Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Acorns Checking vs Public
Acorns Checking vs Public: the differences
| Compare |  Acorns Checking |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, BondsCovers more |
| Regulators | FDIC | FINRA, SEC |
| Account types | IRA | IRA, Roth IRACovers more |
| Interest on cash | 3.59%Higher | 3.3% |
| Account fee | $48 to $144 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.060 to $0.18 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | no hidden fees | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Acorns mobile app | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Public scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Regulators: only Acorns Checking offers FDIC.
- Regulators: only Public offers FINRA, SEC.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto, Options.
- Account types: only Public offers Roth IRA.
- Interest on cash is higher at Acorns Checking: 3.59% vs 3.3%.
- Support channels: only Public offers Email.
- Features: only Acorns Checking offers Demo account.
- Features: only Public offers Crypto, Options.
Our verdict on each
Acorns Checking
Acorns Checking suits beginners in the US who want a robo-managed app next to a cash account, with fractional shares and a demo account on the side. The minimum investment is $0 and it sits at 1 on that measure across 82 brands, and investor protection runs through SIPC.
Public
Public suits people building a retirement account who care most about what a trade costs and where the money sits. Stock trades are $0, the account opens from $0, and protection runs to SIPC up to USD 500,000 in the US.
Score breakdown
| Area | Acorns Checking | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.9HigherStock trades cost $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, but the account fee runs $48 to $144. | 9.6Stock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.2HigherA ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. |
| Trust | 8.7 | 9.5Higher |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Acorns Checking | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Acorns Checking | Public |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | No | Yes |
Also worth a look
Nexo has interest on cash at 13%, against 3.59% for Acorns Checking and 3.3% for Public.
Nexo reviewHow they place
| Ranking | Acorns Checking | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 105 of 471 | 58 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 23 of 86 | 15 of 86 |
| IRA providers | 16 of 43 | 11 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Acorns Checking | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app, Demo account | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Acorns Grow Incorporated | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Acorns Checking | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $48 to $144highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2%lowest quarter | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Acorns Checking
Pros
- Entry is $0, against $500 for eToro portfolios and $100 for Axos Invest managed portfolios, so small sums are enough to begin.
- Fractional shares, a mobile app and a demo account all sit in the feature list (fractional shares, mobile app and demo account), so you can try the app and build positions in parts before committing more.
- Regulated in the US by the FDIC, with SIPC protection on file, so the money sits inside a named US regulator and scheme.
Cons
- The account fee runs $48 to $144 while the median account fee across the site is €0, so the charge is the line to weigh against a small balance.
- Support runs on help centre only, so there is no route on file to a call or a live chat reply for anything urgent.
- The account types listed are ira only, so a UK ISA or a pension container is not on the list for readers in the UK and Europe.
Public
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0, so a regular monthly purchase is not eaten by commission.
- The account opens from $0, which is below the €4.64 typical minimum across the brokers on our data.
- Cash parked in the high-yield account earns 3.3% while it waits to be invested.
Cons
- Options contracts add a fee of $0.06 to $0.18 each, on top of the premium you pay for the option itself.
- Margin borrowing runs at 4.2%, so borrowed positions carry an interest charge that keeps accruing.
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so there is no phone line for questions about a transfer or a tax form.
Who each suits
Acorns Checking
Who it suits
- US beginners, since the audience on file is beginners and a minimum investment of $0 keeps the first decision small.
- People who want a cash account and an invested portfolio in the same place, with fractional shares in the feature list (fractional shares, mobile app and demo account).
- Investors happy to hand selection to a robo portfolio rather than pick shares, given portfolio types of etf, esg and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone budgeting around a UK ISA or a pension wrapper: the account types here are ira only, while an ISA appears on 22% of the brands on the site, so eToro or Vivid Standard serve that audience better.
- Readers who prefer a larger opening commitment alongside a managed portfolio, since Axos Invest starts at $100 where this one starts at $0.
Public
Who it suits
- You are saving for retirement in the US and want commission-free stock trades in one account
- You want to hold spare cash at a stated rate while you decide what to buy
- You are starting with small amounts and want fractional shares rather than whole shares
Who should look elsewhere
- You need forex, CFDs or futures, which CFI and eToro both list in stocks, etfs and forex and stocks, etfs and forex
- You want a UK ISA or SIPP wrapper, neither of which appears in ira and roth ira
- You want to talk to a broker on the phone, since support covers email and help centre
Current offers
Acorns Checking
Current offer
Bonus
Investinall bet loss match: $50
Sitewide banner: lost a bet, we match it up to $50 and invest it for you; terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Acorns Later 3% IRA match: 3% of new IRA contributions in the first year (up to $225)
Acorns Gold subscription exclusive, first year with Acorns Gold, new contributions only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Public
Current offer
Bonus
Transfer your portfolio. Earn an uncapped 1% match.: 1% match
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Acorns Checking | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Acorns Checking
What does it cost to hold an Acorns Checking account?+
Trading is the cheap part: a stock trade costs $0 and the pricing model is commission free, so buying small amounts of shares adds no commission to the bill. The charge sits elsewhere, in the account fee, which runs $48 to $144, and the inactivity fee is $0, so a dormant account is not penalised. Weigh the subscription line against the size of your balance.
How much do I need to open an account?+
Less than most rivals. The minimum deposit is $0 and the minimum investment is $0, so there is no practical floor to clear before you start. For comparison, eToro's portfolio route starts at $500, Axos Invest's managed portfolios at $100 and Vivid Standard at €2. Small sums are enough to begin here.
Public
Is Public really commission free for stock trades?+
Yes. A stock trade costs $0, so buying shares itself carries no charge. The costs sit elsewhere: options contracts cost $0.06 to $0.18 each, and margin borrowing runs at 4.2%. A simple monthly share purchase only pays the trade charge of $0.
What is the minimum deposit at Public?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened and funded from a very small amount. That is well under the €4.64 typical minimum across the brokers on our data, where the upper quartile sits at €87.70. No threshold has to be cleared before the first trade.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Public vs Nexo
- Acorns Checking vs Charles Schwab
- Acorns Checking vs Ally Bank
- Acorns Checking vs Wealthfront
- Acorns Checking vs Webull
- Acorns Checking vs tastytrade
- Acorns Checking vs M1
- Acorns Checking vs Optimus Futures
- Acorns Checking vs Freetrade
- Acorns Checking vs Firstrade
- Acorns Checking vs Trading 212
- Acorns Checking vs Moneyfarm
- Acorns Checking vs Axos Invest
- Acorns Checking vs bevestor
- Acorns Checking vs Consorsbank
- Acorns Checking vs ActivTrades
- Public vs XTB
- Acorns Checking vs NAGA
- Acorns Checking vs eToro
- Public vs Mintos
- Acorns Checking vs Bitpanda
- Acorns Checking vs Robinhood
- Public vs EBC Financial Group
- Acorns Checking vs CapTrader
- Acorns Checking vs Revolut UK