Robinhood at a glance
- Regulation
- CFTC-regulated; powered by Kalshi
- Funding
- Bank, debit & credit (USD)
- Best markets
- Elections, sports, economic data
- Learning curve
- Low
- Operator
- Robinhood Markets
- Eligibility
- 18+, availability varies by US state
Overview
Robinhood added prediction markets to its brokerage app in late 2024, starting with political markets and expanding into sports and economic data. Rather than run its own exchange, Robinhood routes trades through Kalshi's CFTC-regulated infrastructure, so you get federally regulated event contracts inside Robinhood's famously simple interface.
The headline appeal is cost and convenience: fees are among the lowest anywhere, often around a cent or two per contract, and if you already hold a Robinhood account you can be trading in under two minutes with no separate signup. The trade-off is breadth — the catalogue is curated toward high-profile events rather than the long tail.
Markets and coverage
Robinhood keeps its catalogue focused on the events most people want to trade: presidential and political races, major sports outcomes, and key economic data such as rate decisions and inflation prints. You won't find the deep long tail of niche or crypto-price markets that Kalshi or Polymarket list, but for headline events the coverage is solid and the pricing is sharp.
Fees and funding
Robinhood is known for some of the lowest per-contract fees in the category — often around one to two cents per contract — with no separate trading commission. Funds come from your Robinhood account balance, topped up by bank transfer, debit or credit card — the same funding you already use for stocks. Funding is integrated with your existing account, so there's nothing separate to set up. Our deposit guide and fees guide cover the detail.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Among the lowest fees in the space — around 1–2¢ per contract
- Trade inside the app you already use for stocks
- Zero-friction onboarding — start in minutes
- Curated, easy-to-follow markets
- Strong on elections, major sports and economic data
What to weigh
- Smaller market selection than Kalshi or Polymarket
- Few niche or crypto-price markets
- Availability contested in some states
- Markets routed through a third-party exchange
Who it’s for
Robinhood is best for existing robinhood users. For the broader field, see our platform rankings, or see how it stacks up head to head in Kalshi vs Robinhood.
Verdict
Robinhood is a strong option in the 2026 prediction-market field, earning our 4.1 rating. It will suit existing robinhood users most; whatever you choose, confirm it’s available in your state and trade within a sensible bankroll.
Link to Robinhood’s official site. Availability and features vary by state and change over time; confirm current details before funding an account. 18+. Trading involves risk of loss.
How Robinhood compares
See how Robinhood stacks up head-to-head against the other leading platforms:
- Robinhood vs Kalshi — how it stacks up against the most comprehensive CFTC-regulated exchange and the best all-round starting point.
- Robinhood vs Polymarket — how it stacks up against the world's largest prediction market, with unmatched liquidity for crypto-comfortable traders.
- Robinhood vs Coinbase — how it stacks up against first-party prediction markets for crypto-native Coinbase users.
- Robinhood vs DraftKings — how it stacks up against DraftKings' sports-led event-contract exchange.
- Robinhood vs FanDuel Predicts — how it stacks up against event contracts from a major sportsbook brand, ideal for sports-first traders.
- Robinhood vs PrizePicks — how it stacks up against event contracts inside the PrizePicks app, powered by Kalshi.
Frequently asked questions
Is Robinhood legit and regulated?
Yes. Robinhood offers event contracts under CFTC oversight (CFTC-regulated; powered by Kalshi). As always, only trade what you can afford to lose and confirm it's available in your state.
Does Robinhood use cryptocurrency?
No. Robinhood funds in US dollars, so there's no crypto required to get started.
What can you trade on Robinhood?
Robinhood focuses on elections, sports, economic data. Coverage changes over time, so check the app for the current market list.
Is Robinhood available in my state?
Availability varies by US state and can change. Always check Robinhood's current eligibility before funding an account.