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tastytrade vs Public.com 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

July 03, 2025

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
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.50 info
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

When comparing tastytrade and Public.com, tastytrade stands out with a broader selection of investment options, earning a 4-star rating for its range of investments, compared to Public.com’s 3.5-star rating. This is further validated by their StockBrokers.com ranking, where tastytrade is placed 10th out of 14 brokers, while Public.com ranks 13th. Although both platforms offer a variety of trading options, tastytrade's ability to provide futures and a wider array of retirement accounts gives it an edge in catering to diverse investment strategies.

Tastytrade and Public.com both provide opportunities for stock trading, margin trading, fractional shares, options, and crypto trading, appealing to wide-ranging investor interests. However, tastytrade doesn't support OTC stocks while Public.com does, potentially attracting those interested in that specific niche market. Conversely, tastytrade offers traditional and Roth IRA accounts, which Public.com doesn’t, giving tastytrade a distinct advantage for those prioritizing retirement planning through tax-advantaged accounts.

For crypto enthusiasts, both platforms cater to digital currency trading, with Public.com offering slightly more choices by supporting 22 different coins compared to tastytrade’s 17. Nevertheless, neither platform offers mutual funds, forex trading, or advisor services, indicating a focus on self-directed trading. In sum, the comparison shows that while both platforms provide solid foundations for various trading activities, tastytrade’s broader investment spectrum and features position it as a more versatile option for diverse investor needs.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes info Yes
OTC Stocks info No Yes
Mutual Funds info No No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading info Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 17 22
Range of Investments 4/5 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

When comparing the trading platforms and tools of tastytrade and Public.com, tastytrade emerges as the more comprehensive choice, especially for active traders seeking advanced features. Tastytrade offers versatility with downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, whereas Public.com provides only a browser-based platform. The functionality available on tastytrade is impressive, offering 308 technical indicators and 31 drawing tools for charting along with the ability to adjust open orders directly on stock charts. Despite both brokers lacking in some areas such as paper trading and trading journals, tastytrade's more sophisticated features and its higher platform rating of four stars compared to Public.com's two stars, highlight its superior position.

Tastytrade caters to traders who appreciate detailed charting capabilities with offerings like the ability to add notes, review historical trades, and display corporate events on charts. It even allows for customization with the saving of multiple chart profiles and creation of custom studies. In stark contrast, Public.com lacks the technical depth, offering neither chart customization options nor technical indicators. The disparity in features is also evident in watch lists, where tastytrade provides 33 fields compared to the three fields offered by Public.com.

While Public.com may suffice for users who opt for minimalistic and straightforward market analysis, tastytrade is the clear choice for users prioritizing a feature-rich trading experience. Tastytrade's edge is further evidenced by its higher ranking of 8th out of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com for its trading platforms and tools, surpassing Public.com's 14th place ranking. This makes tastytrade a more suitable option for those who require a comprehensive suite of trading tools.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
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 33 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 308 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 31 0
Platforms & Tools 4/5 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

When it comes to educating beginner investors, tastytrade and Public.com both offer strong resources for learning about stocks, ETFs, and options. However, neither provides mutual fund or bond education. While both platforms support webinars to help investors understand market dynamics, Public.com takes a step further by offering educational videos, a feature not found on tastytrade. On the flip side, tastytrade allows users to track their learning progress, giving them an organizational edge as they develop their investing knowledge. However, neither platform offers paper trading or educational quizzes to provide practical experience or self-assessment opportunities.

In terms of education quality, both brokerages perform admirably but with slight differences. Tastytrade is rated higher with four stars for education, as compared to the 3.5 stars Public.com receives. When evaluated by StockBrokers.com, tastytrade is ranked 9th out of 14 brokers, indicating a slightly better educational offering than Public.com, which holds the 11th spot. Both platforms have unique strengths, so the best choice depends on the specific learning style and needs of the investor.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info No Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Education 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

When comparing tastytrade and Public.com, tastytrade stands out with a higher user rating of 4.5 stars versus Public.com’s 3.5 stars for their stock trading apps. As ranked by StockBrokers.com, tastytrade holds the #10 spot out of 14 brokers, showcasing its competitive edge. Public.com, on the other hand, ranks at #14, suggesting there may be areas for improvement in its stock trading app capabilities.

Both tastytrade and Public.com offer iPhone and Android apps, catering to a wide range of users. However, neither provides an app experience on the Apple Watch, meaning investors on both platforms will need to rely on their phones for trading on the go. Additionally, both apps offer mobile options trading, although tastytrade offers mobile after-hours stock trading, while the availability of this feature on Public.com is unspecified.

For customization and display features, tastytrade offers a more comprehensive setup, including the ability to create custom watch lists and customizing watch list columns. It also supports viewing charts in landscape mode, after-hours charting, and accessing multiple time frames on charts. Public.com allows customized watch list columns and displays stock comparisons on charts, although it lacks certain features that tastytrade users might enjoy, like landscape mode and after-hours charting. Neither app provides technical studies or streaming live TV, and both lack stock alert capabilities.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Stock Alerts info No No info
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies info 0 0
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

When comparing tastytrade and Public.com, it becomes clear that each platform has its advantages depending on the type of investor you are. Tastytrade impresses with a $0 minimum deposit and free regular stock trades, leveling the playing field for entry-level investors. However, Public.com also offers free trades but requires a $20 minimum deposit. They provide a competitive edge in options contracts with zero charges, compared to tastytrade's $0.50 per contract. Both platforms excel with free IRA annual fees, but tastytrade maintains affordability with smaller IRA closure fees and reduced costs on account transfer services.

Looking into margin borrowing costs, Public.com maintains a distinct advantage with lower rates across various balance tiers. For balances below $25,000, Public.com charges 8.75%, while tastytrade charges 11%. As balances increase, Public.com continues to offer better rates, peaking at 6.75% for amounts between $50,000 and $99,999, in contrast to tastytrade's 10%. This makes Public.com a more attractive choice for investors considering utilizing margin for larger trades.

Both platforms offer free regular stock trades, yet Public.com stands out for those focusing on options trading due to its $0 charges for options-related exercises and assignments, compared to tastytrade. These differences might seem minor at first, but they can accumulate significantly for active traders. Public.com becomes increasingly compelling with its lower fees on certain services, while tastytrade provides enticing options for those who prioritize a zero-minimum deposit and slightly lower account transfer fees. Consider what aspects align best with your investment strategy to determine which broker meets your needs effectively.

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

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

When evaluating tastytrade and Public.com for day trading, both platforms offer distinct features suited for different needs. Tastytrade stands out with its streaming live TV feature and its ladder trading, which can be beneficial for day traders seeking constant market insights and quick order placements. Additionally, tastytrade provides a short locator tool, allowing users to view real-time availability of shares available for shorting. In contrast, Public.com does not provide these features, which could be a limitation for traders who rely heavily on detailed market analysis and rapid trade execution tools.

Both tastytrade and Public.com share several limitations for day traders as neither offers streaming time and sales data, direct market routing for stocks, trading hotkeys, or level 2 quotes. Also, both platforms do not provide options for strategy backtesting or offer order liquidity rebates. This could be a drawback for traders wanting comprehensive features typically associated with more advanced trading strategies. Overall, for traders looking for specific tools like ladder trading and a short locator, tastytrade might be the more appealing choice, while Public.com would suit those who prioritize simplicity and are less focused on advanced trading features.

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

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025

Market Research

When comparing the market research capabilities of tastytrade and Public.com, it's clear that Public.com slightly edges out tastytrade. Both platforms offer stock and ETF research, but neither provides mutual fund or bond research. Public.com stands out by offering research for Pink Sheets and OTCBB stocks, which tastytrade does not support. Despite limited research tools, both brokers lack downloadable PDF reports, screeners for trade ideas, and ESG research, making them less appealing for users seeking comprehensive market insights.

Tastytrade does offer users the ability to see portfolio allocation by asset class, a feature that Public.com does not provide. However, neither platform offers social media sentiment data for stock research. Both tastytrade and Public.com receive below-average ratings for market research, with tastytrade earning 1.5 stars and Public.com earning 2 stars out of five. This suggests that investors looking for in-depth research tools might need to look elsewhere.

According to StockBrokers.com, tastytrade is ranked 13th out of 14 brokers for market research, while Public.com comes in slightly higher at 12th position. This ranking underscores the limited scope of market research tools available on both platforms. Investors relying heavily on market research might find more value in exploring other brokers with robust capabilities. Nonetheless, Public.com holds a small edge over tastytrade due to its additional research on Pink Sheets and OTCBB stocks.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info No No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info No No
Research - Mutual Funds info No No
Screener - Mutual Funds info No No
Research - Bonds info No No
Screener - Bonds info No No
Research 1.5/5 Stars 2/5 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 info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Debit Cards info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Mortgage Loans info No No
CDs info No 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 tastytrade is better than Public.com. tastytrade finished with an overall score of 80.1%, while Public.com finished with a score of 69.6%.

tastytrade isn’t for every investor, but its platform is ideal for frequent options and futures traders, offering efficient workflow, useful risk management tools, killer design, and online content that makes you feel like you’re on a trading desk.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with tastytrade or Public.com?

When comparing online brokers, both tastytrade and Public.com offer crypto trading; however, Public.com provides a wider selection with 22 available coins, surpassing tastytrade, which offers 17 coins.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025

Does tastytrade or Public.com offer IRAs?

tastytrade offers both traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fee, but charges a $60 closure fee, unlike Public.com, which does not provide IRA accounts but imposes a $150 closure fee on such accounts managed elsewhere.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating tastytrade Public.com
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 1.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.0/5 Stars N/A
Education 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review tastytrade Review Public.com Review
Broker Screenshots tastytrade Public.com
Trading Platform & Tools Gallery (click to expand)
Research Gallery (click to expand)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees tastytrade Public.com
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00 info
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info N/A $2.99
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info N/A info n/a
Options (Per Contract) info $0.50 info $0.00 info
Futures (Per Contract) info $1.00 info (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $0 n/a
Margin Rates tastytrade Public.com
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 11% 8.75%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 10.5% 8.75%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 10% 6.75%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 9.5% 6.75%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 9% 5.75%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 8.5% 5.75%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 8% 5.75%
Account Fees tastytrade Public.com
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $60.00 $150.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $75.00 $100.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $75.00 $100.00
Options Exercise Fee info $5.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $5.00 $0.00
Investment Options tastytrade Public.com
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes info Yes
OTC Stocks info No Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 0
Futures Trading info Yes No
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 17 22
Mutual Funds (No Load) info 0 0
Mutual Funds (Total) info 0 0
Bonds (US Treasury) info No info Yes
Bonds (Corporate) info No Yes
Bonds (Municipal) info No No
Traditional IRAs info Yes No
Roth IRAs info Yes No
Advisor Services info No No
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types tastytrade 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 No No
Order Type - OCO info Yes No
Order Type - OTO info Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes No
Beginners tastytrade Public.com
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Education (Retirement) info No Yes
Retirement Calculator info No No
Investor Dictionary info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info No Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Progress Tracking info Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info No No
Stock Trading Apps tastytrade Public.com
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No 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 tastytrade Public.com
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info No No
Videos on Demand info No No
Stock Alerts info No 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 tastytrade 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 0 0
Charting - Study Customizations info No No
Charting - Stock Comparisons info No Yes
Trading Platforms tastytrade Public.com
Active Trading Platform info tastytrade 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 No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 33 3
Stock Chart Features tastytrade Public.com
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 308 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 31 0
Charting - Notes info Yes No
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events info Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range info No No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info No No
Charting - Automated Analysis info No No
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info No No
Charting - Study Customizations info 7 0
Charting - Custom Studies info Yes No
Day Trading tastytrade Public.com
Streaming Time & Sales info No No
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Ladder Trading info Yes No
Trade Hotkeys info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates info No No
Research Overview tastytrade Public.com
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info No No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info No Yes
Research - Bonds info No No
Screener - Stocks info No No
Screener - ETFs info No No
Screener - Mutual Funds info No No
Screener - Bonds info No No
Misc - Portfolio Allocation info Yes No info
Stock Research tastytrade Public.com
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 0 0 info
Stock Research - Earnings info No Yes
Stock Research - Insiders info No No
Stock Research - Social info No No
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info No No
Stock Research - SEC Filings info No No
ETF Research tastytrade Public.com
ETFs - Strategy Overview info No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets info No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info No No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info No No
ETFs - Sector Exposure info No No
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes No
ETFs - Ratings info No No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info No No
ETFs - PDF Reports info No No
Mutual Fund Research tastytrade Public.com
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview info No No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info No No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info No No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info No No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info No No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info No No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info No No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info No No
Options Trading tastytrade Public.com
Option Chains - Basic View info Yes No
Option Chains - Strategy View info Yes No
Option Chains - Streaming info Yes No
Option Chains - Total Columns info 20 4
Option Chains - Greeks info 5 5
Option Chains - Quick Analysis info Yes Yes
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes Yes
Option Probability Analysis info Yes No
Option Probability Analysis Adv info Yes No
Option Positions - Greeks info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming info Yes No
Option Positions - Adv Analysis info Yes No
Option Positions - Rolling info Yes No
Option Positions - Grouping info Yes No
Banking tastytrade Public.com
Bank (Member FDIC) info No No
Checking Accounts info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Debit Cards info No No
Mortgage Loans info No No
Customer Service tastytrade Public.com
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes No
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info No No
Overall tastytrade Public.com
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 1.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review tastytrade Review Public.com Review
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