Platform Comparison

Fidelity vs Public

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

Higher Rated
FD

Fidelity

★4.9

The gold standard for dividend investors seeking zero commissions, exceptional research, and automatic DRIP.

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

Fidelity vs Public: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureFidelityPublic
Our Rating4.9/54.4/5
Trading Commissions$0$0
Account Minimum$0$0
Fractional SharesYes$1 minimum
DRIPAutomaticFree
Research ToolsExcellentBasic
Best ForLong-Term Dividend InvestorsTransparency-Focused Investors

Fidelity vs Public: Pros and Cons

Fidelity

Pros

  • + Completely free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options
  • + Automatic dividend reinvestment on all eligible securities
  • + Industry-leading research and screening tools
  • + Fractional shares starting at $1
  • + Excellent customer service with 24/7 phone support

Cons

  • - Platform interface can feel overwhelming for complete beginners
  • - Mobile app less intuitive than newer competitors
  • - Some advanced features require desktop platform
  • - Mutual fund minimums can be high ($0-$2,500 depending on fund)

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: Fidelity or Public?

Choose Fidelity if you...

  • Are in Fidelity's core audience: long-term dividend investors
  • Need automatic dividend reinvestment
  • 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 Fidelity review and Public review.

Compare Other Platforms

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

Fidelity vs Charles SchwabFidelity vs M1 FinanceFidelity vs TD AmeritradePublic vs Charles SchwabPublic vs M1 FinancePublic vs TD Ameritrade
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.