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As an investor seeking a new online stock broker, you might find yourself considering M1 Finance vs. Robinhood. Both of these brokers offer a suite of services beyond buying and selling stocks, so it can be hard to choose the best option for you. Read on to find out how M1 Finance and Robinhood stack up.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Commissions
Commissions
No commission, trading, or management fees for self-directed accounts. Platform fee of $3 monthly.
Commissions
$0 for stocks, ETFs, and options; up to $5 monthly for Robinhood Gold
Account Minimum
Account Minimum
$100 for individual account, $500 for retirement account
M1 is not a robo-advisor and only offers self-directed brokerage services.
M1 Finance vs. Robinhood: Commissions & fees
Robinhood pioneered zero-commission trading and has stuck to that model ever since. Robinhood has $0 commissions on all trades of stocks, cryptocurrencies, and ETFs. For that reason, Robinhood is consistently ranked as one of the best ETF brokers. Robinhood continues to push the envelope with $0 commissions on cryptocurrency and options trades. Combine that with no account maintenance fee, and you've got a very low-cost broker. For $5 monthly, users can upgrade to Robinhood Gold, which gets you lower margin rates, higher APYs on uninvested cash, and access to professional research from Morningstar.
M1 Finance offers $0 commissions on stock and ETF trades. Similarly to Robinhood, M1 Finance does not charge an account maintenance fee (though it does charge a fee for low balances with 90 days of account inactivity). M1 Finance doesn't charge a monthly fee, but it offers M1 Plus membership for $3 per month. M1 Plus members get features like discounted margin rates, multiple trading windows, and access to custodial accounts.
Investors on either platform will enjoy low transaction and maintenance fees, at least until they transfer their accounts elsewhere. For outgoing account transfers, M1 Finance charges $100, and Robinhood charges a $100 fee.
M1 Finance
Robinhood
Stock & ETF commissions
$0
$0
Options commissions
N/A
$0
Crypto commissions
1%
$0
Mutual fund commissions
N/A
N/A
Account transfer fee
$100
$100
Account maintenance fee
$0; $3 per month for M1 Plus
$0; $5 monthly for Robinhood Gold
Data sources: M1 Finance and Robinhood.
M1 Finance vs. Robinhood: Investments available
Like most brokers, M1 Finance offers stocks and ETFs. By allowing users to trade fractional shares, M1 Finance makes it possible for smaller investors to purchase big names, like Amazon and Google. However, M1 Finance only lets investors trade individual stocks, ETFs, and a few cryptos, which is hardly groundbreaking among brokers.
Robinhood allows customers to buy stocks and ETFs, and it supports fractional trading. However, Robinhood also allows investors to trade options and cryptocurrencies without charging a commission. That means customers can trade a wider range of investment options, without getting hit with transaction fees.
It is important to note that neither M1 Finance nor Robinhood support other investment options. Investors can't trade mutual funds, CDs, bonds, futures, or currencies on either platform.
We recommend comparing brokerage options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of our best trading platforms of 2025.
Broker
Best For
Commissions
Learn More
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Low fees on stocks, ETFs, crypto, and options
$0 for stocks, ETFs, and options; up to $5 monthly for Robinhood Gold
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Joint and custodial accounts are helpful for transfer of ownership between M1 Finance customers. M1 Finance also offers margin, credit card, and checking accounts, which integrates investing, borrowing, and banking under one roof.
Robinhood investors have access to a taxable brokerage account for trading and a margin account for borrowing. But recently, Robinhood expanded its offerings. It now offers Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs (with a 1% match, or 3% match for Gold members), along with a spending account. There's also the Robinhood Gold Card, a credit card exclusively for Gold members.
Unlike M1 Finance, Robinhood doesn't offer custodial accounts. For that reason, M1 Finance might be a better fit for investors with complex tax or ownership situations.
M1 Finance offers a user-friendly platform to both desktop and mobile customers. It offers the typical portfolio holdings, trading activity, and transaction buttons. Plus, M1 Finance's platform stands out with a few features:
Investors can rebalance their portfolio with the click of a button.
Users can answer questions about financial goals to make more informed investment decisions.
You can view an individual stock's weight and performance with an interactive, intuitive chart called "The Pie."
As one of the original investing apps, Robinhood led the pack for streamlined simplicity. Robinhood's platform is so intuitive that some argue that it makes risky trading strategies too accessible. Beyond the traditional trading app trimmings, Robinhood provides its users with a newsfeed for a customizable list of stocks. Especially unique are the text-message-like announcements of IPOs, Robinhood updates, and transaction reports.
Both brokers offer a trading platform that is easy to use and visually stunning. And both platforms offer features you would expect including performance metrics, transaction history, and the ability to buy and sell assets. However, each offers a unique spin on the traditional broker's platform.
Final take
For M1 Finance vs. Robinhood, each boasts strengths and weaknesses. Finding the best online stock broker for you largely depends on what you value as an investor:
Robinhood is a strong contender for an active investor who wants to trade options or cryptocurrencies.
M1 Finance stands out for a passive investor who seeks to invest, borrow, and bank all under one roof.
If you are an investor seeking a slick platform for trading stocks and ETFs without paying high fees, either of these brokers may be a good choice, depending on your investing needs.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Bottom Line
M1 Finance gets high marks for combining investing and banking products. M1 Finance offers the support of automated investing tools and the freedom to pick your own stocks and build a customized portfolio. If you want features similar to that of a robo-advisor experience, but with extra flexibility for hands-on investing, consider M1.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Bottom Line
Robinhood is a simple, low-cost brokerage with a few rare perks. It matches retirement deposits like an employer, the interface is gorgeous, and it's extremely affordable. No matter what or how you trade, Robinhood fees tend to match or beat the competition. It's worth a look.
Uncover the names of the select brokers that landed a spot on Motley Fool Money's shortlist for the best online stock brokers. Our top picks pack in valuable perks, including some that offer $0 commissions and big bonuses.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Robin Hartill has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Intuit, and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
E*TRADE services are available just to U.S. residents.
Robinhood disclosure
All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible.
Securities are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cryptocurrency services are offered through an account with Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected. For more information see the Robinhood Crypto Risk Disclosure.
Trades of stocks, ETFs and options are commission-free at Robinhood Financial LLC. Other fees may apply. Please see Robinhood Financial’s Fee Schedule to learn more.
Fractional shares are illiquid outside of Robinhood and are not transferable. Not all securities available through Robinhood are eligible for fractional share orders. For a complete explanation of conditions, restrictions and limitations associated with fractional shares, see the Fractional Shares section of our Customer Agreement.
Robinhood Gold is an account offering premium services available for a $5 monthly fee. Not all investors will be eligible to trade on Margin. Margin investing involves the risk of greater investment losses. Additional interest charges may apply depending on the amount of margin used. Bigger Instant Deposits are only available if your Instant Deposits status is in good standing.
Investing is risky. Bonus offers subject to terms and conditions, visit robinhood.com/hoodweek for more information. Margin is not suitable for all investors. Robinhood Gold is offered through Robinhood Gold LLC and is a subscription offering services for a fee. Brokerage services offered through Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), a registered broker dealer.
SoFi Disclosure: INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA(www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org).
Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.
Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org).
There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.
Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options
Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see https://www.sofi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information
Probability of Member receiving $1,000 is a probability of 0.028%
Terms and conditions apply. Roll over a minimum of $20K to receive the 1% match offer. Matches on contributions are made up to the annual limits.
M1 is not a robo-advisor and only offers self-directed brokerage services.
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