Is Robinhood Gold Worth It? Yes, If You Regularly Use These Key Features

A $5 monthly Robinhood Gold subscription, or $50 for its annual plan, provides higher interest on uninvested cash, a 3% IRA contribution match, advanced research tools and more.

But do the premium perks justify the added cost?

Well, yea. Using some basic math, it turns out Robinhood Gold is worth it — you just need to take advantage of a couple key benefits for the cost to make sense.

Actually, it really boils down to your situation and where you place value in a broker.

Is Robinhood Gold worth it?

From higher APY on uninvested cash to advanced research tools, Robinhood Gold is a marked improvement over the standard account.

Here are some specific situations in which Robinhood Gold is worth it:

You keep a decent chunk of uninvested cash in your brokerage account

With $1,250 in cash and your account enrolled in Robinhood’s brokerage sweep program, you’d earn $50 in interest over a year at Gold’s 4% APY, enough to cover the $50 annual subscription. Anything above that is profit. Non-Gold users get just 0.01%.

• Brokerage cash: $1,250 at 4% APY = $50/year (break-even point).

You max out or heavily contribute to an IRA

Gold offers a 3% match on IRA contributions, versus 1% for non-Gold members. If you contribute the 2025 IRA maximum of $7,000, Robinhood Gold would add $210 to your account. Without Gold, you’d get $70 from the standard 1% match. That extra 2% more than covers the $50 annual cost and even the $5 monthly cost. If you’re a Robinhood customer, plan to fund an IRA and intend on staying with Robinhood for several years, Gold is a no-brainer. (Psst, you must stay a Gold member for a year and keep contributions in for five years to keep the full match.

• IRA: $2,500 contribution at 2% extra match = $50/year (break-even).

You trade on margin regularly

Gold includes $1,000 of interest-free margin, which can save you up to $57.50 in interest on margin balances of up to $50,000. Robinhood’s margin rate for balances of this amount is 5.75% as of March 2025.

• Margin: $1,000 at 5.75% = $57.50/year saved (more than break even)

You rely on advanced research or data

The value here isn’t cash savings but rather decision-making power. Gold provides unlimited access to Morningstar reports and Level 2 market data. If you’re an active investor or trader, these tools probably feel essential.

So is Robinhood Gold worth it?

For $5 per month, or $50 when you subscribe to the annual plan, the benefits can easily outweigh the cost, especially if you take full advantage of the higher APY, IRA match and margin interest savings. Try the 30-day free trial to test it. If your habits align with one or more of these scenarios, Robinhood Gold's a cheap upgrade; otherwise, skip it.

Robinhood Gold benefits

Robinhood Gold offers a range of benefits that can significantly enhance your trading and investment experience on the platform:

• 4% APY on uninvested cash
• 3% IRA contribution match
• Bigger instant deposits
• Nasdaq Level 2 data and Morningstar insights
• First $1K of margin interest-free
• Discounted futures and index options commissions

Higher interest on uninvested cash

A 4% annual percentage yield (APY) on uninvested cash with Robinhood Gold is significantly higher than what is typically offered by traditional savings accounts, where the national average APY sits at around 0.42%, as of March 2025.⁽¹⁾ It’s also significantly higher than the 0.01% APY you earn as a non-Gold member.

If you’re looking for a high-yield option for your cash ahead of investing, this benefit ensures that your money continues to grow, even when it’s not actively invested.

Additionally, in a low-interest-rate environment, having access to such a high APY can be a game-changer, turning what would typically be idle cash into a productive asset.

Higher match on IRA contributions

This match functions similarly to an employer match in a 401(k), adding 3% to every dollar you contribute to your Robinhood individual retirement account (IRA). Without Gold, Robinhood pays 1%. Over time, this can significantly boost your retirement savings, compounding your wealth more effectively.

For example, if you contribute the 2025 IRA maximum of $7,000, Robinhood Gold would add $210 to your account.⁽²⁾ While this might seem modest, over 20 years with compounded growth, that extra contribution could grow substantially, depending on your investment returns.

However, it’s crucial to be aware of the holding period requirements tied to this match. You must maintain your eligible deposit for at least 5 years to keep the IRA match, which can help ensure you’re committed to your long-term retirement strategy.

Bonus: 2% IRA transfer match until April 30

For a limited time, Robinhood is offering a 2% unlimited match on IRA transfers and 401(k) rollovers with Robinhood Gold membership or a 1% match without it. All transfers must be completed by April 30.

Bigger instant deposits

Robinhood caps instant deposits at $1,000 on standard accounts with a portfolio value of less than $1,000. Portfolio’s greater than $1,000 are capped at up to two times the portfolio value.

But Gold bumps this to $5,000 and up to three times the portfolio value, respectively.

This feature allows you to transfer funds into your Robinhood account and start trading immediately without the usual delay of bank transfers.

Imagine a scenario where a stock you’ve been eyeing suddenly drops in price due to market fluctuations, and you want to buy the dip. With instant deposits, you can instantly access your funds and execute the trade, capitalizing on the opportunity before the market corrects itself. This benefit is particularly valuable for those who engage in swing trading or need to react quickly to market news.

The higher instant deposit limit also provides peace of mind, knowing that you won’t miss out on potential gains due to slow fund transfers. This benefit is particularly valuable for those who engage in day trading or are looking to day trade for a living, as having quick access to funds can be crucial for capitalizing on market volatility.

Dive deeper: Curious what else Robinhood has to offer? Read our full review.

Advanced research and analysis tools

Nasdaq Level 2 data provides deeper insights into market depth, showing you the buy and sell orders waiting to be executed at different price levels.

This information is crucial for understanding a stock’s true supply and demand dynamics, which can influence your trading strategy. If you see a large buy order at a certain price level, it might indicate strong support, making it a potentially good entry point for your trade.

Morningstar research reports offer in-depth analysis of stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), providing expert insights that can help you refine your investment decisions. These reports often include analyst ratings, fair value estimates and detailed assessments of a company’s financial health. By using these tools, you can better identify undervalued stocks or avoid potential pitfalls, enhancing your overall investment strategy.

First $1K of margin interest-free

Robinhood Gold offers a unique benefit for margin users by providing the first $1,000 of margin interest-free. This benefit can significantly reduce your borrowing costs, especially if you’re using margin to make strategic investments.

Let’s say you borrow $1,000 on margin to invest in a stock that you believe is undervalued. With Robinhood Gold, you won’t incur any interest charges on that amount, allowing you to potentially reap the full benefits of any price appreciation. This interest-free margin can act as a buffer, reducing the financial pressure that comes with borrowing.

However, it’s important to approach margin trading with caution, as it can also magnify losses. The interest-free benefit on the first $1,000 can make margin trading more accessible and affordable, but it’s still crucial to have a clear strategy and risk management plan in place.

Discounted futures and index options commissions

Save $0.25 on futures commissions and $0.15 on index options with Robinhood Gold. Trade index futures, energy futures, crypto futures, currency futures and metals futures, as well as options on indices like the S&P 500 and VIX, all with discounted commissions.

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Robinhood Gold

• Earn up to 4% APY on uninvested cash (subscription fees apply).
• Get up to a 3% match on all new IRA contributions.
• Receive a 2% unlimited match on IRA transfers and 401(k) rollovers until April 30.
• Access professional research from top-tier research provider, Morningstar.

How much does Robinhood Gold cost?

Robinhood Gold is priced at $5 per month, which totals $60 annually. If you go with the annual plan, it’s $50 for the year. Robinhood also offers a 30-day free trial for new subscribers, allowing you to test the features before committing to the monthly fee.

What is the Robinhood Gold Card?

The Robinhood Gold Card is an exclusive credit card available only to Robinhood Gold members, offering a robust 3% cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back on travel bookings made through Robinhood’s travel portal.

The card, available in both stainless steel and a special 10-karat gold version for top-tier users, has no annual fee, foreign transaction fees or balance transfer fees. Late payment fees are $29 for the first occurrence and $40 for subsequent late payments within six months.

However, the card is currently accessible only through a waitlist that has attracted over one million users.⁽³⁾ Robinhood began rolling out the card to waitlisted users in April 2024, though a specific timeline for when all applicants will receive their cards remains uncertain.

Rewards earned with the Robinhood Gold Card can be seamlessly integrated into your Robinhood brokerage account, allowing you to invest your cash back or redeem it through various other options like travel, shopping and gift cards. The card also provides purchase protection and an auto rental collision damage waiver, making it a strong choice for those deeply integrated into the Robinhood ecosystem.

However, one more detail bears mentioning — the card’s APR ranges from 19.99% to 29.99%, making it crucial to pay off balances each month to avoid high interest charges.⁽⁴⁾

Alternatives to Robinhood Gold

Frequently asked questions

How do I update to Gold?

Upgrading to Robinhood Gold is a straightforward process. Simply open the Robinhood app, navigate to the account menu and select Robinhood Gold. Follow the prompts to begin your 30-day free trial, which allows you to explore all the premium features before committing to the $5 monthly subscription.

Can I cancel my Gold subscription at any time?

Yes, you can cancel your Robinhood Gold subscription at any time. If you decide that Gold isn’t meeting your needs, go to the account menu in the Robinhood app, select Robinhood Gold and choose the option to cancel.

Your benefits will continue through the end of your current billing cycle, after which your account will revert to a standard Robinhood account with no additional charges.

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