+£5
15 mins
Robinhood
£5 Free Share•15 mins
£5 Free Share
+£5What is Robinhood?
Robinhood is a commission-free investing app for stocks and ETFs. It is regulated by the FCA in the UK. It has become one of the most popular investing apps in the US and has now launched in the UK too.
Launched
2013
Customers
27m+
Google Play
3.5 (520k)
★★★★★★
Key Terms
Profit
+£5
Credit checkNone
Deposit£1
Free cash£5
Free cash arrives30 days
Step by Step Guide
Chris's overview
Optional·1 min read
Robinhood landed in the UK in 2024 like a long-lost American cousin finally turning up at a family barbecue - everyone had heard about them for years, and now they're finally here with gifts. In this case, the gift is a free share of US stock worth around £5.
You'll get a free US stock (worth around £5) when you sign up with a referral link and deposit just £1. Claim your share, wait 30 days, then sell it and withdraw the cash. Dead simple.
If you fancy dipping your toe into US stocks after getting your freebie, Robinhood is genuinely a solid platform. Commission-free trading, 5% interest on uninvested cash, and you can trade 24 hours a day. Check out the full review further down for more details.
1
Sign up to Robinhood
8 mins
- Use the referral link below to download the app
- Verify your identity with passport or driving licence
On desktop? Scan QR code on your phone
2
Deposit and claim your £5 free share
5 mins
- Link your bank and deposit £1 or more
- Go to 'Earn stock' (app) or 'Rewards' (web)
- Claim your free share within 30 days of opening your account
You can leave your deposit as 'Cash' - no need to buy anything.
3
Sell £5 free share30d
2 mins
You can withdraw the proceeds of your free share after 30 days
- Hold your free share for 30 days
- Sell the share and withdraw your cash
Offer Complete
Done? Tick off each step above to see your total.
Robinhood Full Review
Completed the offer? Awesome! Here's our full review on why Robinhood could work well for you going forward.
Robinhood is a commission-free investing platform that made its name in the US by democratising access to stock trading. Founded in 2013 and launching in the UK in March 2024, it now serves over 27 million customers globally and offers access to thousands of US-listed stocks and ETFs.
Is Robinhood Safe?
Yes, Robinhood is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, so it must meet strict standards for how it handles your money and data.
However, it's important to understand that investing in stocks is different from having a bank account. Unlike bank deposits, your investments are not protected by the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme). If Robinhood were to go bust, your shares would still be yours (held separately from company assets), but their value could go up or down based on market conditions.
Robinhood UK Limited is also a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service, so you have somewhere to go if things go wrong.
Who is Robinhood For?
Robinhood is ideal for beginners who want to dip their toes into investing in US stocks without paying commission fees.
It's particularly good for: - First-time investors wanting to buy US stocks - Anyone who wants to earn interest on uninvested cash (5% AER) - Night owls who want to trade outside normal market hours - People who want to start small with fractional shares
It might not be for you if you want to invest in UK stocks (not yet available), need an ISA wrapper for tax-free gains, or prefer a more traditional investment platform with research tools.
Top 5 Features
1
Commission-Free Trading
Buy and sell over 6,000 US stocks and ETFs without paying any commission or foreign exchange fees on trades.
2
5% Interest on Cash
Earn 5% AER on uninvested cash in your account - competitive with the best savings accounts.
3
24-Hour Market Access
Trade outside of traditional Wall Street hours, five days a week. Perfect for UK investors who can't trade during US market hours.
4
Fractional Shares
Invest in expensive stocks like Tesla or Amazon from just $1 by buying a fraction of a share.
5
No Account Minimums
Start investing with any amount - there's no minimum deposit required to open or maintain an account.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✓Commission-free trading on 6,000+ US stocks and ETFs
- ✓No foreign exchange fees on trades
- ✓5% AER on uninvested cash
- ✓Trade 24 hours a day, 5 days a week
- ✓Fractional shares - invest from just $1
- ✓Clean, beginner-friendly app interface
Cons
- ✗No UK stocks available yet
- ✗No ISA or SIPP wrapper for tax-efficient investing
- ✗Limited research and analysis tools compared to traditional platforms
- ✗Your investments are not FSCS protected (standard for all investing platforms)
- ✗Currency conversion when depositing/withdrawing GBP
Chris's Verdict
Robinhood has brought its signature commission-free trading to the UK, and it's a solid option for anyone curious about investing in US stocks. The app is clean and beginner-friendly, and earning 5% on uninvested cash is a nice bonus while you figure out what to buy.
