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Broker Comparison

Public vs SMARTBROKER+

Compare Public and SMARTBROKER+ side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

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…

VS
SMARTBROKER+

SMARTBROKER+

German investors seeking low-cost ETF trading

SMARTBROKER+ is a German online broker offering stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, derivatives and crypto with free …

Head-to-head comparison

Public vs SMARTBROKER+
Feature Public SMARTBROKER+
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 EUR 0 via gettex (orders >= EUR 500); EUR 1 via gettex (orders < EUR 500); EUR 4 flat at Tradegate, Lang & Schwarz and other exchanges
Regulators SEC, FINRA, SIPC, FDIC, NYSDFS BaFin
Best for Active investors who want options rebates and API access German investors seeking low-cost ETF trading
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
Bonds
Options
-
Fractional Shares
-
Investment Plans
Margin
Funds
-

Pros & cons

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
SMARTBROKER+

SMARTBROKER+

Pros

  • Free custody and account management
  • No deposit, withdrawal or inactivity fees
  • Commission-free gettex trading for orders of EUR 500 or more
  • Over 4,600 savings plans with free execution for ETFs, stocks, funds and crypto ETPs
  • Access to 9 domestic and 18 international exchanges
  • Bonds trading available since April 2024
  • Weekend trading available since November 2025
  • Deposit protection up to EUR 100,000 via statutory scheme plus voluntary fund

Cons

  • No demo account available
  • No joint or junior accounts
  • Platform and customer support primarily in German
  • EUR 4 flat fee at exchanges other than gettex
  • Currency conversion cost of approximately 0.25% on international trades
  • No source tax recovery service
  • Mixed customer reviews on Trustpilot regarding customer support response times
  • Parent company has reported losses in recent years
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.

SMARTBROKER+

SMARTBROKER+

SMARTBROKER+ is a German online broker offering stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, derivatives and crypto with free custody and commission-free gettex trading from EUR 500.

Visit SMARTBROKER+ Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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