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tastytrade vs Public.com 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

March 11, 2025

In this head to head comparison of tastytrade vs Public.com, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

tastytrade
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.50 info
Public.com
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $20.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00 info
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00 info

Range of investments

When deciding between tastytrade and Public.com, it's crucial to understand their investment options and which might suit your needs better. Tastytrade is ranked higher by StockBrokers.com for a wider range of investments, offering popular services like stock, options, and futures trading. In contrast, Public.com, while also providing basic trading options like stocks and options, it stands out with its capability to trade over-the-counter (OTC) stocks—something tastytrade doesn't offer—and a marginally larger selection of cryptocurrencies. Both platforms provide margin and fractional share trading, making them competitive choices for both beginners and seasoned investors.

For investors interested in retirement planning, tastytrade offers a significant advantage, providing both traditional and Roth IRA accounts. This feature may appeal to those looking to diversify their investment portfolio for long-term financial growth. Public.com, however, focuses more on a community-driven investment approach without offering retirement accounts. If you're aiming for a platform that supports extensive investor interactions and offers easy access to a broad array of investment communities, Public.com might appeal to your preferences in that respect.

The choice between tastytrade and Public.com depends largely on your specific investment goals and needs. Tastytrade aligns well with those seeking diverse trading options, including futures and a comprehensive retirement account setup. Meanwhile, Public.com caters well to investors interested in community interaction and a broader selection of cryptocurrencies. Evaluating what services align best with your financial objectives will guide you to the most suitable choice.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes info Yes
OTC Stocks info No Yes
Mutual Funds info No No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading info Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 17 22
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025

Trading platforms and tools

When evaluating the trading platforms and tools provided by tastytrade and Public.com, it's clear that tastytrade offers a more comprehensive suite of features. Ranked 8th out of 15 brokers by StockBrokers.com with a notable 4-star rating, tastytrade exceeds in several areas compared to Public.com, which holds a 14th position and a 2-star rating. Traders looking for advanced charting capabilities, extensive customization options, and a desktop platform will find tastytrade the more appealing choice.

Tastytrade stands out with its availability on both Windows and Mac downloadable platforms, in addition to its browser-based offering, allowing for flexible access. Tastytrade supports substantial charting features, including 308 technical indicators and 31 drawing tools, which cater to more in-depth technical analysis. In contrast, Public.com only offers a browser-based platform with no technical indicators or drawing tools, which may limit the depth of analysis for users seeking a detailed approach to trading.

Moreover, tastytrade allows traders to adjust orders directly on stock charts, add notes, and display historical trades, offering a dynamic environment for managing investments. It also permits users to save multiple chart profiles and create custom studies, empowering traders with a high level of customization. Public.com, while user-friendly for beginners, does not offer these sophisticated features, making it less suitable for those requiring comprehensive trading tools and insights.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Paper Trading info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 33 3
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 308 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 31 0
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 2/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokerage Accounts for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025

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Beginners and education

For those venturing into the world of investments, both tastytrade and Public.com offer educational resources, primarily focused on stocks, ETFs, and options. While neither platform provides education on mutual funds or bonds, each has its unique strengths. Tastytrade stands out with its webinars, allowing users to engage with experts in real-time, and it provides a handy feature that lets users track their learning progress. This is particularly beneficial for those who like to monitor their educational journey and measure improvement over time.

Public.com also caters to beginner investors with a variety of educational offerings, including webinars and a strong library of educational videos available to users. However, it lacks the progress tracking feature that tastytrade boasts. On the broader scale, tastytrade is rated slightly higher at four out of five stars for education compared to Public.com's 3.5 stars, and it ranks better according to StockBrokers.com at 10th versus Public.com's 12th. These insights can help budding investors choose the platform that best aligns with their learning style and educational needs.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info No Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Education 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

When choosing between the tastytrade and Public.com stock trading apps, several factors set them apart in ways that might influence your decision. Both platforms offer comprehensive mobile experiences with apps available for iPhone and Android, ensuring you can trade on the go. However, tastytrade edges out with higher user ratings and a better overall ranking from StockBrokers.com. While tastytrade is lauded for its mobile after-hours trading and ability to customize watch lists, Public.com shines with features like stock comparisons on charts. Your choice might hinge on which of these specific features align better with your trading style and needs.

tastytrade excels in providing a dynamic trading experience with features like after-hours charting and the ability to view charts in landscape mode. Both apps support mobile options trading and offer the flexibility to view multiple time frames on their charts, which is crucial for active traders. However, tastytrade lacks video content and stock alerts, similar to Public.com, but makes up for it by offering streaming quotes, a feature Public.com doesn't provide. While neither app supports Apple Watch or educational video content, tastytrade's additional charting capabilities could offer greater appeal for those who prioritize in-depth analysis.

Public.com sets itself apart with the unique feature of stock comparisons on their charting tool, catering to traders who seek to evaluate multiple stocks in one glance. Both apps lack technical studies, which could be a consideration for those interested in technical analysis. While tastytrade allows users to customize their watch lists and watch list columns, Public.com only offers customization for watch list columns, which might be a limiting factor for users who prefer organizing their investment portfolio their way. Ultimately, whether you choose tastytrade for its charting versatility or Public.com for its comparative stock charting, both provide solid mobile trading platforms with their unique pros and cons.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Stock Alerts info No No info
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies info 0 0
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

When comparing tastytrade and Public.com, it becomes clear that each platform has its advantages depending on the type of investor you are. Tastytrade impresses with a $0 minimum deposit and free regular stock trades, leveling the playing field for entry-level investors. However, Public.com also offers free trades but requires a $20 minimum deposit. They provide a competitive edge in options contracts with zero charges, compared to tastytrade's $0.50 per contract. Both platforms excel with free IRA annual fees, but tastytrade maintains affordability with smaller IRA closure fees and reduced costs on account transfer services.

Looking into margin borrowing costs, Public.com maintains a distinct advantage with lower rates across various balance tiers. For balances below $25,000, Public.com charges 8.75%, while tastytrade charges 11%. As balances increase, Public.com continues to offer better rates, peaking at 6.75% for amounts between $50,000 and $99,999, in contrast to tastytrade's 10%. This makes Public.com a more attractive choice for investors considering utilizing margin for larger trades.

Both platforms offer free regular stock trades, yet Public.com stands out for those focusing on options trading due to its $0 charges for options-related exercises and assignments, compared to tastytrade. These differences might seem minor at first, but they can accumulate significantly for active traders. Public.com becomes increasingly compelling with its lower fees on certain services, while tastytrade provides enticing options for those who prioritize a zero-minimum deposit and slightly lower account transfer fees. Consider what aspects align best with your investment strategy to determine which broker meets your needs effectively.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00 info
Options (Per Contract) info $0.50 info $0.00 info
Options Exercise Fee info $5.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $5.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $60.00 $150.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

When evaluating tastytrade and Public.com for day trading, both platforms offer distinct features suited for different needs. Tastytrade stands out with its streaming live TV feature and its ladder trading, which can be beneficial for day traders seeking constant market insights and quick order placements. Additionally, tastytrade provides a short locator tool, allowing users to view real-time availability of shares available for shorting. In contrast, Public.com does not provide these features, which could be a limitation for traders who rely heavily on detailed market analysis and rapid trade execution tools.

Both tastytrade and Public.com share several limitations for day traders as neither offers streaming time and sales data, direct market routing for stocks, trading hotkeys, or level 2 quotes. Also, both platforms do not provide options for strategy backtesting or offer order liquidity rebates. This could be a drawback for traders wanting comprehensive features typically associated with more advanced trading strategies. Overall, for traders looking for specific tools like ladder trading and a short locator, tastytrade might be the more appealing choice, while Public.com would suit those who prioritize simplicity and are less focused on advanced trading features.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Streaming Time & Sales info No No
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025

Market Research

When it comes to market research capabilities, both tastytrade and Public.com offer essential stock and ETF research, signaling their commitment to providing valuable insights for investors. However, Public.com stands out with its higher market research rating of 2 stars compared to tastytrade's 1.5 stars, and a slightly better ranking of #12 versus #13 by StockBrokers.com. While neither platform excels in providing comprehensive research tools like downloadable PDF reports or advanced screeners, Public.com offers a unique advantage with its ability to cover Pink Sheets and OTCBB research, which tastytrade does not.

Tastytrade and Public.com both deliver on essential research offerings for stocks and ETFs, but fall short in several key areas like mutual fund and bond research. Investors looking for specific features like social media sentiment data or ESG research will have to look elsewhere, as these are not available on either platform. In addition, tools that aid in generating trade ideas, such as stock or ETF screeners, are absent from both services, limiting investors who rely on these types of tools for their strategies.

While public.com lacks the ability to provide users with a detailed view of their portfolio allocation by asset class, this is a feature that tastytrade does offer. However, this added layer of insight is not enough to significantly impact their market research rankings. Therefore, investors prioritizing comprehensive research tools and reports may consider other platforms, but those interested in a basic research toolkit that includes stock and ETF information might find either platform suitable for their needs.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info No No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info No No
Research - Mutual Funds info No No
Screener - Mutual Funds info No No
Research - Bonds info No No
Screener - Bonds info No No
Research 1.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars

Banking

When it comes to banking features, both tastytrade and Public.com provide limited options as neither offers traditional banking services such as checking or savings accounts. Additionally, you won't find debit or credit cards available at either platform. If you're looking for mortgage loans or CDs, neither tastytrade nor Public.com will meet your needs in those areas. It's clear that both platforms focus on trading and investment services rather than banking solutions.

Feature tastytrade logotastytrade
Public.com logoPublic.com
Checking Accounts info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Debit Cards info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Mortgage Loans info No No
CDs info No No

Dive deeper: Best Bank Accounts for Trading Stocks for 2025

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 15 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that tastytrade is better than Public.com. tastytrade finished with an overall score of 80.1%, while Public.com finished with a score of 69.6%.

tastytrade isn’t for every investor, but its platform is ideal for frequent options and futures traders, offering efficient workflow, useful risk management tools, killer design, and online content that makes you feel like you’re on a trading desk.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with tastytrade or Public.com?

When comparing online brokers, both tastytrade and Public.com offer crypto trading; however, Public.com provides a wider selection with 22 available coins, surpassing tastytrade, which offers 17 coins.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025

Does tastytrade or Public.com offer IRAs?

tastytrade offers both traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fee, but charges a $60 closure fee, unlike Public.com, which does not provide IRA accounts but imposes a $150 closure fee on such accounts managed elsewhere.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025

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Compare

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Overall Rating tastytrade Public.com
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 1.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.0/5 Stars N/A
Education 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review tastytrade Review Public.com Review
Broker Screenshots tastytrade Public.com
Trading Platform & Tools Gallery (click to expand)
Research Gallery (click to expand)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees tastytrade Public.com
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $20.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00 info
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info N/A $2.99
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info N/A info n/a
Options (Per Contract) info $0.50 info $0.00 info
Futures (Per Contract) info $1.25 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $0 n/a
Margin Rates tastytrade Public.com
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 11% 8.75%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 10.5% 8.75%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 10% 6.75%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 9.5% 6.75%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 9% 5.75%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 8.5% 5.75%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 8% 5.75%
Account Fees tastytrade Public.com
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $60.00 $150.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $75.00 $100.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $75.00 $100.00
Options Exercise Fee info $5.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $5.00 $0.00
Investment Options tastytrade Public.com
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info Yes info Yes
OTC Stocks info No Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 0
Futures Trading info Yes No
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info Yes Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 17 22
Mutual Funds (No Load) info 0 0
Mutual Funds (Total) info 0 0
Bonds (US Treasury) info No info Yes
Bonds (Corporate) info No Yes
Bonds (Municipal) info No No
Traditional IRAs info Yes No
Roth IRAs info Yes No
Advisor Services info No No
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types tastytrade Public.com
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours info Yes Yes info
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info No No
Order Type - OCO info Yes No
Order Type - OTO info Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes No
Beginners tastytrade Public.com
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Education (Retirement) info No Yes
Retirement Calculator info No No
Investor Dictionary info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info No Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Progress Tracking info Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info No No
Stock Trading Apps tastytrade Public.com
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes No
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info Yes No
Stock App Features tastytrade Public.com
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info No No
Videos on Demand info No No
Stock Alerts info No No info
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) info Yes No
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info Yes No
Watch Lists - Column Customization info Yes Yes
Stock App Charting tastytrade Public.com
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 0 0
Charting - Study Customizations info No No
Charting - Stock Comparisons info No Yes
Trading Platforms tastytrade Public.com
Active Trading Platform info tastytrade n/a
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Trade Journal info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 33 3
Stock Chart Features tastytrade Public.com
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 308 0
Charting - Drawing Tools info 31 0
Charting - Notes info Yes No
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events info Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range info No No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info No No
Charting - Automated Analysis info No No
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info No No
Charting - Study Customizations info 7 0
Charting - Custom Studies info Yes No
Day Trading tastytrade Public.com
Streaming Time & Sales info No No
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Ladder Trading info Yes No
Trade Hotkeys info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates info No No
Research Overview tastytrade Public.com
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info No No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info No Yes
Research - Bonds info No No
Screener - Stocks info No No
Screener - ETFs info No No
Screener - Mutual Funds info No No
Screener - Bonds info No No
Misc - Portfolio Allocation info Yes No info
Stock Research tastytrade Public.com
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 0 0 info
Stock Research - Earnings info No Yes
Stock Research - Insiders info No No
Stock Research - Social info No No
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info No No
Stock Research - SEC Filings info No No
ETF Research tastytrade Public.com
ETFs - Strategy Overview info No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets info No Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info No No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info No No
ETFs - Sector Exposure info No No
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes No
ETFs - Ratings info No No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info No No
ETFs - PDF Reports info No No
Mutual Fund Research tastytrade Public.com
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview info No No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info No No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info No No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info No No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info No No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info No No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info No No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info No No
Options Trading tastytrade Public.com
Option Chains - Basic View info Yes No
Option Chains - Strategy View info Yes No
Option Chains - Streaming info Yes No
Option Chains - Total Columns info 20 4
Option Chains - Greeks info 5 5
Option Chains - Quick Analysis info Yes Yes
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes Yes
Option Probability Analysis info Yes No
Option Probability Analysis Adv info Yes No
Option Positions - Greeks info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming info Yes No
Option Positions - Adv Analysis info Yes No
Option Positions - Rolling info Yes No
Option Positions - Grouping info Yes No
Banking tastytrade Public.com
Bank (Member FDIC) info No No
Checking Accounts info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Debit Cards info No No
Mortgage Loans info No No
Customer Service tastytrade Public.com
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes No
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info No No
Overall tastytrade Public.com
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 1.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review tastytrade Review Public.com Review
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