Public Review 2026

Q: Is Public safe and regulated?

Public is regulated by FINRA / SIPC.

"Zero-commission options with rebates on every qualifying trade"

Updated June 2026 Beginner Friendly The Option Stack editorial team

How we review: Our team opens real accounts and tests every platform hands-on. We evaluate on commissions, tools, and execution — never influenced by affiliate relationships. Editorial policy →

out of 5 · Overall score Best for: Beginner options traders who want zero-commission listed options and rebates on qualifying contracts

Key Specs

Min. Deposit $0

Commission Commission-free stocks, ETFs, and stock options with per-contract rebates

Account Types Individual, Joint, IRA

Regulated FINRA / SIPC

Who Is Public For?

Fee-sensitive beginners and mobile-first options traders who want listed options, a simple interface, and the unusual benefit of rebates on qualifying contracts.

Our Take: Public in 2026

Public has grown from a sleek investing app into a legitimate multi-asset U.S. brokerage with listed stock options, index options, IRAs, margin, bonds, and one of the most unusual pricing models in the industry. For beginner and intermediate traders who care more about low costs and a clean experience than pro-grade analytics, it clears the quality bar and brings something genuinely differentiated to the market.

Pros & Cons

What we liked

✓$0 stock and ETF options plus a rare rebate program that can pay traders per contract

✓Clean mobile-first experience that is easy for newer traders to navigate

✓Access to stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto, IRAs, and margin in one account

✓Offers listed stock and index options for U.S. customers

Watch out for

✕Options tools are still lighter than Tastytrade, thinkorswim, or TradeStation

✕Important market data and some features sit behind Public Premium

✕Account-type flexibility is weaker than full-service brokers

Commissions & Fees

Commission-free stocks, ETFs, and stock options with per-contract rebates

Stock and ETF options are $0 to trade, and Public rebates roughly $0.06 to $0.18 per qualifying contract; index options are about $0.35 to $0.50 per contract.

Deep Dive: Public Platform Review

Public Investing launched in 2019, so it clears the seasoning threshold and is no longer a fresh startup. Tier 1 coverage from NerdWallet, Bankrate, and StockBrokers shows a consistent pattern: strong design, unusually attractive options economics, and weaker advanced tooling than the best dedicated trading platforms. That makes Public more of a low-cost beginner-to-intermediate options broker than a destination for heavy strategy traders, but that niche is still meaningful for The Option Stack audience.

Ready to open a Public account?

Takes about 5 minutes. Most accounts have no minimum deposit requirement.

Open Public Account →Affiliate link

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Public good for beginners?

Fee-sensitive beginners and mobile-first options traders who want listed options, a simple interface, and the unusual benefit of rebates on qualifying contracts.

What are Public fees and commissions?

Public charges Free + rebates per options contract. Stock and ETF options are $0 to trade, and Public rebates roughly $0.06 to $0.18 per qualifying contract; index options are about $0.35 to $0.50 per contract.

What is the minimum deposit for Public?

Public requires a minimum deposit of $0.

Is Public safe and regulated?

Yes. Public is regulated by FINRA / SIPC, providing investor protections including SIPC coverage up to $500,000.

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Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account through our link. This doesn't affect our rating or review. Fees and features verified periodically — always confirm current rates directly with the broker before opening an account.