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ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 9.9 / 10 (Excellent)
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New York-based Public is an investing app that provides a wide range of investment classes to self-directed investors. Founded in 2017, the company’s goal is to provide greater access to investing for all types of investors.
How Do We Rate Public?
Breakdown
5.0/5
Investment Products
5.0/5
Features
5.0/5
Pricing and Fees
5.0/5
Customer Support and Reputation
Our Overall Rating: 5 / 5 (Excellent)
Public’s main selling point is its easy-to-use app that investors of every level can use to buy and trade in any fractional asset like stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto, and soon art, NFTs, and collectibles–all in one place.
Public’s platform helps people invest more wisely by giving them access to custom company metrics, live shows about the markets, and real-time analysis to help them invest with context. Members control how they invest using a suite of educational tools and get insights from a community of millions of creators, analysts, and investors.
Public also recently launched Public Premium, a new membership tier featuring advanced tools, research, and insights. The subscription-based membership costs $8/mo, with complimentary access offered to members with account balances of $20,000 or more. Premium lets you dive deeply into the companies behind the ticker. Membership in Public Premium provides investors with more metrics, exclusive research and ratings from Morningstar analysts, and in-depth analyses of company performance.
Public Features
Features - 5 / 5
Public is geared towards self-directed individual investors who wish to participate in the stock market and other assets. Customers need to download the free iOS or Android app to be able to register and buy or sell shares.
The company offers the ability to buy full shares of stocks and ETFs but also slices of a share. This way an investor with limited investment funds can still buy into a highly-priced stock, such as Tesla or Amazon.
The company offers the ability to buy full shares of stocks and ETFs but also slices of a share. This way an investor with limited investment funds can still buy into a highly-priced stock, such as Tesla or Amazon.
| Portfolio Management | Self-Directed |
| Investment Products |
Stocks
ETFs
Options
Bonds
Crypto
|
| Types of Accounts |
Membership
Brokerage
|
| Mobile App | Yes |
| Margin Lending | No |
Financial Advisors
Public.com does not give members access to personal service from financial advisors.
Trading Tools
Public.com provides a wide range of tools for do-it-yourself investors, including Public Live, a resource for up-to-the-minute market news, and Public Talks, where investors can watch live and recorded talks. You can sign up for notifications that alert you when new events are scheduled.
The company also offers daily market updates through Public Live. Topics include fundamental investment strategies, changes in cryptocurrency regulations, alternative assets, and opportunities for investing in the technology sector.
Broker Physical Locations
Public.com has one physical location in New York City.
Public Fees and Commissions
Pricing and Fees - 5 / 5
Public advertises commission-free trading and zero fees for buying and selling stock. While this is true, it only applies to self-directed individuals that trade via its app. Broker-assisted trades can incur fees. In addition, the company marks up cryptocurrency transactions, much like cryptocurrency exchanges do.
Regular SEC and FINRA fees may also apply. Any other applicable costs can be viewed in Public’s Commission and Fee schedule.
As of February 2021, Public does not engage in Payment to Order Flow (PFOF), which is a type of compensation a broker gets from third-parties that execute the client’s orders.
Regular SEC and FINRA fees may also apply. Any other applicable costs can be viewed in Public’s Commission and Fee schedule.
As of February 2021, Public does not engage in Payment to Order Flow (PFOF), which is a type of compensation a broker gets from third-parties that execute the client’s orders.
| Trade Cost/Commission | $0 |
| Minimum to Open Account | $0 |
Fees (Additional Info)
Public.com offers a membership program called Public Premium. For $8 per month, users enjoy enhanced trading features, white-glove customer service, advanced data and analysis, and premium portfolio management tools.
Public Financial Strength and Customer Experience
Customer Support and Reputation - 5 / 5
Public is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. The company is not currently rated by Trustpilot.
Public offers customer support 7 days a week.
Since Public’s vision is to empower individuals and provide financial literacy, the website and app have a large number of articles, FAQs, and glossaries that serve as an introduction to investing.
A stock directory provides detailed information capsules with each stock’s trends, price targets, earnings, events, news articles, and even shows how many investors in Public’s community own or watch the stock.
Public also presents companies and funds through themes. This way, investors can look at companies with similar goals and characteristics. For example, the Women in Charge theme includes public companies led by female CEOs, the American Made theme features companies that produce goods in the US, and the Green Power theme includes companies focused on renewable energy.
A stock directory provides detailed information capsules with each stock’s trends, price targets, earnings, events, news articles, and even shows how many investors in Public’s community own or watch the stock.
Public also presents companies and funds through themes. This way, investors can look at companies with similar goals and characteristics. For example, the Women in Charge theme includes public companies led by female CEOs, the American Made theme features companies that produce goods in the US, and the Green Power theme includes companies focused on renewable energy.
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| SIPC Membership | Yes |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| BBB Total Complaints | 80 |
| BBB Resolved Complaints | 23 |
| Live Help 24/7 | No |
| Customer Support Hours | 6am - 1am ET, Monday through Sunday |
| Contact Methods |
Email
Chat
|
| Date Collected | 2023-10-09 |
Company Profile
| Full Name | Public Online Stock Broker |
| Company Website | |
| Headquarters | 1 State Street Plaza 10th Floor, New York, NY, 10004 |
Disclaimers
This is not a recommendation. You can lose money with any investment. Securities trading offered by Open to the Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Cryptocurrency trading provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849). Apex Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Mark up on crypto applies. Full terms and conditions at www.public.com/disclosures. Investing involves risk of loss.
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