Platform Comparison

Invstr vs Public

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

Invstr

★3.8

Practice investing with $1M in virtual money, learn through gamified courses, then graduate to real trading—the complete beginner-to-investor journey.

Full Review

Higher Rated

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

Invstr vs Public: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

Feature	Invstr	Public
Our Rating	3.8/5	4.4/5
Trading Commissions	N/A	$0
Account Minimum	N/A	$0
Fractional Shares	N/A	$1 minimum
DRIP	N/A	Free
Research Tools	Basic	Basic
Best For	Absolute Beginners	Transparency-Focused Investors

Invstr vs Public: Pros and Cons

Invstr

Pros

+ Free investing course with 85 lessons and certificate
+ Fantasy Finance: Practice with $1M virtual money
+ Compete in fantasy leagues and win real prizes
+ Commission-free real stock and crypto trading
+ Fractional shares starting at $5

Cons

- Real trading has minimum fees ($2.99 full shares, $0.99 fractional)
- $5 registration fee for real trading through DriveWealth
- Very limited research tools for experienced investors
- No mutual funds, bonds, forex, or OTC trading

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: Invstr or Public?

Choose Invstr if you...

Are in Invstr's core audience: absolute beginners

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 Invstr 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.