Robinhood vs Public: Which Is Better for ETF Investing in 2026?
Last updated: March 2026 • Robinhood Review • Public Review
Quick Verdict
Both Robinhood and Public are excellent choices for ETF investing. They each score 7.5/10 in our ratings. Robinhood is best for mobile-first beginners, while Public is best for social and community-driven investing. Your choice should depend on which features matter most to you.
Robinhood vs Public: Side-by-Side Comparison
This comparison table highlights the key differences between Robinhood and Public across the features that matter most to ETF investors. Both brokers offer strong platforms, but the details reveal meaningful differences that could impact your investing experience and long-term returns.
| Feature | Robinhood | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Commission-Free ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| ETFs Available | 500+ | 800+ |
| Research Tools | Basic | Good |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Our Rating | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
Robinhood Overview
The app that popularized commission-free trading. Known for its clean, simple mobile interface. Great for beginners who want an easy on-ramp, though it lacks advanced research tools. With access to over 500 ETFs and basic research tools, Robinhood is a strong contender for ETF investors who value mobile-first beginners. The platform supports fractional shares, allowing you to invest in any ETF starting from just $1 regardless of the share price. There is no minimum deposit requirement, making it easy to get started.
Robinhood Pros
- ✓Simplest interface for beginners
- ✓Fractional shares from $1
- ✓Quick account setup
- ✓Clean mobile experience
Public Overview
A social investing platform that combines commission-free ETF trading with a community feed where investors share ideas. Also offers alternative assets like treasuries and crypto alongside traditional ETFs. Offering 800+ ETFs with good research capabilities, Public appeals to investors seeking social and community-driven investing. Fractional share support means you can diversify across multiple ETFs even with a small initial investment. The $0 minimum deposit removes any financial barrier to getting started.
Public Pros
- ✓Commission-free with no payment for order flow
- ✓Social community features
- ✓Fractional shares available
- ✓Alternative asset access
Key Differences Between Robinhood and Public
ETF Selection and Research Tools
Robinhood provides access to 500+ ETFs with basic research tools, while Public offers 800+ ETFs with good research capabilities. Public offers a wider selection of funds, which is beneficial if you want access to specialized or thematic ETFs alongside your core holdings. The research tools gap may matter if you rely heavily on built-in screening and analysis — Public has the edge here.
Fractional Shares and Minimum Investment
Both Robinhood and Public support fractional share investing, which is excellent news for beginners who want to start small. You can invest as little as $1 in any ETF on either platform, making it easy to build a diversified portfolio regardless of how much capital you have. This eliminates the need to save up hundreds of dollars just to buy a single share of a popular ETF like VOO.
Trading Costs and Fees
Both Robinhood and Public offer commission-free ETF trading, which has become the industry standard among major brokerages. You will not pay any fees to buy or sell ETFs on either platform. The real cost difference comes down to the ETFs themselves — their expense ratios. Both platforms provide access to the lowest-cost ETFs from Vanguard, Schwab, and iShares, so your costs will depend on which funds you choose rather than which broker you use. Neither platform charges account maintenance fees or inactivity fees, and both have $0 minimum deposit requirements.
Mobile Experience and Usability
Both Robinhood and Public offer mobile apps for managing your ETF portfolio on the go. The quality of mobile experience varies considerably between platforms. Robinhood (mobile-first beginners) and Public (social and community-driven investing) approach design differently. If you plan to primarily manage your investments from your phone, testing both apps before committing is wise. For long-term ETF investors who only check their portfolio occasionally, the mobile experience matters less than research tools and fund selection.
Which Should You Choose: Robinhood or Public?
The right broker depends on your specific needs, investing style, and what features matter most to you. Here is our recommendation based on different investor profiles.
Choose Robinhood if you want:
- ✓A streamlined, simple research experience
- ✓Access to 500+ ETFs for maximum fund selection
- ✓Fractional share investing to start with any dollar amount
- ✓A broker that excels at mobile-first beginners
Choose Public if you want:
- ✓Solid research fundamentals without overwhelming complexity
- ✓800+ ETFs to choose from
- ✓Fractional share support for flexible investment amounts
- ✓A platform designed for social and community-driven investing
Our Bottom Line
Both Robinhood (7.5/10) and Public (7.5/10) are excellent brokers for ETF investing. You genuinely cannot go wrong with either choice. We recommend trying both platforms with a small initial deposit to see which interface and experience feels more natural to you. The best broker is the one you will actually use consistently to invest.
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
More Broker Comparisons
Not sure Robinhood or Public is the right fit? Explore our other head-to-head broker comparisons to find the perfect platform for your ETF investing needs.