Platform Comparison

Firstrade vs Public

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

FT

Firstrade

★4.2

A pioneer of commission-free trading offering truly free options (no contract fees) and mutual funds—one of the most cost-effective brokers available.

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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

Firstrade vs Public: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureFirstradePublic
Our Rating4.2/54.4/5
Trading Commissions$0$0
Account Minimum$0$0
Fractional SharesN/A$1 minimum
DRIPFreeFree
Research ToolsBasicBasic
Best ForOptions Income InvestorsTransparency-Focused Investors

Firstrade vs Public: Pros and Cons

Firstrade

Pros

  • + Commission-free stocks, ETFs, options, AND mutual funds
  • + No per-contract fees on options—truly free options trading
  • + Free dividend reinvestment program
  • + No account minimums or inactivity fees
  • + Securities lending lets you earn extra income on shares

Cons

  • - Very low 0.15% interest on uninvested cash
  • - Dated platform interface that can be hard to navigate
  • - No forex, futures, or cryptocurrency trading
  • - Limited research and analysis tools

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: Firstrade or Public?

Choose Firstrade if you...

  • Are in Firstrade's core audience: options income investors

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 Firstrade 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.