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Charles Schwab vs Public.com: 2023 Comparison

Franklin Carneiro da Silva| Updated: September 6, 2023

Are you confused about whether to choose Charles Schwab vs Public.com as a broker for your investing needs?

In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Charles Schwab vs Public.com to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.

Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!

Ideal for
all account types (US investors only)

Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab Corporation, commonly known as Schwab, is a leading American brokerage and banking company.

It pioneered the concept of discount brokerage, offering commission-free online trades and providing access to a vast selection of investment options.

Moreover, Schwab operates as a full-service bank, providing a range of banking products such as checking accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, and loans.

Ideal for
commission-free investing (US investors only)

Public.com is a revolutionary investing app that aims to democratize the stock market. It offers users the opportunity to invest in fractional shares of publicly traded companies, making it accessible to individuals with limited capital.

With a focus on community and transparency, Public.com provides a social investing experience where users can discuss and share their investment ideas openly.

Moreover, the platform encourages responsible investing by providing educational resources and tools to help users understand the risks associated with investing.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • 0% commissions on stocks and ETFss
  • Accoun types: Individual, joint, IRAs, education savings accounts, 529 education accounts, SEP IRA and solo 401(k)
  • Excellent research tools
  • Acess to fractional shares
  • Large selection of mutual funds
  • No minimum account

Cons

  • No direct investing in Crypto (only through futures, ETFs, etc)
  • No access to European stocks

Pros

  • Stock and ETF trades are commission-free
  • Offers crypto and alternative assets (fine art, collectibles, etc)
  • Investment community (social feed)
  • Supports fractional shares
  • High fees transparency
  • No minimum deposit

Cons

  • Low product offering (no options, mutual funds, precious metals, or bonds)
  • Doesn't offer IRAs
  • Limited investment research
Charles Schwab vs Public.com: 2023 Comparison 3
Charles Schwab vs Public.com: 2023 Comparison 4
  •  
  • General Information
  • Founded in
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocks
  • EU stocks
  • ETFs
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Custody Fee
  • Inactivity Fee
  • Withdrawal Fee
  • Connectivity Fee
  • Currency Conversion Fee
  • Security
  • Regulators
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
  • Charles SchwabAsset 3
  • General Information
  • Founded in1971
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum$0
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)USD: UP to 5.09%
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies*No direct investing - Only offers exposure through ETFs, mutual funds, futures, etc.
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocks$0
  • EU stocksNot Applicable
  • ETFs$0
  • CryptocurrenciesNot Applicable
  • Custody Fee$0
  • Inactivity Fee$0
  • Withdrawal Fee$0
  • Connectivity Fee$0
  • Currency Conversion Fee$0
  • Security
  • RegulatorsSEC and FINRA
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)

    Up to $500,000 for assets (of which up to $250,000 is for cash).

  • Public.comAsset 3
  • General Information
  • Founded in2017
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum$0
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)USD: 5.40%
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocks$0
  • EU stocksNot Applicable
  • ETFs$0
  • Cryptocurrencies$0**Public.com crypto intermediary, Bakkt Crypto, charges a fee starting from $0.49
  • Custody Fee$0
  • Inactivity FeeUp to $5 every 6 months for accounts with less than $20 & no activity for the last 90+ days.
  • Withdrawal Fee$0**ACH withdrawals
  • Connectivity Fee$0
  • Currency Conversion Fee0.75%**For non-USD currency into USD
  • Security
  • RegulatorsSEC and FINRA
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)

    Up to $500,000 for assets (of which up to $250,000 is for cash).

Franklin Carneiro da Silva
Co-Founder & Fintech Analyst

Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.

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