Platform Comparison

M1 Finance vs Public

Compare M1 Finance and Public on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.

Higher Rated
M1

M1 Finance

★4.7

The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it platform with pie-based portfolios, automatic rebalancing, and free dividend reinvestment.

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

M1 Finance vs Public: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureM1 FinancePublic
Our Rating4.7/54.4/5
Trading Commissions$0$0
Account Minimum$100$0
Fractional SharesYes$1 minimum
DRIPFree + SmartFree
Research ToolsBasicBasic
Best ForHands-Off Dividend InvestorsTransparency-Focused Investors

M1 Finance vs Public: Pros and Cons

M1 Finance

Pros

  • + Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
  • + Unique pie-based portfolio system for easy allocation management
  • + Dynamic rebalancing automatically invests new deposits into underweight positions
  • + Fractional shares let you invest any dollar amount
  • + Three dividend reinvestment options including true DRIP

Cons

  • - Limited trading window (9:30 AM EST only, 3 PM with premium)
  • - $3/month platform fee if account balance under $10,000
  • - No options, mutual funds, bonds, or forex trading
  • - Customer service limited to weekday market hours only

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: M1 Finance or Public?

Choose M1 Finance if you...

  • Are in M1 Finance's core audience: hands-off 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 M1 Finance 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.