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Broker Comparison

Interactive Brokers vs Public

Compare Interactive Brokers and Public side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Active investors and multi-asset traders

Interactive Brokers is a multi-asset broker with stocks, ETFs, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds and…

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

Interactive Brokers vs Public
Feature Interactive Brokers Public
Minimum deposit — —
Stock trading fee — $0 for regular market-hours US-listed stocks and ETFs; $2.99 per extended-hours trade; OTC stocks $2.99 per trade
Regulators SEC, CFTC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SEBI, MAS, CIRO SEC, FINRA, SIPC, FDIC, NYSDFS
Best for Active investors and multi-asset traders Active investors who want options rebates and API access
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
—
Crypto
Bonds
Options
Futures
—
Funds
—
Fractional Shares
Investment Plans
Margin
Multi Currency
—
Demo Account
—

Pros & cons

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Pros

  • $0 Lite commissions on US stocks and ETFs
  • IBKR Pro stocks from USD 0.0005 per share
  • US options from USD 0.15 per contract
  • Margin loans start at USD 4.14%
  • Cash interest up to USD 3.14%
  • No inactivity fees
  • No minimums for general investment accounts
  • Paper trading with simulated funds

Cons

  • IBKR Pro stocks cost up to USD 0.0035 per share
  • IBKR Lite stock orders include PFOF
  • US options cost up to USD 0.65 per contract
  • Crypto execution and custody are for eligible clients
  • Forecast contracts are limited to eligible clients
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
Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers is a multi-asset broker with stocks, ETFs, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds and crypto across web, mobile and desktop platforms.

Visit Interactive Brokers 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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