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E*Trade vs Robinhood
The same facts side by side. Swap a broker from the menu under its logo; the best value in each row is marked.
- E*Trade leads
- 5
- Robinhood leads
- 2
- Level
- 4
Of 11 scored facts, E*Trade leads on 5, Robinhood on 2, and 4 are level. Countries and the offer are not scored.
Trade & Sync with QuantWheel
Your tradingabout $6.19 a monthabout $74 a yearClearing, options regulatory, quote and inactivity fees estimated.
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Sync-only with QuantWheel
Your tradingabout $0.55 a monthabout $6.64 a yearInactivity fee estimated.
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Up to three brokers, with a year of your trading at each
Head-to-head
The best value in each row is marked; rows where every broker matches carry no mark.| Fact | E*Trade | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Fee per contract | $0.65 per contract | $0 per contractBest |
| E*Trade, $0.50 at 30+ trades per quarter | Robinhood, Index contracts and other fees extra | |
| Exercise and assignment | $0 | $0 |
| Approval | NakedBest | Spreads |
| E*Trade, Up to naked short options | Robinhood, Up to defined-risk spreads | |
| 0DTE | Yes | Yes |
| Index options (SPX) | Yes | Yes |
| Options on futures | YesBest | No |
| Spreads in an IRA | YesBest | No |
| Portfolio margin | Yes | Not published |
| Margin rate | 11.70% | 5.05%Best |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile, APIBest | Web, Mobile |
| Paper trading | Yes | Not published |
| 24/7 support | Yes | Yes |
| Countries | Eligibility list not published; non-US citizens may apply by mailed international application | US only (SSN, US address; citizen, permanent resident or valid visa) |
| QuantWheel | Trade & SyncBest | Sync-only |
| E*Trade, Reads the account and places the orders you approve | Robinhood, Reads the account; you place the orders | |
| Offer |
Facts from each broker's fee schedule and options agreement, checked 8 October 2026. Best marks the lowest cost or the widest allowance in a row.
The two brokers
One paragraph each.E*Trade$0.65 per contract · $0 exercise and assignment · naked
E*Trade opens options accounts for residents of the United States, among the 243 countries this directory covers. It charges $0.65 per contract ($0.50 at 30+ trades per quarter). Exercise and assignment cost $0. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; with Trade & Sync the orders you approve go to the broker from QuantWheel.
Robinhood$0 per contract · $0 exercise and assignment · spreads
Robinhood opens options accounts for residents of the United States, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, among the 243 countries this directory covers. It charges $0 per contract (Index contracts and other fees extra). Exercise and assignment cost $0. It approves up to defined-risk spreads. It trades on Web, Mobile. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; you place the orders at the broker.
What each costs for the way you trade
A year of fees from each broker's published prices, checked 7 and 8 October 2026.
E*Trade
about $0.77 a trade, about 0.6% of your premium. Clearing, options regulatory, quote and inactivity fees estimated.
about $6.19 a monthabout $74 a year
Robinhood
about $0.07 a trade, under 0.1% of your premium. Inactivity fee estimated.
about $0.55 a monthabout $6.64 a year
Robinhood does not publish every fee this strategy needs, so no broker is named lowest here.
A year from each broker's published fees. A fee a broker leaves out is estimated at the middle of what the brokers that publish it charge, and that total says about. Your broker statement can differ, and brokers change fees.
Who each suits
Written from the facts on this page. Each feature needs the broker's approval and account rules.E*Trade suits a trader who wants naked options, portfolio margin, options on futures or spreads in an IRA. Its naked equity options need a minimum balance. It also offers paper trading, a desktop platform and support around the clock. Robinhood suits a trader who trades 0DTE on stock and ETF options. It takes new same-day positions until 3:30 pm ET, if enabled. QuantWheel sends the orders you approve to E*Trade. With Robinhood, QuantWheel syncs your positions and you place the orders at Robinhood.
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E*Trade vs Robinhood