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Public.com Review 2025: Is This Investment App Worth Using?
December 12, 2024
In today's digital-first world, investment apps have revolutionized how people build wealth. Public.com has emerged as a noteworthy contender in this space, offering commission-free trading alongside some unique features. But is it the right platform for your investment needs in 2025? This comprehensive review explores Public.com's features, fees, pros, cons, and who might benefit most from using this mobile-first investment platform.
What Is Public.com?
Public.com is an investment platform that offers commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. With a focus on creating an accessible and user-friendly mobile experience, Public.com has positioned itself as a viable alternative to traditional brokerages and other investment apps like Robinhood.
The platform emphasizes social features and transparency, allowing users to build custom investment portfolios and even earn rebates when trading options—a unique feature in the brokerage space.
Key Features of Public.com
Commission-Free Trading
Public.com offers zero-commission trades on stocks, ETFs, and options during regular market hours. This aligns with industry standards set by major brokers, making it competitive in the commission-free space.
Options Trading Rebates
In a truly distinctive offering, Public.com is currently the only broker that pays users to trade options. The platform offers a revenue-sharing program that provides rebates between $0.06 and $0.18 per options transaction, sharing up to 50% of their payment-for-order-flow (PFOF) revenue with users.
The rebate amount increases with your monthly trading volume:
- 0-999 contracts: $0.06 rebate
- 1,000-4,999 contracts: $0.10 rebate
- 5,000-9,999 contracts: $0.14 rebate
- 10,000+ contracts: $0.18 rebate
Investment Plans
Public.com allows users to create customized baskets of stocks, ETFs, or other assets, enabling one-click purchases of multiple investments simultaneously. Users can also set up recurring purchases of these investment baskets, making it easier to implement dollar-cost averaging strategies.
Diverse Asset Selection
The platform offers access to:
- Stocks (including fractional shares)
- ETFs
- Options
- Bonds (corporate and government)
- Cryptocurrencies (31 coins available)
- American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)
- IPO access
High-Yield Cash Account
Uninvested cash can earn over 4% APY in Public.com's high-yield cash account. The platform also offers a Treasury account that allows users to buy six-month Treasury bills for as little as $100.
IRA Accounts
Public.com offers individual retirement accounts (IRAs) with a 1% match on contributions. Uniquely, these IRAs support options trading with the same rebate structure as regular accounts.
Public.com Fees and Pricing
Public.com emphasizes commission-free trading, but there are some fees to be aware of:
Free Services:
- Stock and ETF trades during market hours
- Options trading (with rebates)
- Account opening and maintenance (for active accounts)
Premium Subscription:
- Public Premium: $10/month or $96/year
- Includes Morningstar research, priority customer service, and exemption from fees on OTC trades, after-hours trades, and investment plan trades
Additional Fees:
- After-hours trades: $2.99 (free for Premium members)
- OTC stocks: $2.99 (free for Premium members)
- Multi-asset investment plan trades: $0.49-$1.99 (free for Premium members)
- Cryptocurrency trades: Starting at $0.49 for orders under $10, up to 1.25% for orders over $500 (applies to all users)
- Outgoing ACAT transfer: $75
- Inactivity fee: $3.99/month (for accounts with no activity for six months and balances below $70)
- Instant withdrawals: 3.5% of withdrawal amount (minimum $1)
Security Measures
Public.com implements several security features to protect user assets and information:
- SIPC insurance covering up to $500,000 per account (with a $250,000 cash sublimit)
- Option for up to $100 million in supplemental SIPC coverage
- FDIC insurance of up to $5 million on high-yield cash accounts
- AES 256-bit encryption and TLS 1.2 (or newer) for data protection
One security drawback: The app lacks passcode protection and automatic logout features, which could pose risks if your device is stolen or compromised.
Pros of Public.com
1. Get Paid to Trade Options
The unique rebate structure for options trading sets Public.com apart from competitors and can reduce overall trading costs for active options traders.
2. User-Friendly Mobile Experience
The platform offers a streamlined, intuitive interface that makes buying and selling assets quick and easy, especially for beginners and on-the-go traders.
3. Investment Plans for Portfolio Building
The ability to create customized baskets of investments and set up recurring purchases helps users implement disciplined investment strategies.
4. High-Yield Options for Uninvested Cash
With rates over 4% APY, the platform ensures that even uninvested funds are working for you.
5. Diverse Asset Selection
Access to stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and more provides users with numerous ways to diversify their portfolios.
Cons of Public.com
1. No Mutual Funds
The lack of mutual funds may be a significant drawback for investors who prefer these managed investment vehicles.
2. Limited Account Types
Public.com doesn't offer custodial accounts for minors or international accounts, restricting its accessibility for certain users.
3. Basic Research and Screening Tools
Advanced traders may find the platform's research and screening capabilities somewhat limited compared to traditional brokerages.
4. Limited Customer Support
With support available only via email and chat on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Public.com lags behind competitors that offer phone support and extended hours.
5. Cryptocurrency Fees
While stock and ETF trading is commission-free, crypto trading comes with relatively high fees compared to dedicated crypto exchanges.
Who Should Use Public.com?
Options Traders
With its unique rebate program, Public.com is particularly attractive for active options traders who can benefit from getting paid to make trades.
Mobile-First Investors
Those who prefer trading primarily through a mobile app will appreciate Public.com's streamlined, user-friendly interface.
Beginning Investors
The platform's educational resources and intuitive design make it accessible for those new to investing.
Non-Mutual Fund Investors
If you primarily invest in stocks, ETFs, and options rather than mutual funds, Public.com offers a solid selection of assets.
Alternatives to Consider
If Public.com doesn't quite meet your needs, consider these alternatives:
For Mutual Fund Access:
- Charles Schwab
- E*TRADE
- Firstrade
For Custodial Accounts:
- Interactive Brokers
- Charles Schwab
For Advanced Trading Tools:
- TD Ameritrade
- Fidelity
Conclusion: Is Public.com Worth It in 2025?
Public.com offers a compelling package for several types of investors. Its commission-free trading, options rebates, and user-friendly mobile experience make it particularly attractive for options traders and investors who prioritize simplicity and mobile access.
However, the absence of mutual funds, limited account types, and basic research tools may send some investors looking elsewhere. The additional fees for non-Premium users on certain types of trades could also add up for active traders who don't want to pay for a subscription.
For those who align with Public.com's strengths—particularly options traders and mobile-first investors who don't need mutual funds—the platform represents a solid choice in 2025. Its unique options rebate program alone may make it worth considering for those who frequently trade options.
As with any investment platform, carefully consider your specific needs, trading frequency, and preferred asset types before deciding if Public.com is the right fit for your financial journey.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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