★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
Public.com vs Vanguard Brokerage
Pick Public.com if
Public.com
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You care about options, something Vanguard Brokerage doesn't offer
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.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
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
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Vanguard Brokerage
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- Vanguard 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 | 4 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Try it | Visit Public.com | Visit Vanguard Brokerage |
Where each one shines
What Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage 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 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.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Public.com and Vanguard Brokerage, side by side.| 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.
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 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.
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.