Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Ally Invest vs Public.com, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When deciding between Ally Invest and Public.com, understanding their offerings can guide you toward the right choice for your financial goals. Ally Invest shines with a broader range of investment options, earning a 4.5-star rating and ranking eighth among 14 brokers according to StockBrokers.com. In contrast, Public.com, while offering unique features such as fractional shares and cryptocurrency trading, scores 3.5 stars and ranks thirteenth. This overview will help clarify differences in their investment options, allowing investors to choose the platform that best suits their needs.
Ally Invest provides a comprehensive suite of investment options, catering to diverse investor needs. The platform supports stock and margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, and options trading. Additionally, Ally Invest offers traditional and Roth IRA accounts, making it a viable choice for those interested in retirement planning. However, it does not currently support cryptocurrency trading or investment in futures and forex, which might be a drawback for some investors. Despite this, Ally Invest backs its offerings with advisor services, providing a more guided investment experience for its users.
On the other hand, Public.com targets investors interested in modern trading opportunities, presenting features like fractional shares and crypto trading, with access to 22 different coins. Public.com also supports stock and margin trading, OTC stocks, and options trading, although it lacks mutual fund offerings and retirement account options like IRAs. Public.com does not provide advisor services, which may appeal to more self-directed investors who prefer an independent approach. This platform attracts users drawn to the openness of crypto markets and those who appreciate the accessibility offered by fractional shares trading.
| Feature |
Ally Invest
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 22 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
When comparing Ally Invest and Public.com for their trading platforms and tools, Ally Invest generally comes out ahead. Rated three stars out of five for its offerings, Ally Invest ranks 10th among 14 brokers according to StockBrokers.com. While not perfect, it provides users with essential features like a browser-based trading platform, the ability to add notes to charts, and more customizable SMA studies. On the other hand, Public.com trails with a two-star rating and ranks 14th, offering a more bare-bones experience with zero technical indicators or drawing tools for charting.
Neither platform offers a downloadable trading option for Windows or Mac, but both have convenient browser-based platforms. Traders with Ally Invest can take advantage of 120 technical indicators and 36 drawing tools, compared to Public.com's lack of these features. Additionally, Ally Invest offers more depth for those who prefer structured watch lists with 10 columns, while Public.com provides only three. Both do not support paper trading, trading journals, or real-time charting features such as showing historical trades or corporate events.
When diving into specific charting features, Ally Invest provides a more comprehensive toolkit. It allows notes on charts, automated technical analysis, multiple chart profiles, and more fields for customizing SMA studies. In contrast, Public.com falls short, offering none of these features, which may limit its appeal to detail-oriented investors. Overall, while both platforms have their limitations, Ally Invest clearly stands out for traders looking for more functionality and customization in their trading experience.
| Feature |
Ally Invest
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | No | No |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
| Paper Trading | No | No |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 10 | 3 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 120 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 36 | 0 |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
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When it comes to investor education for beginners, both Ally Invest and Public.com offer valuable resources, but they have different strengths. Ally Invest provides educational material on stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds, which could appeal to users looking for a comprehensive understanding of different investment types. Despite lacking paper trading and educational videos, Ally Invest earns a commendable 4-star rating for its educational offerings and ranks #7 out of 14 brokers according to StockBrokers.com.
Public.com caters to new investors by offering educational videos and webinars, making learning interactive and engaging. While it does not cover mutual funds or bonds education, its focus on accessible formats like videos helps users absorb information effectively. Public.com also does not offer paper trading or track learning progress. It holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks #11 among 14 brokers for education according to StockBrokers.com. Both platforms have unique advantages for beginners, so the choice depends on the types of resources you value in your educational journey.
| Feature |
Ally Invest
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No |
| Paper Trading | No | No |
| Videos | No | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When comparing the stock trading apps of Ally Invest and Public.com, Ally Invest emerges slightly ahead with a rating of 4 stars compared to Public.com's 3.5 stars. However, both brokers are positioned closely in StockBrokers.com's rankings, with Ally Invest at #13 and Public.com at #14 out of 14 brokers. Both apps cater to essential trading needs and offer iOS and Android compatibility, ensuring users can trade on versatile platforms. While neither offers streaming options or videos on demand, they provide mobile options trading and allow users to view multiple time frames for charting.
Ally Invest and Public.com each provide a unique set of features that cater to different trading preferences. For instance, Ally Invest supports after-hours trading and allows users to create custom watch lists, while Public.com offers more customization in watch list columns and can display stock comparisons on charts. However, neither platform supports streaming quotes, live TV, stock alerts, or after-hours charting, simplifying the decision for those primarily focused on basic trading functionalities.
While Ally Invest offers the benefit of mobile after-hours stock trading and custom watch lists, Public.com stands out by enabling users to customize watch list columns and present stock comparisons on charts. Both brokers lack sophisticated charting features like technical studies, potentially limiting advanced traders but maintaining a focus on straightforward, user-friendly experiences. These contrasts spotlight the platforms' varied strengths, assisting prospective users in selecting the app that best aligns with their trading habits and preferences.
| Feature |
Ally Invest
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | No | No |
| Stock Alerts | No | No |
| Charting - After-Hours | No | No |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 0 | 0 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When deciding between Ally Invest and Public.com, it’s important to consider their fee structures and charges to determine which platform better suits your investment strategy. Ally Invest stands out with a $0 minimum deposit and no charges for regular stock trades, but it has a $0.50 per contract fee for options trading. In contrast, Public.com has a $20 minimum deposit but does not charge for options contracts, offering an advantage for those interested in options trading at no extra cost.
For those investing on margin, Public.com offers more competitive rates compared to Ally Invest. On margin balances below $25,000, Public.com charges 8.75%, while Ally Invest charges 13%. This pattern continues for higher balances, with Public.com offering lower rates across all tiers. Both platforms offer fee-free IRAs, but Ally Invest has a lower IRA closure fee at $25, compared to Public.com's $150. Account transfer fees with Ally Invest are also notably lower, at $50 for both partial and full transfers, while Public.com charges $100 for the same services.
Overall, Public.com may appeal to investors with a focus on options trading and margin accounts due to its lower fees in these areas, whereas Ally Invest provides a cost-effective choice for those needing flexibility in their traditional IRAs and who prioritize lower account transfer fees. Each platform has its unique benefits, allowing investors to choose according to their financial goals and fee preferences.
| Feature |
Ally Invest
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $20.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.50 | $0.00 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $25.00 | $150.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing Ally Invest and Public.com for their day trading capabilities, both platforms offer similar basic features but lack advanced tools that active day traders might seek. Neither Ally Invest nor Public.com offers streaming time and sales data, live TV streaming, or direct market routing for stocks. These platforms also do not provide ladder trading, trading hotkeys for keyboard trade entry, or level 2 quotes. Such features are often desired by those looking to rapidly react to market changes and execute trades efficiently.
In terms of strategy support, both Ally Invest and Public.com fall short, as they do not offer basic or advanced backtesting capabilities. This limitation may hinder traders who want to test their strategies before putting them into action. Additionally, neither platform provides a short locator tool to check real-time share availability for shorting, nor do they offer order liquidity rebates. For traders who prioritize these advanced functionalities, other brokerages might be more suitable options. However, for individuals looking for straightforward trading platforms, Ally Invest and Public.com provide entry-level services without the complexities of some high-frequency trading tools.
| Feature |
Ally Invest
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | No | No |
| Streaming TV | No | No |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No |
| Short Locator | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025
When it comes to market research capabilities, Ally Invest generally offers a broader range of tools compared to Public.com. Ally Invest is particularly strong in providing research support for various asset classes, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and even bonds, areas where Public.com falls short. They also excel in offering features to analyze portfolio allocation and have a unique edge with their use of social media sentiment data for stock research. Public.com, on the other hand, while offering basic research capabilities for stocks and ETFs, doesn't match the comprehensive range and depth provided by Ally Invest.
Both Ally Invest and Public.com lag when it comes to offering downloadable PDF research reports for stocks and ETFs, as neither platform currently supports this feature. While Ally Invest doesn't offer ESG research, neither does Public.com. However, Ally Invest does provide stock screeners for trade ideas, where Public.com has limited options, especially for those interested in customizing their investments beyond basic moves.
In terms of rankings, Ally Invest holds a stronger position, receiving 3.5 out of 5 stars for market research and ranking #8 among 14 brokers as evaluated by StockBrokers.com. Public.com, meanwhile, scores 2 stars and ranks #12, reflecting its more limited research functionalities. For investors seeking in-depth market research tools, Ally Invest tends to be a more capable option than Public.com.
| Feature |
Ally Invest
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | No |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Research |
|
|
When comparing Ally Invest and Public.com in terms of banking capabilities, Ally Invest provides a comprehensive range of financial services that Public.com currently does not offer. Ally Invest allows users to manage their finances more broadly by offering checking and savings accounts, which are not supported by Public.com. Moreover, Ally Invest also provides debit cards and credit cards to their customers, along with options for mortgage loans and certificates of deposit (CDs). In contrast, Public.com focuses solely on brokerage services, lacking these essential banking features. Therefore, if you are looking for an online brokerage that also caters to your banking needs, Ally Invest stands out as the more versatile choice.
| Feature |
Ally Invest
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | Yes | No |
| Savings Accounts | Yes | No |
| Debit Cards | Yes | No |
| Credit Cards | Yes | No |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Brokerage CDs | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Ally Invest is better than Public.com. Ally Invest finished with an overall score of 80.1%, while Public.com finished with a score of 69.6%.
For current Ally customers looking to invest in stocks, Ally's universal-accounts experience and easy-to-use website offer a convenient solution. Its website is far stronger than the mobile app.
Ally Invest does not offer crypto trading, providing zero coins, while Public.com supports crypto enthusiasts by offering trading options for 22 different coins.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
In comparing online brokers, Ally Invest offers both traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fee and a $25 closure fee, while Public.com does not provide IRA options but charges a $150 closure fee on other accounts.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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| Review | Ally Invest Review | Public.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
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| Trading Fees | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $20.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $4.95 | $2.99 | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $0.00 | n/a | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.50 | $0.00 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | (Not offered) | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $20 | n/a |
| Margin Rates | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13% | 8.75% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.75% | 8.75% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12% | 6.75% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 10.75% | 6.75% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 9.75% | 5.75% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 9.25% | 5.75% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 8.5% | 5.75% |
| Account Fees | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $25.00 | $150.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $50.00 | $100.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $50.00 | $100.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Investment Options | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 0 | |
| Futures Trading | No | No | |
| Forex Trading | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 22 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | No | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
| Order Types | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Limit | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - After Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Trailing Stop | No | No | |
| Order Type - OCO | No | No | |
| Order Type - OTO | No | No | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
| Beginners | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | No | No | |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | No | |
| Videos | No | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | ||
| Progress Tracking | No | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple Watch App | No | No | |
| Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Complex Options | Yes | No | |
| Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket SRT Quotes | No | No |
| Stock App Features | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | No | No | |
| Videos on Demand | No | No | |
| Stock Alerts | No | No | |
| Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
| Watch List (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
| Watch List (Streaming) | No | No | |
| Watch Lists - Create & Manage | Yes | No | |
| Watch Lists - Column Customization | No | Yes |
| Stock App Charting | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | No | No | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | No | No | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 0 | 0 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | N/A | n/a | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | No | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | No | |
| Trade Journal | No | No | |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 10 | 3 |
| Stock Chart Features | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | No | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 120 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 36 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | No | No | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | No | No | |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | No | No | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 8 | 0 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
| Day Trading | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | No | No | |
| Streaming TV | No | No | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No | |
| Ladder Trading | No | No | |
| Trade Hot Keys | No | No | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | No | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No | |
| Short Locator | No | No | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
| Research Overview | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | No |
| Stock Research | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 0 | 0 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | No | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - Social | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | No | No | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | No | No |
| ETF Research | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | No | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | No | No | |
| ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Sector Exposure | No | No | |
| ETFs - Risk Analysis | No | No | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | No | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | No | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Prospectus | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | No | No | |
| Mutual Funds - StyleMap | No | No |
| Options Trading | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | No | Yes |
| Banking | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | Yes | No | |
| Checking Accounts | Yes | No | |
| Savings Accounts | Yes | No | |
| Credit Cards | Yes | No | |
| Debit Cards | Yes | No | |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Customer Service | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | No | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | No |
| Overall | Ally Invest | Public.com | |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Ally Invest Review | Public.com Review |
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