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Public.comvs.TradeStation

Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.

Public.com logo

Public.com

4.3 / 5

Strongest modern multi-asset broker for self-directed investors who want stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, Treasuries, crypto, IRAs, and 3.30% APY cash in one AI-native app. Unique options rebate, 6.07% Bond Account, and Agents — the first agentic-AI brokerage.

Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting
TradeStation logo

TradeStation

4.2 / 5

Best for systematic and futures traders who want EasyLanguage scripting, direct routing, deep back-testing, and active-trader margin rates. Less retail-friendly than thinkorswim but unmatched for strategy automation.

Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting

Sub-rating overlap

Each broker scored 0–5 across the same 8 dimensions.

Detailed comparison

Green cells mark the winner on each metric. Tie rows are uncoloured.

MetricPublic.comTradeStationWinner
OverallEditorial score4.30 / 54.20 / 5Public.com
Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees4.703.80Public.com
Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools4.004.70TradeStation
Sub-ratingsMobile app4.703.80Public.com
Sub-ratingsResearch3.504.00TradeStation
Sub-ratingsEducation4.004.20TradeStation
Sub-ratingsCustomer service3.003.80TradeStation
Sub-ratingsRange of investments4.004.20TradeStation
Sub-ratingsActive trading3.504.80TradeStation
PricingLowest margin rate3.95%4.25%Public.com
PricingDefault cash sweep yield3.30%Public.com
PricingPFOF on equitiesAcceptsAcceptsTie

Where they differ on asset coverage

Asset classPublic.comTradeStation
US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq)Yes
OTC stocksLimited
Fractional sharesYesNo
Equity / ETF options (single + multi-leg)Yes
Index options (SPX, NDX, VIX, XSP, CBTX)Yes
Mutual fundsNoLimited
Corporate bonds (Bond Account)Yes
ForexNoYes
FuturesNo
Crypto (direct)Yes
Crypto IRAYes
International stocksLimited
IPOsYes
Alternative assets (Otis)Yes
Direct Indexing AccountYes
24-hour overnight equity tradingNoLimited
US stocksYes
OTC / Pink SheetsYes
OptionsYes
Corporate bondsLimited
Futures / futures optionsYes
CryptoNo
International stocks (US app)Limited

Public.com strengths

  • Industry-low retail margin starter — 4.90% on debits under $50K; drops to 3.95% above $50M
  • Only options rebate program in US retail — $0.06–$0.18 per stock/ETF contract back (50% of PFOF revenue)
  • Bond Account: 6.07% yield-to-worst across 10 diversified corporate bonds, $1,000 minimum, monthly interest
  • Agents (launched March 31, 2026) — first agentic-AI brokerage with prompt-driven automated trading workflows
  • High-Yield Cash Account: 3.30% APY with no subscription, no minimum, $5M FDIC sweep across partner-bank network
  • Uncapped 1% match on portfolio transfers/IRA rollovers (5-year hold); 1% match on annual IRA contributions

TradeStation strengths

  • EasyLanguage scripting and back-testing — uncontested for systematic US strategies
  • Direct routing for advanced order execution
  • RadarScreen real-time scanning across thousands of symbols
  • OptionStation Pro for options analytics and back-testing
  • Active-trader margin rates as low as 4.25% (vs. 10%+ at Schwab/Fidelity)
  • Futures pricing: $1.50/contract standard, $0.50/contract micros, $1.75 FuturesPlus