Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Public vs Wealthfront
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Public |  Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | SIPC |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more |
| Interest on cash | 3.3% | 3.55%Higher |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | 4.2% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free instant withdrawals |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web, iOS app, Android app |
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 9.1.
- Regulators: only Public offers FINRA, SEC.
- Regulators: only Wealthfront offers SIPC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Public: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Public offers Crypto, Options.
- Markets: only Wealthfront offers Funds.
- Account types: only Wealthfront offers Joint.
- Interest on cash is higher at Wealthfront: 3.55% vs 3.3%.
- Support channels: only Wealthfront offers Phone.
- Features: only Public offers Crypto, Options.
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.
Wealthfront
Wealthfront suits beginners who want their portfolio run for them, with a management fee of 0.25% on automated portfolios and a deposit starting at $1. Commission-free dealing at $0 and free instant withdrawals keep running costs low, though the managed minimum is higher than some rivals.
Score breakdown
| Area | Public | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherStock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. | 9.0Cash pays 3.55%, the account fee is $0 and the management fee of 0.25% sits below 0.4% for robo-advisors here. |
| Offer | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.1 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Public | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Account types | Public | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
Which one suits you
Pick Public if cost, trust, and minimum deposit matter most.
Pick Wealthfront if offer, account types, and interest on cash matter most.
What we checked
Public
- public.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Wealthfront
- wealthfront.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Public | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 58 of 471 | 129 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 15 of 86 | 27 of 86 |
| IRA providers | 11 of 43 | 19 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Public | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile appCovers more | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. | WEALTHFRONT BROKERAGE LLC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2011 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Public | Wealthfront | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $1below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | 4.2%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | 3.3%above the median | 3.55%above the median | 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.
Wealthfront
Pros
- Trading is commission-free, with a stock trade fee of $0 on share dealing.
- The cash account fee is $0, and the management fee on automated portfolios is 0.25%.
- A minimum deposit of $1 and fractional shares make it easy to spread small amounts across stocks, etfs and bonds.
Cons
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre only, which narrows the options for anyone who wants live chat.
- Managed portfolios need $500 to open, well above the typical entry point across the brokers listed here (€25).
- Asset choice stops at stocks, etfs and bonds, so the product list suits long-term holders more than active traders.
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
Wealthfront
Who it suits
- Beginners, since the audience is listed as beginners and the deposit and fee levels keep the entry small.
- US savers building retirement or shared accounts, with ira, roth ira and joint on offer.
- Long-term holders who want a robo portfolio alongside cash, reachable from Web, iOS app and Android app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs a lower floor for managed investing: Axos Invest starts at $100, against $500 here.
- Readers after a plan fee rather than a robo charge, since Vivid Standard charges 0.5% to 1.5%.
Current offers
Public
Current offer
Bonus
Transfer your portfolio. Earn an uncapped 1% match.: 1% match
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Wealthfront
Current offer
Bonus
Cash Account APY Boost: up to 4.45% APY (3.55% base APY as of 09/18/2026)
APY Boost applies up to a $150,000 balance; 3.55% base APY as of 09/18/2026, provided by program banks and subject to change; funds held at program banks
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Public | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Wealthfront
What does Wealthfront charge to manage my portfolio?+
The management fee is 0.25% on automated portfolios, while the cash account fee is $0. Stock trade fees are $0, so for most readers the robo charge is the only recurring cost to weigh against a rival's plan fee.
How much do I need to get started?+
The minimum deposit is $1, so an account can be opened with a small transfer, and instant withdrawals are free if plans change. An automated portfolio needs $500 to open, which is the figure most readers should compare with other robo-advisors.
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