★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
National Bank Direct Brokerage vs Public.com
Pick National Bank Direct Brokerage if
National Bank Direct Brokerage
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.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
National Bank Direct Brokerage 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
National Bank Direct Brokerage
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Public.com
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- National Bank Direct BrokerageAdds 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 National Bank Direct Brokerage | Visit Public.com |
Where each one shines
What National Bank Direct Brokerage and Public.com each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What National Bank Direct Brokerage and Public.com each do best.What National Bank Direct Brokerage does best
- $0 online Canadian and U.S. stock and ETF commissions.
- Online options at $1.25 per contract with a $6.25 minimum.
- CAD and USD cash, margin, short-selling and major registered accounts.
- Mutual funds, GICs, bonds, debentures and other fixed-income access.
- Canada and Quebec tax slips and annual tax guidance.
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 National Bank Direct Brokerage and Public.com, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for National Bank Direct Brokerage 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 | National Bank Financial Inc.Country: CanadaSupport: Phone, Email, 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 National Bank Direct Brokerage and Public.com?
National Bank Direct Brokerage 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 National Bank Direct Brokerage 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 National Bank Direct Brokerage and Public.com cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds. National Bank Direct Brokerage also handles mutual funds.
Can I export data from National Bank Direct Brokerage 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 National Bank Direct Brokerage or Public.com?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
Keep researching
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
Feedback
Spot stale pricing, missing features, or a comparison that feels off? Send feedback on the verdict, table, alternatives, or recommendation.
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.