Are you confused about whether to choose Public.com vs Firstrade as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Public.com vs Firstrade 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!
Public.com vs Firstrade: In a Nutshell
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.
US investors looking for US options only
Firstrade is a traditional company founded in 1985 that recently changed its strategy to become a commission-free online trading platform for stocks, ETFs and options.
The broker is considered safe, with a long track record that survived a few crises and top-tier regulators’ supervision.
The main drawbacks are its limited products offering (no European ETFs, stocks,…) and the fact that it only offers fractional shares on reinvested dividends.
Pros and Cons
Public.com
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
Firstrade
Pros
- Commission-free stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trading
- Good research and educational content
- No inactivity fees
- No minimum deposit
Cons
- You can trade only on US markets
- No 24/7 customer support
- No demo account
- No fractional shares
Public.com vs Firstrade: Side-by-side Comparison
- 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)
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.
