Tool Comparison
Public.com vs SoFi Invest
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, API
Best if
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Pick Public.com if
Public.com
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile · API
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Pick SoFi Invest if
SoFi Invest
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
Public.com and SoFi Invest 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
Public.com
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SoFi Invest
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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 SoFi Invest does best
- Online U.S. stock, ETF, and listed-options trading with $0 stated commissions.
- More than 4,000 eligible stock and ETF fractions starting at $5.
- Individual, joint, community-property, tenancy-by-entirety, and eligible IRA registrations.
- Mutual funds, interval funds and tender-offer funds with product-specific transaction costs.
- Recurring deposits, portfolio monitoring and watchlists in the SoFi app.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 5 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Try it | Visit Public.com | Visit SoFi Invest |
Standout features
The best features of Public.com and SoFi Invest.ShowHide
Standout features
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 SoFi Invest does best
- Online U.S. stock, ETF, and listed-options trading with $0 stated commissions.
- More than 4,000 eligible stock and ETF fractions starting at $5.
- Individual, joint, community-property, tenancy-by-entirety, and eligible IRA registrations.
- Mutual funds, interval funds and tender-offer funds with product-specific transaction costs.
- Recurring deposits, portfolio monitoring and watchlists in the SoFi app.
All details
Every attribute we track for Public.com and SoFi Invest.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBonds | StocksETFsOptionsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediate |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Open to the Public Investing, Inc.Country: United StatesSupport: Chat and Email | SoFi Securities LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone and Chat |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“Core” | — |
| Entry paid plan | $20/mo“Public Reserve” | — |
Alternatives
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Public.com and SoFi Invest?
Public.com leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while SoFi Invest 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 Public.com and SoFi Invest 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.
Which is better for beginners: Public.com or SoFi Invest?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Does Public.com or SoFi Invest have an API?
Public.com has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. SoFi Invest doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
What asset classes do Public.com and SoFi Invest cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and options. Public.com also handles bonds. SoFi Invest adds mutual funds on top.
Can I export data from Public.com and SoFi Invest?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with Public.com or SoFi Invest?
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.