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A “race to the bottom” is a phrase usually thrown around with negative connotation. Appealing to the lowest common denominator might earn clicks, buys or retweets, but lowering your standards is universally viewed as a bad thing. However, when it comes to trading stocks, a race to the bottom actually benefits everyone. Everyone except the legacy brokerages, that is.

When stockbrokers race to the bottom, the main beneficiaries are investors of all shapes and sizes. The bottom in this instance is zero, as in commission rates and trading fees. Zero. Free. Webull and Robinhood are two newcomers to the brokerage scene, but they’ve cemented their place in the market thanks to commission-free and no minimum accounts. Oh, and they’ll even give you a free share.

Firms like Schwab and Fidelity are dropping expense ratios on ETFs into near negative territory but they’re still charging $4.95 commission on trades outside their product catalog. Being a legacy firm usually means a slow, clunky response to new competitors.

Webull vs. Robinhood: Overview

Webull and Robinhood both leverage the underappreciated market of millennial traders, but which app provides the most bang for the figurative buck? We did some research and compared both apps.

Read Review Read Review Commissions $0 Commissions $0 per trade Best For Active traders

Intermediate traders

Advanced traders Best For Beginner traders

Mobile traders Pros Commission-free trading in over 5,000 different stocks and ETFs

No account maintenance fees or software platform fees

No charges to open and maintain an account

Leverage of 4:1 on margin trades made the same day and leverage of 2:1 on trades held overnight

Intuitive trading platform with technical and fundamental analysis tools Pros Streamlined, easy-to-understand interface

Mobile app with full capabilities

Can buy and sell cryptocurrency Cons Does not support trading in options, mutual funds, bonds or OTC stocks Cons Almost no trading analysis tools available

Only taxable brokerage accounts available

No option to open a retirement account

No access to mutual funds, forex or futures trading

Limited customer service Open an account securely through Webull’s app Open an account

Who’s Webull for?

Webull was launched in 2018 as a direct competitor to Robinhood in the commission-free mobile investing space. But unlike Robinhood, Webull appeals to veteran and novice traders, thanks to an abundance of technical tools and research. The most common users of Webull are:

Active traders looking to reduce costs

Beginner traders who want to learn technical and fundamental analysis

Mobile traders

Read Benzinga’s full Webull Review

Who’s Robinhood for?

Robinhood exploded onto the scene in 2016. It wasn’t the first brokerage to offer zero commissions, but it certainly made the most noise. Appealing to a millennial demographic often ignored by the big firms, Robinhood steadily increased its user base from year to year and has had no problem finding venture funding. While light on news and analysis, Robinhood still opened the world of finance to a niche that had been seriously neglected. Robinhood is best suited for:

Beginner stock traders

Beginner options traders

Cryptocurrency traders

Mobile traders

Both apps have plenty in common, including a desktop version for both Mac and Windows users. Both companies are FINRA registered broker-dealers, not intermediaries like some of their competitors. You’ll get SIPC protection on your funds and clearing is done by Apex at both firms. Webull and Robinhood are safe, reliable places to keep your investments.

Read Benzinga’s full Robinhood Review

A careful analysis of platform and tools is a major necessity. We’ve flicked every switch and pushed every button to make sure you’re getting what you want from each.

What Webull Offers

Source: webull.com

Webull’s platform is like Robinhood on steroids. The platform is easily navigated with a low learning curve.

Once inside, you’ll be able to make trades with only a few swipes. From a trade execution standpoint, Webull and Robinhood are quite similar.

However, once we get into the tools, Webull pulls away. Charts can be expanded to include over 20 different technical indicators like RSI and MACD. Candles can be set from 1 to 60 minutes and the chart can show 5 years of history with moving averages.

Additionally, Webull provides info on insider sales, revenue data, earnings-per-share data and more. Screeners can be used to search for stocks with the most unusual volume or the most gains in the last 5 minutes.

What Robinhood Offers

Robinhood’s platform is simple and sleek but does leave a lot to the imagination compared to Webull. Stock and option trades can be made with a few easy swipes on your phone, but you won’t find much in the way of tools.

Stock charts show 5 years of history in either candlestick or line format, but no technical indicators can be overlayed. You can’t even use moving averages.

Stats are available like the 52-week high and low, P/E ratio, average daily volume, market cap and dividend yield. The past 4 earnings reports are listed along with the company’s conference call and analyst recommendations.

Bottom Line

Trade execution is fast and simple on both platforms, but that’s where the comparisons stop. Webull simply has more to offer the intermediate and advanced trader when it comes to tools and analysis.

With Robinhood, you’ll need an outside source for your technical tools and market data. Webull provides plenty of data and research, plus the tools to separate signals from noise. The better features belong to Webull, hands down.

Webull vs. Robinhood: Research Offerings

Next… what about research? This is where we tested whether one platform over the other breaks all the rules.

What Webull Offers

Source: webull.com

Webull users can access real-time U.S. market data completely free. This means not only live price quotes, but income statements, balance sheets and cash flow reports.

Basically, all the stuff you need to look up on Yahoo Finance if you’re a Robinhood user. Additionally, you’ll get streaming news reports from important sources like Bloomberg, Morningstar and CNBC.

And while only U.S. stocks and ETFs can be traded on Webull , you can still access research for international markets as well as forex and cryptocurrency markets.

What Robinhood Offers

Source: robinhood.com

Robinhood has standard research offerings, but nothing you couldn’t get from the individual sources themselves. You’ll get breaking news updates from free sources like Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg and CNBC, along with online news outlets like MarketWatch, Seeking Alpha and Benzinga.

The previous 4 earnings reports are listed below each stock chart and conference calls are live on the app.

However, Robinhood Gold, the premium version which requires a monthly fee, does provide stock research from Morningstar.

Bottom Line

Robinhood takes a beginner’s approach to trading. The charts are basic and lack indicators. You won’t find income statements or balance sheets anywhere and you’ll have to pay to get access to Morningstar research.

Listening to conference calls on the app is nice (if that’s your thing) but Webull has more to offer both technical and fundamental traders.

Webull vs. Robinhood: Commission and Fees

Obviously, commissions and fees are a big part of the bigger picture. We blew Webull and Robinhood wide open in order to evaluate both.

Webull’s Fees

Webull has no fees or commissions on any stock or ETF trade. All you’ll pay is the spread and SEC transaction cost, which are fractions of a penny. You can transfer money in and out of your account with no fees using ACH, although domestic wire transfers cost $8 per deposit and $25 per withdrawal.

International wire fees are $12.50 and $45, respectively. Margin rates start are 6.99% for up to $25,000.

Robinhood’s Fees

Robinhood is also commission-free on all trades, including options and cryptocurrency trades. Margin is available through Robinhood Gold, but there’s a $5 monthly fee.

One bonus though: the first $1,000 of margin can be borrowed interest-free. After $1,000, rates are 5%. Only ACH transfers are permitted to fund your account, so no fees ever apply on deposits or withdrawals.

Bottom Line

Both Webull and Robinhood have zero commission on any trade, although Robinhood gets bonus points for extending this to options and crypto.

Margin rates are better on Robinhood too, although Webull gives customers access to more capital. You’ll need to get Robinhood Gold to access margin trading, so there’s a $5 monthly fee attached, too. Both firms have a fee for outgoing stock transfers.

Webull vs. Robinhood: Security

What Webull Offers

Webull is a registered broker-dealer and customer accounts are SIPC protected. Additionally, Apex Clearing has an insurance policy for up to $37 million in securities and $900,000 in cash. Personal information and account passwords are encrypted with high-level data security. Users can set passwords to access the account and execute trades.

What Robinhood Offers

Like Webull, Robinhood went the official broker-dealer route. Customer funds are protected by SIPC insurance and Apex’s additional policy. Accounts are protected by industry standard security and bank information is never saved. Two-factor authentication is available too.

Bottom Line

Webull and Robinhood are both safe to use. Your funds are just as secure here as with larger brokers like Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade. Personal information is encrypted and only a few people will have access no matter which company you choose.

Webull vs. Robinhood: Customer Support

The differences between Webull and Robinhood are glaringly different in terms of customer support. Get a load of what each one offers (and doesn’t offer, for that matter).

What Webull Offers

Webull has a large collection of FAQs to help customers find answers. Customers also get phone and email support and responses come fairly quickly. To reach Webull for support, email customerservice@webull-us.com.

What Robinhood Offers

Robinhood also has FAQs and email, but no phone support. Getting responses from Robinhood support can take a while, too. Its help center does have an extensive list of articles and Q&As to guide customers to answers but that’s probably its most helpful feature. Robinhood offers no phone support.

Bottom Line

Webull gets the win here just for offering phone support. C’mon, Robinhood! I’s 2019, let us talk to a live human being. Webull does tend to respond more quickly to customer service requests, too.

Webull vs. Robinhood: Tradable Asset Classes

Interested exclusively in ETFs and mutual funds? Options and crypto? Let’s figure out which one will fit your needs best.

What Webull Offers

Webull offers no commission stock and ETF trading, but no mutual funds or options. Customers can place the usual market and limit orders plus bracket orders that involve a stop-loss and take-profit mark.

Short-selling is also available on certain stocks. Want to practice first? Webull lets you try your luck with a paper trading account before putting any real cash to work.

What Robinhood Offers

Robinhood has a bigger selection of asset classes. Stocks and ETFs are available commission-free as well as options and cryptocurrencies. No short-selling, though. Order types are limited to market, limit and stop-limit too. Bracket orders would be a nice feature to add here.

Bottom Line

Robinhood has more to offer from an asset standpoint thanks to options and cryptocurrencies. Webull does offer short-selling on some stocks which helps traders who want to bet against certain companies, plus a few advanced order types that Robinhood lacks. But no options and no cryptocurrencies means many traders may prefer Robinhood.

Webull vs. Robinhood: Ease of Use

Which one of these contenders takes longer to use? We’ll help you dig through the viney tentacles of each platform (though each is pretty easy to use, to be honest).

What Webull Offers

Webull takes a little longer to get used to because there’s a lot to unpack. Technical trading indicators can be intimidating to the novice trader, so be prepared for a learning curve.

However, once you get accustomed, Webull lets you quickly navigate between your account balance, watchlists, charts and research articles. Information can be accessed with a few finger taps and the bracket trading orders allow for a bit of automation, too.

What Robinhood Offers

Robinhood is one of the best investing apps for the inexperienced trader. The app is sleek and the interface takes no time at all to learn. The options trader will even hold your hand through every trade. Robinhood Instant accounts can add funds for trading without any delay. You won’t find an easier trading experience than Robinhood.

Bottom Line

Webull definitely takes longer to get used to than Robinhood, but that’s a good thing for traders who want to learn technical analysis. Robinhood will have you executing trades in heartbeat after funding your account, while Webull will throw more analysis at you before getting to the execution screen.

Webull vs. Robinhood: It’s Up to You

Read Review Commissions $0 Account Min $0 Get started securely through Webull’s website More Details Commissions $0 Account Min $0 1 Minute Review Webull, founded in 2017, is a mobile app-based brokerage that features commission-free stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) trading. It’s regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Webull offers active traders technical indicators, economic calendars, ratings from research agencies, margin trading and short-selling. Webull’s trading platform is designed for intermediate and experienced traders, although beginning traders can also benefit. Webull is widely considered one of the best Robinhood alternatives. Best For Active traders

Intermediate traders

Advanced traders Pros Commission-free trading in over 5,000 different stocks and ETFs

No account maintenance fees or software platform fees

No charges to open and maintain an account

Leverage of 4:1 on margin trades made the same day and leverage of 2:1 on trades held overnight

Intuitive trading platform with technical and fundamental analysis tools Cons Does not support trading in options, mutual funds, bonds or OTC stocks Read Review Commissions $0 per trade Account Min $0 to open an account Get started securely through Robinhood’s website More Details Commissions $0 per trade Account Min $0 to open an account 1 Minute Review Robinhood is the broker for traders who want a simple, easy-to-understand layout without all the bells and whistles other brokers offer. Though its trading options and account types are limited, even an absolute beginner can quickly master Robinhood’s intuitive and streamlined platform. On the other hand, more advanced traders might be frustrated by Robinhood’s lack of technical analysis tools, a feature that’s now nearly universal across other platforms. Best For Beginner traders

Mobile traders Pros Streamlined, easy-to-understand interface

Mobile app with full capabilities

Can buy and sell cryptocurrency Cons Almost no trading analysis tools available

Only taxable brokerage accounts available

No option to open a retirement account

No access to mutual funds, forex or futures trading

Limited customer service

Commission-free trading is here to stay with both Webull and Robinhood gaining more and more market share from established brokerages. If you’re brand new to stocks and want a non-intimidating experience, Robinhood is a great choice.

But Webull offers a lot more for the same non-existent price. Technical tools and market research are valuable resources and Webull offers them completely free. Plus, paper trading lets you practice new strategies and learn the ropes. You can’t trade options or cryptocurrencies yet, but Webull is the more efficient stock trading machine.

Still undecided? Check out Benzinga’s guides to free stock trading brokerages and promotions, the best Robinhood alternatives and our comparisons of Robinhood vs. Interactive Brokers, E*TRADE, Ally Invest and TD Ameritrade.