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Charles Schwab vs Public.com 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs Public.com, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Charles Schwab
visit.jpg
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Public.com
3/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $20.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00 info
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info

Range of investments

Bottom line: In a Charles Schwab vs Public.com comparison, Schwab offers a wider mix of investments and planning help, earning 4.5/5 stars and a #3 of 14 rank for Range of Investments from StockBrokers.com. Public.com scores 3.5/5 stars and ranks #12. Pick Schwab if you want lots of traditional choices and access to advisor services; pick Public.com if crypto matters alongside simple stock and options trading.

Both brokers let you trade stocks, use margin, buy fractional shares, trade options, and access OTC stocks. Schwab also adds mutual funds, futures, and forex—areas Public.com does not support. Public.com, on the other hand, offers crypto trading with 40 coins, while Schwab does not offer crypto.

For accounts and guidance, both support Traditional and Roth IRAs. Schwab also provides advisor services, which Public.com does not. That mix makes Schwab a strong fit for long-term investors who want many markets and planning support, while Public.com suits traders who want stock and options trading plus crypto in one app.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Public.com logoPublic.com
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Mutual Funds Yes No
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 40
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026

Trading platforms and tools

Bottom line in Charles Schwab vs Public.com for trading platforms and tools: Charles Schwab is the clear winner. Schwab earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #1 of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while Public.com holds 1 star and ranks #14. Choose Schwab if you want advanced charting and deep customization; pick Public.com only if you prefer a very simple, beginner-friendly experience.

Platforms and core tools: Schwab offers downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, plus a full browser-based platform. Public.com is browser-only with no desktop downloads. Schwab also includes paper trading and a built-in trading journal; Public.com offers neither. Power users will notice big differences in watchlists (Schwab supports up to 580 data columns versus 3 at Public.com) and order handling (Schwab lets you adjust open orders directly on a chart, Public.com does not). Schwab also lets you save multiple chart profiles; Public.com does not.

Charting and customization: Schwab supplies 374 technical indicators, 24 drawing tools, and 35 editable fields when tuning a simple moving average, plus the ability to create your own studies. You can add notes, display past trades, overlay earnings/splits/dividends, set custom date ranges, and show automated chart patterns—all supported at Schwab. Public.com, by contrast, has no indicators, no drawing tools, no chart notes, no historical trade overlays, no corporate events, no custom date ranges, no automated pattern recognition, no custom studies, and no SMA customization fields.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Public.com logoPublic.com
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Paper Trading Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields 580 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies 374 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 24 0
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 1/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026

Featured Offers


5/5 Stars

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4.5/5 Stars

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3.5/5 Stars

Fund to get $20 NVDA fractional shares.

Beginners and education

Both Charles Schwab and Public.com provide beginner-friendly investor education on stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, plus on-demand videos and live webinars. The key differences are in depth and practice tools: Schwab also teaches mutual funds, includes paper trading so you can practice without risking money, and offers quizzes and progress tracking to help you learn step by step. Public.com does not offer mutual fund education, paper trading, quizzes, or learning progress tracking.

For quality, Schwab earns 5 stars for education and is ranked #2 out of 14 brokers by StockBrokers.com, while Public.com earns 3.5 stars and ranks #8. If you want structured lessons, practice tools, and a clear path to build skills, Schwab is the stronger fit. If you just need accessible guides, videos, and webinars within a simple app, Public.com can cover the basics for new investors.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Public.com logoPublic.com
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms & Apps for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

For stock trading apps, Charles Schwab is the stronger pick. Schwab earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Public.com holds 3 stars and ranks #13. Both offer iPhone and Android apps, but Schwab adds Apple Watch support and far more trading tools, research, and customization. If you want an advanced, feature-packed mobile experience, choose Schwab; if you only need the basics for trading on the go, Public.com may suffice.

Schwab supports mobile after-hours trading; Public.com’s after-hours availability isn’t confirmed here. Both brokers offer mobile options trading. Schwab delivers streaming quotes, streaming live TV, and videos on demand; Public.com does not. Schwab also provides stock alerts, which Public.com lacks. For watchlists, Schwab lets you create custom lists and customize columns, while Public.com lets you customize columns but does not support creating custom watchlists. Device-wise, both have iPhone and Android apps, and only Schwab adds an Apple Watch app.

Charting is a standout area for Schwab. You get after-hours charting, landscape mode, multiple time frames, stock-to-stock comparisons, and an extensive library of 373 technical studies. Public.com supports multiple time frames and stock comparisons but lacks after-hours charting, landscape charts, and technical studies (0 offered). For active traders and investors who rely on real-time data and deep analysis, Schwab’s mobile app clearly offers more capability.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Public.com logoPublic.com
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes No
Stock Alerts Yes No
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies 373 0
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

Bottom line: In the Charles Schwab vs Public.com fees comparison, Public.com stands out for $0 options contract pricing and much lower margin interest, while Charles Schwab shines with a $0 minimum deposit, no IRA closure fee, and cheaper ACAT transfers. Both charge $0 for stock trades and $0 for options exercise and assignment, so your choice likely comes down to how you trade options, use margin, and whether you plan to transfer or close accounts.

Trading costs: Schwab requires a $0 minimum deposit, while Public.com requires $20. Stock trades are $0 at both brokers. For options, Schwab charges $0.65 per contract, whereas Public.com charges $0 per contract. Both list $0 for options exercise and assignment fees.

Margin and account fees: For margin interest, Schwab is 12.58% below $25,000, 12.08% at $25,000–$49,999, and 11.13% at $50,000–$99,999; Public.com is 5.65% below $25,000, 5.65% at $25,000–$49,999, and 5.50% at $50,000–$99,999. IRA annual fees are $0 at both, but IRA closure is $0 at Schwab vs $150 at Public.com. For transfers, Schwab charges $0 for partial ACATs and $50 for full ACATs, while Public.com charges $100 for both partial and full ACAT transfers.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Public.com logoPublic.com
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $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 $0.00 $150.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

When comparing Charles Schwab and Public.com for day trading, Charles Schwab stands out with a comprehensive suite of features that cater to active traders. Schwab offers streaming time and sales for stocks, streaming live TV, direct market routing, and ladder trading, all crucial tools for serious day traders. Additionally, users can benefit from trading hotkeys for quick keyboard entry and access to level 2 quotes, which provide deeper insights into stock prices. Charles Schwab also supports both basic and advanced strategy backtesting, allowing traders to simulate strategies against historical data for more informed decision-making. The inclusion of a short locator tool offers real-time availability of shares for short-selling, enhancing the platform's appeal for those involved in more complex trading tactics. However, it's noteworthy that neither platform offers order liquidity rebates.

In contrast, Public.com provides a more simplified offering that might appeal to casual investors rather than those needing sophisticated trading tools. The absence of features like streaming time and sales, live TV, direct market routing, ladder trading, and trading hotkeys means that Public.com might not serve the needs of traders seeking immediate and precise trading execution. For those who prioritize access to level 2 quotes or want to test their trading strategies through backtesting, Public.com may not be ideal. Furthermore, without a short locator tool, traders who utilize short-selling strategies may find themselves at a disadvantage. Thus, for day traders requiring a variety of advanced features to maximize their trading efficiency and insights, Charles Schwab emerges as a more equipped choice compared to Public.com.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Public.com logoPublic.com
Streaming Time & Sales Yes No
Streaming TV Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv Yes No
Short Locator Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

If market research is a priority, Charles Schwab clearly outpaces Public.com. Schwab earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #2 of 14 brokers for research on StockBrokers.com, while Public.com scores 2.5 stars and ranks #12. Choose Schwab if you want wide coverage, downloadable stock and ETF reports, and capable screeners; pick Public.com if you only need basic stock and ETF info.

Both brokers offer stock and ETF research and even cover Pink Sheets/OTC. Schwab goes further with mutual fund and bond research, plus the ability to see your portfolio allocation by asset class. Schwab also adds social media sentiment data and ESG research, features Public.com does not include.

When it comes to reports and idea tools, Schwab provides seven downloadable PDF research reports for stocks and offers PDF reports for ETFs; neither broker supplies mutual fund PDFs, and Public.com offers no downloadable reports. For finding ideas, Schwab includes screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, while Public.com does not provide screeners.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Public.com logoPublic.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 Yes No
Research - Fixed Income Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes No
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing the banking capabilities of online brokers Charles Schwab and Public.com, Schwab provides a much broader range of services. Charles Schwab offers checking and savings accounts, catering to those looking for traditional banking options alongside investing. Additionally, Schwab supplies customers with debit and credit cards, adding more convenience for everyday transactions. Moreover, Schwab includes mortgage loans and certificate of deposits (CDs) in their offerings, giving users an opportunity to diversify their financial strategy. In contrast, Public.com focuses solely on investment services and doesn't offer banking features like checking or savings accounts, debit or credit cards, mortgage loans, or CDs. Therefore, for users seeking comprehensive banking and investment services from one platform, Charles Schwab presents a more complete solution, while Public.com remains a choice for investment-only purposes.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Public.com logoPublic.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 2026

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Charles Schwab is better than Public.com. Charles Schwab finished with an overall score of 93.3%, while Public.com finished with a score of 56.0%.

For most investors, the search for a great broker ends with Charles Schwab. Retaining the #1 Overall ranking in 2026, Schwab continues to set the industry standard. The broker uniquely balances scale with sophistication, offering both simplified mobile tools and the professional-grade thinkorswim platform. From buying a first fractional share to managing a multimillion-dollar estate, Schwab provides a platform tailored to every need, serving as the definitive operating system for modern wealth.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Charles Schwab or Public.com?

Comparing online brokers for crypto, Charles Schwab offers no cryptocurrency trading (0 coins), while Public.com supports crypto trading with 40 coins available.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does Charles Schwab or Public.com offer IRAs?

Both Charles Schwab and Public.com offer Traditional and Roth IRA accounts with a $0 annual fee. Charles Schwab charges $0 to close an IRA, while Public.com charges a $150 IRA closure fee, making Schwab the more cost-effective option.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

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Overall Rating Charles Schwab Public.com
Overall 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.5/5 Stars N/A
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Charles Schwab Review Public.com Review
Broker Screenshots Charles Schwab Public.com
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Charles Schwab Public.com
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $6.95 $2.99
Mutual Fund Trade Fee Varies n/a
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) $2.25 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $25 n/a
Margin Rates Charles Schwab Public.com
Margin Rate Under $25,000 12.58% 5.65%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 12.08% 5.65%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 11.13% 5.50%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 11.08% 5.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 10.83% 5.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 Varies 5.25%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 Varies 5.05%
Account Fees Charles Schwab Public.com
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $150.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $0.00 $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 Charles Schwab Public.com
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs 4 4
Futures Trading Yes No
Forex Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 40
Fixed Income (Treasurys) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) Yes No
Traditional IRAs Yes Yes
Roth IRAs Yes Yes
Advisor Services Yes No
International Countries (Stocks) 12 0
Order Types Charles Schwab 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 Yes No
Order Type - OCO Yes No
Order Type - OTO Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes No
Beginners Charles Schwab Public.com
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator Yes No
Investor Dictionary Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Progress Tracking Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Charles Schwab Public.com
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes 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 Yes No
Stock App Features Charles Schwab Public.com
Mobile Research - Market Movers Yes Yes
Stream Live TV Yes No
Videos on Demand Yes No
Stock Alerts Yes No
Option Chains Viewable Yes Yes
Watchlist (Real-time) Yes Yes
Watchlist (Streaming) Yes No
Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage Yes No
Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization Yes Yes
Stock App Charting Charles Schwab Public.com
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 373 0
Charting - Study Customizations Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Charles Schwab Public.com
Active Trading Platform thinkorswim n/a
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes No
Trade Journal Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields 580 3
Stock Chart Features Charles Schwab Public.com
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 374 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 24 0
Charting - Notes Yes No
Charting - Historical Trades Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars Yes No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations 35 0
Charting - Custom Studies Yes No
Day Trading Charles Schwab Public.com
Streaming Time & Sales Yes No
Streaming TV Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities Yes No
Ladder Trading Yes No
Trade Hot Keys Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv Yes No
Short Locator Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview Charles Schwab 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 Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes No
Portfolio Asset Allocation Yes No
Stock Research Charles Schwab Public.com
Stock Research - PDF Reports 7 0
Stock Research - Earnings Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders Yes No
Stock Research - Social Yes No
Stock Research - News Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG Yes No
Stock Research - SEC Filings Yes No
ETF Research Charles Schwab Public.com
ETFs - Investment Objective Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings Yes Yes
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings Yes Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure Yes No
ETFs - Risk Analysis Yes No
ETFs - Ratings Yes No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Charles Schwab Public.com
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings Yes No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings Yes No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation Yes No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap Yes No
Options Trading Charles Schwab Public.com
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking Charles Schwab 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 Charles Schwab Public.com
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes No
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) No Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes Yes
24/7 Support Yes No
Overall Charles Schwab Public.com
Overall 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Charles Schwab Review Public.com Review
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