Ally Invest vs Public (2026): Better Beginner Broker for Simple Options Trading?
Ally Invest and Public both appeal to newer investors who want low-friction access to stocks and listed options, but the experience is not the same. Ally Invest offers a more traditional brokerage tied to Ally Bank, while Public focuses on a cleaner mobile-first app with zero-commission stock options and unusual contract rebates.
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Ally Invest is the best choice for investors who already use Ally Bank or want a simple, affordable all-in-one financial platform. The $0.50 per contract options pricing undercuts most competitors, and the banking integration is seamless. It's not a power trading platform, but that's not what it's trying to be — it's the best bridge between banking and investing.
Public is worth listing because it is FINRA-regulated, available to U.S. investors, covered by multiple top-tier review sources, and offers real listed options with a cost structure no other mainstream broker matches. I would not rank it above specialized options platforms, but for fee-sensitive beginners who want free options trading and a polished app, it is a credible option.
Side-by-Side Comparison
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| Feature | Ally Invest | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.1 | 4 |
| Commissions | $0.50/contract | Free + rebates |
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Free to Close Options | No | No |
| Paper Trading | — | — |
| Account Types | Individual, IRA, Roth IRA | Individual, Joint, IRA |
| Regulated | FINRA / SIPC | FINRA / SIPC |
Ally Invest — Full Review
Ally Invest emerged from the acquisition of TradeKing by Ally Financial in 2016, inheriting a platform that had already won recognition for low-cost trading. Under the Ally brand, the brokerage has been redesigned to prioritize simplicity and integration with Ally's banking products. The $0.50 per contract options pricing is a standout — while Tastytrade's free-to-close model may be cheaper for active traders who close positions frequently, Ally's flat $0.50 is lower than the $0.65 charged by Fidelity, Schwab, E*Trade, and most other major brokers. For investors who trade options occasionally, this lower per-contract rate adds up over time. The Ally Bank integration is the platform's defining feature. High-yield savings accounts (currently competitive with top online banks), checking accounts with no monthly fees, and CDs are all accessible from the same login. Transfers between banking and investment accounts are instant, and the unified dashboard shows your full financial picture at a glance. Ally Invest's self-directed trading platform offers streaming quotes, customizable watchlists, basic charting with common technical indicators, and options chain analysis. The options profit/loss calculator helps visualize potential outcomes for single-leg and multi-leg strategies. While the tools don't match what you'd find on thinkorswim or Tastytrade, they're more than adequate for intermediate traders and sufficient for most options strategies. The Robo Portfolios service offers two tiers: a base tier with no advisory fee (but maintains a 30% cash allocation) and a cash-enhanced tier at 0.30% annually. Both provide automatic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting on taxable accounts. The $100 minimum investment makes it accessible to new investors. Ally's research offering includes market commentary, stock and ETF screeners, and analyst ratings, but lacks the depth of Fidelity's Morningstar integration or Schwab's institutional research. For fundamental investors who rely heavily on research reports, a supplementary source may be needed. Account types include individual taxable, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, rollover IRA, SEP IRA, and trust accounts. Customer service is available 24/7 by phone and chat, with consistently strong satisfaction ratings — a notable advantage over some competitors with limited support hours.
Public — Full 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.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Ally Invest if you already bank with Ally, want a familiar full-service brokerage feel, and prefer straightforward low-cost options pricing with stronger traditional account support than most app-first platforms provide.
Choose Public if you care most about a polished beginner experience, zero-commission stock options, and the rare chance to earn rebates on qualifying contracts while keeping your trading workflow simple and mobile friendly.