tl;dr: If you will pay $5 a month, Robinhood Gold's 3% IRA match nets the most: about $165 a year on a maxed-out $7,500 IRA after the fee. Public Reserve pays 4%, but at $20 a month it nets about $60. If you will not pay for anything, both pay 1%, and Public's free 3.30% cash yield tips it Public's way. Last verified November 14, 2026. See how we review.
Public vs Robinhood: which IRA match pays you more
An IRA match is the closest thing to a free side of hushpuppies the investing world offers: you put money in, the broker throws a little extra on the plate. Robinhood and Public both do it, but the size of the scoop depends on whether you pay for their memberships. Here is the plain math, from our Robinhood review, our Public review and the companies' own match pages.
In this guide
The Short Answer
Paying $5 a month is fine with you: Robinhood Gold, 3% on contributions.
You want zero subscriptions: it is a tie at 1%, and Public adds a 3.30% cash yield for free.
You are rolling over an old 401(k): both pay 1%, no membership needed.
You already keep a lot of cash at a brokerage: Public Reserve can make sense, since its higher cash rate and other matches stack up.
The Matches Side by Side
Robinhood | Public | |
|---|---|---|
Free tier match on contributions | 1% | 1% |
Paid tier match on contributions | 3% with Gold | 4% with Reserve, up to $300 a year |
Membership price | $5 a month ($60 a year) | $20 a month ($240 a year) |
Match on transfers and rollovers | 1%, no cap, no Gold needed | 1% |
Keep matched money in the IRA | 5 years | 5 years |
Keep the membership | 1 year after a Gold match | 1 year, or Public takes back the extra 3% |
Cash yield | 3.60% APY with Gold | 3.30% APY free; 3.75% with Reserve |
From the companies' match pages and our reviews, checked November 2026. Match rates can change.
The Math on a Maxed-Out IRA
Say you put the full $7,500 in for the year, the limit for 2026 and 2027 if you are under 50.
Plan | Match | Membership cost | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
Robinhood, no Gold | $75 | $0 | $75 |
Public, no Reserve | $75 | $0 | $75 |
Robinhood Gold | $225 | $60 | $165 |
Public Reserve | $300 | $240 | $60 |
At 50 and older the limit is $8,600. Robinhood Gold's 3% grows to $258, while Public's Reserve match tops out at $300. The memberships also carry other perks, mainly higher cash rates, so if you keep a large cash balance the picture can shift. Check the new 2027 IRA limits.
The Fine Print
Five years means five years. Pull matched money out early and both brokers can take the match back.
Do not cancel too soon. Robinhood wants Gold kept a year after a Gold match. Public takes back the difference between 4% and 1% if you cancel Reserve within a year.
Public pays the Reserve match over 12 months, not all at once.
Leaving costs money at Public: our review lists a $150 IRA termination fee and a $100 outgoing transfer fee.
Beyond the Match
Public offers Treasuries and corporate bonds, lets you hold crypto in an IRA and does not take payment for order flow on stocks.
Robinhood offers 90+ coins in its regular account, cheaper margin and Gold perks like Level II data.
Both offer $0 stock and ETF trades and fractional shares.
Want a human on the phone and every account type instead? Read Fidelity vs Robinhood.
Lowcountry Ledger's Take: Robinhood Gold is the better buy if all you want is the biggest match for the least money: $5 a month for 3% is hard to beat. Public is the pick for folks who will not pay a subscription, because its free cash yield and bond options make the 1% match go further. Either way, the match only counts if you leave the money alone for five years, so treat it like the good silver: nice to have, not for every day.
IRA Match FAQ
1. Which pays the bigger IRA match, Robinhood or Public?
Public Reserve pays the higher rate, 4%. After membership costs on a $7,500 IRA, Robinhood Gold leaves you more: about $165 vs $60.
2. Do I have to pay to get an IRA match?
No. Both pay 1% on contributions with no membership.
3. Can I lose the match?
Yes. Withdraw matched money within five years, or cancel the membership within a year, and the broker can take it back.
4. Does the match count toward my IRA limit?
The match is paid by the broker, not you. Check the broker's terms and your tax preparer if you are close to the limit.
5. Is a rollover match worth switching for?
Both pay 1% on rollovers. On a $50,000 rollover, that is $500, as long as you meet the five-year rule.
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