Real time quotes on securities are just what the name implies; the actual price of a security at that very instant in time.
Investors often rely on real-time market data to make informed decisions when trading stocks.
In the realm of online trading platforms, Robinhood stands out for its user-friendly interface and accessibility. But the question remains, are the quotes provided by Robinhood truly in real-time?
Keep on reading, or check out my full Robinhood tutorial video below!
A quoted price is the most recent price at which a security is traded.
The quoted price of investments such as stocks, bonds and other commodities change constantly throughout the day.
This happens because many factors and events occur that affect the financial markets and the value of various investments.
The quoted price represents the most recent bid and ask prices that buyers and sellers are looking for.
Unlike real-time quotes, delayed quotes lag behind the real-time quotes by about 15 to 20 minutes.
Delayed quotes are usually sufficient for a casual investor who isn’t looking to time the market precisely.
They provide a general ballpark of where stocks and indexes are, giving an overall idea of whether they are trending up or down.
Robinhood quotes are indeed in real-time, sourced from reputable exchanges like Nasdaq, which is known for its extensive liquidity and accurate trade data.
During trading hours, Robinhood taps into sources such as Nasdaq Last Sale and BOATS (Blue Ocean Alternative Trading System) to obtain the most recent trade prices for securities.
Nasdaq, with more liquidity than any other US exchange, ensures that users receive up-to-date and reliable information crucial for their investment strategies.
Robinhood’s strong performance in 2025 underscores its growing presence in the trading platform space. In May 2025, the company reported record highs in platform assets, trading volumes, and margin balances, with total platform assets exceeding $255 billion and significant increases in equity, options, and crypto trading volumes.
This robust growth highlights Robinhood as a trusted platform for millions of investors seeking both accessibility and reliable market data.
For investors seeking more detailed market insights, Robinhood offers Level II market data through Robinhood Gold, a premium service costing $5 per month (with additional fees if margin is used).
Level II data provides a deeper view by showing multiple bid and ask prices for a stock, rather than a single aggregated quote.
This detailed order book information is powered by Nasdaq TotalView, offering advanced traders valuable context for making informed trading decisions.
In addition to Level II data, Robinhood Gold subscribers gain access to Morningstar stock research reports and enhanced charting tools, including indicators like moving averages, RSI, MACD, and Bollinger Bands, which can help refine trading strategies.
While Robinhood provides real-time basic and Level II market data, its research and screening tools remain more limited compared to larger brokers like Fidelity.
Fidelity offers extensive research screeners, third-party reports, and comprehensive charting capabilities for stocks, ETFs, fixed income, and options. This makes Fidelity more suited for investors seeking in-depth fundamental and technical analysis support.
Robinhood’s strength lies in its simplicity and accessibility, making it ideal for beginner to intermediate traders who prioritize real-time pricing and ease of use, while advanced users may find the additional research amenities elsewhere beneficial.
If you want to learn more about Robinhood, check out our full beginner's guide about how Robinhood works here.
