Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Moneybox vs Public
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Moneybox |  Public |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Account types | ISA, Lisa, Jisa, SIPP | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.060 to $0.18 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.3% |
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Moneybox offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Regulators: only Public offers FINRA, SEC.
- Markets: only Moneybox offers Funds.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto, Options, Bonds.
- Account types: only Moneybox offers ISA, Lisa, Jisa.
- Account types: only Public offers IRA, Roth IRA.
- Support channels: only Public offers Email.
- Features: only Moneybox offers Demo account.
- Features: only Public offers Crypto, Options.
Our verdict on each
Moneybox
Moneybox trades broad market choice for simplicity by focusing on ISAs, savings and pensions in one place. For newcomers who want everyday saving, first home planning and long term investing guided in plain English, it keeps every goal together for customers across the UK.
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 | Moneybox | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.6Stock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.2HigherA ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.5Higher |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Moneybox | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Account types | Moneybox | Public |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No |
| SIPP | Yes | No |
| IRA | No | Yes |
| Roth IRA | No | Yes |
| Lisa | Yes | No |
| Jisa | Yes | No |
Licences and countries
| Country | Moneybox | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 712935 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Moneybox: 1. Additional countries for Public: 1.
How they place
| Ranking | Moneybox | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 384 of 471 | 58 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 69 of 86 | 15 of 86 |
Where these facts come from
Moneybox
- moneyboxapp.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- moneybox.co.uk: 1 fact, 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 | Moneybox | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Fractional shares, Demo account | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Digital Moneybox Limited | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Moneybox | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | £1 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Moneybox | Public | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.2%lowest quarter | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.3%above the median | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Moneybox
Pros
- Covers cash savings, ISAs, first home saving and pensions together
- Supports combining old pensions into one easy to manage plan
- Welcomes beginners with plain guidance for long term goals
Cons
- Focused range around ISAs, savings and pensions only
- UK centred offer for customers planning home and retirement goals
- Long term focus with less choice for active market trading
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
Moneybox
Who it suits
- First home savers planning a deposit
- Beginners building long term ISA investments
- Pension holders wanting combined pots
Who should look elsewhere
- Active traders seeking wide market choice
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 | Moneybox | Public |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Moneybox
What accounts can you open with Moneybox?+
You can open a Cash ISA for everyday savings, a Lifetime ISA for a first home, and a Stocks and Shares ISA for long term investing. You can also open a Personal Pension and use general savings accounts to build funds for different life goals.
Which countries does Moneybox serve?+
Moneybox serves customers across the UK who want to save, invest and plan retirement in one place. Its Lifetime ISA content focuses on first time home ownership in the UK. Its pension content focuses on finding and combining existing UK pension pots.
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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