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Public.com vs Vanguard 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

January 23, 2025

In this head to head comparison of Public.com vs Vanguard, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Public.com
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $20.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00 info
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info
Vanguard
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $1.00

Range of investments

When considering investment options, Public.com and Vanguard offer distinct features catering to different investor needs. Public.com excels in providing modern trading solutions, including fractional shares and crypto trading with access to 22 coins, which Vanguard does not offer. On the other hand, Vanguard shines in offering traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts alongside advisor services, making it a compelling choice for those seeking comprehensive long-term investment strategies. While Vanguard is rated higher for its range of investments at 4.5 stars compared to Public.com's 3.5 stars, the final choice depends on individual investment preferences and requirements.

Public.com allows investors to engage with a variety of investment opportunities such as stocks, options, margin, and OTC trading. Its standout feature is the ability to trade fractional shares, an accessible option especially for new investors. In addition, enthusiasts of cryptocurrency find Public.com attractive, with the platform offering a selection of 22 different coins for trading. Despite lacking mutual funds, IRAs, and advisor services, Public.com's modern trading capabilities cater to a younger audience seeking flexibility and diverse trading avenues.

Vanguard, with a strong reputation for offering traditional investment options, supports stock, options, margin, and even OTC trading. Its comprehensive range includes mutual funds, IRA account options, and the availability of professional financial advisor services geared towards long-term, strategic investment planning. While Vanguard does not provide crypto trading, the platform's offerings cater to investors focused on building a stable, diversified portfolio over time. Its higher rating for range of investments reflects its capacity to meet varied investing needs with traditional tools.

Feature Public.com logoPublic.com
Vanguard logoVanguard
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes No info
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds info No Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 22 0
Range of Investments 3.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025

Trading platforms and tools

When comparing Public.com and Vanguard for their trading platforms and tools, Vanguard slightly edges out Public.com with a 2.5-star rating compared to Public.com's 2 stars. However, both platforms have room for improvement and rank below several other brokers, with Public.com positioned at #15 by StockBrokers.com. Neither service offers downloadable trading software for Windows or Mac, relying instead on browser-based platforms.

Public.com and Vanguard are tied in several areas. Both lack features such as paper trading, trading journals, drawing tools, and the ability to save multiple chart profiles. Each provides index overlays in their charting features, though they do not offer advanced capabilities like showing historical trades or automated technical analyses. Additionally, neither platform allows users to add notes to charts or set custom date ranges, which might be a drawback for traders seeking detailed insights and customization.

Differentiating the two, Vanguard takes a lead with its charting features, offering nine technical indicators compared to none from Public.com. It also allows users to display corporate events on charts, a feature missing from Public.com. For watch lists, Vanguard offers nine columns or fields for customization, overshadowing Public.com's three. Despite these advantages, both platforms could benefit from enhancing their toolset to appeal to more advanced traders.

Feature Public.com logoPublic.com
Vanguard logoVanguard
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Paper Trading info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 3 9
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 0 9
Charting - Drawing Tools info 0 0
Platforms & Tools 2/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025

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Beginners and education

When it comes to educating beginners and investors, both Public.com and Vanguard have their strengths and limitations. Public.com provides educational resources on stocks, ETFs, and options, whereas Vanguard offers information primarily on stocks. While both platforms include educational videos, only Public.com offers webinars, making it a more interactive choice for users looking to deepen their knowledge. However, neither broker supports mutual funds or bonds education, nor do they offer paper trading or quizzes to reinforce learning.

Both Public.com and Vanguard are rated 3.5 stars for their educational offerings, reflecting a balanced, if not outstanding, educational platform for investors. Public.com is ranked 12th in education among 18 brokers by StockBrokers.com, highlighting its dedicated approach to investor education and its appeal to those prioritizing a varied learning experience. Meanwhile, Vanguard is not ranked by StockBrokers.com, but it remains a popular choice for users who prefer more traditional investment knowledge without additional digital engagement features.

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

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

Public.com and Vanguard offer unique features and capabilities for those interested in stock trading through mobile apps, but they cater to slightly different user preferences. Public.com, with a strong focus on accessibility for both Android and iPhone users, also allows for mobile after-hours and options trading, which may appeal to active traders seeking flexibility. Meanwhile, Vanguard, although slightly more limited in mobile options trading, provides reliable tools for those interested primarily in stock trading. Interestingly, neither broker offers advanced visual features, like streaming quotes or videos on demand, keeping their mobile experience streamlined.

Both Public.com and Vanguard are accessible on iPhone and Android devices, ensuring a wide reach for mobile users. While neither platform has ventured into the Apple Watch market, traders who use both Public.com and Vanguard apps won't miss out on the essentials. Where Public.com takes the lead is in offering customization options, like the ability to modify watch list columns and view stock comparisons on charts—features that are not available with Vanguard.

In terms of charting, both apps allow users to view multiple time frames; however, neither offers technical studies or landscape viewing for charts, which might limit more detailed analysis. Ratings reveal that Public.com is marginally favored over Vanguard, with a 3.5-star rating compared to Vanguard's 3 stars, reflecting user satisfaction and feature availability. Ultimately, the choice between Public.com and Vanguard may come down to what specific features or trading activities the user values most in a stock trading app.

Feature Public.com logoPublic.com
Vanguard logoVanguard
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Stock Alerts info No info No
Charting - After-Hours info No No
Charting - Technical Studies info 0 0
Mobile Trading Apps 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

When choosing between Public.com and Vanguard, it's essential to consider the costs and fees associated with each platform. Public.com shines with its $0 minimum deposit requirement, offering a low-entry barrier for new investors. However, Vanguard also demands no minimum deposit, making it equally accessible in this regard. Yet, if you're interested in trading options, Public.com holds an edge with no charges per options contract, in contrast to Vanguard's $1.00 fee per contract. Furthermore, Public.com's margin rates are significantly lower across various balance thresholds, offering potential savings for margin traders when compared to Vanguard's higher rates.

Both platforms cater to commission-free stock trading, ensuring that buying and selling stocks won't incur additional costs. However, there are differences in account and transfer fees that may influence your decision. Public.com charges $75 for both partial and full account transfers (ACAT), while Vanguard charges $100 for a full transfer but does not impose a fee for partial transfers. Additionally, Vanguard sets a $25 annual fee for IRA accounts, a charge that Public.com does not apply, providing potential savings for those maintaining retirement accounts.

In terms of other potential costs, both Public.com and Vanguard offer zero fees for options exercises and assignments, ensuring no hidden charges on these transactions. This characteristic is beneficial for investors who trade options frequently. Ultimately, selecting between Public.com and Vanguard will depend on your particular needs, such as margin trading requirements and how you value IRA account charges and transfer fees. Consider what aligns with your investment strategy and budget before making a decision.

Feature Public.com logoPublic.com
Vanguard logoVanguard
Minimum Deposit info $20.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 info $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.00 info $1.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $25.00 info
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

When considering Public.com and Vanguard for day trading, it's important to know that both platforms have limited capabilities in this area. Neither Public.com nor Vanguard offers streaming time and sales for stocks, which might be essential for real-time traders looking to see detailed transaction data. They also do not provide streaming live TV, so traders seeking in-depth market news and updates will need to look elsewhere. Moreover, both platforms lack direct market routing for stocks which restricts traders from selecting specific routes for their orders, potentially a downside for those who prefer control over their trade execution.

Furthermore, key features that benefits day traders such as ladder trading or trading hotkeys for swift keyboard trade entries are unavailable with both Public.com and Vanguard. Additionally, neither platform offers level 2 quotes, essential for gaining insights into supply and demand levels, nor do they offer strategy backtesting features to test past performance of trading strategies. Also, they lack a short locator tool for determining real-time availability of shares for short selling. Coupled with the absence of order liquidity rebates, these factors may suggest that Public.com and Vanguard are more suited to long-term investors rather than those crafting day trading strategies.

Feature Public.com logoPublic.com
Vanguard logoVanguard
Streaming Time & Sales info No No
Streaming TV info No 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 No No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025

Market Research

When comparing the market research capabilities of Public.com and Vanguard, Vanguard comes out slightly ahead with a 3.5-star rating versus Public.com's 2-star rating. Although Vanguard does not appear in a specific ranking by StockBrokers.com, it offers a more comprehensive suite of research tools, particularly for mutual funds and bonds. Public.com offers basic stock and ETFs research but lacks features in mutual fund and bond analysis as well as not offering social media sentiment data or ESG research, which are also absent in Vanguard.

Public.com gives investors the tools to conduct stock and ETFs research, alongside providing support for Pink Sheets/OTCBB. However, it does not extend its research offerings to mutual funds, bonds, ESG, or social media sentiment, potentially leaving investors wanting more depth and diversity in their research options. Within its platform, investors won't find tools like portfolio allocation analysis by asset class or downloadable PDF research reports, which limits the depth of market research capabilities they can access.

Conversely, Vanguard provides a more rounded research capability with options for mutual funds and bonds, and a couple of downloadable PDF research reports for stocks. Investors can also access tools to analyze portfolio allocation by asset class and utilize stock and ETF screeners for identifying trade ideas. However, like Public.com, Vanguard does not incorporate ESG research or social media sentiment data. Despite these limitations, Vanguard’s additional offerings of mutual fund and bond research tools give it a slight advantage for those seeking a wider scope of market research capabilities.

Feature Public.com logoPublic.com
Vanguard logoVanguard
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info No Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info No Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info No Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds info No Yes
Research - Bonds info No Yes
Screener - Bonds info No Yes
Research 2/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing Public.com and Vanguard for banking capabilities, neither platform offers traditional banking services like checking or savings accounts, debit or credit cards, or mortgage loans. However, Vanguard provides Certificates of Deposit (CDs), whereas Public.com does not. This makes Vanguard a slightly more versatile option for those interested in CDs, even though both lack typical banking features. If you're primarily looking for CD options alongside investment services, Vanguard might be more suitable for you. However, for users keen solely on investment services without banking features, either platform could meet those needs.

Feature Public.com logoPublic.com
Vanguard logoVanguard
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 Yes

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 Public.com is better than Vanguard. Public.com finished with an overall score of 69.6%, while Vanguard finished with a score of 80.3%.

Public is easy to use and offers a fascinating array of investment options. Along with stocks, ETFs, and crypto, there are managed Treasury bill accounts and alternative investments, such as shares in comic books and Banksy art. On the downside, Public uses its refusal to accept payment for order flow as justification for some startlingly high fees and spreads.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Public.com or Vanguard?

Public.com stands out by offering crypto trading with access to 22 different coins, whereas Vanguard does not offer any crypto trading options, making Public.com a better choice for investors interested in cryptocurrency.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025

Does Public.com or Vanguard offer IRAs?

Public.com does not offer traditional or Roth IRA accounts, while Vanguard provides both options, albeit with a $25 annual fee for IRA accounts but no closure fee.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025

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Overall Rating Public.com Vanguard
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees N/A 4.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 3.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 2/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 2/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Customer Service N/A 4/5 Stars
Education 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Public.com Review Vanguard Review
Broker Screenshots Public.com Vanguard
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 Public.com Vanguard
Minimum Deposit info $20.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 info $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $2.99 $0.00
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info n/a Varies info
Options (Per Contract) info $0.00 info $1.00
Futures (Per Contract) info (Not offered) (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info n/a $25 info
Margin Rates Public.com Vanguard
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 8.75% 13.75% info
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 8.75% 13.25%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 6.75% 12.75%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 6.75% 12.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 5.75% 11.75%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 5.75% 10.5%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 5.75% Varies info
Account Fees Public.com Vanguard
IRA Annual Fee info $25.00 info
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $75.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $75.00 $100.00 info
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Public.com Vanguard
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes No info
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 0 4
Futures Trading info No No
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 22 0
Mutual Funds (No Load) info 0 N/A
Mutual Funds (Total) info 0 N/A
Bonds (US Treasury) info Yes Yes
Bonds (Corporate) info Yes Yes
Bonds (Municipal) info No Yes
Traditional IRAs info No Yes
Roth IRAs info No Yes
Advisor Services info No Yes
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types Public.com Vanguard
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours info Yes info Yes
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info No No
Order Type - OCO info No No
Order Type - OTO info No No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info No Yes
Beginners Public.com Vanguard
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes No
Education (Options) info Yes No
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Education (Retirement) info Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator info No Yes
Investor Dictionary info Yes No
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes No
Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Progress Tracking info No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info No No
Stock Trading Apps Public.com Vanguard
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 No
Trading - Simple Options info Yes No
Trading - Complex Options info No No
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info No No
Stock App Features Public.com Vanguard
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes No
Stream Live TV info No No
Videos on Demand info No No
Stock Alerts info No info No
Option Chains Viewable info Yes No
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes No
Watch List (Streaming) info No No
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info No No
Watch Lists - Column Customization info Yes No
Stock App Charting Public.com Vanguard
Charting - After-Hours info No No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info No No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 0 0
Charting - Study Customizations info No No
Charting - Stock Comparisons info Yes No
Trading Platforms Public.com Vanguard
Active Trading Platform info n/a N/A
Desktop Trading Platform info No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Trade Journal info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 3 9
Stock Chart Features Public.com Vanguard
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info No No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 0 9
Charting - Drawing Tools info 0 0
Charting - Notes info No No
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info No No
Charting - Corporate Events info No Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range info No No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info No No
Charting - Automated Analysis info No No
Charting - Save Profiles info No No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info No No
Charting - Study Customizations info 0 1
Charting - Custom Studies info No No
Day Trading Public.com Vanguard
Streaming Time & Sales info No No
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Ladder Trading info No 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 No No
Order Liquidity Rebates info No No
Research Overview Public.com Vanguard
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info No Yes
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info No Yes
Screener - Stocks info No Yes
Screener - ETFs info No Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds info No Yes
Screener - Bonds info No Yes
Misc - Portfolio Allocation info No info Yes
Stock Research Public.com Vanguard
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 0 info 2
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes 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 Public.com Vanguard
ETFs - Strategy Overview info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets info Yes No
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 Public.com Vanguard
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview info No Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info No Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info No Yes
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info No Yes
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info No No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info No Yes
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info No Yes
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info No Yes
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info No Yes
Options Trading Public.com Vanguard
Option Chains - Basic View info No Yes
Option Chains - Strategy View info No No
Option Chains - Streaming info No No
Option Chains - Total Columns info 4 9
Option Chains - Greeks info 5 0
Option Chains - Quick Analysis info Yes No
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes No
Option Probability Analysis info No No
Option Probability Analysis Adv info No No
Option Positions - Greeks info Yes No
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming info No No
Option Positions - Adv Analysis info No No
Option Positions - Rolling info No No
Option Positions - Grouping info No No
Banking Public.com Vanguard
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 Public.com Vanguard
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info No Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) info No Yes
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) info Yes No
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes No
24/7 Support info No No
Overall Public.com Vanguard
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees N/A 4.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 3.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 2/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 2/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Public.com Review Vanguard Review
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