FxPro is the stronger broker overall, earning a 4.1/5 rating in our independent analysis compared to Public.com's 3.0/5. FxPro wins on regulation depth, market variety, platform sophistication, and leverage options — making it the go-to choice for serious traders. Public.com, however, retains a meaningful edge for absolute beginners who want zero-commission stock investing through a beautifully simple mobile app with no minimum deposit required.
Regulation & Safety
When it comes to the safety of your capital, FxPro holds a decisive advantage. FxPro is regulated by three of the world's most respected financial authorities: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). This triple-regulatory framework means FxPro must adhere to strict capital adequacy rules, client fund segregation requirements, and regular independent audits across multiple jurisdictions.
Public.com, by contrast, is regulated solely by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While the SEC is a credible and well-established regulator, a single-regulator structure provides less redundancy and a narrower scope of oversight compared to FxPro's multi-jurisdictional coverage. For U.S.-based investors trading only stocks and crypto, SEC oversight is entirely appropriate — but globally minded traders will find FxPro's regulatory depth far more reassuring.
The practical implication is clear: if regulatory safety and cross-border credibility are high priorities for you, FxPro is the more robust choice. FxPro's FCA licence in particular is widely regarded as one of the gold standards in global financial regulation, offering meaningful investor protections including access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for eligible UK clients.
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in London, FxPro has also built nearly two decades of operational history — a track record that inspires considerably more confidence than Public.com, which was founded only in 2019 and is still a relatively young entrant to the financial services industry.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
On the surface, Public.com appears to win the fee battle — it advertises spreads from 0 pips and charges zero commission on stocks and ETFs. For a passive investor buying and holding U.S. equities, this is genuinely attractive. With no minimum deposit requirement either, the cost-of-entry is as low as it gets anywhere in the market.
FxPro counters with spreads starting from 0.6 pips on its most competitive account types. While 0.6 pips is not zero, it remains highly competitive within the multi-asset brokerage space, particularly for forex and CFD traders who value tight execution alongside access to a broader range of instruments. FxPro charges no commission on standard accounts and imposes no deposit or withdrawal fees, which meaningfully reduces the total cost of trading over time.
It is also worth noting that Public.com's 0-pip spreads apply primarily to its stock trading offering, and the platform's revenue model relies on payment for order flow and premium subscription tiers. This means the true cost of trading may not always be as transparent as the headline figure suggests. Active traders should always look beyond the advertised spread to understand the full cost structure.
For forex and CFD traders, FxPro's fee structure is more relevant and appropriately competitive. For buy-and-hold stock investors based in the U.S., Public.com's zero-commission model is genuinely hard to beat. The winner here depends entirely on your trading style and the asset classes you intend to trade.
Trading Platforms & Tools
FxPro offers an exceptional multi-platform ecosystem that few retail brokers can match. Clients can access MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), a proprietary web trading platform, and a proprietary mobile application. MT4 and MT5 are the industry's most widely used platforms, supporting advanced charting, algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors, one-click execution, and an enormous library of third-party indicators and plugins. This makes FxPro a natural home for experienced traders who rely on technical analysis and automated strategies.
Public.com, on the other hand, offers only its proprietary mobile application. While the app is thoughtfully designed, intuitive, and includes a social investing feed that allows users to follow other investors and discuss trades in real time, it lacks the analytical depth that serious traders demand. There is no desktop platform, no MT4 or MT5 support, and no algorithmic trading capability.
For professional and intermediate traders, FxPro's platform suite is simply in a different league. The availability of MT5 in particular is significant, as it supports more asset classes, more order types, and a superior backtesting environment compared to MT4. FxPro's proprietary platforms also offer competitive charting and a clean interface for traders who prefer not to use MetaTrader.
Public.com's mobile-first approach is a deliberate design choice aimed at a younger, less experienced audience — and within that context, it works well. The social feed, portfolio tracking, and simplified order entry make it an excellent entry point for first-time investors. But for anyone who needs real trading power, FxPro is the only viable option between these two brokers.
Markets & Asset Coverage
FxPro provides access to five distinct market categories: Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, and Commodities. This breadth gives traders the flexibility to diversify across asset classes, hedge positions, and capitalize on opportunities in global markets — all from a single account. The forex offering alone spans dozens of major, minor, and exotic currency pairs, making FxPro a genuine one-stop shop for active traders.
Public.com's market coverage is considerably narrower, limited to Stocks and Crypto. While this is sufficient for investors whose strategy revolves around U.S. equities and digital assets, it leaves significant gaps for anyone interested in forex, commodities like gold and oil, or international indices. There is no CFD trading available on Public.com, which also means no access to leveraged instruments for U.S. retail clients.
The leverage differential between the two platforms is stark and worth emphasizing. FxPro offers maximum leverage of up to 1:500 (available to professional clients and in jurisdictions where such leverage is permitted), giving experienced traders the ability to amplify their market exposure significantly. Public.com's maximum leverage is 1:1 — meaning no leverage whatsoever. This is appropriate for its target audience of long-term investors but is a hard ceiling for anyone pursuing active or speculative trading strategies.
In summary, if you want access to a genuinely global market universe with instruments spanning currencies, commodities, indices, and equities, FxPro is the clear winner. Public.com's asset coverage is purposefully limited and suits only a specific type of investor.
Account Setup, Deposits & Withdrawals
Public.com sets the bar as low as possible for new account holders. There is no minimum deposit requirement, meaning you can open an account and begin investing with any amount. This is a significant advantage for younger or less affluent investors who want to start building a portfolio without committing substantial capital upfront. Deposit and withdrawal fees are also zero.
FxPro requires a minimum deposit of $100 to open a live account. While $100 is not a prohibitive amount by any standard, it does represent a slightly higher barrier to entry compared to Public.com's zero-minimum model. Like Public.com, FxPro charges no deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a meaningful positive for traders who move funds regularly.
The account opening process at FxPro is comprehensive but straightforward. Given its multi-jurisdictional regulatory obligations, FxPro conducts thorough KYC (Know Your Customer) verification, which may take slightly longer than Public.com's streamlined onboarding. However, this additional diligence is a natural byproduct of operating under FCA, CySEC, and ASIC oversight and should be viewed as a feature rather than a drawback.
Overall, Public.com wins on accessibility and ease of entry, while FxPro offers a more complete account infrastructure suited to traders who require access to a broader toolkit from day one.
Who Should Choose Which Broker?
FxPro is the right choice for intermediate to advanced traders who need a regulated, multi-platform environment with access to forex, CFDs, commodities, and indices. Its triple-regulatory framework, MT4/MT5 support, competitive spreads, and high leverage options make it one of the most well-rounded brokers available to retail and professional clients globally. With nearly 20 years of operational history, it also carries a level of institutional credibility that newer platforms simply cannot match.
Public.com is the right choice for U.S.-based beginners who want a simple, low-cost way to invest in stocks and crypto. Its zero-minimum deposit, zero-commission structure, and social investing features create an approachable environment for first-time investors. The mobile app experience is polished and genuinely enjoyable to use, and the social feed adds a community dimension that many newcomers find motivating.
The two platforms are not really competing for the same customer. FxPro targets experienced and active traders; Public.com targets casual, long-term investors. If you fall into the former category, FxPro wins comprehensively. If you fall into the latter, Public.com is a perfectly respectable starting point — though you may eventually outgrow its limited feature set as your investing knowledge develops.
Our overall rating reflects this reality: FxPro earns 4.1/5 and Public.com earns 3.0/5 in our proprietary evaluation framework. The gap is meaningful and driven by FxPro's superior regulation, platform depth, market coverage, and long-term track record.