Platform Comparison

Fundrise vs Public

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

FR

Fundrise

★4.2

Access private real estate investments with just $10—earn quarterly dividends from rental income and property appreciation without being a landlord.

Full Review
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

Fundrise vs Public: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureFundrisePublic
Our Rating4.2/54.4/5
Trading CommissionsN/A$0
Account Minimum$10$0
Fractional SharesN/A$1 minimum
DRIPN/AFree
Research ToolsBasicBasic
Best ForLong-Term Real Estate InvestorsTransparency-Focused Investors

Fundrise vs Public: Pros and Cons

Fundrise

Pros

  • + Access to private real estate with just $10 minimum
  • + Quarterly dividend distributions from rental income
  • + Open to non-accredited investors (unlike most private REITs)
  • + Diversification across multiple properties and markets
  • + Historical returns competitive with public REITs

Cons

  • - Very limited liquidity—designed for 5+ year holds
  • - 1% early withdrawal penalty on shares held under 5 years
  • - Dividends taxed as ordinary income (not qualified)
  • - Current dividend yield around 1.92% (lower than public REITs)

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: Fundrise or Public?

Choose Fundrise if you...

  • Are in Fundrise's core audience: long-term real estate 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 Fundrise 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.