Fidelity Investments vs Public.com (2026) — Which Is Better?
Compare Fidelity Investments and Public.com — features, pricing, pros and cons.
This comparison uses first-party sources linked inline. Time-sensitive details (fees, promotions, plan limits) can shift — verify with each provider before signing up. Methodology →
At-a-Glance
Higher Rated
Fidelity Investments (4.7)
More Affordable
Fidelity Investments (Free)
Fidelity Investments
Top-rated full-service brokerage with zero-commission trading, Active Trader Pro, and industry-leading research and retirement tools.
Public.com
Commission-free social investing platform offering stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, and bonds with a built-in investor community and AI-powered insights.
Fee & Feature Breakdown
| Feature | Fidelity Investments | Public.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.0 |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Markets | stocks, options, futures | stocks, etfs, options, crypto, bonds, alternatives |
| AI Analysis | ✗ | ✓ |
| Backtesting | ✗ | ✗ |
| Paper Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Price Alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✗ | ✗ |
| Social Features | ✗ | ✓ |
| Broker Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom Indicators | ✓ | ✗ |
| Automated Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Trade Journaling | ✗ | ✗ |
| Performance Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Risk Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| News Feed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Education Content | ✓ | ✓ |
Broker Head-to-Head
Fidelity and Public.com serve distinct profiles. Fidelity targets serious traders and researchers with professional tools like Active Trader Pro, deep research, and zero-fee index funds—built for hands-on analysis. Public.com prioritizes accessibility and community learning, combining commission-free trading with an integrated investor network and Alpha AI for plain-language stock insights, designed for newer investors learning from peers.
Fidelity's standout edge is institutional-grade research and #1 customer service—essential for traders demanding rigorous analysis. Public.com differentiates on its social platform and jargon-free Alpha AI, removing complexity for retail learners. Fidelity excludes cryptocurrency; Public.com includes it. Public.com lacks desktop charting and backtesting; Fidelity provides both.
Choose Fidelity if you conduct technical analysis, need backtesting, trade index funds, or demand institutional research. Pick Public.com if you learn from community feedback, want $0-per-contract options, prefer simplicity over power, or trade crypto. Fidelity suits experienced independent traders; Public.com suits learning-focused investors building knowledge.
Fidelity Investments: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Best-in-class research and analysis tools
- + Zero-fee index funds with no expense ratio
- + Excellent customer service consistently rated #1
- + Comprehensive retirement and financial planning
Cons
- - Active Trader Pro not as powerful as ThinkorSwim
- - No cryptocurrency trading
- - Futures trading options are limited
- - International market access is limited
Public.com: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Strong social community ideal for learning from other investors
- + Commission-free stocks, ETFs, and $0 per-contract options
- + Alpha AI tool provides accessible plain-language stock analysis
- + Competitive High-Yield Cash Account integrated with brokerage
- + Clean, intuitive mobile-first interface
Cons
- - No desktop/web charting tools for technical analysis
- - No paper trading or backtesting capabilities
- - Not suited for active traders needing advanced order types or futures
- - Premium pricing adds up compared to free alternatives