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TradeStation vs Public.com 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

July 03, 2025

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.

TradeStation
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.60
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 considering TradeStation and Public.com for online trading, it's important to evaluate their diverse range of investment options. TradeStation stands out with a more comprehensive array of offerings, providing stock, margin, and options trading, as well as access to mutual funds, OTC stocks, and futures trading. Public.com, on the other hand, appeals to a different audience with stock trading, margin trading, and a unique advantage in allowing fractional shares and crypto trading, including 22 coins. While Public.com caters to newer investors with crypto and fractional shares, TradeStation's support for mutual funds, futures, and traditional IRA accounts makes it suitable for more traditional investment strategies. Therefore, TradeStation is favored for its broader investment range, earning 4.5 stars in this area, compared to Public.com's 3.5 stars.

TradeStation offers several features that might appeal to seasoned investors, including the ability to trade mutual funds and futures, which are missing from Public.com's offerings. Both platforms support stock and options trading, and neither offers direct forex trading. TradeStation further distinguishes itself by providing traditional and Roth IRA accounts, which are not available through Public.com. However, Public.com gives its users the edge in crypto investments, offering trading capabilities for 22 different coins, a feature lacking in TradeStation.

In assessing their range of investments, TradeStation ranks #5 out of 14 brokers according to StockBrokers.com, illustrating its more extensive options for investors. Public.com, though lower in rank at #13, appeals to those looking for ease in crypto and fractional shares investment. Ultimately, selecting the right platform depends on your investment goals—whether you value a wide array of traditional investment options or prefer the flexibility and modern appeal of crypto trading and fractional shares. Both platforms have their unique advantages, catering to specific types of investors.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
Public.com logoPublic.com
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info No Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 22
Range of Investments 4.5/5 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 TradeStation and Public.com in terms of their trading platforms and tools, TradeStation emerges as a standout choice for more advanced traders seeking comprehensive features. With a 4.5-star rating and a third-place ranking by StockBrokers.com, TradeStation impresses with an extensive array of tools allowing for deep technical analysis, including 294 chart indicators and 23 drawing tools. In contrast, Public.com, which has a 2-star rating and ranks fourteenth, offers more basic functionality, making it more suitable for beginners or those who prefer a straightforward platform without advanced charting capabilities.

TradeStation caters to advanced traders with its downloadable trading platform for Windows, comprehensive browser-based platform, and paper trading feature. Its platform includes various customization tools, such as the ability to adjust open orders on a stock chart and display corporate events like earnings and dividends directly on the charts. Moreover, TradeStation supports complex tasks like creating custom studies for charts, which could be essential for traders who rely heavily on technical analysis. Public.com, on the other hand, provides a simple browser-based platform suited for casual investors, lacking the advanced customization and technical analysis tools.

In terms of charting and watchlist capabilities, TradeStation offers a significant advantage with 341 custom watchlist fields compared to Public.com's three. Furthermore, the ability to add notes, save multiple chart profiles, and perform automated technical analysis on TradeStation makes it a preferred platform for those who need a more tailored and flexible trading experience. Public.com's platform lacks these advanced features, focusing instead on straightforward investing without the depth of technical tools found in TradeStation.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
Public.com logoPublic.com
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Paper Trading info Yes No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 341 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 294 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 23 0
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 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

TradeStation and Public.com both aim to help new investors learn the ropes, but they cater differently to their educational needs. TradeStation delivers education on stock and options, however, it falls short in providing resources for ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. On the other hand, Public.com offers materials for stocks, ETFs, and options, yet similar to TradeStation, it does not provide information on mutual funds and bonds. For beginners interested in hands-on practice, TradeStation offers the valuable tool of paper trading, allowing users to try out strategies without risking real money, a feature lacking in Public.com.

Both platforms integrate educational videos and webinars, yet neither includes quizzes or tracking features to monitor educational progress. According to user ratings, TradeStation receives 3 stars for its educational offerings, while Public.com fares slightly better with 3.5 stars. In the broader educational ranking among brokers, StockBrokers.com places TradeStation at #13 and Public.com at #11 out of 14, highlighting Public.com's slightly stronger position in catering to the educational needs of its users.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
Public.com logoPublic.com
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info No Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Paper Trading info Yes No
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Education 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

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 logoTradeStation
Public.com logoPublic.com
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes No info
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies info 45 0
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

When comparing online brokers TradeStation and Public.com in terms of account fees and charges, each platform has its own strengths. TradeStation stands out with its $0 minimum deposit requirement and free trades on regular stock transactions. In contrast, Public.com requires a minimum deposit of $20 but compensates with no charges on options contracts and more favorable rates for margin balances under $100,000. Additionally, Public.com offers IRA accounts with no annual fees, although its IRA closure fees are higher than TradeStation’s. Ultimately, the choice between these brokers hinges on individual trading needs and financial goals.

TradeStation caters to traders seeking a platform with no minimum deposit, offering a cost-effective way to start investing without any initial financial commitment. While regular stock trades are free, options traders will encounter a $0.60 per contract fee. On the other hand, Public.com offers a distinct advantage for options traders with zero fees for options contracts, though it requires a $20 minimum deposit to begin trading. When it comes to margin trading, TradeStation’s rates are higher, ranging from 12.5% to 13%, compared to Public.com’s more competitive 6.75% to 8.75% on balances under $100,000.

For investors interested in retirement accounts, Public.com provides a cost-saving option with no annual fees, though it charges a higher fee for IRA closures. TradeStation charges $35 annually for IRAs, with a lower closure fee. Both platforms have fees for account transfers, with TradeStation charging $125 for both partial and full transfers, while Public.com charges $100. Lastly, TradeStation applies additional fees for options exercises and assignments, whereas Public.com does not impose these fees, making it potentially more appealing to active options traders.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
Public.com logoPublic.com
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00 info
Options (Per Contract) info $0.60 $0.00 info
Options Exercise Fee info $14.95 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $5.95 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $35.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $50.00 $150.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

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

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025

Market Research

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 logoTradeStation
Public.com logoPublic.com
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes 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 2/5 Stars 2/5 Stars

Banking

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 logoTradeStation
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 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.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with TradeStation or Public.com?

TradeStation does not offer crypto trading, whereas Public.com allows users to trade 22 different cryptocurrencies, providing a diverse range of digital assets for investors.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025

Does TradeStation or Public.com offer IRAs?

TradeStation provides both traditional and Roth IRA accounts with an annual fee of $35.00 and a $50.00 closure fee, while Public.com does not offer IRA accounts, making it cost-free in terms of annual and closure fees.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating TradeStation Public.com
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 2/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars N/A
Education 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review TradeStation Review Public.com Review
Broker Screenshots TradeStation 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 TradeStation Public.com
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00 info
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $0.01 info $2.99
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info $14.95 n/a
Options (Per Contract) info $0.60 $0.00 info
Futures (Per Contract) info $1.50 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $25 n/a
Margin Rates TradeStation Public.com
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 13.0% 8.75%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 13.0% 8.75%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 12.5% 6.75%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 12.0% 6.75%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 12.0% 5.75%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 7.5% info 5.75%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 7.5% info 5.75%
Account Fees TradeStation Public.com
IRA Annual Fee info $35.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $50.00 $150.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $125.00 $100.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $125.00 $100.00
Options Exercise Fee info $14.95 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $5.95 $0.00
Investment Options TradeStation Public.com
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info No Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes 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 No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 22
Mutual Funds (No Load) info 800 0
Mutual Funds (Total) info 4000 0
Bonds (US Treasury) info Yes Yes
Bonds (Corporate) info Yes Yes
Bonds (Municipal) info Yes No
Traditional IRAs info Yes No
Roth IRAs info Yes No
Advisor Services info No No
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types TradeStation 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 Yes No
Order Type - OCO info Yes No
Order Type - OTO info Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes No
Beginners TradeStation Public.com
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info No 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 No Yes
Paper Trading info Yes No
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Progress Tracking info No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info No No
Stock Trading Apps TradeStation 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 TradeStation Public.com
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info No No
Videos on Demand info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes 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 TradeStation Public.com
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info No No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 45 0
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons info No Yes
Trading Platforms TradeStation Public.com
Active Trading Platform info TradeStation 10 n/a
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info Yes No
Trade Journal info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 341 3
Stock Chart Features TradeStation Public.com
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 294 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 23 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 Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info Yes No
Charting - Automated Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations info 12 0
Charting - Custom Studies info Yes No
Day Trading TradeStation Public.com
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes No
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info Yes No
Ladder Trading info Yes No
Trade Hotkeys info Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info Yes No
Short Locator info Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates info Yes No
Research Overview TradeStation Public.com
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info No No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info No No
Screener - Stocks info Yes 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 TradeStation 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 TradeStation 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 No No
ETFs - Ratings info No No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info No No
ETFs - PDF Reports info No No
Mutual Fund Research TradeStation 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 Yes 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 TradeStation 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 29 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 TradeStation 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 TradeStation 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 TradeStation Public.com
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 2/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Education 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review TradeStation Review Public.com Review
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