Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.
3.8 / 5
Best for Bank of America customers with $100K+ combined balances who want IRA, banking, credit card, and brokerage under one login. Outside that fit, Fidelity, Schwab, or IBKR are stronger pure-trading platforms.
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 | Merrill | Public.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| OverallEditorial score | 3.80 / 5 | 4.30 / 5 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees | 3.80 | 4.70 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools | 3.80 | 4.00 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsMobile app | 3.50 | 4.70 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsResearch | 5.00 | 3.50 | Merrill |
| Sub-ratingsEducation | 4.00 | 4.00 | Tie |
| Sub-ratingsCustomer service | 4.00 | 3.00 | Merrill |
| Sub-ratingsRange of investments | 3.00 | 4.00 | Public.com |
| Sub-ratingsActive trading | 3.30 | 3.50 | Public.com |
| PricingLowest margin rate | 4.50% | 3.95% | Public.com |
| PricingDefault cash sweep yield | 0.01% | 3.30% | Public.com |
| PricingPFOF on equities | Does not accept | Accepts | Merrill |
| Asset class | Merrill | Public.com |
|---|---|---|
| US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq/AMEX) | Yes | |
| OTC / penny stocks | No | |
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
| Options (Levels 1–5) | Yes | |
| Mutual funds | Yes | No |
| Corporate / muni bonds, CDs | Yes | |
| Crypto (direct) | No | 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 | |
| Crypto IRA | Yes | |
| IPOs | Yes | |
| Alternative assets (Otis) | Yes | |
| Direct Indexing Account | Yes |