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Interactive Brokersvs.Public.com

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

Interactive Brokers logo

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Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting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Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting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

MetricInteractivePublic.comWinner
OverallEditorial score4.60 / 54.30 / 5Interactive
Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees4.804.70Interactive
Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools5.004.00Interactive
Sub-ratingsMobile app4.004.70Public.com
Sub-ratingsResearch4.203.50Interactive
Sub-ratingsEducation4.004.00Tie
Sub-ratingsCustomer service3.803.00Interactive
Sub-ratingsRange of investments5.004.00Interactive
Sub-ratingsActive trading5.003.50Interactive
PricingLowest margin rate5.83%3.95%Public.com
PricingDefault cash sweep yield4.33%3.30%Interactive
PricingPFOF on equitiesDoes not acceptAcceptsInteractive

Where they differ on asset coverage

Asset classInteractivePublic.com
US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq/AMEX)Yes
OTC / penny stocksYes
Options (US + global)Yes
Mutual fundsYesNo
Corporate / muni bonds, CDsYes
ForexYesNo
Futures / futures optionsYes
International stocksYesLimited
24-hour overnight equity tradingYesNo
Prediction marketsYes
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
Alternative assets (Otis)Yes
Direct Indexing AccountYes

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