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Interactive Brokers vs Public (2024)
Interactive Brokers vs Public.com—which app is better in 2024? Compare investing accounts, online
trading fees, stock broker extended hours, and differences.
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Interactive Brokers vs. Public.com Introduction
If you're looking for a broker that offers fractional shares, both Public and Interactive Brokers have options for you. Here’s a look at how these two firms compare:
Public and Interactive Brokers Cost
| Broker Fees |
Stock/ETF
Commission |
Mutual Fund
Commission |
Options
Commission |
Maintenance
Fee |
Annual IRA
Fee |
|
Public
|
$0
|
na
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$0
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$0
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$0
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IB
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$0+
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$14.95
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$0.25+ per contract
|
$0-$240**
|
$30
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Public and Interactive Brokers Services
| Broker Review |
Cost |
Investment Products |
Trading Tools |
Customer Service |
Research |
Overall Rating |
|
Public
|
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IB
|
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Open Account
Public:
$20 of an asset of your choice with $1,000 deposit at Public.
Interactive Brokers: Get up to $1,000 of IBKR Stock for FREE!
Securities Offered
Interactive Brokers offers a wide range of investments, including:
- Fixed-income securities
- Precious metals
- Forex
- Structured products
- Contracts for difference
- Futures (including Bitcoin contracts)
- Warrants
- Equities (including OTC and penny stocks)
- Options (including options on futures)
- ETFs
- Mutual funds
- Closed-end funds
- Cryptocurrencies
In addition to its U.S. offerings, Interactive Brokers also provides access to many foreign assets.
Public traders can invest in:
- ETFs
- Stocks (excluding OTC stocks)
- Options
- Closed-end funds
- Cryptocurrencies
Winner: Interactive Brokers
Trading Software
Interactive Brokers offers a desktop platform with professional-level tools, a client portal with robust features, and a browser platform with direct-access routing for IBKR Pro customers. The desktop platform also includes a demo mode for practice.
Public, on the other hand, has a website with no trading capability and no dedicated trading software.
Winner: Interactive Brokers
Mobile Apps
Interactive Brokers' mobile app is packed with advanced features, including AI, horizontal charting with multiple tools, and excellent order tickets.
Public’s app lacks advanced order tickets, horizontal charting, option chains, and AI. However, it does offer a social networking feature that connects users with each other.
Winner: Interactive Brokers
Investment Education
Public offers a few educational articles on topics like:
- What is a stock?
- Bonds – Types and Benefits (even though Public doesn’t offer them)
- How do bear markets recover?
Public’s website also features market movers, a stock value calculator, and online events. Security profiles include news articles, company events, trade suggestions, and market data like market cap.
Interactive Brokers offers a stock screener and more detailed equity profiles, including:
- Option chains
- ESG Ratings
- Price targets
- Analyst recommendations
- Ownership details
- Competitor lists
- Financial statements
Interactive Brokers also has an extensive education hub with resources such as:
- Traders' Academy
- Webinars
- Short Videos
- Traders' Glossary
- Student Trading Lab
- Traders' Calendar
- Live Events
Winner: Interactive Brokers
Day Trading
Extended Hours: Interactive Brokers offers pre-market and after-hours trading, while Public does not.
Level 2 Quotes: Available at Interactive Brokers, but not at Public.
Margin: Interactive Brokers offers some of the lowest margin rates in the industry.
Shorting: Interactive Brokers includes a short locate tool on its website.
Routing Fees and Rebates: Interactive Brokers provides rebates and fees for direct routing.
Winner: Interactive Brokers
Other Services
Dividend Reinvestment Program: Both brokers offer free DRIP services.
IRAs: Interactive Brokers offers IRAs, while Public does not.
Fractional-Share Trading: Both firms allow trading in whole-dollar amounts.
Winner: Interactive Brokers
Promotions
Public:
$20 of an asset of your choice with $1,000 deposit at Public.
Interactive Brokers: Get up to $1,000 of IBKR Stock for FREE!
Our Recommendations
Stock and ETF Trading: Interactive Brokers.
Beginners: Public’s software is easier to use, but IB offers more educational tools. Tie.
Long-Term Investors and Retirement Savers: Interactive Brokers.
Small Accounts: Both Public and IBKR Lite have no ongoing fees or balance requirements.
Public vs Interactive Brokers Summary
Interactive Brokers is the clear winner in this comparison. However, if social networking with other traders is a priority, Public may be the better choice for you.
Open Interactive Brokers Account
Open IB Account
Open Public Account
Open Public Account
Updated on 8/23/2024.
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