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Fidelityvs.Public.com

Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.

Fidelity logo

Fidelity

4.7 / 5

Best overall broker for long-term investors, retirement, mutual funds, and cash management. Industry-leading sweep yield, zero-expense-ratio funds, and no PFOF on equities.

Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting
Public.com logo

Public.com

4.3 / 5

Strongest modern multi-asset broker for self-directed investors who want stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, Treasuries, crypto, IRAs, and 3.30% APY cash in one AI-native app. Unique options rebate, 6.07% Bond Account, and Agents — the first agentic-AI brokerage.

Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting

Sub-rating overlap

Each broker scored 0–5 across the same 8 dimensions.

Detailed comparison

Green cells mark the winner on each metric. Tie rows are uncoloured.

MetricFidelityPublic.comWinner
OverallEditorial score4.70 / 54.30 / 5Fidelity
Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees4.604.70Public.com
Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools4.404.00Fidelity
Sub-ratingsMobile app5.004.70Fidelity
Sub-ratingsResearch5.003.50Fidelity
Sub-ratingsEducation5.004.00Fidelity
Sub-ratingsCustomer service4.903.00Fidelity
Sub-ratingsRange of investments4.204.00Fidelity
Sub-ratingsActive trading4.303.50Fidelity
PricingLowest margin rate7.50%3.95%Public.com
PricingDefault cash sweep yield3.26%3.30%Public.com
PricingPFOF on equitiesDoes not acceptAcceptsFidelity

Where they differ on asset coverage

Asset classFidelityPublic.com
US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq/AMEX)Yes
OTC / penny stocksLimited
Options (up to Level 4)Yes
Mutual fundsYesNo
Corporate / muni bonds, CDsYes
IPOsLimitedYes
International directYes
Futures / futures optionsNo
Crypto (direct)LimitedYes
Spot crypto ETPsYes
Precious metals (physical)Yes
US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq)Yes
OTC stocksLimited
Equity / ETF options (single + multi-leg)Yes
Index options (SPX, NDX, VIX, XSP, CBTX)Yes
Corporate bonds (Bond Account)Yes
FuturesNo
Crypto IRAYes
International stocksLimited
Alternative assets (Otis)Yes
Direct Indexing AccountYes

Fidelity strengths

  • Only major broker with zero-expense-ratio index funds (FZROX, FZILX, FNILX, FZIPX)
  • Best automatic cash sweep — SPAXX 3.26% with no minimum or opt-in
  • No payment for order flow on equities; $24.50 price improvement per 1,000 shares
  • ~20 third-party research providers — broadest in retail brokerage
  • 24/7 phone, live chat, and 215+ in-person investor centers
  • NerdWallet Best App for Investing 5 years running (2022–2026)

Public.com strengths

  • Industry-low retail margin starter — 4.90% on debits under $50K; drops to 3.95% above $50M
  • Only options rebate program in US retail — $0.06–$0.18 per stock/ETF contract back (50% of PFOF revenue)
  • Bond Account: 6.07% yield-to-worst across 10 diversified corporate bonds, $1,000 minimum, monthly interest
  • Agents (launched March 31, 2026) — first agentic-AI brokerage with prompt-driven automated trading workflows
  • High-Yield Cash Account: 3.30% APY with no subscription, no minimum, $5M FDIC sweep across partner-bank network
  • Uncapped 1% match on portfolio transfers/IRA rollovers (5-year hold); 1% match on annual IRA contributions