Access the lowest margin rates among leading brokerages
Increase your buying power with the lowest range of margin rates among leading US brokerages.*
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Buying power with margin
Current buying power
More buying power. Lower rates.
When you enable margin on Public, you can amplify your investment potential with access to some of the lowest borrowing rates among US brokerages.
Compare the base margin rates from leading US brokerages
| Broker | Rate |
|---|---|
| 5.65% | |
| Robinhood | 5.75% |
| Interactive Brokers lite | 6.83% |
| Fidelity | 12.57% |
| Vanguard | 12.75% |
| Charles Schwab | 12.57% |
| E*TRADE | 13.20% |
*Top and bottom of Public Investing's range of margin rates either matches or is lower than the comparable rates of other leading US brokerages, as listed on their websites as of 8/27/25. Competitor rates subject to change. For this comparison, "leading US brokerages" are considered to be publicly traded brokerage firms or firms with significant brand recognition and a substantial market share.
Borrow for less. Across the board.
| Margin Balance | Interest Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $50,000 | 5.65% |
| $50,001 - $100,000 | 5.50% |
| $100,000 - $1M | 5.25% |
| $1M - $10M | 5.00% |
| $10M - $50M | 4.95% |
| $50M+ | 4.70% |
*See Fee Schedule and margin rate disclosures below for additional details.
Base rate 5.65%
Lowest rate 4.70%
Expand your options trading playbook with margin
Level 3+ options traders with margin investing enabled can access advanced strategies, including credit spreads, butterfly spreads, and iron condors.
Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Review Options Disclosure Document here: https://www.theocc.com/company-information/documents-and-archives/options-disclosure-document. Review Options Rebate Terms here: https://public.com/disclosures/rebate-terms There are additional costs associated with option strategies that call for multiple purchases and sales of options, such as spreads, straddles, among others, as compared with a single option trade. Definitions of options trading strategies can be found in public.com/glossary/options-trading#optionsGlossaryS. Iron condor is a multi-leg options strategy consisting of a bull put spread and a bear call spread.
Frequently asked questions
What is margin investing?
Margin investing on Public enables you to increase your buying power by leveraging the stocks and bonds in your portfolio as collateral for a loan. When you invest on margin, you can capitalize on market opportunities and acquire more assets than with cash alone, potentially amplifying your gains.
How do margin interest rates work on Public?
When you enable margin investing on Public, we charge an interest rate that varies depending on your margin/debit balance and the upper limit of the Federal Funds Target Range. Rates are calculated using a set formula, which may change over time to reflect market conditions and regulatory updates.
What are the requirements to qualify for margin investing?
To qualify for margin investing on Public, we consider several factors, including your trade history and brokerage account balance. It only takes a few minutes to apply.
How do I get started with margin investing on Public?
If you’re already a Public member, you can apply to start margin investing by navigating to your Settings and Privacy and selecting Margin Account. If you’re new to Public, it only takes a few minutes to begin your account application. You can apply for margin investing once your account is active.
Need help? Reach out.
Have additional questions about margin investing on Public? Our US-based customer experience team has licensed specialists standing by to help.
Enable margin investing on Public
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Margin investing increases your level of risk and has the potential to magnify your losses, including loss of more than your initial investment. Please assess your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial circumstances to determine whether margin is appropriate for you. You must repay your margin debt regardless of the underlying value of the securities you purchased. Public Investing can change its maintenance margin requirements at any time without prior notice. If the equity in your margin account falls below the minimum maintenance requirements, you may be required to deposit additional cash or securities. If you are unable to do so, Public Investing may sell some or all of your securities, without prior approval or notice. You are not entitled to an extension of time on a margin call. For more information please see Public Investing’s Margin Disclosure Statement, Margin Agreement, and Fee Schedule.
*Public Investing charges a variable margin interest rate based on your margin balance and the upper limit of the Federal Funds Target Range, which is set by the Federal Reserve and is subject to change without notice. The formulas used to calculate the margin interest rate are subject to change at Public Investing’s discretion. The margin interest rates shown are as of 11/11/2024. For more information, please see Public Investing’s Fee Schedule and Margin Disclosure Statement.