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Firstrade vs Public.com 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

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

Firstrade
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00
Public.com
3/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $20.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00 info
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info

Range of investments

In the Firstrade vs Public.com matchup, Firstrade comes out ahead for overall range of investments. It earns 4 stars and ranks No. 5 of 14 on StockBrokers.com for Range of Investments, while Public.com scores 3.5 stars and ranks No. 12. Pick Firstrade if you want a wider mix of traditional assets, including mutual funds. Pick Public.com if crypto access is important—its lineup includes 40 cryptocurrencies. Both brokers offer Traditional and Roth IRAs, and neither provides advisory services, forex, or futures.

Both platforms let you trade stocks, options, OTC stocks, and fractional shares, and both support margin trading. The big product differences: Firstrade supports mutual funds while Public.com does not, and Public.com supports crypto trading (40 coins) while Firstrade does not. If mutual funds are part of your plan, Firstrade is the fit; if you want to add crypto to your portfolio, Public.com is the way to go.

Account availability is straightforward: each offers Traditional and Roth IRAs for retirement savers. Beyond that, there are no advisor services on either platform. For most investors focused on a broad set of conventional securities, Firstrade’s selection is stronger; for investors who want stock and options trading with the ability to buy crypto, Public.com stands out.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
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 No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 40
Range of Investments 4/5 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, both Firstrade and Public.com are simple, browser-based options with no desktop apps, and both are rated 1 out of 5 stars. Firstrade ranks #12 out of 14 brokers (Public.com is #14), edging ahead thanks to stronger charting and a more flexible watch list. If you want basic web trading with meaningful chart indicators and a fuller watch list, Firstrade is the better fit; if you only need a very simple place to place trades online, Public.com keeps things minimal.

Access and core tools are similar: neither broker offers Windows or Mac downloads, and both run in a web browser. Neither provides paper trading or a trading journal. You can’t adjust open orders directly on charts on either platform, and neither supports custom studies or saving multiple chart profiles. When editing a simple study like an SMA, Firstrade gives you 6 customization fields, while Public.com offers none.

Charting and watch lists show the biggest gap. Firstrade includes 102 technical indicators and 8 drawing tools, plus automated technical analysis (pattern detection). Public.com has 0 indicators, 0 drawing tools, and no automated patterns. Both lack chart notes, historical trade markers, corporate events, and custom date ranges. For watch lists, Firstrade supports up to 50 columns, while Public.com allows 3.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) No No
Paper Trading No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 50 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies 102 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 8 0
Advanced Trading 1/5 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

Comparing education at Firstrade vs. Public.com: both offer stock and options education, along with educational videos and webinars. Neither provides paper trading, quizzes, or tools to track your learning, and both lack mutual funds education. The big difference is topic coverage—Public.com also includes ETF and bonds education, while Firstrade does not.

How they stack up: StockBrokers.com rates Public.com 3.5 out of 5 stars for education, ranking 8th out of 14 brokers. Firstrade earns 2.5 out of 5 stars, ranking 13th out of 14. For most beginners who want wider topic coverage, Public.com has the edge. If you only need stock and options basics with video and webinar content, Firstrade can still work.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) No Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) No Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Education 2.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

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

Stock trading apps

Looking for the better stock trading app experience between Firstrade and Public.com? Firstrade comes out ahead for traders who want more tools and live market data on mobile. It earns 4 stars and ranks #8 out of 14 brokers with StockBrokers.com, while Public.com earns 3 stars and ranks #13. Both offer iPhone and Android apps and support mobile options trading, but Firstrade adds key features like streaming quotes, stock alerts, and deeper charting, which can make a real difference when timing trades.

Both brokers lack an Apple Watch app, streaming live TV, videos on demand, and after-hours charting. Firstrade supports mobile after-hours stock trading; the source did not list whether Public.com offers after-hours trading on mobile. For day-to-day use, Firstrade offers streaming quotes, stock alerts, and the ability to create custom watch lists, while Public.com does not support those three. Each lets you customize watch list columns.

Charting is another separator. Firstrade lets you rotate to landscape, view multiple time frames, compare stocks on a chart, and tap into 81 technical studies. Public.com supports multiple time frames and stock comparisons but does not offer landscape charts or any technical studies. If you value live quotes, alerts, and technical analysis, Firstrade’s app is the stronger fit; if you prefer a simpler setup for basic investing, Public.com can still do the job.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App No No
Stock Alerts Yes No
Charting - After-Hours No No
Charting - Technical Studies 81 0
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

Bottom line: both Firstrade and Public.com offer $0 stock trades and $0 per-options-contract pricing, so the real differences are in funding needs, margin rates, and back-end fees. Public.com is the clear winner on margin interest, while Firstrade is friendlier for getting started and for closing or moving an IRA. Choose Public.com if you plan to use margin often; choose Firstrade if you want a $0 minimum and lower exit costs.

Account basics: Firstrade has a $0 minimum deposit, while Public.com requires $20. Stock trades cost $0 at both brokers. Options trades are $0 per contract at both, and there are no fees for options exercise or assignment at either platform.

Margin and other fees: Public.com’s margin rates are notably lower—5.65% below $25,000, 5.65% from $25,000–$49,999, and 5.50% from $50,000–$99,999—versus Firstrade at 12.75%, 12.50%, and 12.00% for those same tiers. For transfers, Firstrade charges $55 for partial and $75 for full ACAT moves, while Public.com is $100 for both partial and full. IRA fees are $0 annually at both; however, IRA closure is $0 at Firstrade and $150 at Public.com.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $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 evaluating Firstrade and Public.com for day trading, neither firm provides specialized features often sought by active traders. Both platforms lack streaming time and sales for stocks, which can offer insights into market activity. They also don't provide streaming live TV, direct market routing, or ladder trading, which can be crucial for traders looking for market depth and various order execution options. Additionally, neither broker supports trading hotkeys, level 2 quotes, or basic and advanced strategy backtesting, all tools that can enhance a day trader's analysis and execution capabilities.

Furthermore, Firstrade and Public.com fall short in offering a short locator tool, which is useful for traders interested in short selling. Both platforms also do not offer order liquidity rebates, which could otherwise help in reducing trading costs for high-frequency traders. Given these limitations, traders who prioritize these specific tools and features for day trading might need to explore alternative platforms that cater more closely to their trading style and needs.

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

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

Bottom line: for market research, Firstrade offers a more complete toolkit than Public.com. Firstrade earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #6 of 14 at StockBrokers.com, while Public.com scores 2.5 stars and ranks #12. If you want wider asset coverage, portfolio insights, and more ways to find ideas, Firstrade is likely the better fit.

Both brokers provide research for stocks and ETFs, and both include Pink Sheets/OTC. Firstrade goes further with research on mutual funds and bonds, plus extras like ESG data and stock research using social media sentiment. It also lets you view portfolio allocation by asset class—something Public.com does not offer. Public.com does not include research for mutual funds or bonds, nor ESG or social sentiment tools.

On tools and reports, Firstrade supplies screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, helping investors filter by strategy and metrics. It also offers one downloadable PDF stock report and downloadable ETF reports; neither broker provides mutual fund PDFs, and Public.com does not offer downloadable research reports. For investors comparing Firstrade vs Public.com on research depth, Firstrade clearly delivers more features and guidance.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
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 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing the banking capabilities of Firstrade and Public.com, it's clear that Firstrade provides more options for users seeking basic banking services alongside their investment needs. Firstrade offers checking accounts, which Public.com does not, providing an added layer of convenience for users who want to manage their transactions. Furthermore, Firstrade provides debit cards, allowing for easy access to funds, whereas Public.com does not. Both platforms do not offer savings accounts or credit cards, keeping their focus primarily on investment services. Additionally, neither offers mortgage loans, which can be a consideration for those looking to integrate a wider array of financial services. Notably, Firstrade offers certificates of deposit (CDs), which can be appealing for those looking for a secure savings option, unlike Public.com, which does not offer CDs. Overall, Firstrade outshines Public.com in terms of banking offerings, making it a more versatile choice for those interested in an online broker with added banking features.

Feature Firstrade logoFirstrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Checking Accounts Yes No
Savings Accounts No No
Debit Cards Yes No
Credit Cards No No
Mortgage Loans No 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 Firstrade is better than Public.com. Firstrade finished with an overall score of 67.8%, while Public.com finished with a score of 56.0%.

Firstrade is a good choice for options traders and self-reliant investors due to its aggressive pricing model that completely eliminates per-contract fees on options. While it lacks asset classes like crypto and futures, it impresses with institutional-grade infrastructure, supporting complex account types like Trusts and Business IRAs and wide international accessibility.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Firstrade or Public.com?

When comparing online brokers, Firstrade offers no crypto trading (0 coins), while Public.com supports cryptocurrency trading with access to 40 coins.

Investors prioritizing crypto access may prefer Public.com, whereas Firstrade suits those not focused on digital assets.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does Firstrade or Public.com offer IRAs?

Firstrade and Public.com both offer Traditional and Roth IRAs with $0 annual fees. However, Firstrade has a $0 IRA closure fee while Public.com charges $150, giving Firstrade the edge on exit costs.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Firstrade Public.com
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 4/5 Stars N/A
Education 2.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review Public.com Review
Broker Screenshots Firstrade Public.com
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Firstrade 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 $0 n/a
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) (Not offered) (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $19.95 n/a
Margin Rates Firstrade Public.com
Margin Rate Under $25,000 12.75% 5.65%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 12.50% 5.65%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 12.00% 5.50%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 11.50% 5.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 11.25% 5.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 9.35% 5.25%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 8.75% 5.05%
Account Fees Firstrade Public.com
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $150.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $55.00 $100.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $75.00 $100.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Firstrade 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 No 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 No No
International Countries (Stocks) 0 0
Order Types Firstrade 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 Firstrade Public.com
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) No Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) No 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 No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes No No
Stock Trading Apps Firstrade 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 No
Order Ticket RT Quotes Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes Yes No
Stock App Features Firstrade Public.com
Mobile Research - Market Movers Yes Yes
Stream Live TV No No
Videos on Demand No 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 Firstrade Public.com
Charting - After-Hours No No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 81 0
Charting - Study Customizations Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Firstrade Public.com
Active Trading Platform N/A n/a
Desktop Trading Platform No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) No No
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading No No
Trade Journal No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 50 3
Stock Chart Features Firstrade Public.com
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart No No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 102 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 8 0
Charting - Notes No No
Charting - Historical Trades No No
Charting - Corporate Events No No
Charting - Custom Date Range No No
Charting - Custom Time Bars No No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles No No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations 6 0
Charting - Custom Studies No No
Day Trading Firstrade Public.com
Streaming Time & Sales No No
Streaming TV No No
Direct Market Routing - Equities No No
Ladder Trading No No
Trade Hot Keys No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview Firstrade 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 Firstrade Public.com
Stock Research - PDF Reports 1 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 Firstrade 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 Firstrade 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 Firstrade Public.com
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking Firstrade Public.com
Bank (Member FDIC) No No
Checking Accounts Yes No
Savings Accounts No No
Credit Cards No No
Debit Cards Yes No
Mortgage Loans No No
Customer Service Firstrade 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 No No
Overall Firstrade Public.com
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 1/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Education 2.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Firstrade Review Public.com Review
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