Robinhood vs Kraken is a contest between two different tools. Kraken is the better crypto exchange, with 640+ coins, lower pro fees and a spotless custody record. Robinhood, in contrast, is the easier app and the stronger stock broker. So the right choice depends on how you trade. This comparison covers costs, coins, stocks, leverage, staking and security.
Quick verdict: Kraken suits anyone who trades crypto actively or wants altcoins. Robinhood suits investors who buy a few majors alongside their stocks.
Robinhood vs Kraken at a Glance
| Robinhood | Kraken | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 | 2011 |
| Company status | Public (Nasdaq: HOOD) | Private, IPO filed |
| Coins | 80+ in the US | 640+ |
| Simple buy cost | About 0.95% spread | About 1.5% plus spread |
| Pro tier, entry level | 0.50% maker, 0.95% taker | 0.25% maker, 0.40% taker |
| Margin on crypto | Not in the US app | Up to 5x, 10x on select pairs |
| Proof of reserves | No | Yes |
| Own Layer 2 | Robinhood Chain | Ink |
Trading Costs Compared
Cost depends entirely on which button you press.
Instant buys favor Robinhood. Its simple trades carry no commission, and the spread runs near $0.95 per $100. Kraken’s standard app, however, charges roughly 1.5% plus a spread. That makes it one of the pricier ways to buy casually.
Order-book trading favors Kraken instead. Kraken Pro starts at 0.25% maker and 0.40% taker. Robinhood’s exchange routing, by comparison, starts at 0.50% maker and 0.95% taker. Volume discounts apply on both.
Take a $1,000 market buy as an example:
- Robinhood simple buy: about $9.50
- Robinhood exchange routing: $9.50 as taker, $5 as maker
- Kraken instant buy: $15 or more
- Kraken Pro: $4 as taker, $2.50 as maker
Therefore, Kraken Pro costs less than half of Robinhood at the entry tier. The catch is simple, though. You have to actually use Pro. Both Kraken interfaces share one account, so switching takes seconds.
Coin Selection
Kraken wins this round without a fight. It supports 640+ assets, while Robinhood lists 80+ in the US. European Robinhood users see fewer still.
For Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, that gap means nothing. For newer altcoins and smaller caps, it means everything. Moreover, Kraken tends to list new tokens sooner.
Stocks and Tokenized Stocks
Robinhood strikes back here. It is a full US broker with stocks, ETFs, options, futures and retirement accounts. Prediction markets live in the same app as well.
Kraken has moved onto that turf, however. US users in most states can trade 11,000+ stocks and ETFs commission-free. Outside the US, Kraken offers xStocks, its tokenized equities.
Robinhood’s answer is Stock Tokens for European users. These currently give price exposure, not shareholder rights. In the end, Robinhood remains the deeper broker, yet Kraken is closing the gap faster than most expected.
Leverage and Derivatives
Active traders should read this part closely. Kraken offers margin up to 5x on 150+ pairs, and 10x on select assets. Outside the US, it also runs perpetual futures with up to 50x leverage. American clients get CME-listed crypto futures through its regulated derivatives arm.
Robinhood’s US app, meanwhile, has no crypto margin. It does offer regulated crypto futures in the US and perpetuals in Europe. Overall, Kraken has the wider toolkit for leverage. Remember that leverage cuts both ways, so size positions with care.
Staking
Kraken is the stronger staking venue. It covers many networks, and its Auto-Earn feature stakes idle balances with no lockup. Robinhood, by contrast, stakes ETH, SOL and ADA and keeps 25% of rewards in the US.
Regional limits apply to both, so check your state or country first.
Security and Transparency
Kraken’s record is hard to beat. It has never lost customer funds since launching in 2011. It also pioneered proof-of-reserves audits and keeps most assets in cold storage. In addition, hardware security keys and a Global Settings Lock protect accounts.
Robinhood’s strength is a different kind of transparency. As a public company, it files audited financials every quarter. Kraken is still private, although it has filed confidentially for an IPO.
Both carry baggage, too. Robinhood’s 2021 breach exposed data on about 7 million users, and the GameStop restrictions still follow the brand. Kraken, for its part, paid $30 million in 2023 to settle an SEC case over staking.
Finally, crypto on Robinhood carries no SIPC or FDIC cover. Kraken balances aren’t insured either. Self-custody stays the safest home for long-term holdings.
Robinhood Chain vs Ink
Both firms now run an Ethereum Layer 2. Robinhood Chain launched on July 1, 2026, and focuses on tokenized stocks. Our explainer on how Robinhood Chain works covers the details. Kraken’s chain is Ink, built on the OP Stack with a DeFi focus.
For most buyers, neither chain should decide the choice. Onchain users, however, will want to follow both.
Where You Can Use Them
Robinhood covers the US, the European Economic Area and the UK. Kraken reaches most of the world and holds a MiCA license for the EU. As a result, Kraken is the practical pick in many countries. US readers can compare both against other licensed options in our best US crypto exchanges ranking.
Which One Fits You?
Go with Robinhood when:
- Stocks are your main portfolio and crypto is a side position
- One-tap buys of major coins are all you need
- A single app for everything matters more than low fees
Go with Kraken when:
- Limit orders and Kraken Pro are part of your routine
- Altcoins beyond the top 80 are on your list
- Margin, futures or broad staking matter to you
- Proof of reserves is a must-have
Want the full breakdown of each platform? Our Robinhood review and Kraken review go deeper. Weighing a third option too? We covered that in Robinhood vs Coinbase.
Keep This Content Free
Only one of these two platforms runs a referral program with us, and it didn’t shape this verdict. If Kraken turned out to be your match, our link below helps fund guides like this one.
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More head-to-heads are waiting in our exchange reviews archive.
Final Words
Kraken is the better exchange, and Robinhood is the better all-in-one investing app. That sums up Robinhood vs Kraken fairly. Traders who care about fees, coins and custody records should lean Kraken. Investors who want simplicity next to their stocks will be fine on Robinhood.
Whichever you choose, avoid the expensive button. On Kraken, that means using Pro. On Robinhood, it means checking the spread before you confirm.
FAQ
Is Kraken cheaper than Robinhood?
On Kraken Pro, yes. Fees start at 0.25% maker and 0.40% taker. Robinhood’s simple buys cost about 0.95%, which still beats Kraken’s instant buy.
Which has more coins, Robinhood or Kraken?
Kraken lists 640+ assets. Robinhood offers 80+ in the US and fewer in Europe.
Is Kraken safer than Robinhood?
Kraken has never lost customer funds and publishes proof of reserves. Robinhood is a regulated public company, but it publishes no reserve audits.
Can I buy stocks on Kraken?
Yes. US users in most states can trade 11,000+ stocks and ETFs commission-free. Elsewhere, Kraken offers tokenized xStocks.
Does Robinhood offer crypto margin trading?
Not in the US app. Kraken offers up to 5x margin, and 10x on select assets.
Is Kraken a public company?
Not yet. Kraken filed confidentially for an IPO in late 2025 but remains private.
