Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Public vs SogoTrade
Where Public and SogoTrade differ
| Compare |  Public |  SogoTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $500 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | FINRA, SIPC |
| Margin rate | 4.2%Lower | 9.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18Lower | $0.50 |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | SogoTrade NextGen, SogoOptions, Mobile app |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | Not confirmed |
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 9.3.
- Regulators: only Public offers SEC.
- Regulators: only SogoTrade offers SIPC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Public: $0 vs $500.
- Margin rate is lower at Public: 4.2% vs 9.75%.
- Options contract fee is lower at Public: $0.060 to $0.18 vs $0.50.
- Markets: only SogoTrade offers Funds.
- Support channels: only Public offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only SogoTrade offers Chat, Phone.
- Features: only Public offers Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
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.
SogoTrade
SogoTrade is a US broker for experienced traders who want share dealing without commission, plus options, crypto and margin in one account. Its catch is the entry cost: a minimum deposit of $500 and an options contract fee of $0.50 for anyone trading contracts.
Score breakdown
| Area | Public | SogoTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. | 8.8 |
| Offer | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.5 | 9.5 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Public | SogoTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 49 of 490 | 72 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 15 of 103 | 25 of 103 |
| Margin trading brokers | 7 of 22 | 13 of 22 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Public | SogoTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Public | SogoTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile appCovers more | Crypto, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Beginners |
| Legal entity | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. | SOGOTRADE INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Public | SogoTrade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $500highest quarter | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | 4.2%lowest quarter | 9.75%above the median | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0.50below the median | $0.59 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
SogoTrade
Pros
- Share dealing is commission-free, with the model listed as commission free.
- A single account spans stocks, etfs and options.
- Registration with FINRA and SIPC and investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000.
Cons
- A minimum deposit of $500 places it at position 178 of 213 on the site.
- Options trading carries a contract fee of $0.50, so frequent contract traders pay a running cost on top of share dealing.
- Margin is priced at 9.75%, so borrowed positions cost more than cash ones.
Who each suits
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
SogoTrade
Who it suits
- Traders comfortable with options and margin, since crypto, options and mobile app sits alongside core share dealing.
- US accounts, since the firm is based in the United States.
- People who want one login across SogoTrade NextGen, SogoOptions and mobile app.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI if a free minimum deposit matters, because CFI asks for $0 against $500 here.
- Vantage if you want to start small, with a minimum deposit of $5.
- eToro if you trade forex and CFDs, since stocks, etfs and forex lists markets outside the SogoTrade range.
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 | Public | SogoTrade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
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.
SogoTrade
What does SogoTrade charge to trade shares?+
Stock trades are priced at $0 under a commission free model, so share dealing carries no commission. You still need a minimum deposit of $500 before orders can be placed. Charges beyond that sit on options, at $0.50 per contract, and on margin, at 9.75%.
How much is the minimum deposit?+
Opening the account takes a minimum deposit of $500, which is far from a casual entry and places SogoTrade at position 178 of 213 on the site. Traders wanting a lighter start can compare $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.