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Webull vs Public.com 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

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

Webull
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00
Public.com
3/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $20.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00 info
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info

Range of investments

Bottom line: In the Webull vs. Public.com matchup, Webull offers a wider range of investments, adding forex and futures that Public.com doesn’t support, plus a larger crypto lineup (50 coins vs. 40). Both let you trade stocks, options, OTC stocks, and crypto, use margin, and buy fractional shares. Both also support Traditional and Roth IRAs, while neither offers mutual funds or advisor services. Reflecting this breadth, Webull is rated 4 stars and ranked #8 for Range of Investments by StockBrokers.com; Public.com holds 3.5 stars and ranks #12.

Shared strengths include stock trading, margin trading, options trading, fractional shares, OTC stocks, and crypto access. Each platform supports both Traditional and Roth IRA accounts, making them viable for long-term investors. On the flip side, neither platform offers mutual funds or advisor services, which may matter if you want managed guidance or fund choices.

The key difference is asset variety: only Webull offers forex and futures, and it lists more cryptocurrencies. Choose Webull if you want the most trading choices or a bigger crypto menu. Choose Public.com if you’re content with core assets like stocks, options, OTC stocks, and crypto without forex or futures. In either case, IRA savers and traders who want fractional shares or OTC access will find what they need.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Public.com logoPublic.com
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Mutual Funds No No
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 50 40
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026

Trading platforms and tools

Bottom line: Webull offers far more trading platform features and charting tools than Public.com. Webill provides downloadable desktop apps for both Windows and Mac, advanced charts, paper trading, and on-chart order control, while Public.com keeps things basic with a browser-only setup and minimal analysis tools. The difference shows in the ratings: Webull scores 3 out of 5 stars and ranks 9th of 14 brokers for platforms and tools; Public.com scores 1 out of 5 stars and ranks 14th.

Platform access and core features favor Webull. Webull offers Windows and Mac desktop downloads plus a browser-based platform; Public.com offers only a browser-based platform (no desktop downloads for Windows or Mac). Webull supports paper trading; Public.com does not. Neither broker includes a trading journal. Watchlists are far more flexible on Webull, with up to 35 columns versus 3 on Public.com. Webull also lets you adjust open orders directly on the stock chart; Public.com does not.

Charting and analysis are where Webull pulls ahead most. Webull provides 52 technical indicators and 19 drawing tools, along with chart notes, historical trade markers, and corporate events (earnings, splits, dividends). It can show automated chart patterns and lets you save multiple chart profiles. Both brokers lack custom date ranges. By contrast, Public.com offers 0 indicators and 0 drawing tools, cannot add notes, show past trades, display corporate events, detect patterns, or save multiple chart layouts. Editing an SMA study on Webull includes 2 customization fields (0 on Public.com), and Webull lets you create custom studies, which Public.com does not.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Public.com logoPublic.com
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Paper Trading Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields 35 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies 52 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 19 0
Advanced Trading 3/5 Stars 1/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026

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Beginners and education

Webull and Public (Public.com) both offer beginner-friendly education across key topics: stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds. Neither covers mutual funds. You’ll find videos and live webinars on both platforms, making it easy to learn at your own pace. If you’re comparing Webull vs. Public for market education, each provides a good starting point for new investors who want guidance on how the stock market, ETFs, options, and bonds work.

Where they differ is in hands-on learning. Webull includes paper trading, quizzes, and a way to track your learning progress—useful if you like practicing and seeing how you improve. Public does not offer these extras. In independent ratings, Webull earns 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #10 of 14 for education at StockBrokers.com, while Public scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #8 of 14. Choose Webull if you want practice tools and progress tracking; pick Public if you prefer a slightly higher-rated overall learning experience.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Public.com logoPublic.com
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Education 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms & Apps for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

Bottom line: for stock trading apps, Webull beats Public.com for most traders. Webull earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 14 in StockBrokers.com’s mobile app review, while Public.com scores 3 out of 5 and ranks #13. Webull offers a deeper feature set geared to active traders, while Public.com leans toward a simpler, lighter experience.

Both brokers provide iPhone and Android apps. Only Webull offers an Apple Watch app. Webull supports mobile after-hours trading; Public.com’s after-hours availability on mobile is not specified. Both support mobile options trading. Webull delivers streaming quotes, while Public.com does not. Neither app offers streaming live TV or video on demand. Webull includes stock price alerts; Public.com does not.

Charting and watchlists show the clearest split. Webull has after-hours charting, landscape charts, multiple time frames, 56 technical studies (indicators), and ticker-to-ticker comparisons. Public.com supports multiple time frames and chart comparisons but has no after-hours charting, no landscape mode, and 0 technical studies. For watchlists, Webull lets you create custom lists, while Public.com does not; however, Public.com lets you customize watchlist columns, which Webull does not.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Public.com logoPublic.com
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes No
Stock Alerts Yes No
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies 56 0
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

Here’s the quick takeaway: both Webull and Public.com offer $0 commissions for stocks and options, but they differ on other costs. Webull stands out for a $0 minimum deposit and no IRA closure fee, which can make starting and exiting cheaper. Public.com generally wins on margin rates, which could save active margin users money, but it has a $20 minimum deposit, higher ACAT transfer fees, and a $150 IRA closure fee. In short, margin users may prefer Public.com for lower rates, while those prioritizing easy account setup, transfers, or IRA flexibility may find Webull more cost-friendly.

Fees at a glance: minimum deposit is $0 at Webull vs $20 at Public.com. Stock trades are $0 at both. Options trades are $0 per contract at both, and both charge $0 for options exercises and assignments. Margin rates: Webull is 8.74% for balances under $100,000; Public.com is 5.65% under $50,000 and 5.50% for $50,000–$99,999. IRA annual fees are $0 at both, but IRA closure is $0 at Webull vs $150 at Public.com. ACAT transfers: Webull charges $75 for partial and full transfers, while Public.com charges $100 for partial and full.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Public.com logoPublic.com
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $150.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

When evaluating the day trading capabilities of Webull and Public.com, several distinctions become apparent. Webull supports day traders with features such as streaming time and sales for stocks and ladder trading, tools that are notably absent from Public.com. Webull also offers trading hotkeys for quick keyboard trade entry and provides detailed level 2 quotes, which can be essential for traders seeking deeper insight into market activities. On the other hand, Public.com lacks these specific functionalities, which could affect the ability of traders to make swift, informed decisions in a fast-moving environment.

Both platforms do not offer streaming live TV, direct market routing, or any form of backtesting for trading strategies. Additionally, neither Webull nor Public.com provides a short locator tool or offer liquidity rebates, which may limit certain strategy executions. For traders who prioritize advanced tools and features to enhance their day trading setups, Webull may present a more equipped platform compared to Public.com, emphasizing the importance of considering specific trading needs when selecting a brokerage.

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

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

Webull edges out Public.com for market research. Both apps cover stock and ETF research and even include OTC/Pink Sheets data, but Webull adds more ways to find ideas and gauge trends. That extra utility earns Webull 3 stars and a #8 ranking out of 14 brokers from StockBrokers.com, versus Public.com’s 2.5 stars and #12 ranking. If you want more ways to explore the market inside your brokerage app, Webull is the better pick.

Coverage is similar on the basics: each platform offers research for stocks and ETFs and supports OTC/Pink Sheets research. Neither one includes research for mutual funds or bonds. ESG research isn’t available on either, and there are no downloadable PDF research reports for stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds on both Webull and Public.com.

The tool set is where they diverge. Webull offers a stock screener for trade ideas and includes social media sentiment on stocks; Public.com lacks both. Neither broker provides screeners for ETFs, mutual funds, or bonds, and neither shows portfolio allocation by asset class. For users who value idea generation and trend signals, Webull’s stock screener and sentiment data make it the more capable choice, while long-term fund investors won’t find mutual fund or bond research on either platform.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Public.com logoPublic.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 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Banking

When it comes to the banking capabilities of online brokers Webull and Public.com, neither platform stands out in offering traditional banking services. Both Webull and Public.com do not provide checking accounts, savings accounts, or debit and credit cards, leaving users to look elsewhere for these basic financial products. Additionally, neither Webull nor Public.com offers mortgage loans or Certificates of Deposit (CDs). These limitations mean that individuals looking for a brokerage account with integrated banking features may need to consider other options. While they excel in digital trading, Webull and Public.com do not cater to users seeking a combined banking and investment experience.

Feature Webull logoWebull
Public.com logoPublic.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 2026

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Webull is better than Public.com. Webull finished with an overall score of 69.9%, while Public.com finished with a score of 56.0%.

Webull has evolved past its origins as a low-cost disruptor, solidifying its position as a sophisticated hub for active market participants. It offers a great mobile experience and a fantastic paper trading platform that offers a perfect sandbox to test strategies without risking capital. With AI-powered summaries that slice through market noise and industry-leading paper trading tools for testing strategies, Webull presents a compelling choice for traders.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Webull or Public.com?

Both Webull and Public.com offer crypto trading, but Webull provides access to 50 cryptocurrencies compared to Public.com's 40. If coin variety matters, Webull offers a broader selection while Public.com still covers many popular assets.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does Webull or Public.com offer IRAs?

Both online brokers Webull and Public.com offer Traditional and Roth IRA accounts with $0 annual fees; however, Webull has no IRA closure fee while Public.com charges $150, making Webull the more cost-effective option if you might close or transfer an IRA.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Webull Public.com
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 3/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 3/5 Stars N/A
Education 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 3/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Webull Review Public.com Review
Broker Screenshots Webull Public.com
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Webull Public.com
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) N/A $2.99
Mutual Fund Trade Fee N/A n/a
Options (Per Contract) $0.00 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) $1.25 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee N/A n/a
Margin Rates Webull Public.com
Margin Rate Under $25,000 8.74% 5.65%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 8.74% 5.65%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 8.74% 5.50%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 8.74% 5.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 8.74% 5.25%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 8.74% 5.25%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 8.74% 5.05%
Account Fees Webull Public.com
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $150.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $75.00 $100.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $75.00 $100.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Webull Public.com
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs 4 4
Futures Trading Yes No
Forex Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 50 40
Fixed Income (Treasurys) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) No No
Traditional IRAs Yes Yes
Roth IRAs Yes Yes
Advisor Services No No
International Countries (Stocks) 0 0
Order Types Webull 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 No No
Beginners Webull Public.com
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator No No
Investor Dictionary Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Progress Tracking Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Webull Public.com
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes 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 Webull Public.com
Mobile Research - Market Movers Yes Yes
Stream Live TV No No
Videos on Demand No No
Stock Alerts Yes No
Option Chains Viewable Yes Yes
Watchlist (Real-time) Yes Yes
Watchlist (Streaming) Yes No
Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage Yes No
Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization No Yes
Stock App Charting Webull Public.com
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 56 0
Charting - Study Customizations Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Webull Public.com
Active Trading Platform N/A n/a
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes No
Trade Journal No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 35 3
Stock Chart Features Webull Public.com
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 52 0
Charting - Drawing Tools 19 0
Charting - Notes Yes No
Charting - Historical Trades Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range No No
Charting - Custom Time Bars No No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations 2 0
Charting - Custom Studies Yes No
Day Trading Webull Public.com
Streaming Time & Sales Yes No
Streaming TV No No
Direct Market Routing - Equities No No
Ladder Trading Yes No
Trade Hot Keys Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview Webull 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 No No
Stock Research Webull Public.com
Stock Research - PDF Reports 0 0
Stock Research - Earnings Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders Yes No
Stock Research - Social Yes No
Stock Research - News Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG No No
Stock Research - SEC Filings Yes No
ETF Research Webull Public.com
ETFs - Investment Objective Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings Yes Yes
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings Yes Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure Yes No
ETFs - Risk Analysis No No
ETFs - Ratings Yes No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap No No
ETFs - PDF Reports No No
Mutual Fund Research Webull 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 No No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown No No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings Yes 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 Webull Public.com
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking Webull 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 Webull Public.com
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes No
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) No Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) No Yes
24/7 Support No No
Overall Webull Public.com
Overall 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 3/5 Stars 1/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Research 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Education 3/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 3/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Webull Review Public.com Review
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