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Fidelity vs Public.com 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

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 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $20.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00 info
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info

Range of investments

Fidelity and Public.com both let investors buy and sell stocks, margin trades, fractional shares, OTC stocks, options, and crypto, and both support traditional and Roth IRA accounts. That makes either broker a workable choice for people who want access to the basics, but Fidelity stands out for offering mutual funds, forex trading, and advisor services, while Public.com does not offer mutual funds, forex, or advisor support. Fidelity also has a stronger range of investments overall, with a 5-star rating and a #2 ranking out of 14 brokers from StockBrokers.com, compared with Public.com’s 3.5-star rating and #12 ranking.

For investors who want a wider selection of account and investment types, Fidelity has the edge. In addition to stock trading and margin trading, Fidelity includes mutual funds and forex, which can appeal to people building a more varied portfolio or looking for more advanced trading choices. Fidelity also offers crypto trading, though it supports only 5 coins, while Public.com offers crypto trading with access to 40 coins.

Public.com still covers many key investing needs, especially for users focused on stocks, fractional shares, options, and crypto. It also offers both traditional and Roth IRAs, which may be enough for investors who want a simpler setup without extra services. Still, for those comparing online brokers based on available investment options for accounts, Fidelity provides more choices overall and a broader set of tools for long-term and active investors alike.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
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 No No
Crypto Trading Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 5 40
Range of Investments 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: For trading platforms and tools, Fidelity vs Public.com isn’t close. Fidelity earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Public.com scores 1 star and ranks #14. Fidelity offers downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac plus a capable web platform, along with deeper charting and planning features. Public.com is browser-only and far more limited. Note: neither broker supports paper trading or creating custom studies.

Platforms and workflow: Fidelity provides desktop apps for Windows and Mac; Public.com has no desktop app. Both offer browser-based trading. Fidelity includes a trading journal, while Public.com does not. Watchlists are far more flexible on Fidelity (92 columns) than on Public.com (3 columns). On Fidelity you can adjust open orders directly on a chart and save multiple chart profiles; Public.com lacks both.

Charting and analysis: Fidelity supplies 129 technical indicators and 38 drawing tools, plus the ability to add notes, show your past trades, display earnings/splits/dividends, set custom date ranges, and view automated chart pattern detection. Public.com offers none of these (0 indicators and 0 drawing tools, with no notes, historical trades, corporate events, custom ranges, or automated analysis). Even simple study edits differ: Fidelity’s SMA has five customization fields, while Public.com has none.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
Public.com logoPublic.com
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Paper Trading No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 92 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies 129 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 38 0
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1/5 Stars

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

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Beginners and education

Fidelity and Public.com both give beginners and growing investors an easy way to learn. Each covers stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, and both offer short videos and webinars to explain key ideas. Neither platform provides paper trading, so you’ll learn concepts without a practice account.

Where they differ: Fidelity goes deeper, adding mutual fund education, interactive quizzes, and tools to track your learning progress; Public.com does not include mutual fund lessons or quizzes and doesn’t track progress. Reflecting that gap, StockBrokers.com rates Fidelity 5 stars and ranks it #1 out of 14 brokers for education, while Public.com earns 3.5 stars and ranks #8. If you want the most complete, structured path, Fidelity is the stronger pick; if you prefer quick lessons inside a modern app, Public.com covers the basics.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
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

Bottom line: Fidelity’s stock trading app is the stronger pick for most investors and active traders. It earned 4.5/5 stars and ranked #3 of 14 on StockBrokers.com, while Public.com received 3/5 stars and ranked #13. Both brokers cover the basics on iPhone and Android, but Fidelity layers on far more market data, alerts, media, and charting tools that make day‑to‑day investing simpler and more informed.

Availability and trading: Both Fidelity and Public.com offer iPhone and Android apps; only Fidelity adds an Apple Watch app. Both support mobile options trading. Fidelity supports mobile after‑hours trading; Public.com’s after‑hours availability isn’t specified in our data. Market data and media differ sharply: Fidelity provides streaming quotes, streaming live TV, and videos on demand, while Public.com does not. For monitoring, Fidelity includes stock alerts and lets you create custom watch lists; Public.com doesn’t offer alerts or custom lists, though both let you customize watch list columns.

Charts and research: Fidelity’s app supports landscape charts, after‑hours charting, multiple time frames, stock‑to‑stock comparisons, and 128 technical studies. Public.com allows multiple time frames and stock comparisons, but lacks landscape view and after‑hours charting, and offers 0 built‑in technical studies.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
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 128 0
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

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 $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 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 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 No No
Short Locator Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

Bottom line: Fidelity is the stronger choice for market research than Public.com. According to StockBrokers.com, Fidelity earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 14 brokers, while Public.com earns 2.5 stars and ranks #12. If you want a wide range of research tools and reports, choose Fidelity; Public.com is better for quick, basic checks.

Both brokers offer stock and ETF research, and both cover Pink Sheets/OTCBB. Fidelity goes further with mutual fund and bond research, the ability to see portfolio allocation by asset class, stock research using social media sentiment data, and ESG research—features Public.com does not provide. Fidelity also offers downloadable reports: seven PDF stock reports and PDF research for ETFs. Public.com does not provide PDF reports for stocks or ETFs. Neither offers downloadable PDFs for mutual funds.

For idea generation, Fidelity includes screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, while Public.com offers none. Investors who value in-depth research and tools will get more from Fidelity; Public.com suits those who only need the essentials.

Feature Fidelity logoFidelity
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 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 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 No No
Savings Accounts No 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 Fidelity is better than Public.com. Fidelity finished with an overall score of 92.5%, while Public.com finished with a score of 56.0%.

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?

Fidelity and Public.com both offer crypto trading, but Public.com provides access to a much wider selection of digital assets. Fidelity supports 5 coins, while Public.com offers 40, making Public.com the stronger choice for investors seeking more cryptocurrency options.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

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 2026

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Fidelity Public.com
Overall 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 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 Fidelity Review Public.com Review
Broker Screenshots Fidelity Public.com
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Fidelity Public.com
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $0.00 $2.99
Mutual Fund Trade Fee Varies n/a
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) (Not offered) (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $32.95 n/a
Margin Rates Fidelity Public.com
Margin Rate Under $25,000 12.575% 5.65%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 12.075% 5.65%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 11.125% 5.50%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 11.075% 5.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 10.825% 5.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 8.500% 5.25%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 8.250% 5.05%
Account Fees Fidelity 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) $0.00 $100.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Fidelity 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 No No
Forex Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 5 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) 25 0
Order Types Fidelity 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 Fidelity 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 No No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Progress Tracking Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Fidelity 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 Fidelity 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 Fidelity Public.com
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 128 0
Charting - Study Customizations Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Fidelity Public.com
Active Trading Platform Active Trader Pro n/a
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading No No
Trade Journal Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields 92 3
Stock Chart Features Fidelity Public.com
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 129 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 38 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 5 0
Charting - Custom Studies No No
Day Trading Fidelity Public.com
Streaming Time & Sales Yes No
Streaming TV Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities Yes No
Ladder Trading No No
Trade Hot Keys Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview Fidelity 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 Fidelity 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 Fidelity 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 Fidelity 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 Fidelity Public.com
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking Fidelity Public.com
Bank (Member FDIC) No No
Checking Accounts No No
Savings Accounts No No
Credit Cards Yes No
Debit Cards Yes No
Mortgage Loans Yes No
Customer Service Fidelity 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 Fidelity Public.com
Overall 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 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 Fidelity Review Public.com Review
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