Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Composer vs Public
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Composer |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, BondsCovers more |
| Regulators | SEC, FINRA, SIPCCovers more | FINRA, SEC |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, CorporateCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.060 to $0.18 |
| 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
- Regulators: only Composer offers SIPC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Public: $0 vs $50.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto, Options, Bonds.
- Account types: only Composer offers Corporate.
- Features: only Public offers Crypto, Fractional shares, Options.
Our verdict on each
Composer
Composer is a US broker for retirement money, with a minimum deposit of $50 and a commission-free model (commission free) across its retirement accounts. It suits savers who want a portfolio of stocks and etfs managed for them, and it is regulated by the SEC and FINRA.
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 | Composer | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Costs sit at the floor of the market: a stock trade fee of $0 and an account fee of $0. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 9.1 | 9.2HigherA ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. |
| Trust | 9.8Higher | 9.5 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Composer | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Account types | Composer | Public |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | Composer | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 44 of 490 | 49 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 12 of 85 | 14 of 85 |
| IRA providers | 10 of 43 | 11 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Composer | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Legal entity | COMPOSER SECURITIES LLC | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Composer | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50above the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $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 | Not confirmed | 3.3%above the median | 3% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Composer
Pros
- The regulators are SEC, FINRA and SIPC, and investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000.
- Account types cover ira, roth ira and corporate, which suits ordinary retirement savers as well as company money.
- A mobile app (mobile app) lets you check the account away from a desk.
Cons
- Trading stops at stocks and etfs, so forex, CFDs and crypto sit outside the platform.
- The $50 minimum deposit is above the $0 entry point at CFI and the $5 at Vantage.
- Retail accounts on this site lose money at 70.15% in the median case and 72.03% in the stocks ranking, so a broker-run portfolio still carries real downside.
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
Composer
Who it suits
- Retirement savers who want a broker-run portfolio of stocks and etfs and accept a $50 starting amount.
- Cost-first readers, who get an account fee of $0 and a stock trade fee of $0.
- People happy with US equities and ETFs rather than a long market list; eToro offers stocks, etfs and forex instead.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after forex, CFDs or crypto on the same account, since Composer trades stocks and etfs, while eToro covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Savers who need to start below $50: CFI opens at $0 and Vantage at $5.
- Investors who want a taxable general account, as the account types are ira, roth ira and corporate and centre on retirement and corporate money.
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 | Composer | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Composer
What does it cost to hold a Composer account?+
The account fee is $0 and the stock trade fee is $0, so there is no per-trade charge on a buy or a sell. The minimum deposit is $50 and all amounts are quoted in USD. Check the current pricing before funding, since fee levels are what usually change first.
How much do I need to open an account?+
Composer asks for a minimum deposit of $50. That sits under the site median of €4.64 and under the stocks-ranking median of €6.17, so the entry point is modest for a retirement account. Amounts are quoted in USD.
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.