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Gemini is the better choice for serious crypto traders who want deep liquidity, advanced tools, and top-tier security. Robinhood is better for beginners and multi-asset investors who want commission-free stock and crypto trading in one app. Below, we break down every major difference between these two platforms so you can decide which suits your needs in 2026.
| Feature | Gemini | Robinhood | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2013 | — |
| Supported Cryptos | 100+ | 30+ | Gemini |
| Trading Fees | 0.20%–0.40% (ActiveTrader) | Spread-based (~0.85% avg) | Gemini |
| Stocks & ETFs | No | Yes (commission-free) | Robinhood |
| Crypto Wallet | Yes (hot + cold) | Yes (self-custody wallet) | Gemini |
| Staking | Yes (select assets) | Yes (expanding in 2026) | Tie |
| Security | SOC 2, cold storage, insurance | SIPC (securities), crypto insurance | Gemini |
| Regulation | NYDFS-regulated trust company | SEC/FINRA-registered broker-dealer | Tie |
| Mobile App | iOS & Android | iOS & Android | Tie |
| Best For | Crypto-focused traders | Multi-asset beginners | — |
What Is Gemini?
Gemini is a US-based cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2014 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. It is a New York Trust Company regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), which makes it one of the most compliance-focused exchanges in the industry. Gemini supports over 100 cryptocurrencies and offers both a simple buy/sell interface and an advanced ActiveTrader platform with maker-taker fee pricing.
Beyond trading, Gemini offers a crypto wallet with institutional-grade custody, a Gemini Credit Card that earns crypto rewards, and Gemini Earn (a lending program, though it faced issues in 2022–2023). The platform is available in all 50 US states and over 60 countries worldwide.
What Is Robinhood?
Robinhood is a US-based fintech platform founded in 2013 that popularized commission-free stock trading. It expanded into cryptocurrency in 2018 and now supports 30+ digital assets alongside stocks, ETFs, and options. Robinhood is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: HOOD) and is registered with the SEC and FINRA as a broker-dealer.
Robinhood now offers a self-custody crypto wallet, allowing users to transfer crypto in and out of the platform. In 2025, the company expanded its crypto fee tiers from 3 to 7, introduced crypto trading on its Robinhood Legend desktop platform, and announced plans for a Layer-2 "Robinhood Chain" as part of its 2026 staking strategy.
Fees: Gemini vs Robinhood
Gemini charges explicit maker-taker fees on its ActiveTrader platform, starting at 0.20% (maker) and 0.40% (taker) for monthly volumes under $10,000. Fees decrease with volume — traders above $500 million per month pay as low as 0.03% maker and 0.01% taker. Gemini's standard web interface charges higher convenience fees of up to 1.49% per trade plus a fixed fee for smaller orders.
Robinhood advertises "commission-free" crypto trading, but makes money through bid-ask spreads. For every $100 of crypto order volume, Robinhood receives approximately $0.85 from its market makers (as disclosed since July 2025). This means the effective cost is roughly 0.85% per trade, embedded in the execution price rather than shown as a separate fee. In 2025, Robinhood expanded to 7 fee tiers for high-volume traders, with rates as low as 0.03%.
| Fee Type | Gemini | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Trading Fee | Up to 1.49% (standard) | Spread-based (~0.85%) |
| ActiveTrader / Volume Fees | 0.20% maker / 0.40% taker | As low as 0.03% (7 tiers) |
| Deposit (ACH/Bank) | Free | Free |
| Deposit (Wire) | Free (incoming) | $25 |
| Crypto Withdrawal | Network fees only | Free (no withdrawal fees) |
| Fiat Withdrawal (ACH) | Free | Free |
Fee verdict: For casual traders, Robinhood's spread-based model (~0.85%) is slightly cheaper than Gemini's standard interface (up to 1.49%), but Gemini's ActiveTrader fees (0.20%/0.40%) beat Robinhood for anyone using the advanced platform. For high-volume traders, both platforms now offer competitive volume-tiered discounts.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Gemini supports over 100 cryptocurrencies as of January 2026, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT), Chainlink (LINK), Uniswap (UNI), and dozens of DeFi tokens and altcoins. Gemini also lists its own Gemini Dollar (GUSD) stablecoin.
Robinhood supports approximately 30+ cryptocurrencies on its main trading platform (and 65+ in its EU offering), including BTC, ETH, DOGE, SOL, XRP, ADA, AVAX, SHIB, LINK, LTC, PEPE, and AAVE. While the selection has grown significantly since 2022, it remains smaller than Gemini's roster.
Winner: Gemini — with 3× more supported assets, Gemini is the clear choice for traders who want access to a wide range of altcoins and DeFi tokens.
Security and Regulation
Gemini is one of the most security-focused exchanges in the market. It holds a New York trust company license from the NYDFS, has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, and stores the majority of customer funds in air-gapped cold storage. Gemini also carries digital asset insurance and holds USD deposits at FDIC-insured banks (including State Street). The platform offers hardware security key support for two-factor authentication.
Robinhood is a SEC- and FINRA-registered broker-dealer, and its securities accounts are covered by SIPC insurance (up to $500,000 for securities, $250,000 for cash). For crypto specifically, Robinhood holds customer assets in a combination of hot and cold storage and carries crime insurance. However, crypto assets are not covered by SIPC. Robinhood suffered a data breach in November 2021 that exposed email addresses and names of approximately 7 million customers, though no financial data was compromised.
| Security Feature | Gemini | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | NYDFS trust company | SEC/FINRA broker-dealer |
| Cold Storage | Yes (majority of assets) | Yes (combination hot/cold) |
| Insurance | Digital asset insurance + FDIC on USD | SIPC (securities) + crime insurance (crypto) |
| SOC 2 Compliance | Yes (Type 2) | No |
| 2FA Options | SMS, authenticator app, hardware key | SMS, authenticator app |
| Public Company | No (private) | Yes (NASDAQ: HOOD) |
Winner: Gemini — its NYDFS trust license, SOC 2 certification, and institutional-grade custody give it a clear security edge for crypto-specific holdings.
Trading Features and Tools
Gemini offers two trading interfaces: a simple buy/sell platform for beginners and ActiveTrader for experienced users. ActiveTrader includes advanced charting (powered by TradingView), multiple order types (limit, stop-limit, market, recurring buys), and real-time order books. Gemini also offers an API for algorithmic trading and OTC desk for institutional-size trades.
Robinhood provides a streamlined, beginner-friendly trading experience across stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto in a single app. In 2025, Robinhood launched its Legend desktop trading platform with professional charting and advanced order types for crypto. Robinhood also supports recurring crypto purchases, instant deposits, and fractional share investing in stocks (though not fractional crypto units below minimum order sizes).
Winner: Depends on your needs. Gemini wins for crypto-specific trading tools (ActiveTrader, OTC desk, API). Robinhood wins for multi-asset convenience (stocks + crypto in one app).
Wallet and Custody
Gemini provides a fully integrated crypto wallet where users can store, send, and receive digital assets. The exchange uses institutional-grade custody through Gemini Custody™, which is also available as a standalone product for institutions. All assets held on Gemini are secured by its cold storage infrastructure and digital asset insurance.
Robinhood launched its self-custody crypto wallet in 2022, allowing users to transfer crypto in and out of the platform. The wallet supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and select other assets. There are no withdrawal fees, though there is a $5,000 daily transfer limit and a maximum of 10 transactions per 24-hour period for security purposes.
Winner: Gemini — more mature wallet infrastructure with institutional-grade custody and broader asset support for transfers.
User Experience and Mobile App
Robinhood is widely regarded as having one of the best mobile apps in fintech. Its interface is clean, intuitive, and designed for beginners. You can switch between stocks and crypto seamlessly, and the app's notification system keeps you informed about price movements. Robinhood earned an overall score of 7.9/10 on major review platforms for ease of use.
Gemini's mobile app is well-designed but slightly more complex, reflecting its wider range of crypto-specific features. The standard interface is beginner-friendly, but accessing ActiveTrader on mobile requires navigating to the advanced section. Gemini scores 7.3/10 on major review platforms.
Winner: Robinhood — its sleek, unified multi-asset experience is hard to beat for simplicity and ease of use.
Staking and Earning
Gemini offers staking for select proof-of-stake assets, allowing users to earn rewards on holdings like Ethereum, Solana, and others directly through the platform. Gemini previously offered Gemini Earn (a lending product), which was paused in 2022 during the Genesis bankruptcy; customers received full recovery of assets in 2024.
Robinhood has identified staking as the cornerstone of its 2026 crypto strategy. The platform supports staking for select assets in the EU and is expanding to the US market. Robinhood's planned "Robinhood Chain" (a Layer-2 network) is designed to reduce gas fees and enable cheaper on-chain staking activities.
Winner: Tie — both platforms offer staking, but the landscape is evolving rapidly in 2026. Gemini has a longer track record; Robinhood is investing heavily in this area.
Customer Support
Gemini offers email support, a comprehensive help center, and phone support for account-related issues. Response times typically range from 24–48 hours for email inquiries. Gemini also has an active social media presence for updates and announcements.
Robinhood provides in-app chat support, email support, and phone callbacks. The platform has invested in improving response times after facing criticism in earlier years. However, because Robinhood serves a much larger user base (~24 million funded accounts vs Gemini's ~1.8 million active users), wait times can still be longer during peak periods.
Winner: Gemini — smaller user base means more personalized support and faster response times overall.
Who Should Choose Gemini?
- Crypto-focused traders who want access to 100+ cryptocurrencies
- Security-conscious investors who value NYDFS regulation and SOC 2 compliance
- Advanced traders who want ActiveTrader with low maker-taker fees (0.20%/0.40%)
- Institutional investors who need OTC trading and institutional custody
- International users — Gemini is available in 60+ countries
Who Should Choose Robinhood?
- Beginners who want a simple, intuitive app for buying their first crypto
- Multi-asset investors who want stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto in one place
- US investors who value SIPC protection on their securities holdings
- Cost-conscious casual traders who prefer spread-based pricing over explicit fees
- High-volume traders who can access Robinhood's lowest fee tiers (0.03%)
| Feature | Gemini | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto Assets | 100+ | 30+ (US), 65+ (EU) |
| Stock Trading | No | Yes (commission-free) |
| Options Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Staking | Yes | Yes (expanding) |
| NFT Marketplace | Yes (Gemini Nifty Gateway) | No |
| Credit Card | Yes (crypto rewards) | Yes (Gold Card) |
| API Access | Yes (REST & WebSocket) | Limited |
| OTC Trading | Yes | No |
| Countries | 60+ | US, UK, EU |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Alternatives to Consider
If neither Gemini nor Robinhood fits your needs, consider these alternatives:
- Coinbase — the largest US exchange with 200+ cryptos, strong regulatory standing, and an Advanced Trade platform. Read our Coinbase review.
- Kraken — a veteran exchange with low fees (0.16% maker / 0.26% taker), 200+ coins, and strong security. See our Kraken review.
- Crypto.com — offers a broad ecosystem including a Visa card, DeFi wallet, and 350+ cryptocurrencies. See our best crypto exchanges guide.
Final Verdict: Gemini vs Robinhood
Gemini is the better platform for cryptocurrency trading in 2026. It offers more supported assets (100+ vs 30+), lower explicit trading fees on ActiveTrader (0.20%/0.40% vs ~0.85% spread), stronger crypto-specific security (SOC 2, NYDFS trust license), and more advanced trading tools including an API, OTC desk, and institutional custody.
Robinhood is the better choice if you want a single app for stocks and crypto. Its commission-free stock trading, intuitive mobile app, SIPC protection on securities, and expanding crypto features (including the upcoming Robinhood Chain) make it ideal for beginners and multi-asset investors who don't need deep crypto functionality.
For most crypto-focused users, we recommend Gemini. For multi-asset investing with some crypto exposure, Robinhood is the more practical choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Gemini or Robinhood, for buying crypto?
Gemini is better for buying crypto if you want access to 100+ cryptocurrencies and lower trading fees through ActiveTrader (0.20% maker / 0.40% taker). Robinhood is better if you prefer a simpler interface and want to manage stocks and crypto in the same app, though it supports only 30+ coins in the US.
Is Gemini cheaper than Robinhood for crypto trading?
Yes, Gemini is cheaper for most traders when using ActiveTrader, which charges 0.20%–0.40% per trade. Robinhood's "commission-free" model embeds a spread of approximately 0.85% per trade. However, Robinhood's high-volume tiers (introduced in 2025) can go as low as 0.03%, matching or beating Gemini for very active traders.
Is Gemini safe to use?
Yes, Gemini is one of the safest crypto exchanges available. It is regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) as a trust company, has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 certification, stores the majority of assets in cold storage, and carries digital asset insurance. USD deposits are held at FDIC-insured banks.
Can I trade stocks on Gemini?
No, Gemini is a cryptocurrency-only platform. It supports over 100 digital assets but does not offer stock, ETF, or options trading. If you want both stocks and crypto in one app, Robinhood is the better choice.
Does Robinhood charge fees for crypto?
Robinhood does not charge explicit commissions on crypto trades, but it makes money through bid-ask spreads. As disclosed in July 2025, Robinhood receives approximately $0.85 per $100 of crypto order volume from its market makers, making the effective trading cost roughly 0.85%. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees for crypto transfers.
Can I transfer crypto from Robinhood to Gemini?
Yes, both platforms support crypto wallet transfers. You can send supported cryptocurrencies from Robinhood's wallet to your Gemini deposit address. Robinhood imposes a $5,000 daily transfer limit and a maximum of 10 transactions per 24-hour period. Withdrawal fees from Robinhood are free; you only pay network (gas) fees.
Which has more cryptocurrencies, Gemini or Robinhood?
Gemini supports over 100 cryptocurrencies as of January 2026, while Robinhood supports approximately 30+ in the US and 65+ in Europe. Gemini offers significantly more altcoins, DeFi tokens, and stablecoins, making it better for diverse crypto portfolios.
Is Robinhood good for crypto beginners?
Yes, Robinhood is one of the best platforms for crypto beginners. Its mobile app is intuitive, the sign-up process is quick, and you can start buying crypto with as little as $1. The main drawback is the limited coin selection (30+) and the hidden spread-based costs. For a more crypto-focused beginner experience, Gemini's standard interface is also user-friendly.
