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Christy Bieber is a full-time personal finance and legal writer with more than a decade of experience. She has a JD from UCLA as well as a degree in English, Media and Communications with a Certificate in Business Management from the University of Rochester. In addition to writing for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, her work has also been featured regularly on MSN Money, CNBC, and USA Today. She also ghost writes textbooks, serves as a subject matter expert for online course design, and is a former college instructor.
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Robinhood and Public both offer fractional share trading, have no account minimums, and charge no commissions for buying stocks or ETFs. So how can you decide between Public vs. Robinhood?
Let's take a look at some of the key differences between what each of these brokerage firms offers so you can pick which is best for you.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Commissions
$0 for stocks, ETFs, and options; up to $6.99 monthly for Robinhood Gold
Neither Public nor Robinhood charge commissions or fees for trading stocks or ETFs. However, while Robinhood does not impose a markup on cryptocurrency, Public does. The markup is between 1% and 2%. This ends up effectively reducing the amount of cryptocurrency you purchase with each transaction. The different approaches to crypto markups could make Robinhood Crypto a better choice for buying virtual coins.
Both brokers are some of the best options trading platforms. Neither charges commission fees, and Public recently started sharing options revenue with customers. That means customers can earn an estimated $0.18 rebate per commission-free trade. (Public doesn't charge fees for options trading, but regulators do.)
Public
Robinhood
Stock & ETF commissions
$0
$0
Options commissions
$0 (up to 50% revenue sharing for options traders)
$0
Crypto commissions
1% to 2% markup
0%
Mutual fund commissions
N/A
N/A
Account transfer fee
$75 for outgoing transfers
$100 for outgoing transfers
Account maintenance fee
$0 or $8 per month for Premium ($5 inactivity fee every 6 months for accounts <$20 that haven't traded in 90+ days)
$0, or $5 monthly for Robinhood Gold
Data sources: Public and Robinhood.
Public vs. Robinhood: Investments available
Both Robinhood and Public allow users to trade stocks and ETFs, as well as buy fractional shares. Recently, Public added bonds to the list, including federal and corporate. It also offers alternative investment options, including art and NFTs, for interested investors.
One unique feature Public offers that Robinhood doesn't is its social trading platform. You can follow the portfolio of fellow community members, monitor a news feed to see what others are trading and why, and participate in group chats and community discussions about trading opportunities. This can help those without a lot of investing experience to learn from their peers.
If you're looking for the best robo-advisors, though, neither Robinhood nor Public provides automated investing services so you'll have to look elsewhere.
Public
Robinhood
Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Yes
Fractional shares
Yes
Yes
Options
Yes
Yes
Mutual funds
No
No
CDs
No
No
Bonds
Yes
No
Futures
No
No
Crypto
Yes
Yes
Currencies
No
No
Other
Yes
No
Data sources: Public and Robinhood.
Top Brokers of 2024
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Fees:
$0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts
Account Minimum:
$0
Highlights:
A clear standout for a modern investing experience, particularly for beginner and long-term investors. The ability to buy fractional shares, as well as the ability for everyday investors to participate in IPOs, bolsters our overall opinion.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Fees:
$0 for stocks, ETFs, and options; up to $6.99 monthly for Robinhood Gold
Account Minimum:
$0
Highlights:
With no commissions, access to trade fractional shares and cryptocurrency through Robinhood Crypto, Robinhood is a no frills but efficient brokerage account.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Fees:
Commission-free; other fees apply
Account Minimum:
$0
Highlights:
E*TRADE offers low fees and tons of account types. If you need it, chances are, E*TRADE has it. You can access advanced features through its popular Power E*TRADE platform. Open an E*TRADE account to trade fee-free mutual funds and do all your investing in one place.
Robinhood offers slightly more account types than Public. You can open a taxable brokerage account with either trading platform. But you can only open a traditional or Roth IRA on Robinhood -- in fact, it's one of the best brokers for IRAs. Neither broker offers custodial accounts or other IRAs. For those, you'll want to check out a full-service brokerage.
Public
Robinhood
Taxable brokerage
Yes
Yes
Joint tenant
No
Yes
Margin
Yes
Yes
Robo-advisor
No
No
Traditional IRA
No
Yes
Roth IRA
No
Yes
Other IRA
No
No
Custodial
No
No
Checking
No
No, but offers a spending account
Savings
No, but offers a high-yield cash account
No, but offers brokerage cash sweeps
Credit card
No
No
Data sources: Public and Robinhood.
Public vs. Robinhood: Mobile app and trading platforms
Both Public and Robinhood are focused heavily on their mobile apps. Their apps actually offer a better user interface and more features than their websites. This mobile-first focus has paid off in the form of user friendly, highly rated investing apps. In fact, Robinhood's app received a 4.2 out of 5-star rating on the iOS store, and Public's app received a 4.7-star rating.
Since Public is primarily a social investing platform, its app offers features that Robinhood's app doesn't. This includes a focus on community groups and the ability to follow other users' portfolios. However, neither Robinhood nor Public offer the type of advanced trading features many experienced investors would prefer, such as comprehensive charting tools.
Final take
Robinhood and Public are both top choices for those looking for a mobile trading experience or for apps that cater to beginner investors. Public stands apart due to the community aspect of its trading platform.
If you want to invest socially, or trade bonds, or invest in collectibles, Public may be a better fit.
If you'd like to trade crypto cheaply or open IRAs, Robinhood may be the right choice for you.
Both are discount brokers. Check out alternatives if neither Public nor Robinhood meets your needs. Some offer all-in-one options, including bank accounts and credit cards.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Bottom Line
Robinhood is a simple, low-cost brokerage with a few rare perks. What it lacks in customer service it provides in a smooth in-app experience. Without membership, you will lack research resources but still be able to trade affordably. With a membership, you can earn 3% and 1% match on IRA and taxable deposits. The app grows fast -- new perks are being released at a rapid pace.
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 2024.
Account
Fees
Account Minimum
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
$0 for stocks, ETFs, and options; up to $6.99 monthly for Robinhood Gold
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
It depends on what you're looking for. Robinhood offers IRAs and commission-free crypto trading. Public offers social features and bonds trading. Both are excellent picks for options trading.
Many reasons, potentially. You can participate in Public options trading revenue-sharing, buy bonds, or avoid payment-for-order-flow (PFOF).
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Christy Bieber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Cole Tretheway has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool recommends Flow. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Robinhood disclosure
All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible.
Securities are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cryptocurrency services are offered through an account with Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected. For more information see the Robinhood Crypto Risk Disclosure.
Trades of stocks, ETFs and options are commission-free at Robinhood Financial LLC. Other fees may apply. Please see Robinhood Financial’s Fee Schedule to learn more.
Fractional shares are illiquid outside of Robinhood and are not transferable. Not all securities available through Robinhood are eligible for fractional share orders. For a complete explanation of conditions, restrictions and limitations associated with fractional shares, see the Fractional Shares section of our Customer Agreement.
Robinhood Gold is an account offering premium services available for a $5 monthly fee. Not all investors will be eligible to trade on Margin. Margin investing involves the risk of greater investment losses. Additional interest charges may apply depending on the amount of margin used. Bigger Instant Deposits are only available if your Instant Deposits status is in good standing.
E*TRADE services are available just to U.S. residents.
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