Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Betterment vs Public
Betterment vs Public: the differences
| Compare |  Betterment |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, BondsCovers more |
| Regulators | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Betterment Securities broker dealer member, SIPC | FINRA, SEC |
| Interest on cash | 3.5%Higher | 3.3% |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account 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 fees | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000), Account types (IRA, Roth IRA).
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Key differences
- Betterment scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only Betterment offers U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered investment adviser, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Betterment Securities broker dealer member, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Public offers FINRA, SEC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Public: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto, Options.
- Interest on cash is higher at Betterment: 3.5% vs 3.3%.
- Support channels: only Betterment offers Phone, Chat.
Our verdict on each
Betterment
Betterment suits US savers who want a robo-managed IRA with a flat, low management fee and SIPC cover. It charges a management fee of 0.25%, sits mid-table among robo-advisors on that fee, and offers only IRA and Roth IRA accounts, so UK and European readers may look elsewhere.
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 | Betterment | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Management fee of 0.25% and no account fee, with a minimum investment of $10. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 9.5 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Betterment | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 51906 |
Available in 1 country for both.
How they place
| Ranking | Betterment | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 33 of 490 | 49 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 6 of 85 | 14 of 85 |
| IRA providers | 4 of 43 | 11 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Betterment | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Legal entity | MTG LLC | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2008 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Betterment | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10at the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2%lowest quarter | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0.59 |
| Interest on cash | 3.5%above the median | 3.3%above the median | 3% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Betterment
Pros
- A management fee of 0.25% sits below the robo-advisor median of 0.35%
- An account fee of $0 and a deposit and withdrawal charge listed as No fees
- Covered by SIPC protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- Account types run only to ira and roth ira, so there is no taxable or ISA-style account for UK and European readers
- A management fee of 0.25% still ranks 18 of 49 brands, so cheaper robo-advisors exist
- Markets cover only stocks, etfs and bonds, with no forex, options or crypto trading
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
Betterment
Who it suits
- US savers who want a robo-managed IRA or Roth IRA
- People starting small, with a minimum investment of $10
- Investors who want automated portfolios of etf, esg and cash
Who should look elsewhere
- UK and European readers, since account types cover only ira and roth ira
- Active traders wanting forex, options or crypto beyond the stocks, etfs and bonds it lists
- Anyone seeking a management fee of 0% as at eToro
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
Betterment
Current offer
Bonus
Invest and earn up to $2,000: up to $2,000
Terms apply; new customers only; open any individual investing account and make a deposit
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
0.75% APY boost on Cash Reserve: 0.75% APY boost, 4.25% variable APY on balances up to $1M
New clients with a qualifying deposit; guaranteed through February 15; base variable APY 3.50% as of 9/21/2026; $10 min deposit for base APY
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Discounted mortgage rate through Rate partnership: up to 0.75% off
Via partnership with Rate; terms apply
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 | Betterment | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Betterment
How much does Betterment charge to manage my money?+
The annual management fee is 0.25%, taken as a percentage of the portfolio. That sits below the robo-advisor median of 0.35%, and Betterment ranks 18 of 49 brands on this measure. There is no separate account charge, listed as $0.
Is my money protected if Betterment fails?+
Stated protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, and Betterment appears on the SIPC member register as SIPC member 51906. The cover applies to cash in the brokerage account if the broker-dealer fails, and the legal entity named is MTG LLC. Portfolio market values are not protected by the scheme.
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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