Platform Comparison

Public vs Robinhood

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

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

Robinhood

★4.2

The app that brought commission-free trading to the masses, with a sleek mobile experience and $1 fractional shares.

Full Review

Public vs Robinhood: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

Feature	Public	Robinhood
Our Rating	4.4/5	4.2/5
Trading Commissions	$0	$0
Account Minimum	$0	$0
Fractional Shares	$1 minimum	$1 minimum
DRIP	Free	Free
Research Tools	Basic	Basic
Best For	Transparency-Focused Investors	Beginners & Young Investors

Public vs Robinhood: Pros and Cons

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)

Robinhood

Pros

+ Commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto
+ Industry-leading mobile app design and user experience
+ Fractional shares starting at just $1
+ Free dividend reinvestment (DRIP) for eligible securities
+ 24-hour trading available for extended market access

Cons

- Very limited research tools compared to Fidelity or Schwab
- No mutual funds, bonds, or fixed income investments
- Dividend data is basic—missing ex-dividend dates and payment details
- Uses payment for order flow (PFOF) which may affect execution quality

Which Is Better for Dividend Investors: Public or Robinhood?

Choose Public if you...

Are in Public's core audience: transparency-focused investors
Prefer a higher-rated overall platform

Choose Robinhood if you...

Are in Robinhood's core audience: beginners & young investors

Want the full breakdown of fees, DRIP, and research tools? Read our Public review and Robinhood 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.