Other Review
Public.com Review 2026 — Is Public.com Legit?
Score Summary
out of 10
Public.com is a US-based social investing platform that combines commission-free stock and ETF trading with community features, alternative assets (like treasury bills and bonds), and a no-PFOF (payment for order flow) business model. SEC-regulated with a focus on transparency, Public appeals to investors who want to know how their broker makes money.
Overview
Public.com was founded in 2019 and has positioned itself as the transparency-first alternative to Robinhood. While most zero-commission brokers generate revenue through payment for order flow (PFOF), Public eliminated PFOF in 2021 and adopted a tipping model and premium subscription instead. The platform offers stocks, ETFs, crypto, treasury bills (T-bills), bonds, and alternative assets through a social-media-inspired interface.
Public's key differentiator is its community features, which allow users to share investment ideas, follow other investors' portfolios (with permission), and participate in discussions about individual stocks. The platform has also attracted attention for offering treasury bills and corporate bonds directly to retail investors.
Tip
Public.com's decision to eliminate payment for order flow means that customer orders are routed to exchanges for best execution rather than sold to market makers. This is a meaningful distinction — PFOF-based brokers may provide inferior price execution that costs investors more than explicit commissions would.
Regulatory Status
- SEC — Registered broker-dealer (Public Investing, Inc.)
- FINRA — Member firm
- SIPC — Member with $500,000 per account protection
- FinCEN — Registered for crypto activities
Fee Structure
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Stocks/ETFs | $0 |
| Crypto | 1-2% spread (varies) |
| Treasury Bills | No commission |
| Bonds | Markup in price (varies) |
| Public Premium | $10/month (advanced features) |
| Account Minimum | $0 |
Platform & Tools
- Public App — Social investing app with portfolio tracking, stock pages, news, and community feed
- Alpha — AI-powered investment research assistant providing real-time analysis and insights
- Treasury Bills — Purchase T-bills directly with 1-year terms and competitive yields
- Bonds — Access to corporate and government bonds
- Crypto — Buy and sell cryptocurrency directly (not through a separate entity)
- Alternative Assets — Access to select alternative investment opportunities
- Community — Social features including portfolio sharing, discussions, and investor profiles
Customer Support
- In-app chat support
- Email support with 24-48 hour response times
- Help center with FAQ articles
- No phone support
- Community features provide some peer support
Trustworthiness
Public.com has built trust through transparency:
- No PFOF model demonstrates commitment to client interests
- SEC/FINRA regulated with SIPC protection
- Transparent about revenue sources
- Well-funded by venture capital investors
- Clean regulatory record
- Still operating at a loss (startup phase)
- Young company with limited operating history
Conclusion
Public.com earns a Recommended verdict with a score of 7.4. The elimination of PFOF, combined with innovative features like direct T-bill access and AI-powered research, make Public a forward-thinking platform. The social features add a unique dimension that may help newer investors learn from the community. However, crypto fees are high, the platform is still maturing, and customer support could be stronger. Public is recommended for investors who prioritize transparency and want a modern, social investing experience.
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