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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: $0.00 info
  • Stock Trades: $0.00 info
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info

Range of investments

For investors comparing account options and available products, Charles Schwab comes out ahead overall on range of investments. Schwab offers stock trading, margin trading, fractional shares, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options, forex, futures, and crypto, plus traditional and Roth IRA accounts and advisor services. Public.com also offers stock trading, margin trading, fractional shares, options, crypto, traditional IRAs, and Roth IRAs, but it does not support OTC stocks, mutual funds, forex, futures, or advisor services. If you want access to a wider mix of investment choices, Charles Schwab is the stronger pick; if you prefer a simpler platform with core investing features and retirement accounts, Public.com still covers the basics.

Both brokers let customers trade stocks, use margin, buy fractional shares, trade options, and invest in crypto, which makes each platform useful for everyday investors. The biggest difference is product depth. Charles Schwab adds OTC stocks, mutual funds, forex, and futures, giving active traders and long-term investors more ways to build a portfolio. Public.com keeps things more focused and does not include those extra market types.

There is also a clear gap in crypto offerings. Charles Schwab offers crypto trading, but only 2 coins, while Public.com offers 66 coins, which may appeal to users looking for a broader crypto selection. That difference shows how the two brokers serve different needs: Schwab is better for overall investing variety, while Public.com stands out more for crypto choice. Based on third-party ratings, Schwab earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #3 out of 14 brokers, while Public.com scores 3.5 stars and ranks #12.

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 No
Mutual Funds Yes No
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 2 66
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

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

Trading platforms and tools

Charles Schwab is the clear winner for trading platforms and tools, earning a 4.5-star rating and the #1 spot out of 14 brokers from StockBrokers.com, while Public.com sits at 1 star and ranks #14. Schwab gives active traders and investors far more ways to research, chart, and manage trades, with desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, paper trading, and a built-in trading journal. For readers who want a fuller set of tools and a more advanced trading experience, Schwab stands out as the stronger choice overall.

When it comes to platform access, both brokers offer a browser-based trading platform, but Schwab also offers downloadable desktop software for Windows and Mac, which Public.com does not. That extra flexibility can matter for traders who prefer a more traditional workstation setup. Schwab also lets users adjust open orders directly on a stock chart, while Public.com does not.

Schwab’s charting and watch list tools are also much more detailed. It offers 580 watch list fields, 374 technical indicators, 24 drawing tools, and features like chart notes, historical trades, corporate events, custom date ranges, automated chart pattern analysis, multiple saved chart profiles, and custom studies. Public.com, by comparison, offers just 3 watch list fields, 15 technical indicators, and no drawing tools or advanced chart features, making it a much simpler platform for basic investing.

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 15
Charting - Drawing Tools 24 0
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 1/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Accounts and Online Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps and Simulators for 2026

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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 Trading Platforms for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

Charles Schwab is the stronger pick for stock trading apps if you want a more complete mobile experience. It ranks #1 out of 14 brokers from StockBrokers.com and earns 5 stars, while Public.com ranks #13 and gets 3 stars. Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, stock alerts, custom watch lists, watch list column customization, after-hours charting, mobile options trading, and stock comparison tools on charts, but Schwab offers more for active traders and research-focused users.

Where Charles Schwab pulls ahead most is in market data and charting. Its mobile app includes streaming quotes, streaming live TV, videos on demand, landscape chart viewing, after-hours stock trading, and 373 technical studies. Public.com does not offer streaming quotes, live TV, or videos on demand, and it offers no technical studies in its mobile charting tools. Public.com also does not support landscape chart viewing, which may matter if you prefer a wider chart layout on your phone.

For basic mobile trading, Public.com still covers the essentials well, especially if you mainly want a simple app for buying and selling stocks and keeping track of your watch lists. It also supports both iPhone and Android devices, just like Schwab, though neither broker offers an Apple Watch app. Overall, Charles Schwab is the better choice for traders who want deeper app features, while Public.com may appeal more to users who prefer a simpler platform.

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

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps of 2026

Fees

Charles Schwab and Public.com both keep some core investing costs low, since neither broker requires a minimum deposit and both charge $0 for regular stock trades. The biggest difference shows up in options trading and account-related charges: Schwab charges $0.65 per options contract, while Public.com charges $0.00. Public.com also has lower margin rates across the balance ranges listed, but Schwab is the cheaper choice for IRA closure fees and account transfers. Overall, if you want the lower day-to-day trading cost, Public.com has the edge on options and margin, while Charles Schwab is better on transfer fees and certain retirement account charges.

When it comes to options trading, Charles Schwab charges $0.65 per contract, while Public.com charges nothing per contract. Both brokers charge $0 for options exercise and assignment fees, so those costs are the same. For margin borrowing, Schwab charges 11.825% for balances below $25,000, 11.325% for balances from $25,000 to $49,999, and 10.375% for balances from $50,000 to $99,999. Public.com’s margin rates are lower in each of those tiers, at 4.90%, 4.90%, and 4.75% respectively.

On account fees, both Charles Schwab and Public.com have a $0 minimum deposit and $0 IRA annual fee. Schwab also charges $0 for IRA closure fees, while Public.com charges $150. For transfers, Schwab charges $0 for partial ACAT transfers and $50 for full transfers, compared with Public.com’s $100 fee for both partial and full ACAT transfers. If you are looking for the lowest all-around fees, Schwab tends to win on account transfer and IRA closure costs, while Public.com is the cheaper pick for options and margin borrowing.

Feature Charles Schwab logoCharles Schwab
Public.com logoPublic.com
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
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 Stock Trading Platforms and Commission-Free Apps 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

For market research, Charles Schwab is the stronger choice overall. It offers more ways to dig into investments, more screening tools, downloadable PDF reports, and better research coverage across stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. Public.com still gives everyday investors basic research tools for stocks, ETFs, OTC names, and bonds, but it leaves out several features that more active researchers may want, such as mutual fund research, ESG research, social sentiment data, and downloadable stock or ETF reports.

Charles Schwab offers stock, ETF, mutual fund, pink sheets/OTCBB, and bond research, while Public.com covers stock, ETF, pink sheets/OTCBB, and bond research only. Schwab also lets users view portfolio allocation by asset class and includes stock research based on social media sentiment data, which Public.com does not. In addition, Schwab provides seven downloadable PDF stock research reports and downloadable ETF reports, while Public.com does not offer PDF research reports for stocks or ETFs.

For trade ideas, Charles Schwab has stock, ETF, mutual fund, and bond screeners, giving investors more ways to filter and compare opportunities. Public.com does not offer these screeners. That gap shows up in third-party ratings as well: Charles Schwab earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for market research and ranks #2 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while Public.com scores 2.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #12 out of 14.

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 Yes
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 Accounts with Checking: Top Bank Brokers

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?

Charles Schwab and Public.com both offer crypto trading, but Public.com provides a much broader selection with 66 coins compared to Charles Schwab’s 2. If variety matters, Public.com is the stronger choice for crypto investors, while Charles Schwab offers a more limited crypto lineup.

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

0 of 5
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 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $6.950 $2.990
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 11.825% 4.90%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 11.325% 4.90%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 10.375% 4.75%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 10.325% 4.50%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 10.075% 4.50%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 Varies 4.50%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 Varies 4.25%
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 No
Options Trading Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs 4 4
Futures Trading Yes No
Forex Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 2 66
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 No No
Trading - Stocks Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options Yes Yes
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 Yes
Option Chains Viewable Yes Yes
Watchlist (Real-time) Yes Yes
Watchlist (Streaming) Yes No
Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization Yes Yes
Stock App Charting Charles Schwab Public.com
Charting - After-Hours Yes Yes
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 15
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 Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes No
Screener - ETFs Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes No
Portfolio Asset Allocation Yes Yes
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) Yes 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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