Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Bestinvest vs Robinhood UK, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Bestinvest offers better pricing than Robinhood UK for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
12 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
36 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
120 trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Bestinvest would cost £50 per year, while Robinhood UK would cost £0 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When comparing Bestinvest and Robinhood UK regarding investment choices, Bestinvest shines with more diverse offerings. Both platforms allow users to trade shares, but Bestinvest sets itself apart by providing access to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), funds trading, and investment trusts, avenues unavailable on Robinhood UK. Additionally, Bestinvest offers advisory services, which can be a boon for investors seeking guidance, whereas Robinhood UK does not. However, neither platform currently supports crypto trading, spread betting, CFD trading, or the trading of bonds.
In terms of ratings, Bestinvest receives a strong 4.5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com for its broad investment choices, asserting its position as a versatile broker for diverse investment strategies. On the other hand, Robinhood UK trails slightly behind with a 3-star rating, reflecting its more limited range of options. This makes Bestinvest a preferable choice for investors looking to explore a wider array of financial products and services in the UK market.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Robinhood UK
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | No | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing the trading tools of Bestinvest and Robinhood UK, several distinctions emerge. Bestinvest shines with a selection of 9 drawing tools and 36 technical indicators, providing traders with ample options for chart analysis. Users can add notes and stock overlays to charts, enhancing their capacity to personalize their trading experience. Although the platform does not support index overlays or display corporate events on charts, it does include the ability to create stock price alerts. However, it falls short by not offering real-time market data, which is a feature available on Robinhood UK.
Robinhood UK offers a straightforward trading experience with its browser-based platform and real-time market data, a feature Bestinvest lacks. However, when it comes to charting tools, Robinhood UK is more limited, offering no drawing tools and only 3 technical indicators. The absence of options to add notes, stock overlays, or view corporate events on charts means it might not appeal to users who seek in-depth chart customization. Overall, the decision between Bestinvest and Robinhood UK will depend on whether traders prioritize comprehensive charting tools or real-time market access.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Robinhood UK
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 3 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing online brokers Bestinvest and Robinhood UK for retirement account options, Bestinvest stands out by offering both ISA and SIPP accounts, making it a versatile choice for managing your savings and investments with potential tax advantages. On the other hand, Robinhood UK does not provide ISA or SIPP accounts, which might limit its appeal for those specifically looking to invest in these types of retirement accounts. For investors in the UK seeking comprehensive retirement planning options with tax benefits, Bestinvest provides more flexibility than Robinhood UK.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of Bestinvest and Robinhood UK, both brokers provide apps for iPhone and Android users. Robinhood UK stands out with a 4-star rating for its mobile app, as judged by UK.StockBrokers.com, while Bestinvest's app holds a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars. Although specific rankings out of 18 brokers in the mobile app category are not available for either broker, Robinhood UK's higher rating suggests a more favorable user experience. Both platforms are easily accessible on leading mobile devices, catering to the needs of modern investors.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner investors offered by Bestinvest and Robinhood UK, there are some clear differences. Bestinvest excels in online education, providing client webinars that are both live and archived for on-demand viewing, which Robinhood UK does not offer. Both platforms offer educational material on share trading, but Bestinvest goes further by covering topics such as funds and retirement—areas that Robinhood UK doesn't address. This comprehensive approach is reflected in Bestinvest's 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education, compared to Robinhood UK's 3.5 stars. Although rankings for beginner education among 18 brokers are not specified for either platform, Bestinvest's broader range of resources positions it as a particularly strong choice for newcomers to investing.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Robinhood UK
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of online brokers Bestinvest and Robinhood UK, several distinctions stand out. Bestinvest provides comprehensive research reports for funds, which Robinhood UK does not offer. Additionally, users of Bestinvest can view their portfolio allocation by asset class, a feature that is absent from Robinhood UK. Both platforms offer research on shares and ETFs, ensuring investors have access to critical market data. However, Bestinvest further distinguishes itself by offering funds research, while Robinhood UK lacks in this area. Neither broker provides research for CFDs or bonds, catering instead to more commonly traded securities.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
|
Robinhood UK
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | No | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | No |
Which broker is better overall, Bestinvest or Robinhood UK? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Bestinvest to be a better trading platform overall.
Bestinvest is a very good broker that should appeal to a wide range of investors. Fees are competitive, particularly if you invest in funds or US shares, and the investment options are extensive. The Bestinvest platform is relatively easy to use and the offer of a free 45 minute session with a financial coach can be a useful starting point for newer investors. Bestinvest is also a great option for a Junior SIPP, as it is one of very few UK brokers offering children’s pensions and with a low entry point.
| Feature |
Bestinvest
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Robinhood UK
|
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Both Bestinvest and Robinhood UK currently do not offer crypto trading options, making them similar in this respect for investors seeking online brokerage platforms focused solely on non-crypto investment opportunities.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Bestinvest | Robinhood UK | |
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Robinhood UK Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Bestinvest | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No | |
| SIPP | Yes | No | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | No | No | |
| Funds | Yes | No | |
| ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No |
| Trading Fees | Bestinvest | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £50 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 - £4.95 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £144.75 | £0 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £119.40 - £179.40 | £0 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £238.20 - £357.60 | £0 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £654 - £714 | £0 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £60 or £120 | N/A | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 - £1,000 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £100 - £1,000 | £0 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £4.95 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £4.95 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £30 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Bestinvest | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Platforms & Tools | Bestinvest | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 36 | 3 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 9 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | Bestinvest | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | No | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | No | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | No | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | No |
| Education | Bestinvest | Robinhood UK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | Bestinvest | Robinhood UK | |
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| Review | Bestinvest Review | Robinhood UK Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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