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Investment platforms: Public.com vs. Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium

Quick Verdict

Public.com is suitable for self-directed investors seeking commission-free trading and a wide range of investment options with a low account minimum. Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium is better for investors who prefer managed portfolios with financial advisor access and are comfortable with higher fees and account minimums.

Key features – Side-by-Side

AttributePublic.comCharles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium
Commission Fees (Stocks/ETFs)Commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs. Regulatory fees and other fees may apply.There are no commissions charged for trading stocks and ETFs.
Account Minimum$20The minimum to enroll is $25,000, with a $5,000 minimum per account.
Portfolio Management FeeNot specified in the search results.One-time planning fee of $300 and a $30 per month advisory fee.
Investment Options (Stocks, ETFs, Crypto)Stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrency, bonds, Treasury bills, fine art, and collectibles.Portfolios of low-cost ETFs spanning stocks, fixed income, and commodities. About 20 asset classes. Crypto is not listed.
Automated RebalancingInvestment Plans allow custom portfolios and automated investing with recurring contributions. It allows you to fine-tune asset allocation, but it doesn't offer dynamic rebalancing.The platform automatically rebalances accounts using an algorithm. Portfolios are monitored daily, and rebalancing occurs as needed.
Tax-Loss HarvestingNot specified whether they offer this feature.Tax-loss harvesting is available for clients with $50,000 or more in an individual Schwab Intelligent Portfolios account who choose to enroll.
Financial Advisor AccessNo access to financial advisors for personalized advice and planning.Access to unlimited 1:1 guidance from a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional.
Social Trading FeaturesSocial trading services have ended.There is no mention of social trading features.
Educational ResourcesOptions Education Hub and an AI-powered assistant named Alpha.Schwab provides various educational resources, including articles, podcasts, market commentary, and in-depth trading education via its Learning Center.
Mobile App Availability & RatingiOS: 4.7/5, Android: 4.5/5The service is accessible through online and mobile apps for both Android and iOS. The provided context does not include specific ratings for the mobile app.
Customer Support Channels & ResponsivenessIn-app chat and email. No phone support.Customer support is available through phone, local branches, and 24/7 live chat.
Fractional Shares AvailabilityYes, $5 minimum for fractional trading of stocks.Fractional shares are available. You can buy slices of stock in top U.S. companies (S&P 500) for as little as $5. However, fractional shares of ETFs are not supported within managed portfolios.

Overall Comparison

Public.com: Commission-free trading, $20 minimum. Charles Schwab: $25,000 minimum, advisory fees apply.

Pros and Cons

Public.com

Pros:
  • Commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs
  • Access to a variety of investments including stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrency, bonds, and Treasury bills
  • Fractional shares availability
  • Educational resources available
Cons:
  • No access to financial advisors
  • Social trading services have ended
  • No phone support for customer service

Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium

Pros:
  • No commission fees for stocks and ETFs
  • Automated rebalancing
  • Tax-loss harvesting available
  • Access to financial advisors
  • Various educational resources
  • Customer support available through multiple channels
  • Fractional shares available for stocks
Cons:
  • No major disadvantages reported.

User Experiences and Feedback