Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of TradeStation vs Public.com, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Bottom line: In the TradeStation vs. Public.com comparison for investment options, TradeStation comes out ahead. StockBrokers.com rates TradeStation 4.5/5 stars and ranks it #5 of 14 for Range of Investments, while Public.com earns 3.5/5 stars and ranks #13. Choose TradeStation if you want access to mutual funds and futures; pick Public.com if fractional shares and crypto (40 coins) are priorities. Both platforms support core needs like stocks, options, OTC stocks, and margin, and both offer Traditional and Roth IRAs. Neither supports forex or advisor services.
Product lineup at a glance: Both TradeStation and Public.com offer stock trading, options trading, OTC stocks, and margin. Only Public.com offers fractional shares and crypto, with 40 coins available. Only TradeStation offers mutual funds and futures. Neither broker offers forex trading.
Account considerations: Both brokers provide Traditional and Roth IRA accounts and do not offer advisor services. If you need futures and mutual funds under one roof, TradeStation fits the bill. If you want to start with smaller amounts via fractional shares and also trade crypto, Public.com is the better match.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 40 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
When it comes to choosing between TradeStation and Public.com for trading platforms and tools, the key takeaway is that TradeStation stands out significantly in this comparison. With a rating of 4.5 stars, TradeStation offers a plethora of advanced features and customization options, making it a powerful choice for experienced traders. Meanwhile, Public.com receives a 2-star rating, primarily offering basic features that may appeal more to beginners who prefer simplicity in their trading activities.
TradeStation excels in versatility and detail-oriented functionalities. It provides a downloadable Windows desktop platform, along with a browser-based option. This broker caters to traders who value customization, offering 341 watchlist fields, 294 technical indicators, and 23 drawing tools. Additionally, TradeStation facilitates advanced chart management with options to adjust open orders directly on charts, add notes, show historical trades, display corporate events, and configure automated technical analysis. These features are underscored by the ability to save chart profiles and create custom studies, making it a top choice for comprehensive trading analysis.
In contrast, Public.com is oriented towards users looking for a simpler, more straightforward experience. It only offers a browser-based trading platform with vastly limited functionalities compared to TradeStation. Public.com supports just 3 watchlist fields and does not provide technical indicators, drawing tools, or chart customization options such as adding notes or displaying corporate events. Lacking in advanced features and the ability for extensive personalization, Public.com may suit novice traders but could prove limiting as investment knowledge and needs grow. Overall, TradeStation is ideal for those seeking a rich toolkit and the full spectrum of trading analytics.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 341 | 3 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 0 |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
Schwab Trading Powered by Ameritrade™.
A full-featured account for investing
Get up to $1K on new brokerage account*
TradeStation vs Public.com for investor education: both teach stocks and options and provide learning through videos and webinars. Public.com goes wider with ETF and bond education, while TradeStation does not cover those topics. Neither platform offers mutual fund education, quizzes, or tools to track your learning progress. A key difference is practice: TradeStation includes paper trading so beginners can try strategies without risking real money, whereas Public.com does not.
On quality, StockBrokers.com rates Public.com at 3.5 stars and ranks it #11 out of 14 for education, while TradeStation earns 3 stars and ranks #13. If you want broader topic coverage (stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds), Public.com is the better fit. If hands-on practice with a paper trading simulator matters most, TradeStation is the stronger pick.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | No | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | No | Yes |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When choosing a stock trading app, understanding the distinct features and user experiences offered by TradeStation and Public.com can guide potential investors to the right choice. TradeStation is generally rated higher, holding a 4.5-star rating and ranking eighth among 14 brokers. In contrast, Public.com has a 3.5-star rating and lands at the bottom of the ranking list. This suggests that TradeStation may offer more comprehensive tools and capabilities to satisfy various trading requirements.
Both TradeStation and Public.com provide apps for iPhone and Android devices, making them easily accessible on the most popular mobile platforms. However, TradeStation pulls ahead with several features tailored towards more active and detail-oriented traders. These include mobile after-hours trading, customizable watchlists, and 45 technical studies for charting, which cater to investors looking for detailed market data. Additionally, TradeStation's app allows mobile options trading and the ability to view multiple time frames for charting.
On the other hand, Public.com stands out for its user-friendly approach towards newer investors. While it doesn't offer as many advanced features as TradeStation, it does provide stock comparisons on charts, which can be a helpful tool for beginners. Moreover, both platforms fall short of providing Apple Watch apps or videos on demand. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on whether an investor prioritizes a high-rating, feature-rich environment, like TradeStation, or a more streamlined, user-friendly approach, as seen with Public.com.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Public.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 | 45 | 0 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
Bottom line: In the TradeStation vs Public.com fees comparison, both charge $0 for stock trades, but Public.com is generally cheaper for options and margin. Public.com has $0 per options contract and $0 for option exercise and assignment, and its margin rates are much lower in every tier. TradeStation stands out with a $0 minimum deposit and a lower IRA closure fee, while Public.com offers a $0 IRA annual fee and lower ACAT transfer charges. If you plan to trade options or use margin, Public.com is likely the better value; if a $0 minimum deposit is key, TradeStation fits.
Account setup and trading costs: TradeStation requires a $0 minimum deposit, while Public.com requires $20. Both brokers offer $0 commissions for regular stock trades. For options, TradeStation charges $0.60 per contract; Public.com charges $0. IRA fees differ: TradeStation has a $35 annual IRA fee and a $50 IRA closure fee; Public.com has a $0 annual IRA fee and a $150 IRA closure fee. ACAT transfer fees are lower at Public.com ($100 for partial or full transfers) than at TradeStation ($125 for partial or full). For options events, TradeStation charges $14.95 for exercise and $5.95 for assignment; Public.com charges $0 for both.
Margin interest rates: For balances under $25,000, TradeStation is 13.0% vs Public.com at 5.65%. From $25,000 to $49,999, TradeStation remains 13.0% vs 5.65% at Public.com. From $50,000 to $99,999, TradeStation is 12.5% vs Public.com at 5.50%. If you borrow on margin, these rate gaps can outweigh other line‑item fees.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $20.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.60 | $0.00 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $0.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $0.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 | $150.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing TradeStation to Public.com for day trading, it's clear that TradeStation provides a more comprehensive suite of tools for active traders. TradeStation supports streaming time and sales data for stocks, giving traders detailed, real-time information for decision-making. In contrast, Public.com does not offer this feature. Additionally, TradeStation allows direct market routing, ladder trading, and the use of trading hotkeys—all crucial functions for efficient day trading—while Public.com lacks these capabilities. TradeStation also supplies level 2 quotes, which provide insights into market depth, whereas Public.com does not.
Beyond the basic trading features, TradeStation offers both basic and advanced strategy backtesting, which lets traders refine their strategies before entering the market. Public.com, on the other hand, doesn’t provide any backtesting options. For those interested in short selling, TradeStation includes a short locator tool to help identify available shares to short, a tool absent from Public.com’s offerings. Lastly, TradeStation offers order liquidity rebates, providing traders with potential cost efficiencies that are not available with Public.com. For day traders seeking a platform rich with features, TradeStation appears to be the more comprehensive choice.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
| Streaming TV | No | No |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No |
| Short Locator | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2025 for Beginners and Active Traders
When comparing TradeStation and Public.com in terms of market research features, both platforms offer basic stock and ETF research capabilities, without the inclusion of mutual funds, bonds, or ESG analysis. Neither brokerage provides downloadable PDF research reports, limiting their resources to platforms like purely digital tools. Both TradeStation and Public.com have earned a rating of two stars for their market research offerings based on consumer reviews, with StockBrokers.com ranking TradeStation at 11th and Public.com at 12th out of 14 brokers assessed.
TradeStation provides more tools for traders seeking deeper market insights, particularly with its offering of Pink Sheets and OTCBB research. Additionally, it supports portfolio analysis by asset class, providing an advanced level of insight that Public.com lacks. Traders also benefit from TradeStation's stock screener feature, which aids in generating trade ideas, a tool public.com does not offer. Overall, TradeStation may appeal more to users looking for these specific functions.
Public.com, in contrast, aligns closely with TradeStation in having limited research offerings but takes a different approach by not incorporating a stock screener or the ability to segment portfolios by asset class. While this may be suitable for users seeking a simpler platform without complex analytical tools, those looking for enhanced in-depth analysis and tools may find Public.com less equipped than TradeStation. Despite their differences, both platforms are somewhat deficient in robust market research features, reflected in their similar rankings and ratings.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Public.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | No | No |
| Research - Mutual Funds | No | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | No | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | No | No |
| Research |
|
|
When evaluating the banking features of online brokers TradeStation and Public.com, it's clear that neither provides traditional banking services. Both TradeStation and Public.com lack basic banking offerings such as checking and savings accounts, debit and credit cards, or mortgage loans. Additionally, neither broker offers Certificates of Deposit (CDs). For individuals seeking comprehensive banking capabilities alongside their investment activities, alternative financial institutions may be worth exploring, as neither TradeStation nor Public.com caters to these specific banking needs.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
Public.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 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that TradeStation is better than Public.com. TradeStation finished with an overall score of 80.2%, while Public.com finished with a score of 69.6%.
TradeStation supports casual traders through its web-based platform and active traders through its desktop platform. We like the web-based platform and mobile app, but the flagship desktop platform could use a refresh.
In a TradeStation vs Public.com comparison for crypto trading, TradeStation offers no cryptocurrency access (0 coins), while Public.com supports crypto trading with 40 coins.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
In the TradeStation vs Public.com IRA comparison, both online brokers offer Traditional and Roth IRAs; TradeStation charges a $35 annual IRA fee with a $50 closure fee, while Public.com has no annual IRA fee but a $150 closure fee.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Customer Service |
| N/A | |
| Education |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | TradeStation Review | Public.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Trading Fees | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $20.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $0.01 | $2.99 | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $14.95 | n/a | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.60 | $0.00 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | $1.50 | (Not offered) | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $25 | n/a |
| Margin Rates | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.0% | 5.65% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.0% | 5.65% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.5% | 5.50% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.0% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.0% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 7.5% | 5.25% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 7.5% | 5.05% |
| Account Fees | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 | $150.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $125.00 | $100.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $125.00 | $100.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $0.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $0.00 |
| Investment Options | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
| Futures Trading | Yes | 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 | TradeStation | 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 | TradeStation | 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) | No | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | No | No | |
| Investor Dictionary | No | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Progress Tracking | No | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | TradeStation | 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 | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | No | No | |
| Videos on Demand | No | No | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
| Watch List (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
| Watch List (Streaming) | Yes | No | |
| Watch Lists - Create & Manage | Yes | No | |
| Watch Lists - Column Customization | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Charting | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | No | No | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 45 | 0 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | TradeStation 10 | n/a | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
| Trade Journal | No | No | |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 341 | 3 |
| Stock Chart Features | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 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 | 12 | 0 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | Yes | No |
| Day Trading | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
| Streaming TV | No | No | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No | |
| Ladder Trading | Yes | No | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | No | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No | |
| Short Locator | Yes | No | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | Yes | No |
| Research Overview | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Fixed Income | No | No | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Screener - ETFs | No | No | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | No | No | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | No |
| Stock Research | TradeStation | 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 | TradeStation | 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 | No | No | |
| ETFs - Ratings | No | No | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | No | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | No | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | TradeStation | 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 | Yes | 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 | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | TradeStation | 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 | TradeStation | 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 | TradeStation | Public.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | TradeStation Review | Public.com Review |
Charles Schwab
Interactive Brokers
Fidelity
E*TRADE
Merrill Edge
Webull
TradeStation
tastytrade
Finviz
Stock Rover
TrendSpider
Trade Ideas
TraderSync
TradingView
Tradervue