Are you confused about whether to choose Public.com vs Interactive Brokers as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Public.com vs Interactive Brokers 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 Interactive Brokers: 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.
Every investor (best overall)
Interactive Brokers is a global online broker and publicly listed company which surpassed major financial crises, showing resilience and a rigorous risk management process.
It offers an advanced investment platform that includes a wide range of products (stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, futures, bonds, and currencies) from 150 markets.
Beginners and intermediate investors have educational tools to explore, but the learning curve will be steep. Interactive Brokers also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs.
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
Interactive Brokers
Pros
- Low commissions on US stock trading (for EUR based accounts)
- No monthly inactivity fee
- The broadest product and markets range in the brokerage industry
- Demo account
- Excellent reputation (founded in 1978)
- Extensive research and Education tools
- Has a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs, ideal for novice investors, IBKR GlobalTrader.
Cons
- Complicated and lengthy account opening process (but fully online)
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Website is difficult to navigate
- Interactive Advisors (Robo-advisor feature) is only available for US customers
Public.com vs Interactive Brokers: 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.
