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Is Robinhood Gold Worth It? Here's What You Need to Know

Published Jan. 9, 2025
Brendan Byrnes
Author: Brendan Byrnes
Brendan Byrnes
Brendan Byrnes

Currently Managing Director of Motley Fool Money, Brendan has worked full-time for The Motley Fool since 2011. He has written hundreds of articles for The Motley Fool and provided analysis on TV outlets including CNBC and Fox. He holds a degree in finance from Virginia Tech.

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Nathan Alderman
Fact Checked: Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
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Robinhood Gold promises premium perks like IRA matches, professional research tools, and higher cash interest -- all for $5 a month. But is it really worth the upgrade? In this article, we'll break down the benefits, costs, and key features to help you decide if Robinhood Gold aligns with your investing needs.

Robinhood Gold
Learn More for Robinhood Gold

On Robinhood Gold's Secure Website.

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Robinhood Gold

Robinhood Gold

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Bottom Line

Robinhood Gold is worth considering if you regularly use margin, keep lots of uninvested cash in your account, or invest heavily in your IRA.

Fees:

$5 monthly

Account Minimum:

N/A

Special Offer Circle with letter I in it. Get a 3% match on IRA contributions each year with Robinhood Gold (subscription fee applies), or 1% without. IRA transfers and 401(k) rollovers also get a 3% match through April 30 with Robinhood Gold, or 1% without.

Get a 3% match on IRA contributions each year with Robinhood Gold

Learn More for Robinhood Gold

On Robinhood Gold's Secure Website.

Features of Robinhood Gold

Robinhood Gold is the premium subscription plan of Robinhood. It comes with several features that could make it worth it for you. Here are a few of my favorites.

4% APY on uninvested cash in your brokerage account

That's right -- your uninvested cash in a Robinhood brokerage account can earn 4% APY if you opt into the cash sweep program. This rate is competitive with some of the best high-yield savings accounts on the market.

For example, with $10,000 in uninvested cash, Robinhood Gold members could earn $400 annually. Without Robinhood Gold, you get a 1% APY on uninvested cash. In that case, with $10,000 in uninvested cash in a Robinhood brokerage account, you'd earn $100 per year.

Keep in mind, like all APYs, this rate may change based on Federal Reserve decisions and market conditions.

3% IRA match on eligible IRA contributions

For those who consistently contribute to an IRA, this feature is a game-changer.

In 2025, the IRA contribution limit for those under 50 is $7,000. With Robinhood Gold, a 3% match adds $210 annually to your account, compared to just $70 with the standard 1% match in a Robinhood IRA.

To retain the 3% match, you must hold your contributions in your Robinhood IRA for at least five years and remain a Gold member for at least one year.

High instant deposits

As a Robinhood Gold user, you get larger instant deposit limits than regular customers, depending on your brokerage account balance:

Brokerage Account Balance Robinhood Gold Instant Deposit Limit Regular Robinhood Instant Deposit Limit
Less than $2,000 $5,000 $1,000
Greater than $2,000 3X your portfolio value, rounded down to the nearest whole thousand 2X your portfolio value, rounded down to the nearest whole thousand
Data source: Robinhood.

This feature is a big win for day traders who need to act fast. Instantly transferring larger amounts can mean the difference between locking in a great price or missing out on significant gains.

However, Gold-level instant deposits are not available for IRAs.

Morningstar research and level II market data

For investors who love digging into details, Robinhood Gold enhances the basic Robinhood experience with two powerful tools:

  • Morningstar research: Access insights on over 1,700 stocks, perfect for beginners looking to understand a stock before investing.
  • Level II market data: Get real-time Nasdaq data, ideal for advanced traders focused on bid and ask prices.

$1,000 of zero-interest margin

Robinhood Gold members get 0% interest on the first $1,000 they borrow with margin. This can be a useful benefit for some investors, though margin investing carries higher risk and isn't for everyone.

Beyond the first $1,000, margin rates are the same for both Gold members and regular Robinhood members. These rates can change over time based on the Federal Reserve's interest rate.

Access to the Robinhood Gold credit card

Robinhood Gold members can apply for the exclusive Robinhood Gold Card. The card offers 3% cash back on all categories and 5% cash back on travel booked through the Robinhood travel portal. It also includes perks like trip cancellation insurance and car rental coverage. There's no annual fee, but you need a Robinhood Gold subscription to qualify.

Robinhood Gold cost

Robinhood Gold is a subscription model, so it costs $5 monthly or $50 annually. After your 30-day free trial, you'll be charged once a month.

Robinhood doesn't charge commission fees for stocks, ETFs, or options, so the subscription fee is the only thing you need to worry about.

Is Robinhood Gold worth the money?

Whether Robinhood Gold is worth it will depend on your personal situation. There are a few scenarios in particular where it could be worth it for you.

Yes, if you keep a good amount of uninvested cash in your brokerage account

If you keep at least $1,250 of uninvested cash in your brokerage account and opt into the brokerage cash sweep program, you'll make back your $50 annual cost in one year with a 4% APY. So for every dollar of uninvested cash above that amount, you could profit from your Robinhood Gold membership.

Yes, if you max out your Robinhood IRA every year

If you contribute at least $1,667 into your IRA every year, a Robinhood Gold subscription would pay you $50 with a 3% IRA match. If you invest any more than that, you stand to profit from your Robinhood Gold membership.

Yes, if you maintain a margin balance

If you invest at least $1,000 in margin each year, Robinhood Gold's 0% interest saves you money. At the current margin interest rate of 5.75% for accounts with a margin balance up to $50,000, a 0% rate on the first $1,000 saves you $57.50, more than the cost of your yearly membership.

Apply for a Robinhood Gold account today

Alternatives to Consider

We recommend comparing brokerage options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of our best trading platforms of 2025.

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FAQs

  • Robinhood Gold is a subscription service offering benefits like lower margin rates, professional research, and higher cash interest.

  • Open the Robinhood app, go to the account menu, and select Robinhood Gold to start a 30-day free trial. After that, it's $5/month.