Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Charles Schwab vs Public
Charles Schwab vs Public: the differences
| Compare |  Charles Schwab |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds |
| Regulators | SIPC | FINRA, SEC |
| Margin rate | 12.075% | 4.2%Lower |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | $0.060 to $0.18Lower |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Thinkorswim, Schwab Mobile | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.3% |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), 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 9.0.
- Regulators: only Charles Schwab offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Public offers FINRA, SEC.
- Margin rate is lower at Public: 4.2% vs 12.075%.
- Options contract fee is lower at Public: $0.060 to $0.18 vs $0.65.
- Markets: only Charles Schwab offers Futures, Funds.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto.
- Account types: only Charles Schwab offers Joint, Corporate.
- Support channels: only Charles Schwab offers Chat, Phone.
- Support channels: only Public offers Email.
Our verdict on each
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab suits investors who want a wide US market range at a low running cost, with $0 on stock trades and an account fee of $0. It is less suited to those who want forex, CFDs or crypto on the same account.
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 | Charles Schwab | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Stock trades cost $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0. Options contracts add $0.65. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.5Higher |
Which one suits you
Pick Charles Schwab if offer and account types matter most.
Pick Public if cost, trust, margin rate, and options contract fee matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Charles Schwab | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 129 of 490 | 49 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 27 of 85 | 14 of 85 |
| Options trading platforms | 50 of 103 | 15 of 103 |
| Margin trading brokers | 15 of 22 | 7 of 22 |
| IRA providers | 20 of 43 | 11 of 43 |
Sources behind this comparison
Charles Schwab
- schwab.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- moneysmart.hk: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- bankrate.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- public.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Public
- public.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Legal entity | CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Email, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | $5,000 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Charles Schwab | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | 12.075%highest quarter | 4.2%lowest quarter | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0.59 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Charles Schwab
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and there is an account fee of $0, so holding a balance costs nothing to keep open
- No inactivity charge either, with an inactivity fee of $0, so an unused account is not billed
- Markets run stocks, etfs and options, which covers shares, exchange traded funds, options, futures, bonds and funds in one place
Cons
- Options contracts carry a fee of $0.65 each, so a derivative trade costs more than the $0 charged on a stock trade
- The listed markets are stocks, etfs and options, and forex, contracts for difference and crypto are not among them
- Support runs on chat, phone and help centre, and email is not among those channels
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
Charles Schwab
Who it suits
- Investors buying US shares and exchange traded funds who care about what each trade costs
- Retirement savers who want tax-advantaged accounts next to a taxable account
- Fractional share investors building a position gradually with small monthly amounts
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting forex, contracts for difference or crypto, where eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex against Schwab's stocks, etfs and options
- Traders who want a per contract derivative fee waived, since options cost $0.65 here
- Investors starting a managed portfolio with less than the $5,000 the service asks for
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 | Charles Schwab | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Charles Schwab
How much does it cost to trade stocks at Charles Schwab?+
Stock trades cost $0, and there is no account charge on top, with the account fee at $0. Trading is commission free, so the cost of a buy or sell is not driven by a per trade ticket. Options are the exception, priced at $0.65 per contract.
Is there an inactivity fee if I leave my account empty?+
The inactivity fee is $0, so an unused brokerage account is not billed for sitting still. That keeps a dormant account free to hold, which matters if you fund once and add to it occasionally. The same applies to the account fee, which is $0.
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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