Charles Schwab vs Public.com 2026
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.
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.
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 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
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 |
|
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|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
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 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
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 |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026
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 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 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
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 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 of 2026 for Beginners and Active Traders
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 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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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 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 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
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.
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
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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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Schwab | Public.com | |
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| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Public.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | Public.com | |
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| 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 | |
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| Overall |
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| Advanced Trading |
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| Mobile Trading Apps |
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| Research |
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| Education |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review | Public.com Review |