Public.com Review: Options Rebates Meet Low Margins
Public has evolved from a social-investing app into one of the most feature-rich multi-asset platforms in the US. The headline pitch hasn't changed: it's the only broker that pays you rebates on options trades, at $0.06–$0.18 per stock or ETF contract. But the platform keeps adding to the stack — bonds from $100, Treasuries, direct indexing, AI-powered research, and a programmatic trading API. The fee picture has shifted since launch. Margin rates have climbed to a 5.65% base rate (up from 4.90% in late 2024), though Public still claims the lowest base rate among leading brokerages. The Bond Account now yields 5.5%, and the High-Yield Cash Account sits at 3.3% APY. Options rebates remain unchanged, and that's where Public's real value proposition lives. Public is best suited for active options traders who want to minimize costs, yield-seekers who want bonds and Treasuries alongside stocks, and self-directed investors who value AI research tools. It's FINRA-registered and SIPC-protected, with a growing feature set that increasingly rivals the established players. Here's whether it deserves your money.