Platform Comparison

E*TRADE vs Public

Compare E*TRADE and Public on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.

Higher Rated
ET

E*TRADE

★4.6

Morgan Stanley's full-service brokerage pairs $0 commissions and free dividend reinvestment with institutional-grade research—and in 2026 it finally added direct fractional shares and crypto trading.

Full Review
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

E*TRADE vs Public: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureE*TRADEPublic
Our Rating4.6/54.4/5
Trading Commissions$0$0
Account Minimum$0$0
Fractional SharesYes (phased rollout)$1 minimum
DRIPFreeFree
Research ToolsExcellentBasic
Best ForResearch-Driven Dividend InvestorsTransparency-Focused Investors

E*TRADE vs Public: Pros and Cons

E*TRADE

Pros

  • + Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
  • + Free dividend reinvestment (DRIP) with fractional shares, enrollable per security
  • + Industry-leading research from Morgan Stanley, Morningstar, and MarketEdge
  • + Direct fractional-share purchases now rolling out (started Q2 2026)
  • + Crypto trading live at a 0.50% fee—cheaper than Coinbase, Schwab, and Fidelity

Cons

  • - Fractional-share purchases are still in a phased rollout—not every stock is eligible yet
  • - No dollar-based orders yet; fractional buys are share-quantity only
  • - Low interest rate on uninvested cash
  • - Website navigation can be confusing

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: E*TRADE or Public?

Choose E*TRADE if you...

  • Are in E*TRADE's core audience: research-driven dividend investors
  • Prefer a higher-rated overall platform

Choose Public if you...

  • Are in Public's core audience: transparency-focused investors

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

Compare Other Platforms

Not sure these are the right fit? Explore more comparisons.

E*TRADE vs FidelityE*TRADE vs Charles SchwabE*TRADE vs M1 FinancePublic vs FidelityPublic vs Charles SchwabPublic vs M1 Finance
View All Platforms

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.