Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Axos Invest vs Public
Where Axos Invest and Public differ
| Compare | Axos Invest ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds |
| Regulators | SIPC | FINRA, SEC |
| Options contract fee | $0.80 | $0.060 to $0.18Lower |
| Account types | Joint, Roth IRA, IRACovers more | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.3% |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Public scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only Axos Invest offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Public offers FINRA, SEC.
- Options contract fee is lower at Public: $0.060 to $0.18 vs $0.80.
- Markets: only Axos Invest offers Funds.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto, Bonds.
- Account types: only Axos Invest offers Joint.
- Support channels: only Axos Invest offers Chat.
- Support channels: only Public offers Email.
- Features: only Public offers Crypto, Fractional shares, Options.
Our verdict on each
Axos Invest
Axos Invest suits US savers who want a managed ETF portfolio alongside self-directed trading in one account. It earns its place on protection, with SIPC up to USD 500,000, while the options contract fee of $0.80 is the cost to watch if you trade options often.
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 | Axos Invest | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7The $100 entry point sits above the €25 site median, and the ranking on minimum investment is 43 of 82. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 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 | Axos Invest | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Account types | Axos Invest | Public |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | No |
Which one suits you
Pick Axos Invest if account types matter most.
Pick Public if cost, offer, trust, and options contract fee matter most.
If neither fits
Robinhood has options contract fee at $0, against $0.80 for Axos Invest and $0.060 to $0.18 for Public.
Robinhood reviewWhere these facts come from
Axos Invest
- axos.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Public
- public.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Axos Invest | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 172 of 471 | 58 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 59 of 103 | 16 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Axos Invest | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Legal entity | AXOS INVEST LLC | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Axos Invest | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2%lowest quarter | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.80highest quarter | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.3%above the median | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Axos Invest
Pros
- One platform covers the managed portfolio and self-directed dealing across stocks, etfs and options.
- The managed range is ETF based, listed as etf, so diversification comes from funds rather than hand-picked shares.
- A mobile app is included, listed under mobile app, for checking the portfolio away from a desktop.
Cons
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, so there is no phone line listed for account questions.
- Account choice stops at joint, roth ira and ira, so the wrappers offered by some rivals are not part of the platform.
- The managed entry point of $100 sits above the €25 site median, and options add $0.80 a contract on top.
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
Axos Invest
Who it suits
- US savers who want retirement wrappers, since the platform lists joint, roth ira and ira.
- Readers who keep trading costs down, since stock trades cost $0 and the pricing model is commission free.
- Couples investing together, since a joint account forms part of joint, roth ira and ira.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants to begin with no outlay, since Acorns Checking asks $0.
- Readers who prefer a smaller euro ticket, since Vivid Standard opens at €2.
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
Public
Current offer
Bonus
Transfer your portfolio. Earn an uncapped 1% match.: 1% match
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Axos Invest | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Axos Invest
What does it cost to trade stocks and options on Axos Invest?+
Axos Invest charges $0 for a stock trade on the self-directed side, and the pricing model is listed as commission free. Options carry a contract fee of $0.80, so a strategy leaning on options pays more per trade than one that only buys shares and funds.
How much do I need to start a managed portfolio?+
The managed portfolios start at $100, so a single transfer of that size opens the account. That is lighter than eToro, which asks $500 for its portfolios, and it leaves room to add money in stages rather than committing a large sum on day one.
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.
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