Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.
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Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting
SoFi Active Investing
4.0 / 5
Best one-app financial life for beginners and casual investors. Unbeatable on $0 options + IPO access + 1% IRA match. Avoid if you trade OTC, options spreads professionally, or hold meaningful idle cash.
Last reviewed May 13, 2026Data may be outdated — verify rates before acting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
Public.com
SoFi
Winner
OverallEditorial score
4.30 / 5
4.00 / 5
Public.com
Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees
4.70
4.50
Public.com
Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools
4.00
3.50
Public.com
Sub-ratingsMobile app
4.70
4.50
Public.com
Sub-ratingsResearch
3.50
3.00
Public.com
Sub-ratingsEducation
4.00
3.50
Public.com
Sub-ratingsCustomer service
3.00
3.50
SoFi
Sub-ratingsRange of investments
4.00
3.50
Public.com
Sub-ratingsActive trading
3.50
3.00
Public.com
PricingLowest margin rate
3.95%
4.75%
Public.com
PricingDefault cash sweep yield
3.30%
0.01%
Public.com
PricingPFOF on equities
Accepts
Accepts
Tie
Where they differ on asset coverage
Asset class
Public.com
SoFi
OTC stocks
Limited
Fractional shares
Yes
Equity / ETF options (single + multi-leg)
Yes
Index options (SPX, NDX, VIX, XSP, CBTX)
Yes
Mutual funds
No
Yes
US Treasuries
Yes
No
Corporate bonds (Bond Account)
Yes
Crypto IRA
Yes
International stocks
Limited
No
IPOs
Yes
Alternative assets (Otis)
Yes
Direct Indexing Account
Yes
OTC / Pink Sheets / OTCQB / OTCQX
No
Fractional shares (Stock Bits)
Yes
Options (single-leg + defined-risk spreads)
Yes
Corporate / muni bonds
No
IPO Investing
Yes
Pre-IPO / Private funds
Yes
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
SoFi strengths
$0 base + $0 per-contract options — tied for cheapest in retail
IPO Access with $0 minimum — every active member eligible to submit IOIs
1% IRA match (Traditional, Roth, Rollover); 2% Plus boost Jan 22 – Apr 15, 2026
Stock Bits fractional shares from $5 across ~4,000 tickers