Public vs Robinhood 2026: Which Beginner Broker Is Better for Options?
Public and Robinhood both target mobile-first investors, but they take different paths on options trading, account features, and monetization. If you care about listed options costs, IRA perks, and how much platform depth you actually get, this is the comparison that matters.
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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.
Robinhood has grown up. Legend desktop, futures, and commission-free options make it a legitimate platform for active traders — not just beginners. It still lacks the deep analytics of Tastytrade, but the gap has narrowed significantly.
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 | Public | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4 | 4.1 |
| Commissions | Free + rebates | Free |
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Free to Close Options | No | No |
| Paper Trading | — | — |
| Account Types | Individual, Joint, IRA | Individual, IRA, Roth IRA |
| Regulated | FINRA / SIPC | FINRA / SIPC |
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.
Robinhood — Full Review
Robinhood's evolution from beginner app to full-featured broker has accelerated. Robinhood Legend — a free professional desktop platform — launched with real-time data, customizable multi-chart layouts, a trading ladder, advanced order types, and a snapshot widget covering volatility, fundamentals, and headlines. Futures trading launched in 2025 via CME Group partnership, covering S&P 500, Nasdaq, gold, oil, and Bitcoin futures with commissions as low as $0.50/contract with Gold. Options trading is commission-free on stock and ETF options. Robinhood Gold (now $5/mo) includes Nasdaq Level 2 data, Morningstar research, and the reduced futures rate. Gold APY on uninvested cash is 3.35% as of March 2026 — down from peak but still competitive. Retirement accounts (IRA and Roth IRA) round out the offering. Despite the 2021 GameStop trading restrictions that damaged the brand, Robinhood remains the most widely-used trading app among Americans under 40.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Public if you want listed stock options with $0 commissions, potential per-contract rebates, and broader multi-asset access that includes bonds and a cleaner investing-focused experience.
Choose Robinhood if you want the larger ecosystem, a more mature desktop offering, and a platform that has evolved beyond basic beginner trading into a more rounded retail brokerage.