Independent Audit Report
Public.com
VS
Puzzle

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
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 ↗
Puzzle
Project Management & Collaboration Software — Limited Consumer Data
Best For Teams wanting organized project management, task tracking, and collabo
Core Fee Pricing varies; likely tiered based on team size and feature
Settlement Real-time task updates; collaboration features; integrations
Visit Puzzle ↗
Full 20-Point Audit Matrix
Verified current data across all key decision criteria
20 Criteria Compared
Audit Criterion Public.com Puzzle
WealthBlueprint RatingOverall score vs. all reviewed platforms (out of 5 stars)
4/5
Public.com: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
3/5
Puzzle: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
Transaction FeesPer-transfer costs, domestic & international
$0 commissions on stocks & ETFs; 0.49% annual fee on generated assets (AI-curated ETFs); crypto fees via third-party; Premium subscription available Pricing varies; likely tiered based on team size and features; no public pricing immediately available
FX / Conversion SpreadMarkup above mid-market exchange rate
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
Puzzle 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
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
Custom/tiered pricing — Puzzle's fee structure depends on your account tier or usage volume.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
Card Issuance FeesVirtual and physical card creation costs
Public.com does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Public.com app for current card fees
Puzzle does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Puzzle app for current card fees
Domestic SettlementLocal bank transfer completion time
Public.com
Instant fractional share investing from $1; Bond Account set
VS
Puzzle
Real-time task updates; collaboration features; integrations
✓ Public.com is faster (instant vs Real-time task updates; collab)
Cross-Border SpeedInternational corridor settlement time
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
Puzzle 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
Public.com publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Public.com status page for incident history
Puzzle publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Puzzle status page for incident history
Regulatory LicensesGoverning bodies and jurisdictions
FINRA/SIPC member (up to $500,000); SEC-registered broker-dealer; 256-bit encryption; 2FA; Public Investing Inc. registered with SEC
✓ Licensed
Standard SaaS security; user permissions and access controls; data encryption
✓ Licensed
Deposit InsuranceGovernment-backed protection scheme
Public.com holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Public.com
Puzzle holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Puzzle
2FA & AuthenticationMulti-factor security implementation
Public.com supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Puzzle 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
Public.com employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Puzzle employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Ideal Use CasePrimary audience and core value proposition
Public.com
Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bond Account), crypto, IPOs, fractional shares, and AI-powered generated asset portfolios
Puzzle
Teams wanting organized project management, task tracking, and collaboration tools
Platform ClassificationRegulatory and product category
Social Investing Platform & Bond Marketplace Project Management & Collaboration Software — Limited Consumer Data
Withdrawal LimitsDaily / weekly transfer and cash-out caps
Public.com withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Puzzle withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Supported CurrenciesFiat and digital asset coverage
Public.com supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Public.com official site for full currency list
Puzzle supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Puzzle official site for full currency list
App Store RatingAggregate iOS + Android user satisfaction
Public.com app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Puzzle 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
Public.com routes support through its official help channels. Priority queue access varies by plan.
Check Public.com help centre for current support options
Puzzle offers support through its help centre and official contact channels.
Check Puzzle help centre for current support options
KYC Verification SpeedAccount activation timeline post-submission
Public.com KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Public.com app
Puzzle KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Puzzle app
Overall VerdictWealthBlueprint independent recommendation
Public.com WINS with 4/5 stars vs 3/5.

Why: Public.com excels at Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs, bonds (7% yield Bond Account), crypto, IPOs, fractional shares, and AI-powered generated asset portfolios.

✓ Choose Public.com if Investors wanting access to stocks, ETFs
➜ Puzzle is still solid for Teams wanting organized project manageme
Official WebsiteVisit platform to sign up or verify current fees
Visit Public.com ↗ Visit Puzzle ↗
WealthBlueprint Verdict Summary
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
Puzzle — Best For
Teams wanting organized project management, task tracking, and collaboration tools
✓ Strong in its core category

Not sure which is right for you?

Take our 2-minute financial literacy quiz to understand which platforms align with your income profile and goals.

From the WealthBlueprint Library

Before you decide, here's some context worth reading.

📖 Business Funding Without a Bank 📖 Can VOO Make You a Millionaire?
More Comparisons Worth Reading

Thinking about Puzzle? Our readers who compared these two also read these.

🔍 Karat vs Stash: Independent Audit 🔍 Karat vs Streitwise: Independent Audit