Tool Comparison
Public.com vs Vanguard Brokerage
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, API
Best if
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want options.
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile
Best if
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 want options.
Pick Vanguard Brokerage if
Vanguard Brokerage
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage cover a lot of the same ground (4 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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Vanguard Brokerage
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Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- Vanguard BrokerageAdds mutual funds
- API access
- Public.com
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 Vanguard Brokerage does best
- Individual, joint, IRA, custodial, education, trust, estate, and eligible organization accounts.
- Vanguard and third-party mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, options, Treasuries, bonds, and brokered CDs.
- Dollar-based Vanguard ETF investing from $1 and recurring investment workflows.
- Choice of Vanguard Cash Deposit or VMFXX as the brokerage settlement option.
- Web and mobile portfolio administration, statements, tax forms, beneficiaries, and transfers.
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, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 5 | 4 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Try it | Visit Public.com | Visit Vanguard Brokerage |
Standout features
The best features of Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage.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 Vanguard Brokerage does best
- Individual, joint, IRA, custodial, education, trust, estate, and eligible organization accounts.
- Vanguard and third-party mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, options, Treasuries, bonds, and brokered CDs.
- Dollar-based Vanguard ETF investing from $1 and recurring investment workflows.
- Choice of Vanguard Cash Deposit or VMFXX as the brokerage settlement option.
- Web and mobile portfolio administration, statements, tax forms, beneficiaries, and transfers.
All details
Every attribute we track for Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBonds | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Open to the Public Investing, Inc.Country: United StatesSupport: Chat and Email | Vanguard Marketing CorporationCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone |
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” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage?
Public.com leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Vanguard Brokerage puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage 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.
Does Public.com or Vanguard Brokerage have an API?
Public.com has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Vanguard Brokerage doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose Public.com or Vanguard Brokerage?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Public.com if options matter to you; go with Vanguard Brokerage if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds. Vanguard Brokerage adds mutual funds on top.
Can I export data from Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage?
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 Vanguard Brokerage?
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.