Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Public vs Tradier
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Public |  Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $500 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds | Stocks, Options, Futures, Crypto, Forex, ETFs |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | FINRA, SIPC |
| Margin rate | 4.2%Lower | 9.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18Lower | $0.35 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $120 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | $30 per wire |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Tradier Pro, Tradier Web, Tradier Mobile |
| 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 9.0.
- Regulators: only Public offers SEC.
- Regulators: only Tradier 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 $0.35.
- Markets: only Public offers Bonds.
- Markets: only Tradier offers Futures, Forex.
- Features: only Public offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only Tradier 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.
Tradier
Tradier is a US broker for experienced traders and day traders who want commission-free stock dealing across stocks, options, futures, crypto, forex and ETFs. Stock trades cost $0 and the account fee is $120, though a minimum deposit of $500 puts a floor under the account.
Score breakdown
| Area | Public | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. | 8.7Stock trades are commission-free at $0, but the account fee of $120 and wire charges of $30 per wire weigh on totals. |
| Offer | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.1 |
What each covers
| Markets | Public | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | Public | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 58 of 471 | 151 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 16 of 103 | 54 of 103 |
| Margin trading brokers | 7 of 22 | 17 of 22 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Public | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| United States | FINRA 104982 SIPC SIPC member 52972 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Where these facts come from
Public
- public.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Tradier
- tradier.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Public | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app | Crypto, Futures, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. | TRADIER BROKERAGE INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2012 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Public | Tradier | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $500highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $120highest quarter | $0 |
| Margin rate | 4.2%lowest quarter | 9.75%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0.35lowest quarter | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 134 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.
Tradier
Pros
- Stock trades are commission-free at $0
- Deals in stocks, options and futures from one account
- Accounts run on Tradier Pro, Tradier Web and Tradier Mobile
Cons
- The account fee of $120 applies where most rivals charge nothing
- Funding and withdrawals cost $30 per wire
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no phone or live chat line
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
Tradier
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who place regular stock, options and futures orders
- Day traders working across several markets at once
- US residents who want a regulated broker with SIPC cover
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if a free account fee matters more than a US-only setup
- CFI, if you want to start funding with a smaller minimum deposit
- Vantage, if a lower minimum deposit is the priority
Current offers
Public
Current offer
Bonus
Transfer your portfolio. Earn an uncapped 1% match.: 1% match
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Tradier
Current offer
Free trial
Get full access to Pro or Pro Plus - free for 2 months: 2 months free
$500 minimum deposit within 30 days, new customers only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Public | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Tradier
What does Tradier charge for buying stocks?+
Stock trades are commission-free, with a stock trade fee of $0. The account fee of $120 still applies, and options contracts cost $0.35 each. Many rivals keep the account fee at $0, so weigh that against your trade volume.
Is there an account fee at Tradier?+
Yes. The account fee is $120, which ranks the broker near the back of the field on this measure. If you would rather pay nothing on an idle account, eToro lists an account fee of $0.
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