Brandfolder vs Public: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Brandfolder and Public comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Brandfolder is our overall pick for digital asset management workflows. Pick Public if you need AI & automation.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Brandfolder
Manage, organize, and distribute all your brand assets
Best for you if:
- • You need digital asset management features specifically
- • Enterprise digital asset management platform by Smartsheet for organizing creative assets across 8K video, 3D, and images
- • AI-powered flat search and auto-tagging scans entire library including text in documents and objects in images
Public
Multi-asset investing platform with AI agents and options rebates.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need AI & automation features specifically
- • Public is a multi-asset brokerage offering stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and ETFs with AI-powered tools for research and portfolio management.
- • It provides industry-first options trading rebates, low margin rates, and a high-yield cash account with competitive APY.
| At a Glance |  Brandfolder |  Public |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Digital Asset Management | AI & Automation |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.9/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Brandfolder or Public?
Choose Brandfolder if
Manage, organize, and distribute all your brand assets
- Digital asset management
- Good for brands
- Active development
- Your work is digital asset management-shaped, not AI & automation-shaped
Choose Public if
Multi-asset investing platform with AI agents and options rebates.
- Offers a wide range of asset classes in one platform, including stocks, bonds, crypto, and options.
- Industry-first options trading rebates and competitive margin rates.
- AI-powered tools like agents, generated assets, and research assistant enhance decision-making.
- You want a fully free tool (Brandfolder requires payment)
- Your work is AI & automation-shaped, not digital asset management-shaped
| Feature | Brandfolder | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 1,867 reviews | ★3.9/5 148 reviews |
| Categories | Digital Asset ManagementMarketing | AI & Automation |
In-Depth Analysis
Brandfolder
Manage, organize, and distribute all your brand assets
Strengths
- +Digital asset management
- +Good for brands
- +Active development
- +Good features
- +Enterprise ready
Weaknesses
- -Expensive
- -Enterprise focus
- -Learning curve
- -Per-user pricing
- -Support varies
Key features
Value 60/100. Brandfolder does not publish pricing, you must talk to sales.
Watch out: No public pricing: You cannot self-serve or even estimate costs without engaging sales. This creates information asymmetry that benefits the vendor during negotiations.
Public
Multi-asset investing platform with AI agents and options rebates.
Strengths
- +Offers a wide range of asset classes in one platform, including stocks, bonds, crypto, and options.
- +Industry-first options trading rebates and competitive margin rates.
- +AI-powered tools like agents, generated assets, and research assistant enhance decision-making.
Weaknesses
- -Options trading carries significant risk and is not suitable for all investors.
- -Some advanced features like direct indexing require a minimum investment of $1,000.
Key features
Value 95/100. Public's pricing is exceptional value - the entire platform is free with no paid tiers, offering multi-asset investing, AI agents, options rebates, and high yield on cash.
Watch out: Margin interest rates for borrowed funds
Pricing: Brandfolder vs Public
| Plan | Brandfolder | Public |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 34000 Premium | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | Contact sales Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Brandfolder pricing and Public pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Public is free. Brandfolder is paid.
Go with: Public
Want the highest-rated option?
Brandfolder: 4.5/5 (1,867 reviews). Public: 3.9/5 (148 reviews).
Go with: Brandfolder
Value user reviews?
Brandfolder: 1,867 reviews (4.5/5). Public: 148 reviews (3.9/5).
Go with: Brandfolder
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Brandfolder is paid. Public is free. Go with Public if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Brandfolder is a digital asset management tool. Public is in AI & automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Brandfolder is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 3.9/5.
Key Takeaways
Brandfolder
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 3.9/5
- Larger review base (1,867 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Public
- Completely free
- Better fit for AI & automation
The Bottom Line
Brandfolder is our pick. That said, Public is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brandfolder or Public better?
Brandfolder is rated in our evaluation. Brandfolder is paid and Public is free.
What are Brandfolder and Public used for?
Brandfolder: Manage, organize, and distribute all your brand assets. Public: Multi-asset investing platform with AI agents and options rebates..
What does Brandfolder cost vs Public?
Brandfolder is a paid tool. Public is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.