4.5/5
Public.Com Service Evaluation
Key Takeaway: Public.com (Expert Score: 4.5/5.0)
Public.com earns a BestGuide Expert Score of 4.5/5.0. Operated by Public Holdings, Inc. (also operating as Open To The Public Investing Inc) with Co-CEOs Jannick Malling and Leif Abraham, the platform has been operating since May 2019 and is headquartered in New York. Public.com is a BBB Accredited Business since October 2020 with a BBB A rating and a 3.47/5 customer review score across 122 BBB reviews, one of the strongest BBB profiles in BestGuide’s crypto exchange coverage. The platform integrates stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, Treasuries, alternatives, and 40+ cryptocurrencies in a single FINRA-regulated broker-dealer, with $0 commission on stocks/ETFs, a 3.3% APY high-yield cash account with up to $5 million in FDIC pass-through insurance, and the recently acquired Alto CryptoIRA product enabling crypto trading inside IRAs.
Public.com earns an Expert Score of 4.5/5.0 from BestGuide, positioning it as one of the strongest multi-asset investment platforms for US investors in BestGuide’s coverage. The score reflects Public.com’s combination of regulatory standing (FINRA broker-dealer + SIPC member + BBB Accredited A rating), product breadth (stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, Treasuries, crypto, alternatives, crypto IRAs), customer feedback (3.47/5 BBB customer score across 122 reviews), and recent strategic expansion (the $65 million Alto CryptoIRA acquisition, expanding crypto retirement options).
Founded in May 2019 and led by Co-CEOs Jannick Malling and Leif Abraham, Public Holdings, Inc. operates as a registered FINRA broker-dealer with SIPC membership protecting securities up to $500,000 per account (and supplemental SIPC coverage up to an additional $100 million). The platform serves over a million members in the United States. Public.com is a multi-asset investment platform rather than a dedicated cryptocurrency exchange, which means the crypto product (40+ cryptocurrencies, 1.25% trade-included fee via Zero Hash LLC) is positioned as one asset class among many rather than the platform’s primary offering.
For US investors seeking a single regulated platform to hold stocks, ETFs, bonds, crypto, and alternative assets together, Public.com offers a compelling combination of product breadth, regulatory protections, and the strongest BBB profile in BestGuide’s crypto-active coverage. For users focused exclusively on cryptocurrency trading with the lowest possible fees, dedicated crypto exchanges may offer better cost efficiency for active crypto traders specifically.
How Public.com Works
Public.com operates as a multi-asset brokerage platform accessible through a mobile app and web interface, providing retail investors with a single point of access to US equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, bonds, Treasuries, a curated selection of 40+ cryptocurrencies, and alternative assets including fine art, collectibles, and royalties. The platform is registered with the SEC, regulated by FINRA, and is a member of SIPC. Crypto trading is facilitated through Zero Hash LLC, which handles custody and execution of crypto orders.
Step 1: Account Creation and Verification
Signing up for a Public.com account typically takes 5 to 10 minutes. Applicants provide personal information including name, address, and Social Security Number, as required by federal law for financial institutions. Identity verification is usually automated, with some users requiring manual review of 1 to 3 business days. No minimum deposit is required to open an account.
Step 2: Funding and Asset Selection
Users fund accounts via ACH bank transfer (free, up to 5 business days settlement) or wire transfer (fee applies). Once funded, users can invest in thousands of stocks and ETFs, plus 40+ cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, bonds, Treasuries, and alternative assets. The platform supports fractional shares, allowing users to invest small dollar amounts in high-priced stocks.
Step 3: Investing, IRAs, and Social Interaction
Investments appear in the user’s portfolio with real-time tracking. Public.com offers a social feed where members share trade activity, investment theses, and follow other investors, providing a layer of community-driven research absent from most competing platforms. The platform also supports traditional and Roth IRAs, plus the recently launched CryptoIRA product (following the November 2025 $65 million acquisition of Alto’s CryptoIRA business), allowing crypto trading inside tax-advantaged retirement accounts. An optional Public Premium membership is available at $10 per month for advanced data, portfolio management tools, and AI-driven idea generation features.
Who Public.com Is Best For
Public.com is best for US investors who want a single regulated platform to manage a diverse portfolio across stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, Treasuries, alternatives, and a modest crypto allocation. The platform is particularly well-suited for beginner and intermediate investors who value the social community feed for research and discussion, and for those who want to allocate a portion of their portfolio (typically 5% to 15%) to crypto without opening a separate dedicated crypto exchange account. The CryptoIRA product is unique among US platforms and is particularly valuable for users wanting tax-advantaged crypto retirement allocation. Public.com is less ideal for active crypto traders who need access to hundreds of altcoins, advanced charting, or the lowest possible per-trade crypto fees; for those specific use cases, dedicated crypto exchanges offer cost advantages for crypto-only activity.
Public.com Standout Features
Multi-Asset Investing Platform: Public.com integrates stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, Treasuries, 40+ cryptocurrencies, and alternative assets like fine art and royalties in a single FINRA-regulated broker-dealer account. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate accounts at a stock broker, bond platform, and crypto exchange.
BBB Accredited Business + A Rating: Public.com is one of the few crypto-active platforms in BestGuide’s coverage that is BBB Accredited (since October 20, 2020), with a BBB A letter grade and a 3.47/5 customer review score across 122 BBB reviews. This is materially stronger than many crypto-active competitors (Crypto.com holds F + Pattern of Complaints; eToro holds C; Uphold holds A but with a Government Actions alert).
High-Yield Cash Account with $5M FDIC Coverage: Public.com offers a high-yield cash account paying 3.3% APY (as of May 2026), substantially higher than the national savings average. Cash is FDIC-insured up to $5 million through a network of 20 partner banks (20 times the standard $250,000 FDIC limit), making this account suitable for cash management at scale. No subscription fees, no minimum balance, and unlimited transfers.
CryptoIRA (Alto Acquisition): Following the November 2025 $65 million cash-and-stock acquisition of Alto’s CryptoIRA business, Public.com now offers crypto trading inside Traditional and Roth IRAs. CryptoIRAs allow investors to trade cryptocurrency without triggering taxable events on each sale, a feature available on very few US platforms.
Social Community Feed: The platform integrates a social network where members share trade activity, investment ideas, and discussions directly within the app. Users can follow other investors and access community-driven research, a feature differentiator versus traditional brokerages.
Supplemental SIPC Coverage: Beyond standard SIPC protection of $500,000 per account, Public.com offers users the ability to add up to $100 million in supplemental SIPC coverage, well above industry standard for retail brokerage accounts.
Bond Account at 5.85% Yield: Public.com offers a Bond Account allowing users to lock in a competitive 5.85% yield (subject to current rate environment), providing a fixed-income product option alongside the high-yield cash account and Treasury account.
Public.com Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| BBB Accredited Business + A Rating: One of the strongest BBB profiles in BestGuide’s crypto-active coverage; BBB Accredited since October 2020 with 3.47/5 customer score across 122 reviews. | Higher Crypto Fees: Crypto trades include a 1.25% fee via Zero Hash LLC, materially higher than dedicated crypto exchanges (Coinbase Advanced from 0.40%/0.60%, Kraken Pro from 0.16%/0.26%). |
| Multi-Asset Platform: Stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, Treasuries, 40+ cryptocurrencies, alternative assets, and crypto IRAs in one regulated account. | Limited Cryptocurrency Selection: 40+ cryptocurrencies compared to 200+ on Coinbase or 350+ on global exchanges. Not appropriate for users seeking broad altcoin exposure. |
| $0 Commission Stock and ETF Trading: No commission fees on stock or ETF trades; fractional shares supported. | Premium Data Behind Paywall: Essential market data and advanced features require Public Premium subscription ($10 per month). |
| $5M FDIC + $100M Supplemental SIPC: High-yield cash account FDIC-insured up to $5M through 20 partner banks; users can add up to $100M supplemental SIPC coverage on top of standard $500K. | Basic Charting Tools: Lacks advanced technical analysis tools, streaming quotes, options Greeks, and bid/ask spreads needed by active traders. |
| CryptoIRA (Alto Acquisition): Crypto trading inside Traditional and Roth IRAs following November 2025 $65M acquisition; rare US feature. | App Security UX Limitations: Per NerdWallet, the app lacks a passcode lock or automatic logout system, which could expose users if a phone is stolen or compromised. |
| 3.3% APY High-Yield Cash + 5.85% Bond Account: Competitive yield products integrated with the brokerage account. | Manual Forms for Basic Tasks: Some account operations (adding beneficiaries, etc.) require manual emailed forms rather than in-app actions. |
Is Public.com Legit?
Public.com is a fully legitimate, US-regulated financial technology company. The parent company Public Holdings, Inc. was founded May 16, 2019, incorporated the same day, and is headquartered at 228 Park Ave S PMB 97716, New York, NY 10003-1502. Co-CEOs Jannick Malling and Leif Abraham lead the company. Regulatory and operational legitimacy markers include:
- SEC Registered Broker-Dealer: Registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- FINRA Member: Regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- SIPC Member: Securities Investor Protection Corporation insurance up to $500,000 per account (including $250,000 for cash claims)
- Supplemental SIPC up to $100M: Users can add additional supplemental SIPC coverage beyond standard limits
- FDIC Pass-Through up to $5M: High-yield cash account FDIC-insured through 20 partner banks
- BBB Accredited Business since October 20, 2020
- BBB Rating A
- 7 years in business per BBB profile
- 99.994% Platform Uptime (based on calendar year 2024 per Public.com)
- AES 256-bit Encryption + TLS Protocols for data security
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) supported
Crypto trading is facilitated through Zero Hash LLC, which handles custody and execution. While crypto assets carry inherent market risk and are not SIPC-insured (standard for the crypto industry across all platforms), Zero Hash LLC employs institutional security protocols including cold storage for the majority of assets. Customer cash balances in the high-yield cash account are FDIC-insured through partner banks.
Public.com BBB Profile (Public Holdings, Inc.)
Public.com’s BBB profile is one of the strongest in BestGuide’s crypto-active platform coverage. Key data points as of May 2026:
- BBB Rating: A (one of the stronger letter grades in BestGuide’s coverage)
- BBB Accreditation: BBB Accredited Business since October 20, 2020 (rare among crypto-active platforms)
- BBB File Opened: July 23, 2020
- Business Started: May 16, 2019
- Business Incorporated: May 16, 2019
- Years in Business: 7
- Type of Entity: Corporation
- Alternate Names: Public Holdings, Inc.; Open To The Public Investing Inc
- Customer Review Score: 3.47/5 stars across 122 customer reviews
- Total BBB Complaints (Last 3 Years): 103
- BBB Complaints Closed (Last 12 Months): 44
- Reason for BBB Rating: 103 complaints filed against business
- Business Management: Mr. Jannick Malling (CEO), Mr. Leif Abraham
- Principal Contacts: Mr. Jannick Malling (CEO), Mr. Leif Abraham
- Address: 228 Park Ave S PMB 97716, New York, NY 10003-1502
- Local BBB: BBB Serving Metropolitan New York
- Business Category: Investment Management
The BBB profile represents one of the strongest signals in BestGuide’s crypto-active coverage for three reasons. First, BBB Accreditation is genuinely rare among crypto-active platforms (most platforms in this vertical are Not BBB Accredited); accreditation requires the business to agree to BBB Standards for Trust and pass BBB’s vetting process. Second, the A letter grade combined with 103 complaints over 3 years is a low complaint volume for a financial services platform with over a million members. Third, the 3.47/5 customer review score across 122 reviews is among the higher customer scores in BestGuide’s crypto-active coverage and represents a meaningful sample size (well above the 6-review sample size of eToro, for example).
BBB customer reviews on the profile reflect a generally positive tone with common themes including praise for customer service responsiveness, platform ease of use, and educational content. Negative reviews typically focus on specific account or trading issues rather than systemic platform concerns. The 44 complaints closed in the last 12 months indicates active complaint resolution.
Public.com Cost: What You Should Expect to Pay
Public.com’s fee structure varies materially by asset type. Stock and ETF trading is commission-free; crypto trading carries a higher trade-included fee.
| Transaction Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stock and ETF Trading | $0 commission |
| Cryptocurrency Trading (via Zero Hash LLC) | 1.25% trade-included fee |
| Public Premium Subscription | $10 per month (optional) |
| ACH Deposit | $0 (up to 5 business days settlement) |
| Domestic Wire Transfer (Outgoing) | $25 |
| Outgoing Account Transfer (ACATS) | $100 |
| Margin Borrowing (under $50,000) | 4.90% |
For stock and ETF investors, Public.com’s $0 commission structure is competitive with industry leaders (Robinhood, Fidelity, Charles Schwab). For active cryptocurrency traders, the 1.25% trade-included crypto fee is materially higher than dedicated crypto exchanges; Coinbase Advanced charges 0.40% to 0.60% at entry-level volumes, and Kraken Pro charges 0.16% to 0.26%. Public.com’s crypto fee is appropriate for occasional or buy-and-hold crypto allocation but not cost-efficient for frequent crypto trading. The 4.90% margin borrowing rate is competitive among retail brokerages.
Final Verdict: Public.com Review
Public.com earns an Expert Score of 4.5/5.0 from BestGuide, positioning it as one of the strongest multi-asset investment platforms in BestGuide’s crypto-active coverage. The combination of regulatory strength (SEC-registered FINRA broker-dealer + SIPC member + BBB Accredited A rating), product breadth (stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, Treasuries, 40+ cryptocurrencies, alternatives, plus crypto IRAs following the Alto acquisition), and customer satisfaction signals (3.47/5 BBB customer score across 122 reviews, 103 complaints over 3 years with 44 closed in the last 12 months) is genuinely strong and difficult to match elsewhere in BestGuide’s coverage.
Public.com’s standout strengths include the BBB Accredited A rating (rare among crypto-active platforms in BestGuide’s coverage), the high-yield cash account paying 3.3% APY with $5 million FDIC pass-through coverage (20 times standard FDIC limits), the supplemental SIPC coverage option (up to $100 million beyond standard $500,000 per account), and the recently launched CryptoIRA product allowing crypto trading inside tax-advantaged retirement accounts following the November 2025 $65 million Alto acquisition. The multi-asset platform consolidation (stocks + crypto + bonds + alternatives in one regulated account) is genuinely differentiated.
The 4.5 score (rather than 5.0) reflects two material considerations. First, the 1.25% trade-included crypto fee is materially higher than dedicated crypto exchanges; users prioritizing crypto-specific cost efficiency may prefer dedicated platforms for their crypto allocation. Second, the platform has user experience limitations including basic charting tools, essential market data behind a Premium paywall, app security UX concerns (no passcode lock or automatic logout per third-party reviews), and manual emailed forms for some basic account tasks. These are meaningful for active traders but less impactful for buy-and-hold investors using Public.com as a multi-asset core holding platform.
For US investors seeking a single regulated platform for stocks, ETFs, bonds, Treasuries, modest crypto allocation, and unique products like CryptoIRAs and high-yield cash accounts, Public.com is among the strongest options in BestGuide’s coverage. For active crypto traders prioritizing the lowest possible per-trade fees on cryptocurrency specifically, dedicated crypto exchanges may offer better cost efficiency for crypto-only activity. The choice depends on whether users want consolidation across asset classes (Public.com) or specialization within crypto (dedicated exchanges).
Frequently Asked Questions About Public.com
What do experts say about Public.com?
BestGuide gives Public.com an Expert Score of 4.5/5.0. Strengths: BBB Accredited Business since October 2020 with BBB A rating, 3.47/5 customer score across 122 BBB reviews, FINRA broker-dealer + SIPC member, multi-asset platform (stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, Treasuries, 40+ cryptos, alternatives, crypto IRAs), $5M FDIC + $100M supplemental SIPC, 3.3% APY cash account, $0 commission stocks/ETFs. Considerations: 1.25% crypto fee higher than dedicated exchanges, limited crypto selection (40+ vs 200+), premium data behind paywall, app security UX limitations per third-party reviews.
Is Public.com worth it in 2026?
For most US investors wanting a single regulated platform across multiple asset classes, yes. Public.com offers stocks/ETFs at $0 commission, multi-asset breadth (bonds, Treasuries, 40+ cryptos, alternatives, crypto IRAs), 3.3% APY cash account with $5M FDIC, and the strongest BBB profile in BestGuide’s crypto-active coverage. For users focused exclusively on crypto trading, dedicated crypto exchanges may offer lower per-trade fees on cryptocurrency specifically.
How does Public.com compare to other crypto exchanges?
Public.com is fundamentally different from dedicated crypto exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken, etc.) because it is a multi-asset broker-dealer that includes crypto as one product line, not a crypto-focused platform. Crypto selection (40+) is narrower than Coinbase (200+), and the 1.25% crypto fee is higher than Coinbase Advanced (0.40%/0.60%) or Kraken Pro (0.16%/0.26%). However, Public.com offers stocks/ETFs/bonds/Treasuries/alternatives that crypto-specific exchanges don’t, plus BBB Accredited A rating which is rare in crypto-active platforms.
Is Public.com safe to use?
Public.com is a FINRA-regulated broker-dealer with SIPC insurance up to $500,000 per account (and up to $100M supplemental SIPC available). Cash in the high-yield account is FDIC-insured up to $5M through 20 partner banks. BBB Accredited Business since October 2020 with A rating. Crypto is custodied via Zero Hash LLC with institutional security protocols. Note: Per NerdWallet, the app lacks a passcode lock or automatic logout, which is a security UX consideration if a phone is stolen.
Is Public.com FDIC insured?
The high-yield cash account is FDIC-insured up to $5 million through a network of 20 partner banks (20 times the standard $250,000 FDIC limit). Brokerage accounts are SIPC-insured up to $500,000 per account (with optional supplemental SIPC up to $100 million). Cryptocurrency holdings are not FDIC or SIPC insured (standard for crypto industry across all platforms).
What are Public.com’s fees?
$0 commission on stock and ETF trades. Cryptocurrency: 1.25% trade-included fee via Zero Hash LLC. Public Premium subscription: $10 per month (optional). Domestic wire transfer: $25. Outgoing account transfer (ACATS): $100. Margin borrowing under $50,000: 4.90%. ACH deposits are free with up to 5 business days settlement.
Who are the founders of Public.com?
Public.com was co-founded by Jannick Malling and Leif Abraham in May 2019. Both serve as Co-CEOs of Public Holdings, Inc., the parent company. Public.com is headquartered in New York at 228 Park Ave S PMB 97716, New York, NY 10003-1502.
What is the Public.com CryptoIRA?
Following the November 2025 $65 million cash-and-stock acquisition of Alto’s CryptoIRA business, Public.com now offers crypto trading inside Traditional and Roth IRAs. CryptoIRAs allow investors to trade cryptocurrency without triggering taxable events on each sale, a feature available on very few US platforms. Existing Alto customers were transitioned to Public.com’s platform in early 2026.
What is the BBB rating of Public.com?
Public Holdings, Inc. holds a BBB A letter grade and has been BBB Accredited Business since October 20, 2020. 103 complaints filed against the business in the last 3 years with 44 closed in the last 12 months. Customer review score is 3.47/5 stars across 122 BBB customer reviews. This is one of the strongest BBB profiles in BestGuide’s crypto-active platform coverage. The BBB profile was opened July 23, 2020.
Can I use Public.com in Canada?
No. As of 2026, Public.com is only available to U.S. citizens and residents who are 18 years or older with a valid Social Security Number. The platform is not currently available in Canada or other countries.
What is Public Premium?
Public Premium is an optional subscription at $10 per month providing access to advanced market data, portfolio management tools, AI-driven investment idea generation features (Generated Assets), and analyst insights. Without Premium, some essential market data and advanced features are not available in the free tier.