Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Public vs Webull
Public vs Webull: the differences
| Compare |  Public |  Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | FINRA, SEC, SIPCCovers more |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18 | $0Lower |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRACovers more | IRA |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | 4.2% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | $0 incoming stock transfer |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Desktop, Mobile, Web |
| 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
- Webull scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only Webull offers SIPC.
- Options contract fee is lower at Webull: $0 vs $0.060 to $0.18.
- Markets: only Webull offers Futures, Funds.
- Account types: only Public offers Roth IRA.
- Support channels: only Webull offers Phone.
- Features: only Webull offers Demo account, 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.
Webull
Webull suits US retail investors who want a single app for stocks, options, futures, crypto and retirement saving, and the fee line is the draw: a stock trade costs $0. Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, though the account range is narrow.
Score breakdown
| Area | Public | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6Stock trades cost $0, options contracts run $0.06 to $0.18 and margin borrowing starts at 4.2%. | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 9.2A ira and roth ira account covers stocks, etfs and crypto plus a mobile app and fractional shares. | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.5 | 9.8Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | Public | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 49 of 490 | 36 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 14 of 85 | 7 of 85 |
| Options trading platforms | 15 of 103 | 8 of 103 |
| IRA providers | 11 of 43 | 5 of 43 |
Pick Public if, pick Webull if
Pick Public if account types matter most.
Pick Webull if trust, markets, regulators, and options contract fee matter most.
Licences and countries
| Country | Public | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71394 |
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
Webull
- webull.com: 9 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 | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Open to the Public Investing, Inc. | WEBULL FINANCIAL LLC |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Public | Webull | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | 4.2%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | $0.060 to $0.18lowest quarter | $0lowest quarter | $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.
Webull
Pros
- A stock trade costs $0 and an options contract $0 on the ira account.
- Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, with registration under FINRA, SEC and SIPC.
- A single app covers stocks, etfs and options, so shares, bonds, funds, options, futures and crypto sit together.
Cons
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre, with no live chat listed.
- Account choice is narrow, with ira the only type listed.
- Across the brokers compared, the middle retail loss share is 70.15% and the top of the range 88%.
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
Webull
Who it suits
- US retail investors who want stocks, options, futures and crypto under a single login
- Beginners using the demo account in crypto, demo account and fractional shares before committing money
- Retirement savers who want $0 stock trades in the same app
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if you want forex and CFDs, since stocks, etfs and forex include them
- CFI, if your focus is forex and CFDs rather than stocks, etfs and options
- Vantage, if you trade metals and CFDs, which its forex, cfds and stocks cover
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 | Webull |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Webull
What does it cost to trade?+
A stock trade costs $0 and an options contract $0, on the ira account. The pricing model is commission free, and incoming stock transfers are free. Costs stay low, though they do not decide whether a trade makes money.
Is my money protected if the firm fails?+
Accounts sit with WEBULL FINANCIAL LLC. Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, and registration with FINRA, SEC and SIPC applies, with SIPC membership listed as SIPC member 71394. Low costs do not change that, so weigh the retail loss figures before you trade.
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