★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Source checks: Public.com checked July 17, 2026 · Robinhood checked July 16, 2026
Tool Comparison
Public.com vs Robinhood
Pick Public.com if
Public.com
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about watchlist and downloadable tax reports, things Robinhood doesn't offer
Pick Robinhood if
Robinhood
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Mobile · Web
- You care about wealth management, something Public.com doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
Public.com and Robinhood cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, brokerage, portfolio, and options), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. The real difference is focus: only Public.com gives you watchlist and downloadable tax reports, and only Robinhood gives you wealth management.
What readers say
Public.com
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Robinhood
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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 | — | 30 days |
Plan limits | — | 5 limits: Standard (Self-directed brokerage): index options contract fee: $0.50 per contract (non-Gold), Robinhood Gold (Monthly): interest free margin borrowing: $1,000 +3 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
Integrations | — | EDX Markets and Bitstamp USA |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Retail Traders and Pro Retail |
Categories covered | 5 | 4 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data partners | — | EDX Markets, Inc. and Bitstamp USA, Inc. |
Capabilities | — | AI summaries: News |
Security | — | Status page |
| Try it | Visit Public.com | Visit Robinhood |
Where each one shines
What Public.com and Robinhood each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Public.com and Robinhood each do best.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.
What Robinhood does best
- Trading access for U.S. listed and OTC securities, including ETFs and closed-end funds, with $0 self-directed commissions where regulatory and other pass-through fees may still apply.
- Trading access for listed options after approval, with index options contract fees discounted for Robinhood Gold users.
- Robinhood Gold for benefits such as Morningstar Equity Research, higher Instant deposits, preferred IRA match rate, first $1,000 of margin borrowing interest-free, and discounted derivatives fees.
- Evaluation tools for the brokerage High-Yield Cash Program, Gold Card access, and mortgage offers as Gold-linked perks that depend on eligibility and current terms.
- Trading access for crypto through Robinhood Crypto, with costs depending on routing model, Smart Exchange Routing fees, network fees, and staking commissions where applicable.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Public.com and Robinhood, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Public.com and Robinhood, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBonds | StocksETFsClosed-End FundsOptionsFuturesCryptos |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersPro Retail |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data partners | Not specified | EDX Markets, Inc.Bitstamp USA, Inc. |
| Access & integrations | ||
Integrations | Not specified | EDX MarketsBitstamp USA |
Export formats | CSVPDF | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status page |
Capability signals | Not specified | AI summaries: News |
Vendor & support | Open to the Public Investing, Inc.Country: United StatesSupport: Chat and Email | Robinhood Markets, Inc.Country: United States |
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” | Free“Standard (Self-directed brokerage)”index options contract fee: $0.50 per contract (non-Gold) |
| Entry paid plan | $10/mo“Public Premium” | $50/yr≈ $4.17/mo“Robinhood Gold (Annual)”interest free margin borrowing: $1,000 · index options contract fee: $0.35 per contract (Gold) |
| Top plan | — | $5/mo“Robinhood Gold (Monthly)”interest free margin borrowing: $1,000 · index options contract fee: $0.35 per contract (Gold) |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Public.com and Robinhood?
Public.com leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Robinhood puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and options. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Public.com and Robinhood cost?
Neither has a free plan, but Robinhood offers a free trial. Compare the paid tiers against your required data coverage before committing.
Should I choose Public.com or Robinhood?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Public.com if watchlist and downloadable tax reports matter to you; go with Robinhood if you'd rather have wealth management. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Public.com and Robinhood cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and options. Public.com also handles bonds. Robinhood adds closed-end funds, futures, and cryptos on top.
Can I export data from Public.com and Robinhood?
Public.com exports to CSV. Robinhood is stingier about getting data out.
Can I track my portfolio with Public.com or Robinhood?
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.