What is the difference between Coinbase and Robinhood for crypto?

Coinbase vs Robinhood is a comparison between a company built around crypto and a brokerage app where crypto sits next to stock trading. Both hold New York virtual currency licences, and both let you buy, sell and transfer bitcoin. They differ in coin selection, fee models and extra tools. This guide lays out the differences without ranking them.

How do coin selection and bitcoin trading compare?

Coinbase's 2025 annual report says its main spot exchange supports more than 360 crypto assets. Robinhood's US availability page listed about 91 tradable assets as of October 2026, with some restricted in New York or Texas. Both offer bitcoin. Our guides on whether Coinbase is safe and how crypto on Robinhood works cover each platform in more depth.

How do Coinbase vs Robinhood fees compare?

On Coinbase's simple buy and sell screen, a spread is built into the quoted price and a Coinbase fee is added, which varies by payment method, size, asset and location. Coinbase Advanced uses the order book with no spread. Robinhood's default "market maker routing" has no commission, and Robinhood earns volume rebates from market makers. Its optional "exchange routing" charges maker and taker fees, from 0.95% taker and 0.50% maker at the lowest volume tier, as of October 2026. Our guide on crypto fees explains spreads.

Can you transfer crypto from Coinbase to Robinhood?

Yes, for coins both support. In Robinhood, open the coin, tap Receive and copy the address, then send from Coinbase on the same network. Robinhood charges no transfer fee beyond the network fee, and transfers are open in every US state, though some assets have New York limits. Robinhood does not support Lightning or Taproot bitcoin addresses, and transfers are final, so check the address and network first.

How do wallets and regulation compare?

Both firms hold your crypto in their main apps and offer separate self-custody wallets: the Base app, formerly Coinbase Wallet, and Robinhood Wallet. In each, you hold the keys. Coinbase holds a New York BitLicense and a MiCA licence through Luxembourg. Robinhood Crypto, LLC is licensed by NYDFS, and its crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected. Both have faced regulators. NYDFS fined Robinhood Crypto $30 million in 2022 over anti-money laundering and cybersecurity failures. The SEC dropped its case against Coinbase in February 2025 to support its crypto policy review, without assessing the merits.