Public is a brokerage platform that offers a beginner-friendly and intuitive experience for investing in stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds, and more. Whether you’re new to investing or simply exploring new platforms, it’s important to know how to use Public. This guide will walk you through everything from creating your account to buying and selling assets, funding your account, and navigating the many features Public has to offer.
Getting Started with Public
1. Creating Your Account
To begin using Public, go to the website and click “Get Started.” You’ll be prompted to enter your email, a password, and your phone number. After that, you’ll receive a six-digit code on your phone. Enter the code and click “Next” to proceed.
Next comes the personal information section:
- Date of Birth
- Citizenship Status
- Employment Status (If employed, you’ll need to input your job title and employer)
- Marital Status
- Number of Dependents
You’ll also be asked if any of the following apply:
- Are you or a family member a 10% shareholder in a public company?
- Do you or a family member work for a securities exchange, FINRA, or brokerage?
- Are you or any family members politically exposed?
If none apply, simply select the appropriate response and continue.
2. Verifying Identity
You’ll need to provide your full name, address, and Social Security Number (SSN) for verification.
3. Crypto Access (Optional)
Public gives you the option to enable crypto trading at this stage. If you’re unfamiliar with the crypto market, you may wish to skip it for now—you can always enable it later.
Choosing Your Account Type
You’ll be prompted to choose between a Cash Account and a Margin Account. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Cash Account:
- You only invest what you deposit.
- No borrowing, no margin calls, and no interest fees.
- Ideal for beginners and long-term investors.
- Margin Account:
- Allows you to borrow money to invest.
- Comes with risk of margin calls and interest charges.
- Can amplify both gains and losses.
If you prefer a lower-risk path to building wealth steadily, the Cash Account is the safer and more straightforward option.
Setting Your Investing Profile
Next, you’ll be asked about your:
- Investing goals (e.g. growth, income, speculation)
- Annual income
- Net worth
- Total cash available for investing
Then you’ll be able to select your investing interests, which include:
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Options
- Bonds
- Treasuries
- High-yield cash accounts
- Crypto
- Collectibles and other alternative assets
Select the categories you’re comfortable with. You can always add more later.
Adding a Trusted Contact (Optional)
You’ll have the option to list a trusted contact for your account, but you can skip this and add one later if you prefer.
Funding Your Account
To fund your account:
- Enter the amount (e.g. $30).
- Choose your funding method:
- Instant Bank Link: Uses Plaid to securely connect your bank account.
- Wire Transfer
If your bank doesn’t appear on the list, simply type its name. Once connected, confirm the transfer details and complete the process. Your funds will be ready to use immediately in most cases.
How to Buy and Sell Stocks and ETFs on Public
Searching for an Asset
To Buy and Sell Stocks and ETFs on Public, use the search bar located at the top center of the screen. Enter the asset’s ticker symbol or name—for example, “SHD” for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF.
Once selected, you’ll see:
- Real-time chart and price data
- Dividend yield
- Expense ratio
- Top holdings
- 52-week range
- News
- Options availability
- Investment plans
- Average annual returns
Making a Purchase
To buy, scroll up and focus on the right side of the screen. Choose to purchase in either dollars (fractional shares) or shares (whole units). Enter the amount, click Review Order, and then Submit Order. Once processed, your investment will appear on your dashboard.
Selling Your Investment
To sell:
- Go to your Dashboard.
- Click the asset you wish to sell.
- Select Sell at the top right.
- Choose an amount in dollars or number of shares.
- Review the order (note: small transaction fees may apply).
- Click Submit Order.
You’ve just learned how to Buy and Sell Stocks and ETFs on Public, one of the platform’s core features.
Dashboard Overview
After trading, your dashboard gives you access to several useful sections:
1. Portfolio and Account Value
Your investments will be listed along with their current value. You’ll also see charts tracking your portfolio’s performance and asset allocation.
2. Dividend Income Tracking
Public shows your expected dividend payouts—for example, $2.04 from one share of a dividend-paying ETF for the year.
3. Asset Allocation Chart
A pie chart displays how your funds are distributed among different investments, making it easier to manage diversification.
Exploring Other Public Features
High-Yield Accounts
Public offers three interest-bearing accounts:
- High-yield cash account: ~4.1%
- Bond account: Up to 6.5%
- Treasury account: ~4.07%
(Requires a minimum of $11,000 to invest)
These are good passive income options for conservative investors.
Cryptocurrency
Once enabled, crypto trading on Public functions just like stock trading. You can view price charts, search assets, and place orders. Current holdings include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others.
Note: Crypto markets are volatile, and prices can shift significantly, as shown in the example of Bitcoin dropping over 8.6% in one day.
Bonds
Public lets you invest in corporate bonds. For example, Nvidia’s bond yields 5.12%, and the minimum investment might be around $82. Bond prices fluctuate, and returns are not guaranteed.
Investment Plans
These are curated bundles of stocks—like mini-indexes. An example is a high-dividend income plan containing 20 different dividend-paying stocks. These can help diversify your holdings and simplify investment decisions.
Premium Membership (Optional)
Public offers a Premium Membership for $10/month (or $96/year), which includes:
- Extended trading hours (4 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST)
- Unlimited free trades
- Custom investment plans
- Expert insights and KPIs from Morningstar
- Priority customer support
Whether or not it’s worth it depends on your needs. For long-term investors, the basic features are usually sufficient.
How To Use Public – Final Thoughts
Public offers an accessible, user-friendly platform with a wide variety of investment options including stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds, and high-yield accounts. Whether you’re funding your first account or looking to expand your portfolio, this guide has walked you through everything from setup to execution.
If your priority is to Buy and Sell Stocks and ETFs on Public in a streamlined, no-fuss environment, Public makes the process clear and manageable. With tools for tracking dividends, asset allocation, and account performance, it provides both simplicity for beginners and depth for experienced users.
Explore your options carefully, invest according to your risk tolerance, and revisit your goals regularly. With that, you’re all set to make the most of what Public has to offer.
