Independent Audit Report
Deel
VS
Public.com

A comprehensive 20-point independent audit covering fees, FX rates, settlement architecture, regulatory standing, customer protection, and real-world performance benchmarks.

20 Audit Criteria Independent Analysis Current Verified Data Live Benchmarks
TL;DR
It's a tie! Both score 4/5 stars. Choose Deel if you need Large multinationals and growing companies needing global hi, or Public.com if you need Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bo. ⬇ Scroll for full 20-point audit
Best For
Deel vs Public.com
Large multinationals and growing companies needing global hi... vs Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bo...
Fee Structure
Deel vs Public.com
EOR: $599/employee/month + country surcharges ($50-$150/mont... vs $0 commissions on stocks & ETFs; 0.49% annual fee on generat...
Rating
Deel vs Public.com
4/5 ★ vs 4/5 ★
Deel
Global HR & Payroll Platform (EOR, Contractors, Payroll)
Best For Large multinationals and growing companies needing global hiring, contractor payments, and payroll across 150+ countries
Core Fee EOR: $599/employee/month + country surcharges ($50-$150/month in select markets like India); custom enterprise pricing
Settlement Deel Payroll onboarding: 48 hours to several days; 4.7/5 G2 rating (6,572 reviews); global compliance built-in
Visit Deel ↗
Public.com
Social Investing Platform & Bond Marketplace
Best For Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bond Account), crypto, IPOs, fractional shares, and AI-powered generated asset portfolios
Core Fee $0 commissions on stocks & ETFs; 0.49% annual fee on generated assets (AI-curated ETFs); crypto fees via third-party; Premium subscription available
Settlement Instant fractional share investing from $1; Bond Account settled same-day; 1% IRA match on contributions and rollovers; real-time portfolio tracking
Visit Public.com ↗
What This Audit Doesn't Cover: Real-time currency fluctuations, promotional offers, region-specific pricing, or temporary fee waivers. Always verify current rates, fees, and features directly with Deel and Public.com before making any financial decision.
Full 20-Point Audit Matrix
Verified current data across all key decision criteria
20 Criteria Compared
Audit Criterion Deel Public.com
WealthBlueprint RatingOverall score vs. all reviewed platforms (out of 5 stars)
4/5
Deel: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
4/5
Public.com: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
Transaction FeesPer-transfer costs, domestic & international
EOR: $599/employee/month + country surcharges ($50-$150/month in select markets like India); custom enterprise pricing $0 commissions on stocks & ETFs; 0.49% annual fee on generated assets (AI-curated ETFs); crypto fees via third-party; Premium subscription available
FX / Conversion SpreadMarkup above mid-market exchange rate
Deel charges a conversion fee based on the currency pair and transfer amount. Always verify the all-in rate before sending.
Always check the live rate in the app
Public.com charges a conversion fee based on the currency pair and transfer amount. Always verify the all-in rate before sending.
Always check the live rate in the app
Account MaintenanceMonthly or annual account-keeping charges
Subscription-based — Deel charges a recurring fee starting at EOR: $599/employee/month + cou.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
Public.com applies account maintenance charges as described in its fee schedule. Pricing may vary by region.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
Card Issuance FeesVirtual and physical card creation costs
Deel does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Deel app for current card fees
Public.com does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Public.com app for current card fees
Domestic SettlementLocal bank transfer completion time
Deel
Deel Payroll onboarding: 48 hours to several days; 4.7/5 G2
VS
Public.com
Instant fractional share investing from $1; Bond Account set
✓ Public.com is faster (instant vs Deel Payroll onboarding: 48 ho)
Cross-Border SpeedInternational corridor settlement time
Deel is built for cross-border transactions. Delivery times depend on the corridor and partner network.
Check the app for live estimates
Public.com supports cross-border transfers via its payment rails. Actual delivery depends on the receiving bank and any compliance holds.
Check the app for live estimates
Uptime / ReliabilityReported annual platform availability rate
Deel publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Deel status page for incident history
Public.com publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Public.com status page for incident history
Regulatory LicensesGoverning bodies and jurisdictions
Late-stage unicorn; G2 category leader; owned subsidiaries and partner network; country-specific compliance;
✓ Licensed
FINRA/SIPC member (up to $500,000); SEC-registered broker-dealer; 256-bit encryption; 2FA; Public Investing Inc. registered with SEC
✓ Licensed
Deposit InsuranceGovernment-backed protection scheme
Deel holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Deel
Public.com holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Public.com
2FA & AuthenticationMulti-factor security implementation
Deel supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Public.com supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Fraud DetectionAI/ML-powered transaction monitoring
Deel employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Public.com employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Ideal Use CasePrimary audience and core value proposition
Deel
Large multinationals and growing companies needing global hiring, contractor payments, and payroll across 150+ countries
Public.com
Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bond Account), crypto, IPOs, fractional shares, and AI-powered generated asset portfolios
Platform ClassificationRegulatory and product category
Global HR & Payroll Platform (EOR, Contractors, Payroll) Social Investing Platform & Bond Marketplace
Withdrawal LimitsDaily / weekly transfer and cash-out caps
Deel withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Public.com withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Supported CurrenciesFiat and digital asset coverage
Deel supports multiple fiat currencies and/or digital assets.
Check Deel official site for full currency list
Public.com supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Public.com official site for full currency list
App Store RatingAggregate iOS + Android user satisfaction
Deel app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Public.com app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Customer SupportAvailable resolution pathways and SLA
Deel routes support through its official help channels. Priority queue access varies by plan.
Check Deel help centre for current support options
Public.com routes support through its official help channels. Priority queue access varies by plan.
Check Public.com help centre for current support options
KYC Verification SpeedAccount activation timeline post-submission
Deel KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Deel app
Public.com KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Public.com app
Overall VerdictWealthBlueprint independent recommendation
IT'S A TIE — both score 4/5 stars.

Choose Deel if you need: Large multinationals and growing companies needing global hiring, contractor payments, and payroll across 150+ countries.
Choose Public.com if you need: Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bond Account), crypto, IPOs, fractional shares, and AI-powered generated asset portfolios.

➜ Your choice depends on your specific needs
Official WebsiteVisit platform to sign up or verify current fees
Visit Deel ↗ Visit Public.com ↗

Choose Deel If:

  • You need Large multinationals and growing companies needing global hi
  • You prefer EOR: $599/employee/month + country surch
  • You value Deel Payroll onboarding: 48 hours to sev

Choose Public.com If:

  • You need Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bo
  • You prefer $0 commissions on stocks & ETFs; 0.49% a
  • You value Instant fractional share investing from
WealthBlueprint Verdict Summary
Deel — Best For
Large multinationals and growing companies needing global hiring, contractor payments, and payroll across 150+ countries
✓ Strong in its core category
Public.com — Best For
Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bond Account), crypto, IPOs, fractional shares, and AI-powered generated asset portfolios
✓ Strong in its core category

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