Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.
Interactive Brokers
4.6 / 5
Best for active, global, and advanced traders. Lowest margin rates in the industry, broadest international access (160+ exchanges, 36 countries), and the most complete API stack in retail brokerage.
Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting
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Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting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.
Metric
Interactive
Public.com
Winner
OverallEditorial score
4.60 / 5
4.30 / 5
Interactive
Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees
4.80
4.70
Interactive
Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools
5.00
4.00
Interactive
Sub-ratingsMobile app
4.00
4.70
Public.com
Sub-ratingsResearch
4.20
3.50
Interactive
Sub-ratingsEducation
4.00
4.00
Tie
Sub-ratingsCustomer service
3.80
3.00
Interactive
Sub-ratingsRange of investments
5.00
4.00
Interactive
Sub-ratingsActive trading
5.00
3.50
Interactive
PricingLowest margin rate
5.83%
3.95%
Public.com
PricingDefault cash sweep yield
4.33%
3.30%
Interactive
PricingPFOF on equities
Does not accept
Accepts
Interactive
Where they differ on asset coverage
Asset class
Interactive
Public.com
US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq/AMEX)
Yes
OTC / penny stocks
Yes
Options (US + global)
Yes
Mutual funds
Yes
No
Corporate / muni bonds, CDs
Yes
Forex
Yes
No
Futures / futures options
Yes
International stocks
Yes
Limited
24-hour overnight equity trading
Yes
No
Prediction markets
Yes
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
Futures
No
Crypto IRA
Yes
Alternative assets (Otis)
Yes
Direct Indexing Account
Yes
Interactive strengths
Lowest margin rates in retail brokerage — IBKR Pro USD blended 5.83–6.83%
Broadest international access — 160+ exchanges across 36 countries, 28 currencies
Trader Workstation (TWS) with ~120 order types, algos, Risk Navigator
Deepest short-locate inventory; SYEP shares 50% of borrow fees with clients
Full retail API: TWS, FIX, REST/WebSocket — 7 languages
Futures and futures options on 35+ global exchanges
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