M1 Finance vs Public.com (2026) — Which Is Better?
Compare M1 Finance and Public.com — features, pricing, pros and cons.
Data below reflects each vendor's official docs at time of writing. Pricing, features, and account terms can change; check the source of truth on each provider's site. Methodology →
The Short Version
Higher Rated
M1 Finance (4.1)
More Affordable
M1 Finance (Free)
M1 Finance
M1 Finance is a free automated investing platform built around customizable 'Pie' portfolios with fractional shares, automatic rebalancing, and zero trading commissions.
Public.com
Commission-free social investing platform offering stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, and bonds with a built-in investor community and AI-powered insights.
Fee & Feature Breakdown
| Feature | M1 Finance | Public.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.1 | ★ 4.0 |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Markets | stocks, etfs | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Broker Head-to-Head
M1 Finance (4.1/5) and Public.com (4.0/5) target different investor profiles. M1 prioritizes passive wealth-building through its visual Pie system with automatic rebalancing, dividend reinvestment, and comprehensive tax-advantaged account support (traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA). Public emphasizes community-driven learning, offering commission-free stocks, $0-per-contract options, and AI-powered plain-language analysis. M1's defining strength is M1 Borrow, enabling portfolio-backed loans without liquidation—valuable for liquidity needs. Public's differentiator is its integrated investor community and Alpha AI tool, translating complex analysis into accessible insights for collaborative learners.
M1 Finance suits hands-off diversifiers prioritizing automation and tax optimization, particularly retirement account holders. Its single daily trade window aligns with buy-and-hold strategies but restricts execution timing control. Public.com serves semi-active traders seeking real-time execution, options access, and collaborative learning environments. Choose M1 for passive portfolio construction; choose Public for active participation in a learning community balanced with trading flexibility.
M1 Finance: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Pie system makes diversified portfolio construction visual and intuitive
- + Truly commission-free with fractional shares — invest any dollar amount
- + Automatic rebalancing and dividend reinvestment require zero ongoing effort
- + M1 Borrow offers competitive portfolio line-of-credit without selling positions
- + Supports taxable, traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and SEP IRA accounts
Cons
- - No options, futures, forex, or direct crypto trading
- - Single daily trade window on free tier limits execution timing control
- - No charting, technical analysis tools, or active trading functionality
- - Customer support is slow and lacks phone access on the basic plan
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