Leslie Massey
Robinhood is a US-based commission-free online broker that offers the possibility of trading stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. The platform, founded in 2013, is not available in Australia. However, there are several alternative platforms that Australians can use for trading, including Stake, Superhero, SelfWealth, Sharesies, and Webull. These platforms offer features such as low fees, quick setup, and access to global ETFs. While there is no definitive answer on when Robinhood will be available in Australia, some sources suggest that it may happen in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Availability in Australia | Not available in Australia |
| Availability in other countries | Available in the US, UK and Europe |
| Alternatives in Australia | Stake, Superhero, SelfWealth, Sharesies, Webull |
| Premium features | Available for $5 USD per month |
| Free stocks for new users | Yes |
| Commission-free trading | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Robin Hood is not available in Australia
Robin Hood is a US-based commission-free online broker that offers the possibility of trading stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. It was founded in 2013 and currently has over 20 million users. However, Robin Hood is not available in Australia. While the platform is available in the US, UK, and Europe, it has restricted access in certain countries, including Australia.
There are several reasons why Robin Hood may not be available in Australia. One reason could be regulatory and compliance issues. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regulates the market and service providers in Australia, and it may not have approved Robin Hood's operations in the country. ASIC has imposed a set of conditions on the issue and distribution of CFDs, which may not align with Robin Hood's business model.
Another reason could be the platform's security concerns. Robin Hood has faced several security breaches, revealing sensitive information about its clients. This may have raised concerns among Australian regulators and financial institutions, preventing the platform's entry into the country.
In addition, Robin Hood's business model may not align with Australian investment culture. The platform offers commission-free trading, while many online stockbrokers in Australia charge commissions. This difference in business model may have made it challenging for Robin Hood to enter the Australian market.
Finally, Robin Hood's reputation may have been impacted by the COVID-19 stock crash, during which the app collapsed several times, preventing investors from trading during volatile markets. The company is facing lawsuits due to these outages, which may have affected its expansion plans to Australia.
While Robin Hood is not available in Australia, there are several alternative platforms that Australians can use for share trading and investing, such as Webull, Stake, Superhero, SelfWealth, and Sharesies. These platforms offer low fees, easy-to-use apps, and quick setup, providing similar benefits to Robin Hood.
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The app has restricted access in several countries
Robinhood is a US trading platform that offers zero commissions on stocks, options, and ETFs. The platform has gained popularity due to its user-friendly features, including low costs and an easy-to-use trading app. However, Robinhood is not available in Australia and has not announced any plans to launch there. This restriction in access to Australian users may be due to the lack of critical mass in the Australian market to drive down transactional costs, as well as the platform's focus on serving US citizens and Green Card holders.
While Robinhood is not accessible in Australia, there are several alternative platforms that Australian investors can utilize for share trading and investing. These alternatives include Stockspot, CommSec, Webull, and SelfWealth. Stockspot, the largest and fastest-growing robo-advisor in Australia, offers a personalized portfolio based on individual investment goals and risk appetite. CommSec is Australia's largest online trading platform. Webull, Robinhood's biggest competitor in the US, launched in Australia in late 2022, offering US, Australian, and Hong Kong stocks and ETFs, as well as US options. SelfWealth is another option for those looking to buy ASX-listed ETFs, with a flat brokerage fee of $9.95.
It is worth noting that some of these alternative platforms may have limitations or fees that differ from Robinhood's offerings. For example, Stockspot and CommSec may have different fee structures or investment strategies compared to Robinhood. Additionally, Webull's costs are relatively low, but they are higher than Robinhood's, and their platform may be slightly more complex to use.
Despite the unavailability of Robinhood in Australia, these alternative platforms provide Australian investors with similar opportunities for share trading and investing, each with its own unique features and benefits. It is important for investors to carefully consider their investment goals, risk tolerance, and the specific offerings of each platform before making a decision.
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There are alternative investment apps available in Australia
As of 2025, Robinhood is not yet available in Australia. However, there are several alternative investment apps available in the country. These include micro-investing apps, which allow users to invest small amounts of money, sometimes just a few dollars, in financial assets like stocks and funds. Some micro-investing apps feature spare change investing, which automatically rounds up purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the remaining cents. Raiz, one of the first micro-investing platforms in Australia, is a well-known option with a large following of millennials and Gen Zers. It offers nine different portfolios based on users' risk appetites and allows for recurring payments or lump-sum instalments, with no minimum account balances. Another micro-investing app is Spaceship Voyager, a robo-advice platform that lets users transfer small amounts into an investment portfolio without paying for a financial advisor.
Other investment apps available in Australia include CommSec Pocket, Selfwealth, Sharesies, and Superhero, which are specifically targeted at beginners. Sharesies, founded in New Zealand, allows users to invest in individual companies worldwide from various stock markets. It also offers the option of investing in ETFs containing multiple companies or assets with a single trade. For those looking to trade CFDs, IG may be a suitable option, although it is better suited for seasoned investors due to the high risk of losing money. Syfe is another alternative, offering low-cost investments in fractional US shares and low minimum trades on ASX shares, along with smart baskets for auto-investing into personalised portfolios.
When choosing an online broker or investment app, it is essential to consider factors such as fees, regulation by top-tier institutions like the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and the range of products available for trading.
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Robin Hood has faced security breaches and lawsuits
Robin Hood is a modern and easy-to-use investment app that has disrupted the brokerage industry by allowing retail investors to trade with no commissions. However, the platform has faced several security breaches and lawsuits.
In 2020, Robin Hood experienced a data breach that allowed unauthorized users to access customer accounts and drain their funds. This led to a class-action lawsuit, where customers claimed that the company failed to protect their accounts and provide adequate security measures. The lawsuit was settled for $20 million, with class members receiving $260 each or the option of two-year credit monitoring and theft protection.
In addition to the data breach, Robin Hood is also facing lawsuits due to outages during the COVID-19 stock crash in 2020. The app collapsed several times, preventing investors from trading during volatile markets. Robin Hood has also been accused of revealing sensitive information about its clients and allowing "infinite leverage," which resulted in significant losses for some.
The company is also under investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for not fully disclosing its practice of selling clients' orders to high-speed trading firms. Until October 2018, Robin Hood did not clearly state that it was receiving payments for order flows.
Another lawsuit, filed in December 2024, alleges that a ransomware organization known as BASHE breached Robin Hood's cybersecurity defenses and accessed customers' personal identifying information (PII). The hackers then sold this information on the dark web, including Social Security numbers, exposing customers to a high risk of identity theft and fraud. The lawsuit claims that Robin Hood failed to meet US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines for cybersecurity practices and did not implement proper data encryption or protective measures.
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The app offers commission-free trading
As of 2025, the Robinhood app is not available in Australia, and there has been no announcement from Robinhood about any plans to launch in the country. Robinhood is a US trading platform that offers commission-free trading of financial products such as stocks, options, and ETFs. The app has gained popularity due to its user-friendly features, including low costs and an easy-to-use interface.
Commission-free trading means that users can buy and sell these financial products without paying any fees or commissions to the platform. This is a significant advantage for traders, especially those who make frequent trades or have limited funds. With no commissions, traders can keep more of their profits and potentially grow their wealth faster.
Robinhood's commission-free model is made possible by its modern, app-based platform. By leveraging technology and automation, Robinhood can keep its operational costs low, enabling it to offer free trading to its users. The app provides tools for analyzing, buying, and selling various financial products, making it accessible and convenient for users to manage their investments.
While Robinhood's commission-free trading has been a game-changer, it's important to consider other factors when choosing an investment platform. For example, during the COVID-19 stock market crash in 2020, the Robinhood app experienced several outages, preventing investors from trading during some of the most volatile markets in history. This highlights the importance of platform reliability and stability, especially in times of high market volatility.
For Australian investors seeking alternatives to Robinhood, there are several options available. Some platforms, like Stockspot, offer personalized portfolio recommendations based on individual investment goals, risk tolerance, and cash flow needs. Other alternatives include Webull, which has already launched in Australia, offering access to US, Australian, and Hong Kong stocks and ETFs, as well as US options. These alternatives may provide similar features to Robinhood while being more accessible and reliable for Australian users.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Robin Hood is not available in Australia. The app has restricted access in certain countries, including Australia.
Some alternatives to Robin Hood in Australia include Webull, Stake, Superhero, SelfWealth, Sharesies, and Stockspot.
Robin Hood is a US trading platform that offers commission-free trading in financial products such as stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies.
Robin Hood offers a modern and easy-to-use platform with no commissions. It also provides access to premium features, such as Morningstar reports and Level II streaming quotes, for a monthly fee.
