Public.com positions itself as the investment app for people who 'take it seriously.' The pitch: stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, and crypto in one account, plus 3.3% APY on uninvested cash and a Bond Account targeting 5%+ yield. After three years of testing, this is what Public actually delivers in 2026, and where it falls short. If you are still shopping around, our roundup of the best investment app for beginners puts Public head-to-head with Fidelity, Schwab, and others.
Quick verdict
Public.com is the strongest multi-asset investment app for self-directed investors in 2026. It does the basics well (zero commissions, $0 minimums, fractional shares), but its real edge is asset breadth. Public is one of the only consumer apps that treats fixed income and cash yield as first-class products rather than afterthoughts.
Where Public lags: no retirement accounts (no IRA, no Roth IRA), limited mutual fund selection, and a 1.25% spread on crypto trades that is higher than dedicated exchanges.
Public.com at a glance
- Stocks and ETFs: $0 commission, fractional shares supported.
- Options: $0 commission, $0.35 per contract for multi-leg strategies.
- Bonds: Bond Account with $1,000 minimum, targets 5%+ yield via diversified investment-grade and high-yield mix.
- Crypto: 1.25% spread per trade, 25+ supported coins.
- Cash: 3.3% APY on uninvested cash with no minimums and no fees.
- Account minimum: $0.
- Insurance: SIPC up to $500,000.
- Mobile: iOS and Android, plus full-featured web platform.
- Premium tier: Public Premium at $10/month adds analyst-grade research and alpha signals.
What Public.com does well
Multi-asset under one roof. Most consumer apps focus on stocks. Public lets you build a stock portfolio, hold T-bills in a Bond Account, allocate to crypto, and earn high-APY on uninvested cash all from one login. This is the single biggest reason most users switch. For broader diversification basics, see our primer.
The 3.3% APY cash account. Uninvested cash earns 3.3% APY with no minimums, no fees, and no hold periods. That is more than most high-yield savings accounts and dramatically more than the near-zero APY at Robinhood, Fidelity, and Schwab default sweep accounts. If you are still deciding whether to keep money in cash or in the market, our saving vs investing guide helps.
The Bond Account. This is Public's most differentiated product. The account targets a 5%+ yield by diversifying across investment-grade and high-yield bonds. You buy a single product, get exposure to a bond ladder, and the platform handles the underlying selection. $1,000 minimum to open.
1% portfolio transfer match. Public pays 1% in shares when you transfer an existing brokerage portfolio over. There is no cap on the underlying transfer size, which makes this one of the most generous switching offers in the brokerage industry.
No payment for order flow. Unlike Robinhood, Public does not sell your trade data to high-frequency trading firms. Public makes money on the Premium subscription, tips, and Bond Account spreads instead. This is a small but meaningful trust signal.
Public.com
Public.com
Investing for those who take it seriously. Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto & more.
Standout feature
A 5%+ yield Bond Account paired with 3.3% APY on cash — Public is one of the only consumer apps where idle and conservative money is treated as seriously as the equity portfolio.
Fees
Free
Pros
• Invest in stocks, bonds, crypto & more• Earn 3.3% APY* on your cash with no fees• 1% match when you transfer your portfolio• Lock in a 5%+ yield with a Bond Account
Cons
Customer support is in-app and email only, no phone
Where Public.com falls short
No retirement accounts. Public does not offer traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, or 401(k) rollovers as of early 2026. If you want to do retirement saving inside Public, you can't. Most users pair Public with a Roth IRA at Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood for that purpose.
Crypto spreads are higher than dedicated exchanges. The 1.25% spread on Public's crypto trades is fine for small allocations but expensive if you trade actively. Coinbase Advanced or Kraken are cheaper for serious crypto activity. For a regulated U.S. crypto-only option, see our Gemini review.
Limited mutual fund selection. If you are a Vanguard mutual fund loyalist, Public is not the home for you. Fidelity and Schwab have far broader mutual fund coverage.
Bond Account requires $1,000. The 5%+ Bond Account is one of Public's best features but the $1,000 minimum locks out small-balance investors. Compare this to fractional bond ETFs at Fidelity or Schwab where you can start with $50.
Customer support is in-app and email only. No phone line. Most issues get resolved within 24 hours, but if you need urgent help, the lack of phone support is a downside.
Public.com fees breakdown
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stock/ETF trade | $0 |
| Options contract (multi-leg) | $0.35 each |
| Bond Account | No annual fee, ~0.05% spread baked into yield |
| Crypto trade | 1.25% spread |
| Wire transfer (out) | $25 |
| Account transfer (out) | $75 ACATS fee |
| Public Premium | $10/month |
| Standard cash sweep | 3.3% APY (you earn, not pay) |
How Public.com compares
Public vs Robinhood. Public has bonds, higher cash yield, and no payment for order flow. Robinhood has IRAs, slicker mobile UI, and a bigger options community. If you care about asset breadth and trust signals, Public wins. If you want cleaner mobile execution and retirement accounts, Robinhood. See our full Public.com vs Robinhood breakdown.
Public vs Fidelity. Fidelity has retirement accounts, broader mutual funds, and bigger educational library. Public has higher cash APY out of the box and the standout Bond Account. Many investors use Fidelity for IRAs and Public for taxable brokerage.
Public vs SoFi Invest. SoFi bundles checking, savings, loans, and investing into one app. Public is investing-focused with better fixed income and crypto integration. SoFi if you want everything in one place; Public if you want the strongest investing tools.
Who Public.com is best for
- Self-directed investors who want stocks, bonds, and crypto in one app
- People moving large balances who can use the 1% transfer match
- Anyone holding meaningful idle cash that should be earning 3%+ APY
- Bond-curious investors who want easy diversified fixed-income exposure
- College students and new investors who want one app that grows with them, alongside our best investing apps for college students shortlist
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone whose primary need is a Roth IRA (use Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood)
- Heavy mutual fund investors (Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab)
- High-volume crypto traders (Coinbase Advanced, Kraken)
- Beginners who want the simplest possible app (Acorns, Stash)
How to sign up
Visit Public.com or download the iOS/Android app. The signup takes about 5 minutes and requires your SSN, U.S. address, and a funding source. Approval is usually instant. If you are transferring an existing portfolio, start the ACATS request immediately to qualify for the 1% match (paid in shares). To free up cash for a bigger initial deposit, browse our roundup of the best budgeting apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Public.com legit and safe?
Yes. Public Holdings, Inc. is the parent company. The brokerage subsidiary is registered with FINRA and SIPC, with insurance up to $500,000 per account. Public has been operating since 2019 and has over 5 million users as of 2026.
Does Public.com pay interest on cash?
Yes. Uninvested cash earns 3.3% APY as of 2026 with no minimums, no fees, and no hold periods. That is roughly 100x what most traditional brokerage sweep accounts pay. Rate is variable and subject to change.
Does Public.com offer a Roth IRA?
No. As of early 2026, Public does not offer traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, or 401(k) rollovers. If you need retirement accounts, pair Public with Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood for that purpose.
How does Public.com make money without commissions?
Public makes money on Public Premium subscriptions ($10/month), the Bond Account spread (~0.05% built into yield), interest on margin lending, and a small spread on crypto trades. Unlike Robinhood, Public does not sell order flow to high-frequency traders.
