How to Use Robinhood's API for Automated Stock Trading
Robinhood does not offer a public API for stock trading
Robinhood does not provide an official application programming interface (API) that lets you build your own trading software or connect third-party tools to buy and sell stocks through your account. The company has never released a public API for this purpose, and there is no timeline for one.
If you want to automate stock trades, you will need to use a different broker that does offer API access. The major brokers that provide APIs include Interactive Brokers, TD Ameritrade (through its Schwab integration), Alpaca, and E*TRADE. Each has different rules about what you can do, what it costs, and how much money you need to start.
Robinhood does offer a mobile app and web interface where you can place trades manually, and you can set up alerts to notify you when a stock hits a certain price. But you cannot write code to execute trades automatically or connect external trading platforms to your Robinhood account.
Key Takeaways
- Robinhood has never released a public API and does not support automated or third-party trading connections.
- Brokers that do offer APIs include Interactive Brokers, Alpaca, TD Ameritrade, and E*TRADE, each with different account minimums and fee structures.
- You can set price alerts on Robinhood but cannot automate trades based on those alerts without using external software.
- If you need API access, you will need to transfer your account or open a new one with a broker that supports it.
Why Robinhood does not offer an API
Robinhood's business model is built around a simple, consumer-facing mobile app. The company makes money through payment for order flow — it receives fees from market makers when it routes your trades to them. An API would let advanced traders and developers build tools that might route orders differently or reduce Robinhood's volume, which would hurt that revenue stream.
Robinhood also positions itself as a platform for individual investors, not professional traders or developers. Adding API support would require the company to build infrastructure, documentation, and customer support for a technical audience — a cost and complexity Robinhood has chosen not to take on.
Some users have attempted to reverse-engineer Robinhood's internal API or build unofficial wrappers around it. Robinhood has taken legal action against these projects in the past, and using unofficial APIs violates Robinhood's terms of service and puts your account at risk of being closed.
Brokers that do offer trading APIs
Interactive Brokers offers the most comprehensive API for individual traders. It supports stocks, options, futures, and forex. The account minimum is $2,000 for most accounts, though some account types require $10,000. Interactive Brokers charges commissions on trades and monthly fees for data and platform access.
Alpaca is designed specifically for developers and algorithmic traders. It offers a REST API and WebSocket support, and you can trade stocks and crypto. Alpaca has no account minimum and no commissions, but you do need to maintain a $25,000 balance to day trade. Alpaca is best suited to people who want to write code; the platform assumes technical knowledge.
TD Ameritrade (now owned by Schwab) offers the thinkorswim API, which supports stocks, options, and futures. The account minimum is $0, though day trading rules still apply. TD Ameritrade does not charge commissions on stock trades, but does charge for options and futures.
E*TRADE offers an API for stocks and options. The account minimum is $0, and there are no commissions on stock trades. E*TRADE's API is less developer-friendly than Alpaca's but more accessible than Interactive Brokers' for beginners.
What you can and cannot do with a trading API
A trading API lets you write code that connects to your brokerage account and places orders automatically based on rules you set. For example, you could write a program that buys a stock whenever its price drops below a certain level, or that sells a position when it gains 5 percent. You can backtest strategies using historical data before risking real money.
What you cannot do: APIs do not let you bypass market rules or trading halts. If the SEC halts trading in a stock, your API will not be able to place orders in it. You still have to follow the pattern day trader rule (if you day trade, you need $25,000 in your account). You cannot use an API to place orders faster than the market allows, and you cannot use it to manipulate prices or engage in spoofing (placing fake orders to move the market).
Most brokers also limit how many API requests you can make per second or per day. Alpaca, for example, allows 200 requests per minute for paper trading (practice mode) and 500 per minute for live trading. These limits prevent servers from being overwhelmed and keep the system fair for all users.
Alternatives if you want to automate trades without an API
If you want to stay with Robinhood but still automate some of your trading, you have limited options. You can set up price alerts that notify you by push notification or email, then place trades manually when the alert fires. This is not true automation, but it can help you react faster to market moves.
Some third-party services claim to offer Robinhood automation through browser extensions or apps that simulate clicking your mouse. These tools violate Robinhood's terms of service and are not safe — they require you to give them your login credentials, which puts your account at risk of being hacked or closed. Robinhood actively blocks these tools when it finds them.
The safest path is to move your account to a broker that offers an official API. This takes time (typically 5 to 10 business days for a full transfer), but it gives you access to real automation and protects you from account closure.
How to move your account to a broker with API support
If you decide to switch brokers, you can transfer your existing positions and cash without selling everything and paying taxes. This is called an ACAT transfer (Automated Customer Account Transfer). Here is how it works:
- Open an account at your new broker (Interactive Brokers, Alpaca, TD Ameritrade, or E*TRADE).
- In your new broker's account settings, look for "Transfer" or "ACAT" and request an incoming transfer from Robinhood.
- Your new broker will send a transfer request to Robinhood. Robinhood will then move your stocks, options, and cash to the new account.
- The transfer usually takes 5 to 10 business days. During this time, you cannot trade in either account.
- Once the transfer is complete, you can start using the API at your new broker.
You do not have to transfer everything at once. You can transfer just part of your account and leave the rest at Robinhood if you want to test the new broker first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a third-party app to automate Robinhood trades?
No. Third-party automation tools for Robinhood violate the company's terms of service and put your account at risk of being closed. They also require you to share your login credentials, which is a security risk. Robinhood actively blocks these tools when it discovers them.
Does Robinhood have any plans to release an API?
Robinhood has not announced any plans to release a public API. The company has not commented on whether it might do so in the future. If API access is important to you, you should plan to use a different broker.
What is the cheapest broker with an API?
Alpaca has no account minimum and no commissions, making it the cheapest option if you want to automate trades. However, Alpaca requires $25,000 to day trade and is designed for developers with coding experience. TD Ameritrade and E*TRADE also have no account minimums and no commissions on stocks, but their APIs are less developer-friendly.
If I transfer my account, will I owe taxes on my gains?
No. An ACAT transfer moves your positions as they are; it does not trigger a sale or a taxable event. You only owe taxes when you actually sell a position at a gain. The cost basis of your shares transfers with them, so your new broker will know what you paid for each share.
Can I keep my Robinhood account and open a new one elsewhere just for API trading?
Yes. You can keep your Robinhood account and open a separate account at a broker with API support. This lets you test the new platform without moving all your money at once. Just remember that you will have to fund the new account separately and manage two accounts.