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tastytrade vs Public.com 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

January 23, 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 it comes to choosing an online broker, tastytrade and Public.com both offer diverse investment options that may appeal to different types of investors. While both platforms provide stock, margin, fractional shares, options, and crypto trading, there are distinguishing factors that set them apart. Tastytrade stands out with its offerings of futures and IRA accounts, whereas Public.com gives investors access to a wider array of cryptocurrencies and supports the trading of OTC stocks. Depending on your investment goals, the features of each platform can cater to different needs, with tastytrade earning a slightly higher rating for its range of investments.

For stock and options trading, both tastytrade and Public.com deliver similar capabilities, making them suitable for traders looking to engage in these popular markets. They equally support margin trading and fractional shares, allowing more flexibility in how investors manage their portfolios. However, tastytrade offers futures trading, setting it apart for those interested in leveraging this segment to diversify their investment strategy. On the other hand, Public.com offers a unique advantage with its ability to trade OTC stocks, providing an expanded universe of opportunities for adventurous traders.

In terms of cryptocurrency trading, Public.com provides access to a greater variety of coins, offering 22 different cryptocurrencies compared to just 4 on tastytrade, a potential advantage for crypto enthusiasts seeking broader options. Additionally, for those interested in retirement planning, tastytrade offers both traditional and Roth IRA accounts, likely appealing to long-term investors focused on their financial future. While neither platform provides mutual funds or advisory services, they both cater to modern investors looking for flexible and dynamic investment possibilities, with tastytrade slightly edging out Public.com in industry rankings for its range of investments.

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 4 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

Trading platforms and tools

When comparing the online trading platforms and tools offered by tastytrade and Public.com, it's clear that tastytrade provides more comprehensive features suitable for advanced traders. Rated four stars for its platforms and tools, tastytrade holds the eighth position out of 18 brokers, making it a strong contender for those seeking in-depth trading capabilities. Conversely, Public.com, with a two-star rating and a fifteenth place rank, offers more basic functionality, which might be appealing for newcomers or those who prefer simplicity over technical depth.

Tastytrade stands out with its extensive desktop and browser-based support, including downloadable platforms for both Windows and Mac users. Traders on tastytrade can access a wealth of features including 308 technical indicators, the ability to adjust orders directly on stock charts, and the capacity to create and save multiple chart profiles. This platform also offers extensive chart customization options, such as adding notes, displaying historical trades, and depicting corporate events on charts. Its watchlist supports an impressive 33 columns, allowing traders to monitor a vast array of fields.

On the other hand, Public.com focuses on a more streamlined, browser-only experience with far fewer customization tools. It does not provide technical indicators, drawing tools, or the ability to adjust orders directly on charts. Though Public.com supports index overlays on charts, it lacks extensive customization options for chart studies and watchlists, which are limited to only three columns. This simplicity may appeal to beginners but might limit those looking for more detailed technical analysis capabilities.

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 Stock Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025

Featured Offers


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Beginners and education

When it comes to investor education, tastytrade and Public.com offer a mix of resources that cater to beginners. Both platforms provide educational content on stocks, ETFs, and options, making them useful for those interested in diversifying their knowledge across various investment types. However, neither offers education on mutual funds or bonds, nor do they provide paper trading—a feature some beginners might find helpful. While tastytrade does not offer educational videos, Public.com does, adding a multimedia approach to its educational offerings. Both brokers also host webinars, allowing users to engage with experts and learn in real-time.

One area where tastytrade shines is its learning progress tracking, which provides a structured approach for beginners to monitor their education journey—a feature currently not available with Public.com. In terms of overall educational ratings, tastytrade scores higher with 4 out of 5 stars compared to Public.com's 3.5 stars, as rated by StockBrokers.com. With a ranking of #10 out of 18 brokers, tastytrade edges out Public.com, which ranks #12, indicating a slight preference among users for tastytrade’s educational capabilities.

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 choosing between tastytrade and Public.com for stock trading app capabilities, it's important to weigh the features against your trading needs. Both platforms offer iPhone and Android apps, supporting mobile trading flexibility. However, tastytrade provides a more comprehensive toolset, including after-hours trading, customizable watch lists, and landscape chart viewing. Conversely, Public.com offers stock comparisons on charts, a feature absent in tastytrade. Overall, tastytrade earns a higher user rating and ranks better according to StockBrokers.com, making it the preferred choice for serious traders seeking extensive functionalities.

Tastytrade stands out with its emphasis on features like mobile after-hours stock trading and mobile options trading, which are highly beneficial for active traders. It supports streaming quotes, customized watch list settings, and multiple time frames for charting. Additionally, tastytrade allows users to view charts in landscape mode and offers after-hours charting, significantly enhancing the app's usability for in-depth analysis. While it lacks streaming TV and video on demand, its robust feature set caters comprehensively to various trading needs.

Public.com offers solid capabilities for users seeking basic stock trading features. It matches tastytrade with both iPhone and Android app offerings, alongside mobile options trading and the ability to customize watch list columns. Although it misses out on streaming quotes and customizable watch lists, Public.com allows users to compare stocks directly on the charts themselves. While it falls short in advanced functionalities and after-hours services compared to tastytrade, Public.com remains a viable choice for those primarily interested in straightforward, streamlined trading without the need for complex tools.

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 deciding between tastytrade and Public.com for your online trading needs, it's essential to weigh their respective costs and fees. Tastytrade might appeal to those seeking a platform with no minimum deposit and free stock trades, although the $0.50 per options contract might be a consideration for options traders. Meanwhile, Public.com offers free options trading and stock trades, but requires a minimum deposit of $20.00. For margin trading, Public.com presents competitive rates, especially for larger balances, while tastytrade remains consistent with its fees across different balance ranges.

Tastytrade and Public.com both offer commission-free stock trading, making them strong contenders for regular investors. However, options traders might favor Public.com, which charges no fees per options contract compared to tastytrade's $0.50 charge. Additionally, tastytrade applies a $5.00 fee for options exercise and assignment, whereas Public.com imposes no such costs.

For those considering margin accounts, Public.com generally offers lower interest rates across the board. Tastytrade's margin interest starts at 11% for balances below $25,000 and decreases slightly with larger balances, while Public.com presents a more competitive rate, especially at 6.75% for balances between $50,000 and $99,999. Both platforms share uniformity in fees for full and partial account transfers at $75.00 each, but those managing IRAs should note tastytrade charges a $60.00 IRA closure fee, while Public.com's fees remain unspecified in this area.

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
IRA Closure Fee info $60.00

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 tastytrade and Public.com for market research capabilities, it's clear that both platforms have their unique strengths and limitations. On the whole, Public.com edges out tastytrade slightly with a higher market research rating of 2 stars compared to tastytrade's 1.5 stars. Additionally, Public.com is ranked 12th out of 18 brokers by StockBrokers.com for market research, just ahead of tastytrade, which holds the 13th spot.

Both tastytrade and Public.com provide stock and ETF research, but neither offer research on mutual funds, bonds, or ESG aspects. Notably, Public.com offers research on pink sheets and OTCBB, which tastytrade does not. Each broker lacks downloadable PDF research reports for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, as well as tools like stock or ETF screeners for generating trade ideas.

For investors interested in seeing how their portfolios are allocated by asset class, tastytrade offers this feature, whereas Public.com does not. Neither platform incorporates social media sentiment data within their stock research. This comparison suggests that while each platform offers basic trading insights, investors seeking more in-depth market research and analytical tools might need to look beyond tastytrade and Public.com.

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 Bank Accounts for Trading Stocks for 2025

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 18 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?

Both tastytrade and Public.com offer crypto trading, with tastytrade providing access to 4 different coins, while Public.com offers a wider selection with 22 coins available.

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 fees, though it charges a $60 closure fee, whereas Public.com does not provide IRA accounts or charge related fees.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025

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Compare

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Overall Rating tastytrade Public.com
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees N/A N/A
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 $1.25 (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
IRA Closure Fee info $60.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $75.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $75.00 $75.00
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 4 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
Commissions & Fees N/A N/A
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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