Public.com and Robinhood are two of the most popular investing apps for self-directed retail investors in 2026. Both offer $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs, $0 account minimums, and slick mobile interfaces. The differences show up in asset coverage, retirement accounts, cash yield, and how each app makes money.
This guide breaks down Public.com vs Robinhood across the metrics that actually matter, so you can pick the one that fits your situation. For a wider field, see our roundup of the best investment app for beginners.
Quick verdict
Pick Public.com if you want stocks, bonds, options, and crypto in one app, plus high-APY on cash and a 1% portfolio transfer match. Read our full Public.com review for the deep dive.
Pick Robinhood if you want a Roth IRA with a 1-3% match, the slickest mobile UI, and a deeper options trading community.
Many investors use both. Robinhood for retirement, Public.com for taxable brokerage and bonds.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Public.com | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock/ETF trades | $0 | $0 |
| Account minimum | $0 | $0 |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Options | $0.35/contract (multi-leg) | $0 (single-leg) |
| Bonds | Yes (5%+ Bond Account, $1k min) | Limited |
| Crypto | Yes (1.25% spread) | Yes (~0.5% spread) |
| Cash APY (uninvested) | 3.3% APY | ~5% (Gold members only) |
| IRA / Roth IRA | No | Yes (1-3% match) |
| Payment for order flow | No | Yes |
| SIPC insurance | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Mobile app rating (iOS) | 4.7★ | 4.2★ |
| Premium tier | $10/month | $5/month (Gold) |
Where Public.com wins
Asset coverage. Public lets you trade stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, and crypto from a single account. Robinhood covers stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto, but its bond support is limited to U.S. Treasuries via the cash management product. If you want a real fixed income allocation, Public is the better choice. For a refresher on why mixing asset classes matters, see our diversification primer.
The 5%+ Bond Account. This is Public's flagship product. You buy a single Bond Account product and get diversified exposure to investment-grade and high-yield bonds with a 5%+ target yield. Robinhood does not have an equivalent retail-friendly bond product.
Cash APY without paywalls. Public pays 3.3% APY on uninvested cash with no minimums, no fees, and no membership required. Robinhood pays competitive APY (~5%) but only to Robinhood Gold subscribers ($5/month). If you are still weighing whether to leave money in cash or invest it, our saving vs investing guide is useful.
1% portfolio transfer match. Public pays 1% in shares when you transfer an existing brokerage portfolio. There is no cap on the underlying transfer size. Robinhood offers transfer matches periodically (1-2%) but they are usually time-limited promotions tied to a Gold subscription.
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
No payment for order flow. Public makes money from Premium subscriptions, the Bond Account spread, and tips. Robinhood famously sells order flow to high-frequency trading firms, which has drawn regulatory scrutiny. For long-term investors this matters less than the headlines suggest, but if you care about trust signals, Public is cleaner.
Where Robinhood wins
Retirement accounts. Robinhood offers a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and SEP IRA, plus a 1% match on regular contributions (3% match for Robinhood Gold members). Public has no retirement accounts as of early 2026. If you want to do tax-advantaged investing inside one app, Robinhood wins by default.
Mobile UI. Robinhood's mobile interface is widely considered the best in the category. The app is faster, lighter, and easier to navigate than Public's. For tap-and-go traders, Robinhood feels more polished.
Options trading. Robinhood pioneered $0 single-leg options and still has the cleanest options interface for retail traders. Public charges $0.35 per contract on multi-leg options. If options are your primary strategy, Robinhood is more cost-effective.
Crypto spreads. Robinhood's crypto spread is roughly 0.5% per trade. Public charges 1.25%. For active crypto traders this difference compounds quickly. For a regulated U.S. crypto-only alternative to either, see our Gemini review.
What both apps do equally well
Both apps offer:
- $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs
- $0 account minimums
- Fractional shares (start investing with $1)
- SIPC insurance up to $500,000
- 24/7 mobile access
- Standard tax forms (1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT)
Public.com vs Robinhood by use case
You want a Roth IRA with a match. Robinhood. Public has no IRAs.
You want stocks, bonds, and crypto in one app. Public. The Bond Account is the standout.
You hold $5,000+ in idle cash regularly. Public pays 3.3% APY by default; Robinhood requires Gold for high APY.
You trade options actively. Robinhood. Lower fees on multi-leg trades.
You trade crypto actively. Robinhood (lower spreads), but Coinbase Advanced or Kraken still beat both for serious crypto activity.
You are switching brokers. Public. The 1% match (no cap) usually beats Robinhood's promotional matches.
You care about trust signals. Public. No payment for order flow.
You are a college student. See our best investing apps for college students shortlist for the campus-specific picks.
Can I use both?
Yes, and many investors do. A common setup: Roth IRA at Robinhood (for the 1-3% match), taxable brokerage and Bond Account at Public.com. There is no penalty for holding accounts at both. Both apps integrate with personal finance tools like Monarch Money and Empower for unified portfolio tracking. To find more cash to allocate, browse our roundup of the best budgeting apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Public.com better than Robinhood?
It depends on what you need. Public.com is better for multi-asset investors who want stocks, bonds, and crypto in one app, plus high-APY on cash. Robinhood is better for retirement accounts (Roth IRA with 1-3% match) and active options trading. Many people use both apps for different purposes.
Is Public.com safer than Robinhood?
Both are SIPC-insured up to $500,000 per account. Public has not had any major regulatory issues since launching in 2019. Robinhood has faced multiple SEC and FINRA fines for platform outages and order flow practices. Both apps are safe for typical retail investors, but Public has a cleaner regulatory record.
Does Public.com or Robinhood pay more on cash?
It depends on whether you pay for a subscription. Public pays 3.3% APY on uninvested cash with no fees or minimums for everyone. Robinhood pays around 5% APY but only to Robinhood Gold members ($5/month). For free-tier users, Public pays significantly more.
Can I transfer my Robinhood account to Public.com?
Yes. You can initiate an ACATS transfer from Robinhood to Public.com, and Public will pay 1% in shares of the transferred portfolio with no cap. Robinhood charges $100 for the outgoing ACATS transfer, but Public sometimes reimburses this fee for larger transfers.
