Platform Comparison

Acorns vs Public

Compare Acorns and Public on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.

AC

Acorns

★4.1

The micro-investing app that turns your spare change into investments through Round-Ups—perfect for beginners who struggle to save consistently.

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Higher Rated
PB

Public

★4.4

A transparent, community-focused investing platform that rejects payment for order flow in favor of optional tipping—putting your interests first.

Full Review

Acorns vs Public: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureAcornsPublic
Our Rating4.1/54.4/5
Trading CommissionsN/A$0
Account Minimum$0$0
Fractional SharesN/A$1 minimum
DRIPAutomaticFree
Research ToolsBasicBasic
Best ForBeginner SaversTransparency-Focused Investors

Acorns vs Public: Pros and Cons

Acorns

Pros

  • + Round-Ups automatically invest spare change from purchases
  • + No account minimum—start investing with $5
  • + Automatic dividend reinvestment included
  • + Diversified portfolios using Vanguard and iShares ETFs
  • + Free for college students with .edu email

Cons

  • - Flat monthly fee is expensive for small balances
  • - No tax-loss harvesting (unlike Betterment/Wealthfront)
  • - Cannot choose individual stocks or ETFs
  • - Limited customization of portfolios

Public

Pros

  • + No payment for order flow—potentially better trade execution
  • + Commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options trading
  • + Fractional shares starting at just $1
  • + Free dividend reinvestment with fractional share support
  • + High interest rate on uninvested cash

Cons

  • - No mutual funds available
  • - Limited research and screening tools
  • - Extended hours trading costs $2.99 per order (non-Premium)
  • - Penny stocks cost $2.99 per trade (non-Premium)

Which Is Better for Dividend Investors: Acorns or Public?

Choose Acorns if you...

  • Are in Acorns's core audience: beginner savers
  • Need automatic dividend reinvestment

Choose Public if you...

  • Are in Public's core audience: transparency-focused investors
  • Prefer a higher-rated overall platform

Want the full breakdown of fees, DRIP, and research tools? Read our Acorns review and Public review.

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Investment Disclaimer

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.