Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ChoiceTrade vs Public
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ChoiceTrade |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, BondsCovers more |
| Regulators | SIPC | FINRA, SEC |
| Options contract fee | $0.40 | $0.060 to $0.18Lower |
| Account fee | $10 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2% |
| Platforms | ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite, Mobile Apps | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA |
| 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 8.9.
- Regulators: only ChoiceTrade offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Public offers FINRA, SEC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Public: $0 vs $100.
- Options contract fee is lower at Public: $0.060 to $0.18 vs $0.40.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto, Bonds.
- Support channels: only ChoiceTrade offers Phone.
- Support channels: only Public offers Help centre.
- Features: only ChoiceTrade offers Demo account.
- Features: only Public offers Crypto, Fractional shares, Options.
Our verdict on each
ChoiceTrade
ChoiceTrade runs commission-free stock and ETF dealing, with an account fee of $10 and a minimum deposit of $100. It suits experienced US traders who want a long-standing, SIPC protected broker and do not mind paying to hold the account. Options cost $0.40 per contract.
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 | ChoiceTrade | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Trade fee of $0 is the cheapest measure, offset by an account fee of $10 and an options fee of $0.40 per contract | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.2HigherA ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. |
| Trust | 8.9 | 9.5Higher |
Feature by feature
| Markets | ChoiceTrade | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | ChoiceTrade | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 156 of 471 | 58 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 55 of 103 | 16 of 103 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | ChoiceTrade | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 52511 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Where these facts come from
ChoiceTrade
- choicetrade.com: 12 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
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ChoiceTrade | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | LETSGOTRADE INC | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2000 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ChoiceTrade | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $10above the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2%lowest quarter | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.40below the median | $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
ChoiceTrade
Pros
- Stock trades carry a fee of $0 and rank first among 161 brands on that measure
- Members of SIPC, with protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Trading platforms include ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite and Mobile Apps, so orders can go from desktop to phone
Cons
- An account fee of $10 applies, which ranks 114 of 138 on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 ranks 148 of 213
- The audience is listed as experienced traders, so a first account may feel technical
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
ChoiceTrade
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free stock and ETF dealing on a US account
- Investors who value SIPC protection and a long operating history
- Anyone who wants demo practice before committing real money
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, which charges an account fee of $0
- CFI, which takes a minimum deposit of $0
- Vantage, whose minimum deposit is $5
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 | ChoiceTrade | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
ChoiceTrade
What does it cost to trade stocks at ChoiceTrade?+
Stock dealing is commission free, with a trade fee of $0. That is the measure on which the brand ranks 1 of 161, so trading itself adds nothing to the cost of a position.
Is there an account fee or minimum deposit?+
Yes. The account fee is $10 and the minimum deposit is $100. On account fee the brand ranks 114 of 138, so this is where it costs more than cheaper rivals.
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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