Although there are a growing number of investment platforms, Robinhood, Public and eToro stand out from the crowd. Each offers an investing platform that can help any new investor get their portfolio off the ground.
The right platform for you will depend on your investment goals. I’ll take a closer look at each of these popular platforms to help you make a decision about which is right for your financial goals.
What’s Ahead:
Robinhood vs. Public vs. eToro summary
Robinhood, Public, and eToro are all investment platforms. Although they may seem similar from the surface, each offers a set of unique features that can help individual investors excel.
Before you start to consider these platforms as potential options, take time to consider what you are looking for in an investment platform. Do you want to learn more about investing? Do you want to own pieces of companies you care about? Or are you looking for a social experience as you build your investments?
Features Robinhood Public eToro
Sign-up fees $0 $0 $0
Commission $0 $0 $0
Minimum initial investment $0 $0 $50
Cryptocurrency available Yes No Yes
Fractional shares available Yes Yes Yes
Types of accounts available Taxable accounts Taxable accounts Taxable accounts
Tradable assets Stocks, options, ETFs, cryptocurrency Stocks and ETFs Crpytocurrency
Platforms iOS, Android, Desktop iOS and Android iOS, Android, Desktop
About Robinhood
After launching in 2016, Robinhood made a big splash by pioneering commission-free trades. Through the platform, you’ll be able to trade stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency without dealing with any pesky fees other than the standard regulatory fees that everyone is stuck with.
If you are new to investing, Robinhood offers a wealth of educational resources to help get you up to speed. Plus, you won’t have to dive in too deep, with the ability to purchase fractional shares that fit within your budget. As you get more comfortable, you may continue to expand your investment portfolio.
As a new investor, you’ll be armed with the tools to help you learn how to invest. You can move forward with your self-directed investment portfolio as you continue to build your knowledge base. Unfortunately, you won’t have help from a virtual assistant like a robo-advisor with Robinhood. But you may be satisfied with the opportunity to build a unique investment portfolio that aligns with your goals.
Advertiser Disclosure – This advertisement contains information and materials provided by Robinhood Financial LLC and its affiliates (“Robinhood”) and MoneyUnder30, a third party not affiliated with Robinhood. All investments involve risk and the past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Securities offered through Robinhood Financial LLC and Robinhood Securities LLC, which are members of FINRA and SIPC. MoneyUnder30 is not a member of FINRA or SIPC.”About Public
Public was founded in 2019 after a rebrand from the former title Matador. The app-based investment platform offers investors a commission-free experience. You’ll also find fractional share investment opportunities and automatic reinvestment options.
With the help of Public, you can tap into a community of stock traders. Among the community, you may find experienced investors that are willing to help you learn the ropes. You can discuss investment questions within the app and learn as you go.
You won’t have to rely solely on community support. Public also curates collections of stocks within ‘Themes.’ A few include ‘Stay at Home’, ‘Growing Diversity, and ‘Women in Charge.’ Each features a sampling of stocks that could fit within your investment goals.
About eToro
eToro was founded over a decade ago in 2007 as an international trading platform. However, it was not introduced into the U.S. market until 2018 as a cryptocurrency-only trading platform. Although additional assets are likely to be added in the future, for now, U.S. investors can only use eToro to trade digital currencies.
With eToro, you can start trading cryptocurrencies with as little as $50. The social features of the platform will allow you to mirror the actions of some successful traders. You can copy a trader with a minimum of $200. But there are still many inherent risks when trading such a volatile asset.
Currently, there are 15 different cryptocurrencies available on eToro.
Robinhood vs. Public vs. eToro investment performance
As an investor, you should consider your personal investment goals when selecting a platform.
Each of these platforms offers such a different experience that you’ll likely find that one is calling your name. As an important note, Public and eToro do not offer the ability to open a retirement account, which could be a big disadvantage depending on your financial goals.
Robinhood investment options
Of these platforms, Robinhood offers the most robust set of investment opportunities. With Robinhood, you can trade stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrency.
You won’t find any pre-built portfolios, but you will have ample investment resources to help you learn about your options. However, you may decide that you want to upgrade to Robinhood Gold to access its Morningstar insights for $5 per month. As you build your unique portfolio, you will have the ability to buy fractional shares, which can be useful.
Public investment options
Public only allows investors to trade in individual stocks and ETFs. Unlike eToro and Robinhood, you won’t be able to explore the world of cryptocurrency.
With a social focus on connecting investors, you have the opportunity to learn a lot from more experienced investors. Although you should always do your own research, a friendly piece of advice from a fellow investor can help to focus your research.
The ability to buy fractional shares and automatically reinvest the dividends can be a game-changer for any new investor.
eToro investment options
eToro offers a more specialized opportunity to U.S. investors that are interested in trading cryptocurrencies. With the opportunity to trade in 15 cryptocurrencies, you’ll be able to explore this area of the market very thoroughly.
You will have the ability to learn from more experienced traders as you develop your own trading strategies.
Robinhood vs. Public vs. eToro investment performance summary
The types of assets available in each of these platforms will help you determine which one is right for you. The assets you choose to invest in will have a wide range of performance. In each platform, there won’t be any commission fees cutting into your bottom line.
If you want to trade in a mix of stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrency in a single platform, Robinhood is a good option. If you want to build a portfolio with the help of fractional shares and automatic reinvestment with the guidance of peers, then Public could be a better choice. If you only want to trade in cryptocurrencies, the eToro will suit your needs.
Robinhood vs. Public vs. eToro pros
Let’s take a look at the pros that stand out.
Robinhood pros:
- Access to cryptocurrency and stocks – If you are interested in the opportunities provided by cryptocurrency and stocks, you’ll have access to both with Robinhood.
- No minimum balance requirements – With no minimum balance requirements, you won’t have to save up to get started.
- Easy to get started – A visual dashboard is perfect for new investors.
Public pros:
- Fractional stocks – You can invest in fractional shares of stocks with ease.
- Community experience – You’ll have access to a community of investors and chat support.
- Educational tools – Public has an extensive collection of investment education resources to learn from.
- Automatic reinvesting – You can use the power of reinvesting to your advantage.
eToro pros:
- No commission fees – You won’t face per-trade fees or commission with eToro.
- Learn from other traders – You can follow more experienced traders as you learn the ropes.
- 15 cryptocurrencies available – You’ll get access to over a dozen cryptocurrencies in a single platform.
Robinhood vs. Public vs. eToro cons
Everything has cons. Here’s what stands out to me.
Robinhood cons:
- Limited investment options – You can’t invest in mutual funds or bonds.
- No automatic reinvesting – Your dividends will not be reinvested without your direct involvement.
- No assistance available – If you want some investment guidance in the form of pre-built or managed portfolios, you won’t find that here.
Public cons:
- No desktop access – You’ll have to manage everything from your app.
- Limited investment options – You can’t invest in mutual funds or bonds.
- Taxable accounts only – There are no retirement accounts available.
eToro cons:
- Limited service – eToro is only available in 41 states.
- Cryptocurrency only – eToro only offers cryptocurrency trading.
Why choose Robinhood?
Helpful resources
Robinhood offers a chance to build a unique investment portfolio. You can pick individual investments and follow them over the course of your portfolio’s growth. You’ll feel confident selecting your investments with the help of Robinhood’s extensive resources.
Diverse opportunities available
If you want to trade in cryptocurrency and stocks within the same platform, Robinhood is a good blend. Why not manage everything from one app?
Margin trading opportunities
If you upgrade to Robinhood Gold, you’ll be able to receive extra buying power when you enable borrowing.
Learn more about Robinhood or read our full review.
Why choose Public
Community experience
You’ll be able to chat with other investors and support agents to help you learn more about investing. With some guidance, you can continue your research within Public’s extensive educational resources to fine-tune your knowledge base.
Investments with a bigger purpose
Do you have a cause that matters a lot to you? Like promoting diversity or buying all American-made? Public makes it easy to find companies that support your mission with their curated Themes.
Learn more about Public or read our Public review.
Why choose eToro
Focus on cryptocurrency
If you are seeking to trade in cryptocurrencies, then eToro offers a great platform. You will have access to 15 cryptocurrencies and can focus on that.
Learn from successful traders
You can follow the trading strategies of successful cryptocurrency traders. Sometimes the best way to learn is by following in the footsteps of successful people. eToro offers the opportunity to learn from proven traders.
Summary
Robinhood, Public, and eToro each offer a high-quality investment platform to help you meet your investment goals. The right fit for you will depend on your goals for investing.
Public is a good option for investors that want to learn from experts and benefit from fractional shares. Robinhood is useful for anyone that wants to self-manage their own portfolio with the ability to trade cryptocurrencies. eToro is best for someone that wants to explore the possibilities of cryptocurrency trading with some guidance.
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