Platform Comparison

Public vs Zacks Trade

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

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
ZT

Zacks Trade

★4

A research-focused brokerage with the famous Zacks Rank system and professional-grade tools—but commissions and minimums make it best for active investors.

Full Review

Public vs Zacks Trade: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeaturePublicZacks Trade
Our Rating4.4/54/5
Trading Commissions$0$0.01/share
Account Minimum$0$2,500
Fractional Shares$1 minimumN/A
DRIPFreeYes
Research ToolsBasicGood
Best ForTransparency-Focused InvestorsResearch-Focused Investors

Public vs Zacks Trade: 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)

Zacks Trade

Pros

  • + Zacks Premium Research ($249/year value) included free
  • + Proprietary Zacks Rank stock rating system
  • + Very low per-share commissions ($0.01/share, $1 min)
  • + Professional research tools and screeners
  • + DRIP available for dividend reinvestment

Cons

  • - NOT commission-free—$0.01/share ($1 minimum per trade)
  • - $2,500 account minimum to open
  • - Higher costs for small, frequent trades
  • - Platform can be complex for beginners

Which Is Better for Dividend Investors: Public or Zacks Trade?

Choose Public if you...

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

Choose Zacks Trade if you...

  • Are in Zacks Trade's core audience: research-focused investors
  • Need automatic dividend reinvestment

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