Public review

Public suits investors who want fractional buying plus research in one app. Its stocks page lists access to over 9,000 equities and says you can invest in any stock with any dollar amount through fractional shares. Trades of US-listed securities placed online in self-directed individual cash accounts cost $0 in commissions, and extended-hours trading is fee-free, running from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM ET before the open and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET after the close. Recurring investments and automated dividend reinvestment come standard, and the Earnings Hub adds AI-generated earnings recaps and company KPIs. On the downside, Public says its fractional shares are illiquid outside Public and not transferable, and regulatory, subscription and wire fees may apply. It ranks below Robinhood and Interactive Brokers on catalog clarity and support depth.

Who it is for

investors who trade around earnings in extended hours

Price

$0 commissions on online trades of US-listed securities in self-directed cash accounts.

Public offers $0 commission trading on self-directed individual cash brokerage accounts for US-listed securities placed online.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Access to over 9,000 equities across US-listed companies
• Fractional shares with any dollar amount
• Pre-market trading from 8:00 AM and after-hours trading until 8:00 PM ET
• Recurring investments and automated dividend reinvestment
• Company KPIs and AI-generated earnings recaps in the Earnings Hub

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Fee-free extended-hours trading
• Strength: Options trading rebates of $0.06 to $0.18 per contract
• Strength: SIPC protection up to $500,000
• Weakness: Fractional shares are illiquid outside Public and not transferable
• Weakness: Regulatory, subscription and wire fees may apply
• Weakness: $0 commission claim covers self-directed individual cash accounts

Key facts

• Eligible securities: Over 9,000 equities
• Extended hours: 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET
• Commission: $0 online, self-directed cash accounts
• Dividends: Automated reinvestment

Where it ranks

Public is No. 5 in our Best Fractional Share Brokers verdict.