★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
BMO InvestorLine vs Public.com
Pick BMO InvestorLine if
BMO InvestorLine
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Pick Public.com if
Public.com
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Skip both if: These two cover the same ground; it really comes down to price and which interface you enjoy using.
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Our take
The bottom line
BMO InvestorLine and Public.com cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. On paper they're closely matched, so let pricing, platform fit, and the details below break the tie.
What readers say
BMO InvestorLine
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Public.com
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- BMO InvestorLineAdds mutual funds
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 5 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Try it | Visit BMO InvestorLine | Visit Public.com |
Where each one shines
What BMO InvestorLine and Public.com each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What BMO InvestorLine and Public.com each do best.What BMO InvestorLine does best
- Canadian and U.S. stocks and ETFs with standard and active pricing.
- More than 100 selected ETFs eligible for conditional $0 commissions.
- Options, mutual funds, bonds, GICs, CDRs and IPO access.
- CAD and USD non-registered and major Canadian registered accounts.
- BMO bank transfers, external bill payments and account transfers.
What Public.com does best
- Regular-hours U.S.-listed stock and ETF trades with $0 stated commission.
- Listed stock and ETF options with no base commission or standard contract fee.
- Eligible stock and ETF fractions from $5, with security and transfer limitations.
- Cash or margin brokerage plus Traditional and Roth IRA registrations.
- Recurring Investment Plans spanning up to 20 stock and ETF symbols per purchase.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for BMO InvestorLine and Public.com, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for BMO InvestorLine and Public.com, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsBonds | StocksETFsOptionsBonds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: CAIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | BMO InvestorLine Inc.Country: CanadaSupport: Phone and Chat | Open to the Public Investing, Inc.Country: United StatesSupport: Chat and Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | Free“Standard” |
| Entry paid plan | — | $10/mo“Public Premium” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between BMO InvestorLine and Public.com?
BMO InvestorLine leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Public.com puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do BMO InvestorLine and Public.com cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
What asset classes do BMO InvestorLine and Public.com cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds. BMO InvestorLine also handles mutual funds.
Can I export data from BMO InvestorLine and Public.com?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with BMO InvestorLine or Public.com?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.