Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.
4.0 / 5
Best for OTC and penny-stock buyers who want $0 commissions, plus mainstream mutual-fund and 24/5 access. Smaller platform and research footprint than the big four, but the price floor is uncontested.
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.
Each broker scored 0–5 across the same 8 dimensions.
Green cells mark the winner on each metric. Tie rows are uncoloured.
| Metric | Firstrade | Public.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| OverallEditorial score | 4.00 / 5 | 4.30 / 5 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees | 5.00 | 4.70 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools | 3.50 | 4.00 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsMobile app | 4.00 | 4.70 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsResearch | 3.50 | 3.50 | Tie |
| Sub-ratingsEducation | 3.50 | 4.00 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsCustomer service | 3.60 | 3.00 | Firstrade |
| Sub-ratingsRange of investments | 3.80 | 4.00 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsActive trading | 3.60 | 3.50 | Firstrade |
| PricingLowest margin rate | 10.75% | 3.95% | Public.com |
| PricingDefault cash sweep yield | 3.50% | 3.30% | Firstrade |
| PricingPFOF on equities | Accepts | Accepts | Tie |
| Asset class | Firstrade | Public.com |
|---|---|---|
| US stocks | Yes | |
| OTC / Pink Sheets / OTCQX / OTCQB | Yes | |
| Options | Yes | |
| Mutual funds | Yes | No |
| Corporate / muni bonds | Yes | |
| International stocks (US app) | No | |
| 24-hour overnight equity trading | Yes | No |
| US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq) | Yes | |
| OTC stocks | Limited | |
| Equity / ETF options (single + multi-leg) | Yes | |
| Index options (SPX, NDX, VIX, XSP, CBTX) | Yes | |
| Corporate bonds (Bond Account) | Yes | |
| Crypto IRA | Yes | |
| International stocks | Limited | |
| IPOs | Yes | |
| Alternative assets (Otis) | Yes | |
| Direct Indexing Account | Yes |