Platform Comparison

Public vs TradeStation

Compare Public and TradeStation 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

TradeStation

★4.1

A powerful platform built for active traders with advanced tools, customizable strategies, and futures trading—not ideal for passive dividend investors.

Full Review

Public vs TradeStation: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

Feature	Public	TradeStation
Our Rating	4.4/5	4.1/5
Trading Commissions	$0	$0
Account Minimum	$0	N/A
Fractional Shares	$1 minimum	No
DRIP	Free	No
Research Tools	Basic	Basic
Best For	Transparency-Focused Investors	Active Day Traders

Public vs TradeStation: 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)

TradeStation

Pros

+ Commission-free stock and ETF trading (up to 10,000 shares)
+ Industry-leading platform for active traders
+ Extensive backtesting and strategy development tools
+ Futures and micro-futures trading available
+ Advanced charting with hundreds of indicators

Cons

- No dividend reinvestment (DRIP) program
- No fractional shares available
- $10/month inactivity fee (unless active or $5K+ balance)
- Higher account fees than competitors ($125 ACAT, $35 IRA)

Which Is Better for Dividend Investors: Public or TradeStation?

Choose Public if you...

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

Choose TradeStation if you...

Are in TradeStation's core audience: active day traders

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

Compare Other Platforms

Not sure these are the right fit? Explore more comparisons.

Public vs Fidelity Public vs Charles Schwab Public vs M1 Finance TradeStation vs Fidelity TradeStation vs Charles Schwab TradeStation vs M1 Finance

View All Platforms

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.