eToro vs Public 2026: Which Is Better?
eToro and Public are both social, beginner-friendly investing apps, but their strengths diverge around options access, fixed-income features, community tools, and trading workflow.
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eToro is worth considering if you want a simple app, social market discovery, and commission-free options in one account. Serious options traders should still compare it against Tastytrade, Schwab, or Interactive Brokers before committing.
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
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 →
| Feature | eToro | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4 | 4 |
| Commissions | Free | Free + rebates |
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Free to Close Options | No | No |
| Paper Trading | — | — |
| Account Types | Individual | Individual, Joint, IRA |
| Regulated | FINRA / SIPC | FINRA / SIPC |
eToro — Full Review
eToro acquired Gatsby and folded the options product into eToro USA Securities, giving US customers access to listed options alongside stocks and ETFs. The regulatory setup is clearer than its crypto business because securities and options trading are provided by a FINRA- and SEC-registered broker-dealer, but the trading experience remains simpler than dedicated options platforms.
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 eToro if your priority is a globally known social-investing platform with basic options access and a straightforward mobile-first trading experience.
Choose Public if you want a cleaner long-term investing app with broader asset discovery, transparent education, and a less trading-heavy feel than eToro.