
Robinhood is a popular app for trading and managing portfolios, but is it a good fit for day trading? One of the key benefits of Robinhood is its commission-free trading model, which can save you money on fees.
Robinhood's user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate and execute trades quickly, even for inexperienced traders. This is especially important for day trading, where speed and agility are crucial.
However, Robinhood's lack of advanced trading tools and features may make it less suitable for more complex trading strategies. For example, it doesn't offer stop-loss orders or other risk management tools that some traders rely on.
Despite these limitations, Robinhood's low account minimums and no-minimums for certain accounts can make it an attractive option for small investors or those just starting out.
Safety and Risks
Robinhood is a highly secure stock, ETF, and crypto brokerage, but there are still risks to using it. You should be aware of these risks to protect your account and assets.
Robinhood holds the majority of investors' coins in cold storage, which is "entirely disconnected from the internet." This means that even if Robinhood were to get hacked, hackers wouldn't be able to get to your coins. However, it's essential to take additional security measures to protect your account.
To stay safe when using Robinhood, consider using a strong password that contains at least 10 characters, ideally a random combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You should also turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) and review devices that have accessed your account.
Here are some security measures that Robinhood recommends to protect yourself:
- Set a secure password that contains at least 10 characters
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Review devices that have accessed your account
- Set up a PIN or password for changes to your SIM card
- Consider transferring your coins from Robinhood to a cold wallet of your own
Remember, cryptocurrency investments are inherently risky, with more volatility than traditional stocks or ETFs. Always keep that in mind and only spend as much buying cryptocurrency as you can afford to lose.
Is Safe?
Robinhood has taken steps to ensure the security of its users' accounts and crypto holdings. They hold the majority of investors' coins in cold storage, which is entirely disconnected from the internet, making it difficult for hackers to access.
Robinhood's crime insurance policy, underwritten by Lloyd's syndicates, protects a portion of the assets held across their storage systems. However, it's essential to note that some coins are held in cold storage, and only a portion of the assets are protected by insurance.
To add an extra layer of security, Robinhood recommends setting a strong password, using an authenticator app for 2FA, checking the URL, and watching out for malware. They also suggest enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) and reviewing devices that have accessed your account.
If you're concerned about the security of your crypto holdings, consider transferring them to a cold wallet of your own. This will give you more control over your assets and reduce the risk of hacking.
Here are some security measures that Robinhood has in place to protect its users:
- Hold the majority of investors' coins in cold storage
- Crime insurance policy underwritten by Lloyd's syndicates
- Regular security reviews of the app's and website's code and infrastructure
- Third-party testing
While these measures are reassuring, it's essential to remember that cryptocurrency investments are inherently risky, with more volatility and higher risk than traditional stocks or ETFs.
Day Trading Strictness
Robinhood is pretty strict when it comes to day trading, so it's essential to be aware of the rules.
The Pattern Day Trading (PDT) rule limits you to making no more than four day trades in a rolling five-day period if you have less than $25k in your account.
If you go over this limit, Robinhood will restrict your account from placing any further day trades for 90 days.
You can use a one-time pattern day trading restriction waiver, but this can only be used once.
The app's in-built Pattern Day Trading protection feature sends a warning alert once you make three day trades in the five-day period, helping to reduce your risk of accidentally hitting your limit.
This regulation was set by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), so all US-based brokerages, including Robinhood, need to follow the PDT rule.
To avoid the 90-day ban, you'll need to wait out the week or have more than $25k in your account to make more day trades.
Features and Benefits
Robinhood offers investors the freedom to build their own portfolio with no commission fees, making it a great option for active stock traders. This means you can invest in individual stocks without worrying about extra costs.
The platform also provides a Cash Management account, which offers features similar to a checking or savings account, allowing you to earn interest on your cash and get FDIC insurance to protect your funds.
With Robinhood, you can get started with as little as $1 and take advantage of commission-free trading, including buying fractional shares starting at $5. You'll also have unlimited access to financial planners at no extra charge.
One of the standout features of Robinhood is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy to set up an account and start trading. In most cases, you can be up and running within an hour.
Here are some key features and benefits of using Robinhood:
Additionally, Robinhood offers a variety of learning tools and educational resources, including an "Investing basics" blog, an online library of content, and a daily Robinhood Snacks newsletter.
Managing Diverse Portfolios
Managing Diverse Portfolios can be a challenge with Robinhood. It's hard to track your portfolio once you have more than three or four positions open.
To keep things convenient, it's easy to simply slip into only having a couple of trades open at any time. This is fine for beginners, but as you become more advanced you'll probably want to have a few more trades on the go at once.
Robinhood offers over 5,000 stocks and ETFs to choose from, giving you a wide range of options to diversify your portfolio. You can also invest in crypto with around 18 popular coins available to day trade.
Here are some tips to help you manage your diverse portfolio with Robinhood:
- Start small and gradually add more positions as you become more comfortable.
- Use a stock market simulator to create a "practice portfolio" and learn how the market fluctuates over time.
- Consider opening a separate brokerage account with a company like Fidelity or Charles Schwab to better diversify your portfolio.
Crypto and Fees
Robinhood offers a unique approach to crypto trading with no commission fees to trade stocks, options, or crypto.
You can buy and sell cryptocurrencies on Robinhood without paying any commission fees. This is a significant advantage over other crypto trading platforms that charge fees for every trade.
One of the standout features of Robinhood Crypto is the ability to buy fractional amounts of cryptocurrencies, making it more accessible to new investors. For example, if a single Bitcoin costs $89,601.77, you can still buy a fraction of it on Robinhood.
The minimum purchase requirement is $1, and you can invest as much or as little as you want in cryptocurrency, except for Dogecoin, which has a minimum purchase requirement of 1 Dogecoin.
Here are some of the features of Robinhood Crypto that make it a great option for beginners:
- No minimum balance requirements to open an account or start investing
- No commission fees to trade stocks, options, or crypto
- Ability to buy fractional amounts of cryptocurrencies
- 19 different cryptocurrencies available for trading
- Regulated by FINRA and registered with FinCEN
Note: This list highlights the key benefits of using Robinhood for crypto trading.
Who and How
Robinhood is popular among young, first-time investors, and the company has even targeted college students specifically, offering them $15 to trade if they opened a new account.
The app's user base isn't limited to just young investors, though. With its ease of use and access to various financial products, including stocks, bonds, ETFs, crypto, and more, anyone can use Robinhood to start investing.
Robinhood has also been targeting long-term investors, offering a 1% match for every dollar contributed to its Robinhood Retirement account, similar to employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s.
To get started with Robinhood, the set-up process is easy and intuitive, taking just a few minutes to complete.
Right Choice for Your Crypto Journey
If you're new to crypto investing, Robinhood is a great place to start. You can buy fractional shares of most crypto coins, which means you can invest as little as $1 in your favorite cryptocurrencies.
To begin, you'll need to open a Robinhood account, which can be done in just a few minutes. You'll need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security Number, and be a legal resident of the United States.
One of the benefits of using Robinhood for crypto investing is that it doesn't charge commissions to investors. This means you can buy and sell cryptocurrencies without incurring any additional fees.
If you're looking for a user-friendly interface, Robinhood's mobile app is well reviewed and accessible. You can easily manage your crypto portfolio and make trades on the go.
It's worth noting that Robinhood's crypto exchange is great for beginners, but more advanced traders might find some elements of the app frustrating. The limited coin selection, with only 18 cryptocurrencies listed, might be a drawback for some.

Here are some key features to consider when deciding if Robinhood is the right choice for your crypto journey:
- Easy setup and intuitive interface
- No commissions on trades
- Mobile app is well reviewed and accessible
- Buy fractional shares of most crypto coins
- Insurance and security measures in place
Ultimately, the decision to use Robinhood for crypto investing depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for a user-friendly and commission-free platform, Robinhood might be a good choice.
Who Uses?
Robinhood's user base is quite diverse. The app is popular among young, first-time investors. They're often targeted specifically by the company, who's offered $15 to trade for college students who open a new account.
Robinhood isn't just for thrill-seeking traders, though. It can serve as a good introduction to investing if you do your research. Investors can trade stocks, bonds, ETFs, crypto, and more on the platform.
Day traders often try to game the system, but it's usually next to impossible to make a fortune that way. Robinhood lets anyone with a bank account buy and sell risky financial products, which is part of its appeal.
The company is now targeting long-term investors as well, offering a 1% "match" for every dollar contributed to Robinhood Retirement accounts.
How to Use

Before you start using Robinhood, take a step back and figure out what motivates you to invest. Are you looking for quick cash or trying to responsibly put your money to work?
Your motivation should help you ignore social media and friend suggestions that don't fit your strategy. If certain types of stock don't align with your goals, it's best to ignore those suggestions.
First, make sure you've paid off all your high-interest debt and are contributing enough to your employer-sponsored plan to maximize any potential match benefit. This is an immediate, guaranteed return on your investment that you can't expect from the stock market.
Set some investing goals before you start trading, whether it's to buy a new couch or a downpayment on a future home. Determine how much that goal will cost, how long you have to achieve it, and how much you'll need to contribute on a regular basis.
Consider securing your financial future with diversified securities before adding individual stocks to your portfolio. This can be done through your employer's plan or an IRA.
Robinhood's commission-free business model allows you to buy and sell stocks for free, but it's essential to use this freedom responsibly.
Starting to Invest
To start investing, you'll need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number and a U.S. address.
Robinhood makes it easy to open an account, and you can start investing with just a few dollars. You can also use a stock market simulator to create a "practice portfolio" and learn how the market fluctuates over time.
To get started, you'll need to fund your account with at least $1. You can then choose a cryptocurrency to buy from the 19 options available on Robinhood.
Some popular cryptocurrencies on Robinhood include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. If you're new to investing, it's a good idea to start with a small amount of money you're OK with losing.
If you're looking to buy fractional shares of most crypto coins, Robinhood is a good option. You can also use Robinhood's mobile app to make trades on the go.
Here are some requirements to keep in mind when opening a Robinhood account:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have a valid Social Security number and a U.S. address.
- You must fund your account with at least $1.
Pros and Cons
Robinhood's got some great features that make it a popular choice among investors. You can open an account and start investing with $0 minimum deposit.
One of the biggest advantages of Robinhood is its commission-free trading, which means you won't have to pay any fees to buy or sell stocks. This can be a huge money-saver, especially for frequent traders.
Here are some of the key pros of using Robinhood:
- $0 minimum deposit to open an account and invest
- Commission-free trading
- Free stock welcome bonus
- Plenty of investment options for active traders
- Variety of accessible learning tools
While Robinhood has its advantages, it's not without its drawbacks. If you're considering day trading on the app, you should be aware of a few potential stumbling blocks.
Cons
Robinhood's day trading features have some limitations to consider. Here are some cons to keep in mind.
Fees outside of commissions may apply, so be aware of any additional costs. You'll want to review your account regularly to avoid any surprise charges.
Users rely on their own knowledge when building their portfolio, which can be a challenge for beginners. This means you'll need to do your own research and stay up-to-date on market trends.
Here's a quick rundown of Robinhood's Pattern Day Trading (PDT) rule:
Pros
Robinhood offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive option for investors.
You can open an account and start investing with $0 minimum deposit, making it accessible to anyone.
Commission-free trading is another major perk, saving you money on fees.
New users even get a free stock welcome bonus, which is a great way to get started.
For active traders, there are plenty of investment options to choose from, giving you the flexibility you need.
Robinhood also provides a variety of learning tools to help you get up to speed and improve your trading skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really make money on Robinhood?
Yes, it's possible to make money on Robinhood, but it requires careful trading and managing risk, especially with margin trading. Profit is achievable, but it's essential to understand the platform's features and trade responsibly.
Is it worth investing with Robinhood?
Consider investing with Robinhood for commission-free trades, but be aware of potential account fees that may impact your overall costs. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks to decide if Robinhood is the right fit for your investment needs
Is Robinhood a good place to keep your money?
Yes, Robinhood is a secure platform to keep your money, with protection up to $500,000 for securities and $250,000 for cash claims through SIPC membership. Additionally, Robinhood is regulated by the SEC, providing an extra layer of protection for your investments.
Featured Images: pexels.com