Empower vs Public - BrokerCue
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Broker Comparison

Empower vs Public

Compare Empower and Public side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Empower

Empower

High-balance hybrid advisory clients

Empower is a US hybrid robo-advisor combining automated portfolio management with access to human financial a…

VS
Public

Public

Active investors who want options rebates and API access

Public is a US multi-asset investing platform offering stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, crypto, margin, AI tools…

Head-to-head comparison

Empower vs Public
Feature Empower Public
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee Commission-free trading on investment accounts $0 for regular market-hours US-listed stocks and ETFs; $2.99 per extended-hours trade; OTC stocks $2.99 per trade
Regulators SEC, FINRA, SIPC SEC, FINRA, SIPC, FDIC, NYSDFS
Best for High-balance hybrid advisory clients Active investors who want options rebates and API access
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
-
Bonds
Options
-
Funds
-
Ready Made Portfolios
-
Investment Plans
Money Market Funds
-
Fractional Shares
-
Margin
-

Pros & cons

Empower

Empower

Pros

  • Comprehensive free financial dashboard with net worth, retirement planner and fee analyzer
  • Hybrid model gives access to human advisors alongside automated portfolio management
  • Tax-loss harvesting and tax location strategy included in advisory fee
  • Tiered fees decrease as assets grow, reaching 0.49% above $10 million
  • Client assets held at established independent custodians with SIPC protection
  • High-yield cash account with FDIC insurance up to $5 million
  • Dedicated advisors and estate planning access at higher asset tiers
  • Commission-free trading on investment accounts

Cons

  • $100,000 minimum investment required to access any managed advisory services
  • Advisory fee of 0.89% on the first $1 million is high relative to robo-only competitors
  • No direct-to-consumer trading platform for active self-directed trading
  • No demo account available
  • No support for forex, CFDs, futures or options trading
  • Tax and estate planning features restricted to higher asset tiers
  • Free tools may prompt upsells for users approaching the $100,000 threshold
Public

Public

Pros

  • $0 regular-hours US stock and ETF trades
  • Options rebates of $0.06-$0.18 per stock or ETF contract
  • Margin rates range from 4.90% to 4.25%
  • Public API supports programmatic trading
  • High-Yield Cash Account pays 3.30% APY with no fees
  • Direct indexing starts with as little as $1,000
  • SIPC protection up to $500,000 for cash and securities
  • FDIC protection up to $5 million for High-Yield Cash Account

Cons

  • $2.99 extended-hours stock and ETF trades without Premium
  • OTC stock trades cost $2.99 without Premium
  • Inactivity fee is $3.99 every month
  • Outgoing ACAT transfers cost $100
  • Instant Withdrawals cost up to 3.5%, minimum $1
  • Crypto assets are not FDIC or SIPC insured
  • Fractional shares are not transferable outside Public
  • Premium costs $10 monthly or $96 annually unless waived
Empower

Empower

Empower is a US hybrid robo-advisor combining automated portfolio management with access to human financial advisors, built on the foundation of Personal Capital.

Visit Empower Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Public

Public

Public is a US multi-asset investing platform offering stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, crypto, margin, AI tools, a trading API and cash products.

Visit Public Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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