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Fidelity vs Public.com 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025

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

Fidelity
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Public.com
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $20.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00 info
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info

Range of investments

Bottom line: Fidelity offers a wider range of investments and services than Public.com, making it a stronger all-around choice for most investors. Fidelity holds a 5-star Range of Investments rating and ranks #3 out of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Public.com earns 3.5 stars and ranks #13. That said, Public.com shines for crypto variety, supporting far more coins than Fidelity.

Both brokers let you trade stocks, options, and crypto, and both support margin trading, fractional shares, OTC stocks, and Traditional and Roth IRAs. Key differences: Fidelity offers mutual funds and forex trading, which Public.com does not. Neither broker supports futures. For crypto, Fidelity offers 3 coins, while Public.com offers 40.

If you want one platform for stocks, options, mutual funds, forex, and retirement investing—with access to advisor services—Fidelity is the clear pick. If your focus is stocks and a wider list of crypto assets and you don’t need mutual funds, forex, or advisor services, Public.com can fit the bill.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
Public.com logoPublic.com
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 3 40
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market

Trading platforms and tools

Choosing between Fidelity and Public.com for online trading largely depends on your needs and preferences. Fidelity emerges as a more comprehensive option with its downloadable trading platforms for both Windows and Mac, and a range of advanced features that cater to experienced traders. In contrast, Public.com offers a basic browser-based platform that might suit beginners who prefer simplicity over advanced functionalities. Ultimately, if robust charting tools and customization options are your priorities, Fidelity stands out as the superior choice, while Public.com may appeal more to those new to investing looking for streamlined access.

Fidelity offers a diverse set of trading tools and features. With a Windows and Mac downloadable platform, Fidelity provides flexibility for users on different operating systems. The platform excels in customization and charting capabilities, with 129 technical indicators and 38 drawing tools available. Traders can also make adjustments directly on stock charts and display historical trades, corporate events, and automated technical analysis. Additionally, Fidelity supports extensive watch list customization with 92 columns, making it ideal for data-driven traders. While it lacks paper trading, its trading journal and other features contribute to its impressive rating of 4.5 stars.

Public.com, on the other hand, centers its offering on a simple browser-based platform, which lacks a downloadable version for either Windows or Mac. Its charting capabilities and customization options are limited, with no technical indicators, drawing tools, or the ability to adjust orders directly on the charts. Watch lists are also less detailed, limited to just 3 columns. The absence of features like a trading journal, the ability to display corporate events on charts, and the customization of moving averages may discourage more seasoned traders. As a result, Public.com receives a modest rating of 2 stars for its trading platforms and tools.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
Public.com logoPublic.com
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Paper Trading info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 92 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 129 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 38 0
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025

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Beginners and education

Fidelity and Public.com both offer beginner-friendly investor education on stocks, ETFs, and options. Each platform includes bonds education, plus on-demand videos and live webinars. Fidelity goes further with mutual fund education, interactive quizzes, and a way to track your learning progress—features Public.com does not provide. Neither broker offers paper trading for practice.

If you want deeper, more structured learning, Fidelity stands out: it earns 5 stars for education and ranks #2 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com. Public.com is better suited for basic lessons and market explainers, with a 3.5-star education rating and a #11 ranking out of 14.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
Public.com logoPublic.com
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

For those deciding between Fidelity and Public.com for mobile stock trading, Fidelity clearly comes out ahead. It offers a wider array of features and tools for both experienced traders and beginners. Fidelity not only provides apps for both iPhone and Android users, but also includes an Apple Watch app, unlike Public.com. Additionally, Fidelity's mobile app supports after-hours trading and options trading, which is crucial for traders looking to capitalize on daily market shifts. With higher ratings across trusted platforms, Fidelity stands as a top choice for those serious about their trading activities.

Fidelity significantly outshines Public.com with its comprehensive suite of features, including streaming quotes, live TV, on-demand videos, and stock alerts, all of which are absent in Public.com's offering. Users on Fidelity's app can create custom watch lists and customize watch list columns, offering greater flexibility in tracking investments. While both platforms allow users to view multiple time frames for charts, Fidelity enhances this with features like after-hours charting and landscape mode viewing.

For chart enthusiasts, Fidelity's mobile app provides 128 technical studies compared to none offered by Public.com, allowing for more detailed and informed analysis. Both apps support stock comparisons on charts, but Fidelity's additional capabilities elevate the experience. Overall, Fidelity's app ranks third out of fourteen brokers and carries a five-star rating, while Public.com lags behind with a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 14th, underscoring Fidelity's superiority in the stock trading app landscape.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
Public.com logoPublic.com
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info Yes No
Stock Alerts info Yes No info
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies info 128 0
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

Here’s the quick takeaway on Fidelity vs Public.com fees: Public.com is cheaper for options contracts ($0 per contract vs Fidelity’s $0.65) and has much lower margin interest rates, while Fidelity is friendlier on account-related charges with no minimum deposit and no fees for ACAT transfers or IRA closures. Both brokers offer $0 stock trades, $0 IRA annual fees, and $0 for options exercise and assignment. Public.com does add a $20 minimum to start and charges $100 for ACAT transfers (partial or full) and $150 to close an IRA, which can matter if you think you might move or close your account later.

Core trading and margin costs: Minimum deposit is $0 at Fidelity and $20 at Public.com. Stock trades are $0 at both. Options pricing differs—Fidelity charges $0.65 per contract, while Public.com charges $0. For margin interest, Public.com is lower across common tiers: under $25,000 balance is 5.65% at Public.com vs 12.575% at Fidelity; $25,000–$49,999 is 5.65% vs 12.075%; $50,000–$99,999 is 5.50% vs 11.125%.

Account and IRA fees: IRA annual fees are $0 at both. IRA closure is $0 at Fidelity vs $150 at Public.com. ACAT transfer fees at Fidelity are $0 for partial and full transfers, while Public.com is $100 for partial and $100 for full. Options exercise and assignment fees are $0 at both brokers.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
Public.com logoPublic.com
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00 info
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.00 info
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $150.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

When comparing Fidelity to Public.com for day trading, Fidelity emerges as the more feature-rich choice, offering several tools and options that cater to active traders. Fidelity provides streaming time and sales for stocks, allowing traders to view real-time transactions and make informed decisions. It also boasts streaming live TV, direct market routing, and trading hotkeys for swift trade execution from your keyboard. The availability of level 2 quotes further enhances a trader's market view, while basic strategy backtesting allows for evaluating trading strategies. Additionally, Fidelity offers a short locator tool, which is essential for those looking to short stocks by providing real-time availability of shares. Despite missing features like ladder trading and advanced strategy backtesting, Fidelity's offerings create a well-rounded platform for day traders.

In contrast, Public.com focuses on providing a straightforward investment experience and doesn't cater much to day traders seeking advanced tools. The platform lacks features that Fidelity offers, such as streaming time and sales, streaming live TV, direct market routing, trading hotkeys, and level 2 quotes. Traders won't find any backtesting options or a short locator tool either. Consequently, while Public.com may be suitable for beginners or those interested in uncomplicated investing, it might not meet the needs of dedicated day traders requiring comprehensive tools to execute and test trading strategies.

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

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2025 for Beginners and Active Traders

Market Research

In the realm of market research capabilities, Fidelity stands out as a clear leader compared to Public.com. Fidelity not only covers a wide range of investment options, including stocks, ETFs, and even bonds, but also provides detailed portfolio analysis and trend insights using social media sentiment data. This comprehensive approach is bolstered by solid environmental, social, and governance (ESG) research, offering investors in-depth information to make well-informed decisions. With a stellar rating of 5 out of 5 stars, Fidelity is ranked #3 by StockBrokers.com for its market research prowess, while Public.com receives 2 stars and is ranked significantly lower at #12.

Fidelity offers extensive research across various asset classes, such as stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, along with tools like stock and ETF screeners for generating trade ideas. Investors can access a wealth of downloadable PDF reports to dive deeper into their investment choices. In contrast, Public.com covers fewer asset classes and lacks the comprehensive research resources that Fidelity provides. Notably, Public.com does not offer downloadable reports or in-depth ESG insights, limiting its appeal for investors seeking extensive research tools.

Another strong point for Fidelity is its ability to deliver insights into portfolio allocation by asset class, providing investors with a clear view of their investment strategy and performance. Additionally, Fidelity's access to social media sentiment data enriches stock research with unique insights from public opinion trends. Public.com, conversely, does not provide such advanced capabilities, making Fidelity the preferred choice for investors who prioritize robust market research and strategic insights.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
Public.com logoPublic.com
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Fixed Income info Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes No
Research 5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing the banking features of online brokers Fidelity and Public.com, there are some notable differences. Fidelity does not provide traditional checking or savings accounts, similar to Public.com, as neither offers these basic banking services. However, Fidelity stands out by offering both debit and credit cards, while Public.com does not offer either. Fidelity also provides mortgage loans, giving it an edge for those looking for broader banking options, whereas Public.com does not include mortgage services. For those interested in certificates of deposit (CDs), Fidelity has you covered, while Public.com does not offer CDs. Overall, Fidelity's range of banking services, including cards, loans, and CDs, gives it a more comprehensive offering than Public.com.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
Public.com logoPublic.com
Checking Accounts info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Credit Cards info Yes No
Mortgage Loans info Yes No
Brokerage CDs info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Fidelity is better than Public.com. Fidelity finished with an overall score of 96.2%, while Public.com finished with a score of 69.6%.

Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools and an easy-to-use mobile app.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Fidelity or Public.com?

Comparing Fidelity vs Public.com for crypto trading: both brokers support cryptocurrency trading. Fidelity offers 3 coins, while Public.com offers 40, giving Public.com a much wider selection.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025

Does Fidelity or Public.com offer IRAs?

Fidelity and Public.com both offer Traditional and Roth IRAs with no annual fees. However, Fidelity charges a $0 IRA closure fee while Public.com charges $150, making Fidelity the more cost-effective option if you plan to close or transfer an IRA.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025

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Compare

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Overall Rating Fidelity Public.com
Overall 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.5/5 Stars N/A
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Fidelity Review Public.com Review
Broker Screenshots Fidelity Public.com
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Fidelity Public.com
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00 info
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $0.00 $2.99
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info Varies info n/a
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.00 info
Futures (Per Contract) info (Not offered) (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $32.95 n/a
Margin Rates Fidelity Public.com
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 12.575% 5.65%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 12.075% 5.65%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 11.125% 5.50%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 11.075% 5.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 10.825% 5.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 8.500% 5.25%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 8.250% 5.05%
Account Fees Fidelity Public.com
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $150.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $0.00 $100.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $0.00 $100.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Fidelity Public.com
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info Yes Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 4
Futures Trading info No No
Forex Trading info Yes info No
Crypto Trading info Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 3 40
Fixed Income (Treasurys) info Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) info Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) info Yes No
Traditional IRAs info Yes Yes
Roth IRAs info Yes Yes
Advisor Services info Yes No
International Countries (Stocks) info 25 0
Order Types Fidelity Public.com
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours info Yes Yes info
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes No
Order Type - OCO info Yes No
Order Type - OTO info Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes No
Beginners Fidelity Public.com
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator info Yes No
Investor Dictionary info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Progress Tracking info Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Fidelity Public.com
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info Yes No
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes No
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info Yes No
Stock App Features Fidelity Public.com
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info Yes No
Videos on Demand info Yes No
Stock Alerts info Yes No info
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) info Yes No
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info Yes No
Watch Lists - Column Customization info Yes Yes
Stock App Charting Fidelity Public.com
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 128 0
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons info Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Fidelity Public.com
Active Trading Platform info Active Trader Pro n/a
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Trade Journal info Yes No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 92 3
Stock Chart Features Fidelity Public.com
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 129 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 38 0
Charting - Notes info Yes No
Charting - Historical Trades info Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events info Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range info Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info Yes No
Charting - Automated Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations info 5 0
Charting - Custom Studies info No No
Day Trading Fidelity Public.com
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes No
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities info Yes No
Ladder Trading info No No
Trade Hot Keys info Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates info No No
Research Overview Fidelity Public.com
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income info Yes No
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes No
Portfolio Asset Allocation info Yes No info
Stock Research Fidelity Public.com
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 7 0 info
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes No
Stock Research - Social info Yes No
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info Yes No
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes No
ETF Research Fidelity Public.com
ETFs - Investment Objective info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure info Yes No
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes No
ETFs - Ratings info Yes No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports info Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Fidelity Public.com
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info Yes No
Options Trading Fidelity Public.com
Option Chains - Total Greeks info 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes Yes
Banking Fidelity Public.com
Bank (Member FDIC) info No No
Checking Accounts info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Credit Cards info Yes No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Mortgage Loans info Yes No
Customer Service Fidelity Public.com
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) info Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes No
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info Yes No
Overall Fidelity Public.com
Overall 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Fidelity Review Public.com Review
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