Platform Comparison

Ally Invest vs Public

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

AI

Ally Invest

★4.2

Ally Bank's brokerage arm pairs $0 commissions and free dividend reinvestment with seamless banking integration—though the lack of direct fractional shares holds it back.

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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.

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Ally Invest vs Public: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureAlly InvestPublic
Our Rating4.2/54.4/5
Trading Commissions$0$0
Account Minimum$0$0
Fractional SharesDRIP only$1 minimum
DRIPFreeFree
Research ToolsBasicBasic
Best ForAlly Bank CustomersTransparency-Focused Investors

Ally Invest vs Public: Pros and Cons

Ally Invest

Pros

  • + $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs
  • + Free dividend reinvestment (DRIP) with fractional share support
  • + $0 commissions on no-load mutual funds—the old $9.95 fee is gone
  • + Seamless integration with Ally Bank accounts (3.00% APY savings)
  • + Low options pricing at $0.50 per contract

Cons

  • - No direct fractional share purchases—DRIP is the only way to own fractions
  • - High margin rates, starting around 12% for balances under $25,000
  • - No cryptocurrency or futures trading
  • - $50 account transfer out fee (ACAT) and $25 IRA closure fee

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: Ally Invest or Public?

Choose Ally Invest if you...

  • Are in Ally Invest's core audience: ally bank customers

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 Ally Invest 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.