Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FXTM vs Public
FXTM vs Public: the differences
| Compare | FXTM ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, Metals | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds |
| Regulators | FCA, CySEC | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $5 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 88% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.060 to $0.18 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit fees; withdrawal fees vary by method | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Desktop, Mobile App, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:2000 | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.3% |
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Key differences
- Public scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.3.
- Regulators: only FXTM offers FCA, CySEC.
- Regulators: only Public offers FINRA, SEC.
- FXTM is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Public: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only FXTM offers Forex, CFDs, Futures.
- Markets: only Public offers Options.
- Support channels: only Public offers Email.
- Features: only FXTM offers Demo account, Copy trading.
- Features: only Public offers Fractional shares, Options.
Our verdict on each
FXTM
FXTM suits traders who want forex, CFDs, futures, crypto and shares under one account, with retail leverage of 1:2000 and dual regulation behind the money. Costs are the compromise: entry is light, but support runs on help centre only, and a dormant account is charged rather than left free.
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 | FXTM | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0Entry costs are light, with a $10 starting deposit and No deposit fees; withdrawal fees vary by method, though dormant accounts pay $5. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 9.3Higher | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. |
| Trust | 9.5 | 9.5 |
How they place
| Ranking | FXTM | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 68 of 471 | 58 of 471 |
What each covers
| Markets | FXTM | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Metals | Yes | No |
Licences and countries
| Country | FXTM | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Sources behind this comparison
FXTM
- fxtm.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokersway.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- trade-leader.com: 2 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 | FXTM | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app, Crypto | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FXTM | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $5above the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 88%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2%lowest quarter | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
FXTM
Pros
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex.
- The FCA and CySEC both appear under FCA and CySEC, with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients.
- Trading runs on Desktop, Mobile App and MetaTrader 4, and demo account, copy trading and mobile app adds a demo account and copy trading.
Cons
- Dormant balances are charged $5, a cost active traders never meet.
- Support runs on help centre only.
- Leverage of 1:2000 magnifies losses, and 88% of retail accounts lose money.
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
FXTM
Who it suits
- Traders who want forex, CFDs, futures, crypto and shares in one place from a $10 start.
- Newcomers who want a demo account and copy trading through demo account, copy trading and mobile app.
- Clients who want regulation in the UK and Cyprus under FCA and CySEC.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants to open with nothing: CFI has a $0 minimum.
- Traders focused on shares, ETFs and crypto rather than bonds and metals: eToro's markets are stocks, etfs and forex.
- Small accounts wanting a cheaper opening: Vantage starts at $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 | FXTM | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
FXTM
What does it cost to open and keep an FXTM account?+
Opening an account starts at $10, and the deposit and withdrawal terms read No deposit fees; withdrawal fees vary by method. The fee to watch is the inactivity charge of $5, which bites once an account sits idle, so running costs stay low only while you keep trading.
Is my money protected at FXTM?+
FXTM is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, and the investor protection stated is FSCS up to GBP 85,000. That cover sits with the regulated entity holding the account, so check which one your account is opened with before treating the protection as your own.
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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