Firstrade vs Public.com (2026) — Which Is Better?
Compare Firstrade and Public.com — features, pricing, pros and cons.
Quick Verdict
Higher Rated
Firstrade (4.0)
More Affordable
Firstrade (Free)
Firstrade
Commission-free US broker with $0 stock, ETF, and options trades and no per-contract fees — a standout for cost-conscious options traders.
Public.com
Commission-free social investing platform offering stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, and bonds with a built-in investor community and AI-powered insights.
Our Analysis
Firstrade and Public.com both offer commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and $0 per-contract options, making them equally cost-competitive for basic trading. However, their philosophies diverge significantly. Firstrade is a traditional broker built on 35+ years of institutional credibility, catering to individual investors seeking straightforward, no-nonsense trading access. Public.com positions itself as a social-first platform, bundling trading with community features and AI-powered insights designed to appeal to retail investors who value learning alongside trading.
Firstrade's key differentiator is its commitment to pure execution without feature bloat—especially its zero per-contract options fees, which remain rare among US brokers. Public.com's distinct advantage is its Alpha AI tool and integrated High-Yield Cash Account, combined with an engaged investor community for peer learning. The mobile-first interface also attracts traders who prioritize on-the-go accessibility.
Firstrade suits cost-conscious options traders and buy-and-hold investors who need institutional reliability and don't require advanced charting or paper trading. Public.com appeals to community-oriented traders, crypto-curious investors (unique among commission-free brokers), and those seeking AI-assisted stock analysis without paying premium subscriptions. Neither platform serves active day traders requiring futures access or advanced technical analysis tools.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Firstrade | Public.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.0 | ★ 4.0 |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Markets | stocks, options, etfs, mutual-funds, fixed-income | stocks, etfs, options, crypto, bonds, alternatives |
| AI Analysis | ✗ | ✓ |
| Backtesting | ✗ | ✗ |
| Paper Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Price Alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✗ | ✗ |
| Social Features | ✗ | ✓ |
| Broker Integration | ✗ | ✗ |
| Custom Indicators | ✗ | ✗ |
| Automated Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Trade Journaling | ✗ | ✗ |
| Performance Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Risk Management | ✗ | ✗ |
| News Feed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Education Content | ✓ | ✓ |
Firstrade: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + $0 options trades with no per-contract fee — rare among US brokers
- + Truly commission-free on stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds
- + Wide range of account types including multiple IRA varieties
- + Bilingual support in English and Chinese
- + Long-established broker with 35+ years of operating history
Cons
- - No paper trading or simulated account for practice
- - Platform and charting tools are basic compared to TD Ameritrade or IBKR
- - No futures or forex trading
- - No API access for algorithmic or automated trading
Public.com: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Strong social community ideal for learning from other investors
- + Commission-free stocks, ETFs, and $0 per-contract options
- + Alpha AI tool provides accessible plain-language stock analysis
- + Competitive High-Yield Cash Account integrated with brokerage
- + Clean, intuitive mobile-first interface
Cons
- - No desktop/web charting tools for technical analysis
- - No paper trading or backtesting capabilities
- - Not suited for active traders needing advanced order types or futures
- - Premium pricing adds up compared to free alternatives