TradeStation vs Public.com 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.
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.
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 |
|
|
---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fractional Shares | 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 | 22 |
Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
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 |
|
|
---|---|---|
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 |
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Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
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 |
|
|
---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | No | Yes |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
Education (Bonds) | No | No |
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 |
|
|
---|---|---|
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 |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
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 |
|
|
---|---|---|
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 |
|
|
---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
Streaming TV | No | No |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | 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 for 2025
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 |
|
|
---|---|---|
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 - Bonds | No | No |
Screener - Bonds | 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 |
|
|
---|---|---|
Checking Accounts | No | No |
Savings Accounts | No | No |
Debit Cards | No | No |
Credit Cards | No | No |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
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.
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
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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0 of 5Overall Rating | TradeStation | Public.com | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Customer Service |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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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 | $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% | 8.75% | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.0% | 8.75% | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.5% | 6.75% | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.0% | 6.75% | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.0% | 5.75% | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 7.5% | 5.75% | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 7.5% | 5.75% |
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 | |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Fractional Shares | No | Yes | |
OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 0 | |
Futures Trading | Yes | No | |
Forex Trading | No | No | |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 22 | |
Mutual Funds (No Load) | 800 | 0 | |
Mutual Funds (Total) | 4000 | 0 | |
Bonds (US Treasury) | Yes | Yes | |
Bonds (Corporate) | Yes | Yes | |
Bonds (Municipal) | Yes | No | |
Traditional IRAs | Yes | No | |
Roth IRAs | Yes | No | |
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 (Bonds) | No | No | |
Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
Retirement Calculator | No | No | |
Investor Dictionary | No | Yes | |
Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars (Archived) | 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 - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
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 - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Ladder Trading | Yes | No | |
Trade Hotkeys | 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 - Bonds | No | No | |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Screener - ETFs | No | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
Screener - Bonds | No | No | |
Misc - Portfolio 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 - Strategy Overview | No | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | No | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | No | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets | No | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | No | No | |
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | No | No | |
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 - Strategy Overview | 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 - Basic View | Yes | No | |
Option Chains - Strategy View | Yes | No | |
Option Chains - Streaming | Yes | No | |
Option Chains - Total Columns | 29 | 4 | |
Option Chains - Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
Option Chains - Quick Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysis | Yes | No | |
Option Probability Analysis Adv | Yes | No | |
Option Positions - Greeks | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming | Yes | No | |
Option Positions - Adv Analysis | Yes | No | |
Option Positions - Rolling | Yes | No | |
Option Positions - Grouping | Yes | No |
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 (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
24/7 Support | No | No |
Overall | TradeStation | Public.com | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | TradeStation Review | Public.com Review |