Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

E*TRADE vs Robinhood

E*TRADE 4.7★ · Free to download 70
Winner E*TRADE
Robinhood 4.3★ · Free to download 65

E*TRADE is better for experienced investors seeking comprehensive features, despite recent app issues, while Robinhood is better for beginners due to its user-friendly interface, though it faces criticism for gamification and customer support.

Full reviews: E*TRADE · Robinhood

E*TRADE offers a more robust platform for serious investors but has recently struggled with app stability and usability. Robinhood excels in ease of use for new investors but is criticized for its gamified approach and inconsistent customer service.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: E*TRADER1R3R5R12
E*TRADE E*TRADE is praised for having all investors need and excellent tools for market information and execution R5. However, recent updates have introduced issues like delayed quotes, unreliable charts, and non-updating watchlists R1R12. Users also report missing features like fractional shares and difficulty accessing certain data on the app R3. Some find the app buggy and incomplete, requiring them to use the website for basic actions like transferring funds R19.
Robinhood Robinhood is noted for opening up investing and being a good app for light trading . It offers features like Roth IRA and a credit card . However, users in the UK specifically mention a lack of ISA and SIPP options, as well as no options trading or ability to buy European companies R96R99R105. Some users also complain about confusing options trading mechanics and a lack of real-time candlestick charts R99.
Ease of Use and User Interface edge: RobinhoodR3R4R11R17
E*TRADE E*TRADE receives mixed reviews on its UI. Some users find it easy to understand, intuitive, and easy to navigate R11R17. Conversely, many recent reviews describe the UI as slow, terrible, clunky, buggy, and badly designed R4R31. Some users prefer using the website over the app due to better features and data R3. The app is also criticized for not scaling well on iMac and having a confusing setup .
Robinhood Robinhood is widely praised for being user-friendly, easy to use, and simple to understand, especially for beginners . However, some users find its interface confusing and not intuitive, particularly for advanced features like stop-loss settings . There are also complaints about the app feeling cheap and scammy due to prediction gambling features .
Reliability and Performance tieR1R3R7R10
E*TRADE E*TRADE users report significant reliability issues, especially after recent updates. Problems include login failures R10, the app timing out too often R3, and being stuck in upgrade loops . Many experience glitches, freezing accounts, and slow performance R7. Critical data like pre-market/after-hours quotes, charts, and balances are often delayed or incorrect R1R12R24R25.
Robinhood Robinhood also faces reliability complaints, with users unable to log in due to buggy verification software . Some report issues with order fills, leading to lost money R103. There are also accusations of the app freezing trading during volatile periods R88. However, some users state the app runs smoothly with very few issues .
Account Management & Transfers tieR4R13R14R19
E*TRADE E*TRADE users frequently complain about slow fund transfers, with money being held for 5 days or even longer R4R13R31R52. Some experience issues with depositing checks R14 and linking external accounts . Opening an account can be difficult due to verification problems . There are also reports of incorrect account selection during trades and difficulty transferring funds between accounts within the app R19.
Robinhood Robinhood also has issues with fund transfers, with users reporting 5-day holds on deposits and high transfer fees for withdrawals . Some users report their deposit limits being unexpectedly lowered . Account creation and login can be problematic, with users unable to sign up or verify their identity .
Customer Service and Support tieR8R25R37R52
E*TRADE E*TRADE's customer service receives negative feedback. Users describe tech support as useless R25, employees as slow and unresponsive R37, and a lack of escalation paths for serious issues like held funds R52. Some users are unable to reach support without logging into the app R8.
Robinhood Robinhood's support is also criticized, with users stating it's garbage and difficult to reach without app access . Some report being locked out of their accounts for ID verification R70 and having trouble getting back funds after accidental Gold sign-ups .
Pick E*TRADE if

Pick E*TRADE if you are an experienced investor looking for comprehensive trading tools and market information, and are willing to tolerate occasional app glitches or use the website for certain functionalities R5.

Pick Robinhood if

Pick Robinhood if you are a beginner investor looking for a very easy-to-use and intuitive app to start investing, and prioritize simplicity over advanced features or a traditional brokerage experience .

Evidence note: Recent reviews for E*TRADE are heavily skewed negative, highlighting significant app performance and reliability issues, which contrasts with its higher lifetime rating. Robinhood's reviews show a consistent pattern of praise for ease of use but also strong criticism regarding gamification and customer support. The free-to-download nature of both apps means many negative reviews for both stem from friction points common to free services or basic user expectations.

Frequently asked

Is E*TRADE reliable for active trading?
Recent reviews indicate E*TRADE's app has become unreliable for active trading, with significant delays in quotes, charts, and watchlist updates, making it difficult to make timely decisions R1R12R24.
Does Robinhood support options trading in the UK?
No, Robinhood users in the UK report that options trading is not available, which is a significant disappointment for many R96R99R105R108.
How long do fund transfers take with E*TRADE?
Many E*TRADE users report that funds transferred into their accounts are placed on a 5-day hold, or even longer, which can delay trading opportunities R4R13R31R52.
Is Robinhood suitable for serious investors?
Some long-term Robinhood users advise against it for serious investors or traders, citing issues like account lockouts and the app's tendency to 'skim trades' R70R88R103.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] E*TRADE 1/5 · US What a nightmare!: Since Good Friday, this app has turned into a nightmare. Pre-market and after-hours quotes no longer update properly. I can’t see movements in my watchlist or portfolio unless I open each individual stock. That’s simply unacceptable. It’s been weeks, and this still hasn’t been fixed. On top of that, the charts have significant delays. The lag is so bad that they’re no longer r
  2. [R3] E*TRADE 3/5 · US App times out too often: Even though I have the timeout set to 4 hours, it times out after only a few minutes. This doesn’t happen on the Website. Also, the Website has features and data hard to find on the app. Usually, it’s better to use the Website on my phone than the app.
  3. [R5] E*TRADE 5/5 · US Best: I tried the rest and etrade app is the best. It’s made for investors and it has all investors need.
  4. [R12] E*TRADE 3/5 · US Fix Streaming Watchlists: 1. Quotes do not update. 2. After hours randomly shows either close, after hours only, or total day. Should only show total day.
  5. [R4] E*TRADE 1/5 · US Slow and terrible user interface: Funds transferred over for transactions are placed on a 5 day hold - completely slowing and delaying trades. Terrible user interface. Clunky and buggy. Ancient tech.
  6. [R11] E*TRADE 5/5 · US I love this app: Honestly, i think this app has made it easier for me to invest my money and grow it, definitely nice ui and easy to understand, very intuitive
  7. [R17] E*TRADE 5/5 · US Banking of Success: I love this app. Easy to use, easy to navigate. It really helps make and monitor trades so that you can bank on success. I love how you can track purchases in the app as well.
  8. [R7] E*TRADE 1/5 · US UPDATE APP: Recently started having glitches. Please update the app and stay on top of it!
  9. [R10] E*TRADE 1/5 · US Login issues: At least twice a month I am unable to log into my account on the app because it says an issue has occur when using Face ID or using my password. When I can login, the app is great, but I consistently unable to log into my account using Face ID or the password. Then the next day it will start working again. Please fix.
  10. [R13] E*TRADE 2/5 · US Meh: Would be better if it didn’t take 5 days for money to transfer in to account
  11. [R14] E*TRADE 5/5 · US Unable to scan check: Not able to scan check after latest update
  12. [R19] E*TRADE 2/5 · US Buggy and incomplete: - Go to an account, select a holding, then select trade to make a purchase, on the next screen the selected account is the wrong account. - There’s no obvious way to transfer funds between accounts. After a few minutes looking around I gave up and used the website.
  13. [R8] E*TRADE 4/5 · US App sucks: My phone can’t update, it’s too old, I can’t log in or reach to anyone. ETrade app sucks bad
  14. [R25] E*TRADE 1/5 · US Balances: On the main dashboard, the balances are no longer correct after the latest app update. Tech support useless. No way to submit a ticket.
  15. [R37] E*TRADE 1/5 · US The Worst: The employees at ETrade are the slowest and worst I’ve ever seen and the app isn’t much better. They keep trying to steal the money from my dead daughter’s account and have been giving us the run around for months. Time for a lawsuit. Extremely disrespectful responses as well. They don’t care about you. Go elsewhere.
  16. [R52] E*TRADE 1/5 · US Customer insensitive: Etrade has been holding the funds which were supposed to be transferred in 3 days. It has not transferred in even 60 days. Customer service has no idea. There is no escalation or responsible authority to service . It feels like some kind of cash hoarding scam at this firm. Reaching to FINRA and SEC is next step.
  17. [R24] E*TRADE 3/5 · US Bugs, Delays & Irregularities: Mobile app directs you to a broken link to login online 3/20/2026. Frequent errors in time of NYSE. Unexplained, irregular delays in trades settlement with contradicting messages on orders, balances and trade status. Unusually long time to post 1099 tax documents.
  18. [R96] Robinhood 3/5 · GB Love Robinhood, but needs ..: Love Robinhood, but we need UK ISA’s, SIPP’s, Crypto and options trading next
  19. [R99] Robinhood 3/5 · GB No option trading: - I thought you give new breeze to bring option trading to UK. Why you skip it? Also why the candlestick chart isn’t show in real time? the only option is per hour. It takes 2 working days if you withdraw money. But takes seconds to transfer money into it. + plus side, has no fx fee because your money going to exchanged to usd once you fund the account. Also got small amount of
  20. [R105] Robinhood 3/5 · GB Option trading: I don’t think there is options trading for uk users which is so disappointing I had so much high expectations for the app, just to have it crashed. Not just that but I feel like this app is playing games with me. I hope their add that option trading soon.
  21. [R108] Robinhood 3/5 · GB Options trading in UK?: Any possibility of starting options trading in the UK and the expected timeline?
  22. [R31] E*TRADE 1/5 · US Its horrible, stick to Fidelity: Deposited money, waited a week for it to transfer, missed an investment opportunity, and then found out I couldn’t buy the ETF I wanted the way I expected. The app hides basic account features and the experience was frustrating from start to finish. Poor UI and navigation features make a bad thing worse. Stay away, do not download, and do not give them your money
  23. [R70] Robinhood 1/5 · US 10 years later do NOT trust Robinhood with your money.: UPDATE: I responded to Robinhoods request for information and they told me to kick rocks. Delete your accounts. Guys as a 10 year long Robinhood user I will never recommend them again after being burned TWICE. they are not for serious investors or traders. They exist to skim your trades. They will wait for you to have a large active trade t
  24. [R88] Robinhood 1/5 · US Do you remember when they froze trading on GameStop?: There are way better trading sites they aren’t helping you and are locking stocks to protect the hedgefunds
  25. [R103] Robinhood 2/5 · US Poor order fills and event contract fills: I have lost money three times now because Robinhood will not sell my orders when I push them through. Avoid this app at all cost. It’s the same company from the GameStop saga. They’re just clever and better about hiding how they screw over retail.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store