menuclose
StockBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn how we make money.

tastytrade vs Public.com 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

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

tastytrade
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.50 info
Public.com
3/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $20.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00 info
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info

Range of investments

Here’s the quick takeaway on tastytrade vs Public.com: tastytrade offers broader market access for active traders, while Public.com shines if you want OTC stocks and a larger crypto lineup. Both brokers let you trade stocks, options, crypto, and use margin and fractional shares, and both support Traditional and Roth IRAs. Neither offers mutual funds or advisor services. For Range of Investments, StockBrokers.com rates tastytrade 4 stars (ranked #9 of 14) and Public.com 3.5 stars (ranked #12 of 14).

In terms of what you can trade, tastytrade covers stocks, options, crypto, plus futures and forex—two markets Public.com does not offer. Public.com covers stocks, options, crypto, and adds OTC stocks, which tastytrade does not support. If crypto depth matters, Public.com lists about 40 coins versus tastytrade’s 17.

Account choices are straightforward: both platforms offer taxable brokerage accounts along with Traditional and Roth IRA accounts, and both lack advisor services. Pick tastytrade if you want to include futures, forex, and more advanced options in one place; choose Public.com if access to OTC stocks and a wider crypto selection are priorities, while still having core stock, options, margin, and fractional share trading.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks No Yes
Mutual Funds No No
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 17 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, tastytrade clearly outpaces Public.com. Tastytrade earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #5 of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Public.com gets 1 out of 5 stars and ranks #14. Choose tastytrade if you want advanced charting, custom studies, and desktop apps; pick Public.com only if you want a very simple, browser-first setup.

Tastytrade offers downloadable platforms for both Windows and Mac, plus a browser-based platform. Public.com is web-only, with no Windows or Mac downloads. Neither broker supports paper trading, but tastytrade includes a trading journal, which Public.com does not.

When it comes to tools, tastytrade provides 33 watch list columns versus Public.com’s 3. On charts, tastytrade lets you adjust open orders, add notes, see historical trades, display earnings/splits/dividends, set custom date ranges, save multiple chart profiles, edit an SMA with seven fields, and even create custom studies—features Public.com lacks. For technicals, tastytrade offers 308 indicators and 31 drawing tools, while Public.com offers none. Both brokers do not include automated chart pattern recognition.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
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 33 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies 308 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 31 0
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1/5 Stars

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

Featured Offers


5/5 Stars

Trade brilliantly with Schwab.

5/5 Stars

A full-featured account for investing

4.5/5 Stars

Get up to $1,500 on new brokerage account*

3.5/5 Stars

Fund to get $20 NVDA fractional shares.

Beginners and education

For beginner and everyday investors comparing online broker education, both tastytrade and Public.com cover the basics: you’ll find lessons on stocks, ETFs, and options, plus educational videos and webinars on each platform. Neither offers paper trading or quizzes, and neither focuses on mutual fund education. One key difference is bond content—Public.com includes bonds education, while tastytrade does not.

If you want to track your learning, tastytrade lets you monitor progress, whereas Public.com does not. In independent ratings, tastytrade earns 3 out of 5 stars for education and ranks #11 of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while Public.com scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #8 of 14. Choose Public.com if bond education matters to you; pick tastytrade if progress tracking is a priority.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) No Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Education 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

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

Stock trading apps

Choosing between tastytrade and Public.com for a stock trading app? tastytrade has the edge for on-the-go trading tools and earns the higher score: 4 stars versus Public.com’s 3 stars, plus a better StockBrokers.com rank (12th of 14 vs 13th). Both offer iPhone and Android apps and no Apple Watch app. In short, tastytrade leans into real-time trading needs, while Public.com is more streamlined and adds convenient chart comparisons.

On mobile, tastytrade supports after-hours stock trading; Public.com’s mobile after-hours access wasn’t confirmed by our source. Both apps support options trading. tastytrade provides streaming quotes, stock alerts, and the ability to build custom watch lists. Public.com does not offer streaming quotes or alerts and doesn’t let you create custom watch lists, though both apps let you customize watch list columns. Neither app offers streaming live TV or videos on demand.

For charts, tastytrade supplies after-hours charting, landscape view, and multiple time frames. Public.com also supports multiple time frames but lacks after-hours charting and landscape mode. Neither app includes technical studies in mobile charts, and only Public.com lets you compare different stocks on the same chart; tastytrade does not.

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

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

Bottom line: In a tastytrade vs. Public.com fees matchup, Public.com is usually cheaper for options and margin, while tastytrade stands out for a $0 minimum deposit and lower transfer and IRA closure charges. Both brokers offer $0 stock trades and no IRA annual fee.

For trading costs, tastytrade requires no minimum deposit, whereas Public.com asks for $20. Stock trades are commission-free at both. Options are where they diverge: tastytrade charges $0.50 per contract and $5 for exercises or assignments, while Public.com charges $0 per contract and $0 for exercises and assignments.

On margin interest, Public.com is lower across the listed tiers: under $25,000 (5.65% vs. tastytrade’s 11%), $25,000–$49,999 (5.65% vs. 10.5%), and $50,000–$99,999 (5.50% vs. 10%). For account and IRA fees, both have $0 IRA annual fees, but tastytrade’s IRA closure fee is $60 versus $150 at Public.com. ACAT transfers are also cheaper at tastytrade ($75 for partial or full) compared with Public.com ($100 for partial or full). Fees and rates can change, so confirm current terms with each broker.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.50 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee $5.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $5.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $60.00 $150.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

For day trading, tastytrade offers more trader-focused tools than Public.com. Tastytrade includes ladder trading, advanced strategy backtesting, a short locator to check real-time shortable shares, and streaming live TV. Public.com does not provide those features. Both platforms lack streaming time and sales, Level 2 quotes, direct market routing, trading hotkeys, basic strategy backtesting, and order liquidity (maker/taker) rebates.

If you’re an active day trader who values ladder trading, advanced testing of strategies, and visibility into short availability, tastytrade is the stronger fit. Public.com may work for basic stock trading, but the absence of core day trading tools listed above makes it less suitable for fast, tactical trading.

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

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

Bottom line: Public.com edges out tastytrade for market research with a 2.5-star rating and a #12 ranking out of 14 brokers, versus tastytrade’s 2 stars and #13 spot. That said, tastytrade gives DIY investors more tools to find ideas and understand their holdings, thanks to stock, ETF, and bond screeners plus a portfolio allocation view by asset class. Public.com’s key advantage is access to Pink Sheets/OTCBB research. Neither platform offers ESG or social sentiment research, downloadable PDF reports, or research for mutual funds or bonds.

Both tastytrade and Public.com cover stock and ETF research. Only Public.com includes Pink Sheets/OTCBB research, which can matter if you explore smaller or off-exchange names. Downloadable PDF research reports are not available for stocks or ETFs on either platform (and neither supports mutual fund research or PDFs). ESG and social sentiment tools are not included on either service.

For idea generation, tastytrade is stronger: it provides stock and ETF screeners, plus a bond screener for trade ideas, even though it doesn’t offer bond research. Public.com does not provide screeners. If you want helpful filters and a clear view of your diversification by asset class, tastytrade fits better. If you specifically need OTC research, Public.com is the pick. If you rely on deep analyst PDFs, ESG metrics, or sentiment data, you may need to look elsewhere.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes No
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds No No
Screener - Mutual Funds No No
Research - Fixed Income No No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes No
Research 2/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Banking

When it comes to banking features, both tastytrade and Public.com provide limited options as neither offers traditional banking services such as checking or savings accounts. Additionally, you won't find debit or credit cards available at either platform. If you're looking for mortgage loans or CDs, neither tastytrade nor Public.com will meet your needs in those areas. It's clear that both platforms focus on trading and investment services rather than banking solutions.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Checking Accounts No No
Savings Accounts No No
Debit Cards No No
Credit Cards No No
Mortgage Loans No No
Brokerage CDs No 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 tastytrade is better than Public.com. tastytrade finished with an overall score of 64.0%, while Public.com finished with a score of 56.0%.

tastytrade is a specialist brokerage best known for its options trading platform, risk-focused analytics, and pricing structure built specifically for active derivatives traders.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with tastytrade or Public.com?

Both online brokers tastytrade and Public.com offer cryptocurrency trading, but Public.com provides a wider selection with 40 coins versus tastytrade’s 17.

If you prioritize more coin choices, Public.com may suit you better, whereas tastytrade still delivers a solid, streamlined crypto trading experience.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does tastytrade or Public.com offer IRAs?

Online brokers tastytrade and Public.com both offer Traditional and Roth IRAs with $0 annual fees, making them cost-effective options for retirement investors. The key difference is in closure fees: tastytrade charges $60 to close an IRA, while Public.com charges $150.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

Popular trading guides

More trading guides

Popular broker reviews


Select Brokers

×
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlly Invest
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxE*TRADE
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFidelity
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFirstrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMerrill Edge
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPublic.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRobinhood
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxtastytrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradeStation
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWebull

Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating tastytrade Public.com
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 2/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.0/5 Stars N/A
Education 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review tastytrade Review Public.com Review
Broker Screenshots tastytrade Public.com
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees tastytrade Public.com
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) N/A $2.99
Mutual Fund Trade Fee N/A n/a
Options (Per Contract) $0.50 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) $1.00 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $0 n/a
Margin Rates tastytrade Public.com
Margin Rate Under $25,000 11% 5.65%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 10.5% 5.65%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 10% 5.50%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 9.5% 5.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 9% 5.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 8.5% 5.25%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 8% 5.05%
Account Fees tastytrade Public.com
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $60.00 $150.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $75.00 $100.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $75.00 $100.00
Options Exercise Fee $5.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $5.00 $0.00
Investment Options tastytrade Public.com
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks No Yes
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 17 40
Fixed Income (Treasurys) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) No Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) No No
Traditional IRAs Yes Yes
Roth IRAs Yes Yes
Advisor Services No No
International Countries (Stocks) 0 0
Order Types tastytrade 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 No No
Order Type - OCO Yes No
Order Type - OTO Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes No
Beginners tastytrade Public.com
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) No Yes
Education (Retirement) Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator No No
Investor Dictionary Yes Yes
Paper Trading No No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Progress Tracking Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes No No
Stock Trading Apps tastytrade 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 tastytrade 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 tastytrade Public.com
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 0 0
Charting - Study Customizations No No
Charting - Stock Comparisons No Yes
Trading Platforms tastytrade Public.com
Active Trading Platform tastytrade 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 33 3
Stock Chart Features tastytrade Public.com
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 308 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 31 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 No No
Charting - Save Profiles Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis No No
Charting - Study Customizations 7 0
Charting - Custom Studies Yes No
Day Trading tastytrade Public.com
Streaming Time & Sales No No
Streaming TV Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities No No
Ladder Trading Yes No
Trade Hot Keys No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv Yes No
Short Locator Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview tastytrade Public.com
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds No No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB No Yes
Research - Fixed Income No No
Screener - Stocks Yes No
Screener - ETFs Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds No No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes No
Portfolio Asset Allocation Yes No
Stock Research tastytrade Public.com
Stock Research - PDF Reports 0 0
Stock Research - Earnings No Yes
Stock Research - Insiders No No
Stock Research - Social No No
Stock Research - News Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG No No
Stock Research - SEC Filings No No
ETF Research tastytrade Public.com
ETFs - Investment Objective No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings No Yes
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings No Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure No No
ETFs - Risk Analysis Yes No
ETFs - Ratings No No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap No No
ETFs - PDF Reports No No
Mutual Fund Research tastytrade Public.com
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective No No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart No No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis No No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus No No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings No No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown No No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings No No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation No No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation No No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation No No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap No No
Options Trading tastytrade Public.com
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking tastytrade Public.com
Bank (Member FDIC) No No
Checking Accounts No No
Savings Accounts No No
Credit Cards No No
Debit Cards No No
Mortgage Loans No No
Customer Service tastytrade 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 tastytrade Public.com
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 2/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Education 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 2.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review tastytrade Review Public.com Review
arrow_upward

close