PUB Broker Review

Public.com 2025 In-Depth Review: Opportunity or Trap？

Executive Summary

Public.com is a modern investment platform designed for the tech-savvy and novice investors who want to engage in the stock market without the burden of traditional trading fees. Launched in September 2019, it emphasizes a social investing model that allows users to share insights and ideas while trading stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. The platform's commission-free structure and community-centric approach make it particularly appealing for beginner investors looking to build their knowledge and portfolios.

However, potential users must weigh the trade-offs involved with Public.com. The platform does impose certain non-transparent fees in specific trading scenarios, often catching users off guard. Additionally, for those with an interest in more advanced trading tools or a broader selection of investment options—like margin trading or a diverse range of investment accounts—Public.com may not fully meet their needs. Thus, while it presents an excellent opportunity for some, it could represent a trap for others, particularly more experienced traders.

⚠️ Important Risk Advisory & Verification Steps

Be aware of the following key risks associated with Public.com:

• Regulatory Status: Public.com does not engage in payment for order flow (PFOF), providing some assurance against conflicts of interest, yet this raises questions about its overall revenue model and may affect order execution speeds.
• Customer Support Limitations: Users should note the absence of phone support and limited operational hours, which could hinder effective resolution of issues.
• Fee Structure: Inactivity and transaction fees can be confusing—particularly the $3.99 inactivity fee for accounts with no activity for six months and balances below $70.

Verification Steps:

• Check regulatory compliance via FINRA's BrokerCheck.
• Review Public.com's pricing structure transparently displayed on their official site.
• Familiarize yourself with the community features to ensure they align with your investing approach.

Rating Framework

Dimension	Rating (out of 5)	Justification
Trustworthiness	4	Public.com is regulated and offers protection up to $500,000 via SIPC, although customer feedback varies.
Trading Costs	4	No commissions for stocks and ETFs, with some annoying fees for lesser-used features.
Platforms & Tools	3.5	The platform is easy to use but lacks many advanced tools that experienced traders might require.
User Experience	4	Generally user-friendly, with an engaging community, but lacking in real-time analytics.
Customer Support	3	Limited support options, primarily chat-based, with no phone support.
Account Conditions	3.5	Users can open only one account per individual, limiting diversity in account types.

Broker Overview

Company Background and Positioning

Public.com was founded in 2017 by Jannick Malling, Matt Kennedy, Peter Quinn, and Sean Hendelman, aiming to democratize investing for the masses. The brokerage is backed by high-profile investors, including celebrities such as Will Smith and J.J. Watt. By creating a community-driven platform, Public.com seeks to eliminate common barriers to entry for inexperienced investors, such as intimidation from complex financial data and high share prices. The company emphasizes a mission to make stock trading more inclusive and educational.

Core Business Overview

Public.com provides a straightforward investment platform that includes stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and a selection of cryptocurrencies—currently listing 11 different coins. Notably, Public.com does not offer options for margin trading or advanced investment accounts, catering primarily to beginner investors. Its community-driven features are a hallmark of the platform, enabling users to share investment strategies and experiences.

Quick-Look Details Table

Feature	Detail
Regulation	FINRA and SIPC member
Minimum Deposit	$20
Leverage	None (only cash accounts available)
Major Fees	None for trades; $75 outgoing ACAT fee; $3.99 inactivity fee
Cryptocurrency Fees	1% to 2% for transactions

In-depth Analysis of Each Dimension

Trustworthiness Analysis

Analysis of Regulatory Information Conflicts

Public.coms refusal to participate in the controversial PFOF practice is viewed positively by some analysts, suggesting a lesser conflict of interest. However, this decision prompts scrutiny of its alternative revenue model. Given the complexity of brokerage income sources, some users might find it difficult to ascertain whether their trades are executed at the best possible prices.

User Self-Verification Guide

• Visit the FINRA BrokerCheck site.
• Verify Public.coms registration status and regulatory compliance.
• Read user reviews and community feedback on platforms like Reddit or Trustpilot.

Industry Reputation and Summary

Public.com enjoys a robust reputation in its target demographic, featuring a blend of novice-friendly trading and community features that differentiate it from traditional brokerages. However, there are concerns regarding customer feedback about fund safety and responsiveness to user inquiries.

Trading Costs Analysis

Advantages in Commissions

Public.com operates a commission-free model for stocks and ETFs. This approach can significantly lower entry barriers for new investors, making it attractive for those looking to invest small amounts without incurring heavy transaction costs.

The "Traps" of Non-Trading Fees

Despite the alluring commission-free trades, Public.com has additional fees that can be misleading:

"The company charges $3.99 for inactivity on accounts with no activity for six months, which is unexpected." - User feedback from reviews.

Cost Structure Summary

Investment costs are competitive for beginner investors, but they may escalate for more advanced trading strategies or less frequent users due to transaction fees or inactivity penalties. The clarity of these charges is critical for transparency.

Platforms & Tools Analysis

Platform Diversity

Public.com is exclusively mobile with no desktop trading available. While it provides a simple interface for executing trades, the absence of advanced charting tools or customizability limits experienced trader functionality.

Quality of Tools and Resources

The educational resources for users are broadly basic, focusing more on introductory-level investing knowledge without diving deep into complex trading strategies.

Platform Experience Summary

User feedback generally reflects satisfaction with the intuitive nature of the app, though it may frustrate active traders lacking the robust analytical tools available on other platforms.

User Experience Analysis

Individual User Features

From the ability to follow other traders to the transparency offered by community features, Public.com fosters an engaging environment. However, the platform's emphasis on social investing may introduce risks, as the accuracy of insights from community members can vary significantly.

Community Interaction and Education

Public.coms community-based features can guide novice investors through their learning curve, enabling interaction with peers and access to shared experiences while also moderating for accuracy.

Feedback regarding Usability

User feedback is mixed, with many praising the ease of navigation but noting a lack of robust features compared to traditional brokerage platforms.

Customer Support Analysis

Overview of Support Structure

Public.com provides support through in-app chat and email but lacks telephone support. This could hinder swift resolution of issues for users needing immediate assistance.

Availability and Response Time

Customer support operates during standard business hours (8 AM-5 PM ET), with premium members receiving priority attention.

User Feedback on Support Quality

Reviews indicate a generally positive reception for Public.coms support responsiveness, though the inability to reach support via phone may leave some users feeling underserved.

Account Conditions Analysis

Account Types Offered

Public.com limits users to a single individual taxable brokerage account. While this restriction may simplify the user experience, it may also frustrate some investors requiring diverse account options for optimal investment strategies.

Minimum Balances and Requirements

The platform does not impose a minimum balance requirement after the initial $20 setup, facilitating access to new investors without financial obligations barring their entry.

Regulatory Standards and Security

Public.com employs robust security measures, including bank-grade encryption and SIPC protection, ensuring users' accounts are secure.

Conclusion

Public.com represents a blend of innovative and traditional brokerage principles, catering primarily to beginner investors and those seeking a commission-free, community-driven model for stock trading. While the platform excels in accessibility and ease of use, particularly with features like fractional shares and educational engagement, it is devoid of some offerings that seasoned traders may require. Users must remain vigilant regarding the less transparent aspects of the fee structure and the limitations imposed by its singular account type. Overall, while Public.com has significant strengths, it requires potential users to consider if its offering aligns well with their trading needs and personal investment strategy.