Independent Audit Report
Expensify
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
Expensify
Expense Management & Reimbursement Software
Best For Businesses of all sizes wanting to streamline receipt capture, expense
Core Fee Collect: ~$7/user/month; Control: from ~$12/user/month (USD
Settlement Mobile receipt scanning; automated approval workflows; real-
Visit Expensify ↗
Public.com
Social Investing Platform & Bond Marketplace
Best For Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bond Account
Core Fee $0 commissions on stocks & ETFs; 0.49% annual fee on generat
Settlement Instant fractional share investing from $1; Bond Account set
Visit Public.com ↗
Full 20-Point Audit Matrix
Verified current data across all key decision criteria
20 Criteria Compared
Audit Criterion Expensify Public.com
WealthBlueprint RatingOverall score vs. all reviewed platforms (out of 5 stars)
4/5
Expensify: 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
Collect: ~$7/user/month; Control: from ~$12/user/month (USD converted; as of Jan 2026); 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
Expensify 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 — Expensify charges a recurring fee starting at Collect: ~$7/user/month; Contr.
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
Expensify does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Expensify 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
Expensify
Mobile receipt scanning; automated approval workflows; real-
VS
Public.com
Instant fractional share investing from $1; Bond Account set
✓ Public.com is faster (instant vs Mobile receipt scanning; autom)
Cross-Border SpeedInternational corridor settlement time
Expensify 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
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
Expensify publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Expensify 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
Standard financial data security; SOC 2 compliant; audit-ready expense reports; policy enforcement tools on Control plan
✓ 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
Expensify holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Expensify
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
Expensify 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
Expensify 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
Expensify
Businesses of all sizes wanting to streamline receipt capture, expense approvals, and employee reimbursements with QuickBooks/Xero integration
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
Expense Management & Reimbursement Software Social Investing Platform & Bond Marketplace
Withdrawal LimitsDaily / weekly transfer and cash-out caps
Expensify 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
Expensify supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Expensify 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
Expensify 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
Expensify offers support through its help centre and official contact channels.
Check Expensify 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
Expensify KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Expensify 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 Expensify if you need: Businesses of all sizes wanting to streamline receipt capture, expense approvals, and employee reimbursements with QuickBooks/Xero integration.
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 Expensify ↗ Visit Public.com ↗
WealthBlueprint Verdict Summary
Expensify — Best For
Businesses of all sizes wanting to streamline receipt capture, expense approvals, and employee reimbursements with QuickBooks/Xero integration
✓ 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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