Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Lime Financial vs Public
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Lime Financial |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $30,000 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds |
| Regulators | FINRA, NFA | FINRA, SEC |
| Margin rate | 12.5% | 4.2%Lower |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.060 to $0.18 |
| Platforms | Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web, Lime Trader Mobile, Lime Direct, Sterling, CQG, TakeProfit | Not confirmed |
| 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 9.1.
- Regulators: only Lime Financial offers NFA.
- Regulators: only Public offers SEC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Public: $0 vs $30,000.
- Margin rate is lower at Public: 4.2% vs 12.5%.
- Markets: only Lime Financial offers Futures.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto, Bonds.
- Account types: only Lime Financial offers Joint, Corporate.
- Support channels: only Lime Financial offers Phone.
- Features: only Lime Financial offers Futures, Demo account.
Our verdict on each
Lime Financial
Lime Financial suits experienced traders and active day traders who want options and futures on a commission-free basis. Stock trades cost $0 and the account is regulated by FINRA and NFA with SIPC protection, but the account starts at $30,000, so the entry point is the trade-off.
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 | Lime Financial | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, but opening requires $30,000, well past the €4.64 site median. | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. |
| Trust | 9.4 | 9.5Higher |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Lime Financial | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | FINRA 11826 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Feature by feature
| Markets | Lime Financial | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Account types | Lime Financial | Public |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | No |
| Corporate | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | Lime Financial | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 109 of 490 | 49 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 23 of 85 | 14 of 85 |
| Options trading platforms | 41 of 103 | 15 of 103 |
| Margin trading brokers | 14 of 22 | 7 of 22 |
| IRA providers | 17 of 43 | 11 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lime Financial | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Options, Futures, Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Lime Trading Corp. | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2000 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lime Financial | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $30,000highest quarter | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | 12.5%highest quarter | 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
Lime Financial
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 on a commission-free model, so no per-trade charge
- Options and futures are available alongside stocks, etfs and options
- Regulated by FINRA and NFA, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $30,000 puts Lime Financial beyond most starter accounts, ranking 210 of 213 on this measure
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre with no live chat listed
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
Lime Financial
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free options and futures
- Day traders working across Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web and Lime Trader Mobile
- US accounts holders wanting SIPC protection
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners building a first portfolio, who should look at CFI with a $0 entry point
- Small savers, who should compare Vantage at $5
- Readers wanting forex, CFDs or crypto, which sit outside stocks, etfs and options
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 | Lime Financial | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Lime Financial
What does it cost to trade stocks at Lime Financial?+
Stock trades cost $0, and the account runs on a commission-free model. There is no per-trade charge for equities. The catch is the entry requirement: a minimum deposit of $30,000 to open the account.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $30,000. That is a high bar for a first account, ranking 210 of 213 brands on this comparison. Readers with a smaller starting balance would be better served elsewhere.
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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