stocks, indices, and commodities. It also provides spread betting (for UK residents) and an “X1” account, which means CFD trading without leverage.

Capital.com offers its in-house web and mobile app (packed with innovative tools such as AI-driven insights and risk management features), and you can also invest through the TradingView and MT4 platforms, where you can create automated investment strategies. A free demo account is available to practise before investing real money.

Capital.com doesn’t charge any commission on your trades. However, it charges a fee based on the spread (the difference between the buy and sell prices). Spreads are dynamic and change with underlying market conditions. Apart from spreads, the broker also charges a fee on guaranteed stop-loss orders and overnight funding (only applicable when you use leverage).

On the downside, as with many CFD-only brokers, Capital.com might not be suitable for investors seeking traditional investment products like ETFs, bonds, long-term retirement accounts, or direct ownership of physical assets rather than derivatives. There is also no Stocks & Shares ISA or SIPP, which means UK investors cannot use Capital.com for tax-efficient investing.

In terms of regulation, Capital.com (UK) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 793714. It holds client funds in segregated bank accounts and provides negative-balance protection for retail clients. UK clients are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which provides up to £85,000 in compensation if something goes wrong with the company (e.g., insolvency or operational failure).

Founded in 2002, XTB is a major player in the brokerage industry with extensive worldwide experience, serving 1.7+ million clients across 16 countries. It is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ticker: XTB) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) plus other relevant top-tier regulatory bodies.

You can invest through xStation 5 (desktop and web) and xStation Mobile in a wide range of investment products, including 5,300+ stocks, 1,300+ ETFs, and CFDs on stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies (product offering may vary slightly by country). It offers 0% commission on real stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 in monthly trading volume (0.2% commission applies above that threshold, with a £10 minimum per order). XTB also offers a Stocks & Shares ISA and Investment Plans for automated, recurring ETF investing.

Opening an account and transferring money are quick and hassle-free. For beginners, XTB provides a demo account where you can trade as if it were real money, plus access to educational tools through the XTB Trading Academy. For intermediate and advanced investors, the platform offers plenty of technical and fundamental tools to support your investment decisions. UK clients earn cash interest on uninvested EUR, USD, and GBP balances at competitive rates linked to central bank policy.

On the downside, XTB charges a £10/month inactivity fee after one year of no trading and no deposits in the previous 90 days. There is also a 0.5% currency conversion fee for trades in non-base currencies, and CFD cryptocurrency trading carries relatively high spreads (although forex spreads are competitive).

Want to know more about XTB? Check our XTB review.

Founded in 2017 in the US and launched in the UK in July 2023, Webull UK has rapidly expanded its product offering since launch. As of April 2026, Webull UK offers commission-free trading on US, UK, and Hong Kong shares, plus a flexible Stocks & Shares ISA, fractional shares (powered by Upvest), and exchange-traded options. The parent company, Webull Corporation, is publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: BULL) and serves over 24 million registered users globally. New users get a signup promotion.

As a UK user, you also have access to a demo account where you can buy and sell as you would with real money. You can deposit in pound sterling (GBP), with a 0.35% FX fee applied when converting to USD for US stock trades. The fractional shares offering is particularly valuable since many US stocks trade at high market values per share, allowing you to invest from £1.

The product range has expanded considerably from the initial launch: in addition to US, UK, and Hong Kong stocks plus options and a Stocks & Shares ISA, Webull UK also offers UK ETFs (through the Upvest partnership), TradingView integration, and advanced charting tools. However, there is still no SIPP, no CFDs, no forex, and no cryptocurrency trading in the UK.

Webull UK is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) since October 2022. Client funds and assets are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000.

For a more in-depth analysis, take a look at our Webull UK review.

InvestEngine is a UK-based investment platform launched in 2020, focused exclusively on exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It provides users with access to over 800 ETFs from leading providers (Vanguard, iShares, Invesco, HSBC, and others), designed to meet a range of investment goals and risk tolerances. InvestEngine offers both managed portfolios (with auto-rebalancing) and a DIY option for investors who prefer to build and manage their own ETF portfolios. It supports a Stocks & Shares ISA, a SIPP, and a General Investment Account.

Pros:

1. Low-cost investing: no platform fees on DIY portfolios (only the underlying ETF expense ratios apply); managed portfolios charge 0.25% per year;
2. Diversification: 800+ ETFs from major providers, enabling investors to create diversified portfolios tailored to risk tolerance and investment objectives;
3. Auto-rebalancing: for managed portfolios, InvestEngine periodically rebalances to maintain the target asset allocation;
4. User-friendly interface: easy to navigate with helpful tools like risk assessment questionnaires and educational resources;
5. FSCS protection: as an FCA-regulated UK platform, client assets and cash are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000.

Cons:

1. ETF-only platform: no individual stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other instruments – which might not suit investors looking for broader investment options;
2. No fractional ETFs on all funds: some ETFs require buying whole units, which may be a barrier for very small portfolios;
3. Limited research tools: more basic charting and analysis compared to active trading platforms.

Overall, InvestEngine is a great solution for buy-and-hold investors looking to build long-term ETF portfolios at minimal cost – particularly within tax-efficient ISA or SIPP wrappers.

Want to know more about InvestEngine? Check our InvestEngine review.

Freetrade is a UK-based, FCA-regulated stockbroker founded in 2016 that lets you invest commission-free in 6,500+ stocks (from the US, UK, Germany, Finland, and the Netherlands), ETFs, mutual funds, and gilts. As of January 2026, Freetrade significantly restructured its plans: the Basic plan (free) now includes a Stocks & Shares ISA, SIPP, mutual funds, gilts, and General Investment Account – a substantial value upgrade for UK retail investors.

Freetrade came to the market with a mission to revolutionise the traditional brokerage industry. Where many incumbents present high complexity over their platforms and product offerings, Freetrade is on a mission to help customers achieve better long-term financial outcomes, prioritising transparency and trust. Ultimately, their goal is to allow everyone to benefit from wealth creation – and the platform now provides access to all three core UK tax-efficient wrappers (GIA, ISA, SIPP) on the free Basic plan.

In the Freetrade app, you will not find CFDs or other complex derivative products – the platform does not promote day trading and has no hidden fees. Account opening is quick and smooth. The mobile app is remarkably user-friendly. The main drawbacks are the limited product range beyond stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and gilts (no options, forex, CFDs, or cryptocurrencies) and the relatively high FX fee on the Basic plan.

Freetrade’s current plan structure:

• Basic (free): GIA, ISA, SIPP, mutual funds, gilts, ready-made portfolios. 0.99% FX fee. 1% interest on up to £1,000 of uninvested cash;
• Standard (£5.99/month): includes everything in Basic plus lower 0.59% FX fee, 3% interest on up to £2,000 of cash, and a broader investment universe;
• Plus (£11.99/month): lowest 0.39% FX fee, 5% interest on up to £3,000 of cash, full 6,500+ stock universe, priority customer support, and other premium features.

All Freetrade accounts are protected by FSCS up to £85,000. If you’re interested, you can also read our full Freetrade review.

Which platform should you choose?

Several factors are worth considering when choosing an online broker: the fees charged (commissions, FX fees, platform fees), whether it is regulated by top-tier institutions such as the FCA in the UK and covered by FSCS protection (up to £85,000), the range of products it allows you to trade (not all platforms offer ETFs, UK-listed stocks, or cryptocurrencies), and whether it provides tax-efficient accounts such as Stocks & Shares ISAs and SIPPs – which can save UK investors significant amounts in tax over the long term.

The right broker depends on your investor profile, preferences, and objectives:

• For low-cost ETF investing in an ISA: InvestEngine (no platform fees on DIY) or Trading 212 (free ISA);
• For diversified UK and US stock investing: Freetrade (free Basic plan including ISA and SIPP) or Webull UK (free ISA, commission-free US/UK/HK stocks);
• For US-focused commission-free investing: Robinhood (now with ISA) or Webull UK;
• For advanced or active traders: Interactive Brokers (170+ markets, professional tools) or XTB (FCA-regulated, ISA available);
• For social trading and multi-asset exposure: eToro (CopyTrader, Smart Portfolios, real stocks plus CFDs);
• For CFD and spread betting: Capital.com (FCA-regulated, FSCS-protected).

Explore the broker websites above and decide which best fits your investment goals.