TL;DR
Keeper Tax wins with 5/5 stars — best for Freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals wanting automated expens.
Public.com is a close second with 4/5 stars.
⬇ Scroll for full 20-point audit
Best For
Keeper Tax
vs
Public.com
Freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals want...
vs
Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bo...
Fee Structure
Keeper Tax
vs
Public.com
$49/year (annual plan); custom pricing for additional servic...
vs
$0 commissions on stocks & ETFs; 0.49% annual fee on generat...
Rating
Keeper Tax
vs
Public.com
5/5 ★
vs
4/5 ★
Keeper Tax
Tax Deduction Tracking & Filing for Freelancers
Best For
Freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals wanting automated expense tracking and tax filing with CPA review
Core Fee
$49/year (annual plan); custom pricing for additional services
Settlement
Real-time expense tracking via linked accounts; AI-assisted deduction categorization; "dummy-proof" filing process
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
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 Keeper Tax and Public.com
before making any financial decision.
Full 20-Point Audit Matrix
Verified current data across all key decision criteria
| Audit Criterion | Keeper Tax | Public.com |
|---|---|---|
WealthBlueprint RatingOverall score vs. all reviewed platforms (out of 5 stars) |
||
| Cost Structure & Fees | ||
Transaction FeesPer-transfer costs, domestic & international |
$49/year (annual plan); custom pricing for additional services | $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 |
Keeper Tax 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 |
Custom/tiered pricing — Keeper Tax's fee structure depends on your account tier or usage volume.
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 |
Keeper Tax does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Keeper Tax 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 |
| Settlement Speed & Reliability | ||
Domestic SettlementLocal bank transfer completion time |
Keeper Tax
Real-time expense tracking via linked accounts; AI-assisted
VS
Public.com
Instant fractional share investing from $1; Bond Account set
✓ Public.com is faster (instant vs Real-time expense tracking via)
|
|
Cross-Border SpeedInternational corridor settlement time |
Keeper Tax 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 |
Keeper Tax publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Keeper Tax 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 |
| Security & Regulatory Standing | ||
Regulatory LicensesGoverning bodies and jurisdictions |
Overwhelmingly positive user reviews; users report saving hundreds of dollars; "worth every penny"; professionals review returns before filing; standard security
✓ 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 |
Keeper Tax holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Keeper Tax |
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 |
Keeper Tax 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 |
Keeper Tax 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 |
| Features, Limits & Access | ||
Ideal Use CasePrimary audience and core value proposition |
Keeper Tax
Freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals wanting automated expense tracking and tax filing with CPA review
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 |
Tax Deduction Tracking & Filing for Freelancers | Social Investing Platform & Bond Marketplace |
Withdrawal LimitsDaily / weekly transfer and cash-out caps |
Keeper Tax 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 |
Keeper Tax supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Keeper Tax 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 |
| User Experience & Support | ||
App Store RatingAggregate iOS + Android user satisfaction |
Keeper Tax 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 |
Keeper Tax offers support through its help centre and official contact channels.
Check Keeper Tax 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 |
Keeper Tax KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Keeper Tax 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 |
Keeper Tax WINS with 5/5 stars vs 4/5.
Why: Keeper Tax excels at Freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals wanting automated expense tracking and tax filing with CPA review. It also has a simpler fee structure ($49/year (annual plan); custom pricing for additional services). ✓ Choose Keeper Tax if Freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals wanting automated expense tracking and tax filing with CPA review ➜ Public.com is still solid for Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bond Account), crypto, IPOs, fractional shares, and AI-powered generated asset portfolios |
|
Official WebsiteVisit platform to sign up or verify current fees |
Visit Keeper Tax ↗ | Visit Public.com ↗ |
Choose Keeper Tax If:
- You need Freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals want
- You prefer $49/year (annual plan); custom pricing f
- You value Real-time expense tracking via linked ac
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
Keeper Tax — Best For
Freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals wanting automated expense tracking and tax filing with CPA review
✓ 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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