Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Public vs TradeStation
Where Public and TradeStation differ
| Compare |  Public |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | SIPC |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18Lower | $0.50 |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA | IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%Higher | 0.15% |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Margin rate | 4.2% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | free deposits |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), 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 9.2.
- Regulators: only Public offers FINRA, SEC.
- Regulators: only TradeStation offers SIPC.
- Options contract fee is lower at Public: $0.060 to $0.18 vs $0.50.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Forex, Futures, Funds.
- Account types: only Public offers Roth IRA.
- Account types: only TradeStation offers Joint, Corporate.
- Interest on cash is higher at Public: 3.3% vs 0.15%.
- Support channels: only TradeStation offers Chat, Phone.
- Features: only TradeStation offers Futures.
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.
TradeStation
TradeStation suits experienced traders who want one account spanning stocks, options, futures and forex, and it is headed in the US. Stock trades cost $0, options run $0.50 a contract, deposits are free deposits, and an inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | Public | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. | 9.2Stock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. | 9.4HigherOne account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.2 |
What each covers
| Markets | Public | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Account types | Public | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | No | Yes |
| Corporate | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | Public | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 49 of 490 | 95 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 14 of 85 | 21 of 85 |
| Options trading platforms | 15 of 103 | 35 of 103 |
| IRA providers | 11 of 43 | 15 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Public | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1982 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Public | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.4% |
| Margin rate | 4.2%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0.50below the median | $0.59 |
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.
TradeStation
Pros
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, so equities, derivatives and bonds trade side by side without extra logins.
- Stock trades cost $0 and deposits are free deposits, so there is nothing extra to fund the account.
- Platforms run from TradeStation desktop, web and mobile, so charts and order tickets travel with you between desk and phone.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, so a dormant balance keeps being charged rather than left alone.
- Options contracts are charged at $0.50 each, even though the equity model is listed as commission free and low fees.
- Currency conversion costs 0.5%, so trading across currencies adds a cut to the trade price.
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
TradeStation
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know which markets they want to reach and trade them often
- Day traders who need desktop, web and mobile order entry on one and the same account
- Retirement savers who want one account that also carries options, futures and forex markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who trade a single asset class: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and stops short of the bonds and funds here
- Readers who prefer the eToro route, where stocks, etfs and forex leaves out the bond and fund side of this account
- Readers who want a published entry threshold: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5 against the $0 here
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 | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
TradeStation
How much does TradeStation charge to buy shares?+
Stock trades are commission free at $0, and options are charged separately at $0.50 per contract. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, while deposits are free deposits, so the everyday cost of trading sits in the currency line rather than the share price.
Is my money protected at TradeStation?+
TradeStation sits under SIPC in the US, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a member reference of SIPC member 48711. That cover applies to securities held if the firm fails, not to losses on a falling position.