The Best Brokerage Signup Bonuses Right Now
Here are some of the best brokerage bonuses and promotions right now.The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.
We've combed through the sign up bonuses of the brokers we review to find which may be best for you, depending on the type of investment platform you're looking for and the kind of investing you'll be doing. However, we want to emphasize that just because a broker pays you to open an account with them doesn’t mean it's the best platform for you. In the long run, that signup money isn’t nearly as important as finding a broker with great tools, low fees, a wide investment selection and quality customer service. So take a look at these brokers' signup bonuses below, but be sure to weigh all the other factors as well.
Our 2026 list of the best brokerage bonuses
Company | NerdWallet rating | Promotion | Account minimum | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.4/5 | Earn a 1% uncapped match when you transfer your investment portfolio to Public. | $0 | Learn moreon Public's website | |
Learn moreon Public's website | ||||
Learn moreon Public's website | ||||
4.5/5 | Get up to $1,500 when you open and fund an E*TRADE brokerage account. Terms apply. | $0 | Learn moreon E*TRADE's website | |
Learn moreon E*TRADE's website | ||||
Learn moreon E*TRADE's website | ||||
4.1/5 | Get $150 when you open and fund a new TradeStation account. Offer Code: NERDAGMV | $500 | Learn moreon TradeStation's website | |
Learn moreon TradeStation's website | ||||
Learn moreon TradeStation's website | ||||
4.1/5 | Earn 8.1% APY on your uninvested cash and unlock up to $1000 in NVDA stock. Terms & Conditions apply. | $0 | Read reviewon NerdWallet | |
Read reviewon NerdWallet | ||||
Read reviewon NerdWallet | ||||
5.0/5 | Get $20 worth of fractional shares when you open and fund an account with Webull | $0 | Learn moreon Webull's website | |
Learn moreon Webull's website | ||||
Learn moreon Webull's website | ||||
The offers detailed below are available to the general public and may differ from those in the table above, which may be exclusive to NerdWallet customers.
Best cash sign-up bonuses
The following brokers offer a bonus for either new deposits or transfers. Most broker promotions come with a lot of fine print. Check out the details below to see how much you have to deposit for each payout tier and how long you have to wait to get your cash below.
E*TRADE
If you're looking to earn some extra cash and can deposit funds within 60 days, E*TRADE delivers its bonus quickly. It's also one of the more accessible cash promotions available. The minimum deposit to qualify is just $1,000 — far lower than JPMorgan ($5,000), TradeStation ($5,000), or Merrill Edge ($20,000). The bonus is also tiered, meaning a larger deposit could earn you a bigger payout.
As a broker, E*TRADE scores well on most of the basics: It has a low account minimum, no fees, great customer service and a good amount of investable assets, but doesn't offer access to crypto (though Morgan Stanley says this is coming soon). When it comes to the platform, it didn't score as well as its competitors, but that may matter less to some people than others. Where E*TRADE really shines? Its educational resources, which consist of webinars, courses and other helpful tools to help investors navigate the world of trading.
What you get: $50 to $10,000 (depending on deposit amount).
Fine print: You have to deposit money within 60 days.
When you get the money: Within seven days of the promo period (60 days) ending.
$1,000 to $4,999: $50
$5,000 to $19,999: $150
$20,000–$99,999: $300
$100,000 to $199,999: $600
$200,000 to $499,999: $1,000
$500,000 to $999,999: $1,500
$1,000,000 to $1,499,999: $3,000
$1,500,000 to $1,999,999: $5,000
$2,000,000 to $4,999,999: $6,000
$5,000,000+: $10,000
Example: Deposit $10,000, earn $150.
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley has long been one of the most popular online brokers. The company's $0 commissions and strong trading platforms appeal to active traders, while intermediate investors benefit from a large library of educational resources.
Account minimum
$0
Stock trading costs
$0
Options trades
$0.65 per contract (volume discount available)
Account fees (annual, transfer, closing, inactivity)
Annual fee: $0 Inactivity fee: $0 Closing fee: $0
Interest rate on uninvested cash
0.01% to 0.15%
Number of no-transaction-fee mutual funds
Nearly 6,000
Tradable securities
Stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, options, bonds, futures
Trading platform
Two: E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE
Mobile app
Available for iOS and Android
Research and data
Nine research providers, including Moodys, Refinitiv, Morningstar, MarketEdge and Smart Consensus
Customer support options (includes how easy it is to find key details on the website)
24/7 phone support; live chat Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
IRA match
None
Public
Public currently offers a 1% match on account transfers, but not deposits. This alone will disqualify many potential investors. This offer is, however, particularly good for investors who plan to contribute large sums to the account or may be planning to switch brokers completely. Public is also the only broker on this list to provide an uncapped match.
However, it's worth noting that the matched funds must remain in your account for 5 years, or you'll incur an early removal fee. That alone might be a deterrent for people who aren't sure they want to stick with Public for the long run.
Public has a lot to offer, though, so this promo may be for those who are interested in aspects where Public shines. For example, it has excellent index-building tools so you can create a custom list of investments based on your own criteria, offers options rebate payments between $0.06 and $0.18 per trade (the only broker we review to offer that), and provides access to crypto.
What you get: 1% uncapped match (example: transfer $10,000, earn $100).
Fine print: Must hold matched funds in the account for five years to avoid a removal fee. Only available when transferring assets from another brokerage.
When you get the money: Once the transfer is complete (typically 10 business days).
Public provides free stock and ETF trades, pays you to trade options, and gives traders access to crypto and bonds, as well as a high-yield cash account. The platform will appeal to traders looking for a low-cost options broker and access to many types of assets.
Account minimum
$0.
Stock trading costs
$0 ($2.99 per trade for after-hours trades or OTC stocks, for non-Premium members.)
Options trades
$0. Public pays options traders a rebate of $0.06 to $0.18 per options transaction, as a share of their payment-for-order-flow revenue, depending on volume
Account fees (annual, transfer, closing, inactivity)
$75 ACAT outgoing transfer fee (partial or full). No annual fee for non-Premium members — Public Premium costs $10 a month or $96 a year.
$3.99 monthly inactivity fee for accounts with no activity for six months and balances below $70. Instant withdrawals cost 3.5% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $1.
Interest rate on uninvested cash
New users can opt into a high-yield cash account with yield of over 4% by checking a box at sign-up.
Number of no-transaction-fee mutual funds
Not rated.
Tradable securities
Stocks, ETFs, options, cryptocurrency, American Depositary Receipts, fractional shares and bonds.
Trading platform
Public's mobile and web platforms offer a smooth sign-up, funding and trading experience, but are fairly basic when it comes to tools like charts and screeners.
Mobile app
Public's iOS and Android apps are both well-liked by users and offer virtually the same features as the web trading platform.
Research and data
Research from Morningstar, TradingView and S&P Global. Public offers earnings call playback, as well as bespoke company metrics like subscriber numbers.
Customer support options (includes how easy it is to find key details on the website)
Email and chat support available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday. Responses prioritized for Premium members. Website is fairly easy to navigate.
IRA match
1% match on all rollovers and contributions.
TradeStation
TradeStation earns a spot on this list for its simple bonus structure that requires no fiddling around with different deposit amounts to get a reward. The payout time is pretty standard compared with the other brokers we review, allowing qualifying new customers who fund and then maintain a balance of $5,000 for 60 days to receive their bonus once the promo period ends.
As a broker, TradeStation earns high marks for features and access that active investors will appreciate. It offers a wide range of investments and tools, but fees for options and transfers are higher than you may find at other brokers, so take this into consideration as you browse available offers.
What you get: $150.
Fine print: Fund account with $5,000 or more and maintain that balance for at least 60 days after.
When you get the money: The month after the promotional period ends.
TradeStation is a strong choice for active stock, options and futures investors who rely on high-octane trading platforms, reams of research and sophisticated analytical tools. Trades are commission-free.
Account minimum
$0.
Stock trading costs
$0 to $0.003 per share, depending on volume.
Options trades
$0 to $0.80 per contract, depending on volume. Index options: $0.60 to $1 per contract, depending on volume.
Account fees (annual, transfer, closing, inactivity)
$35 IRA annual account fee; $50 IRA account termination fee.
$125 outgoing account transfer fee; $10 monthly inactivity fee.
Number of no-transaction-fee mutual funds
No no-transaction-fee mutual funds; fund commissions are $14.95.
Tradable securities
Stocks, bonds (Treasuries and corporates, subject to additional fees), mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, futures.
Interest rate on uninvested cash
0% up to the first $100,000 in free cash, 0.15% thereafter.
Trading platform
Desktop platform is oriented toward advanced traders; similar capabilities available on web trading and mobile platforms.
Mobile app
Offers core features of desktop platform. Available on iOS and Android.
Research and data
In-house research, plus news from Benzinga.
Customer support options (includes how easy it is to find key details on the website).
Phone, email, live chat available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Easily-navigable website, extensive educational content.
IRA match
None.
Best stock-based sign-up bonuses
Some brokers offer a stock bonus instead of a cash bonus, and for the most part, these offers are simply not worth it. (Unless, of course, you're considering opening an account with one of these providers anyway, it could be just some extra icing on the cake.) Still, typically, the broker states a range of stock values you can win, but the probability of receiving the lowest reward is extremely high. Here are two providers that offer a more compelling option.
Moomoo
Moomoo stands out in its sign-up offering as the broker offers a clear range of stock bonuses — that is, you won't be entered into a lottery for a stock, you know exactly what you're getting and how much of it. And the more you deposit, the larger the stock amount award. For example, if you deposit over $500 into a new account, you earn $30 in NVDA stock. If you deposit over $10,000, you earn $200 in NVDA stock.
Moomoo isn’t the best for retirement investors since it doesn’t offer IRAs or access to mutual funds (though it does offer ETFs), but it is a solid option for active traders thanks to its low fees for advanced trading strategies and international access. Moomoo offers a decent app, but it’s not as good as many of the other apps we review. If an ultra-smooth trading experience is important to you, you may want to look elsewhere.
What you get: $30 to $1,000 in NVDA.
Fine print: FOP or or ACATS transfers are not eligible for the bonus.
When you get the money: Must maintain average assets of initial deposit or more for 60 days to unlock stocks.
$2k+: $100 in NVDA
$10k+: $200 in NVDA
$50k+: $400 in NVDA
$100k+: $1,000 in NVDA
Example: Deposit $10,000, earn $200 in NVDA.
Moomoo offers free stock and option trades in an easy-to-use trading platform that charges low margin rates. It's not built for passive retirement investors — IRAs aren't supported, nor are mutual funds — but there's a lot to like about Moomoo for more active traders.
Webull
Webull offers new customers who make a deposit of $500 or more $20 in fractional shares of NVDA and one month of Webull Premium. That's compelling for a few reasons: the base deposit is accessible to more people, you know exactly which stock you're getting and how much of it, and finally, people interested in Webull get a chance to try out the premium version — which offers some of the best rates on uninvested cash and margin loans of any broker we review — for a limited time.
As far as brokers go, Webull is also a pretty solid option overall. It received a perfect score from our testers for its UX and platform and now offers access to crypto, advanced trading features and paper trading to help you practice investing before you use real money.
One con about Webull’s bonus? The broker frequently changes it. Make sure you read the fine print before you sign up with Webull to ensure you can get the bonus you’re looking for.
What you get: $20 in fractional shares of NVDA, plus a one-month subscription to Webull Premium.
Fine print: Must not have made a previous deposit into any Webull account. Money must be deposited during the promotional period.
When you get the money: One day after making a qualifying deposit (but realistically takes 2 to 3 days to settle). Offer must be claimed within 30 days of issue.
Webull will appeal to the mobile-first generation of casual investors with its slick interface for desktop and mobile apps. The brokerage also delivers an impressive array of tools for active traders and a wide investment selection, including stocks (plus fractional shares), options, ETFs, crypto, commodities and futures. However, it lacks access to mutual funds.
Account minimum
$0.
Stock trading costs
$0.
Options trades
$0 per trade and $0 per contract on equity options. $0.30 to $0.50 per contract on non-equity options such as index options.
Account fees
Annual fee: $0. Inactivity fee: $0. Outgoing transfer fee (partial or full): $75.
Interest rate on uninvested cash
3.6% for Premium users. 3.25% for non-Premium users with assets totaling more than $25,000, and 0.5% below that.
Number of no-transaction-fee mutual funds
None; mutual funds not available.
Tradable securities
Stocks, ETFs, Treasury bonds, Options, ADRs, Crypto, Futures, Prediction markets
Trading platform
Five: Web, desktop, two mobile apps (Webull and Webull Lite), APIs.
Mobile app
Available for iOS and Android.
Research and data
More than a dozen providers, including Benzinga, Nasdaq Total View, S&P, Dow Jones and CBOE.
Customer support options (includes how easy it is to find key details on the website)
Customer support is available by phone from 9:00 a.m. Eastern time to 4:15 p.m. Email and an in-app help center are available 24/7.
IRA match
1% contribution match for free accounts, 3.5% for paid accounts.
Frequently asked questions about brokerage bonuses
How do brokerage bonuses work?
The best bonus for you will depend on how much money you have to deposit or transfer. Most brokers that offer promotions will do so in exchange for a set deposit amount — the more you're willing to deposit, the greater the promotion available to you. However, there are some brokerage firms that set the bar lower — for example, offering a bonus simply for placing your first trade. As always, be sure to read the fine print on the brokerage firm's website to ensure you qualify for the offer.
What should I know about hold and payout timelines?
Some brokers change their promotions frequently, while others hold on to theirs for a while. Make sure you’re opening your account within the timeframe that would allow you to take advantage of the particular promotion you’re looking at.
Some bonuses are paid out over a year, others are paid out over several years. Many require you to keep the deposit amount in your account for a set amount of time before you receive the bonus. Keep an eye on the payout schedule — earning $50 sounds great, but if you have to wait 10 months to get the money, it may not be worth it.
Are cash or stock promotions better?
It's worth noting that when companies offer stock promotions, it's likely the company advertises the highest potential reward, but the reality is there's a very small chance you'll actually get that amount. For example, when brokers offer stock bonuses, they provide a high and low range for the dollar amount of stock you might receive, but most of those promos state that there is less than 1% chance of receiving the highest dollar amount. This is why, for the most part, we like cash bonus rewards.
How do we review brokers?
All NerdWallet reviews and lists of the best investing products are created by our editorial team of full-time writers and editors, independent of any business relationships. In this case, our investing team's comprehensive review process evaluates and ranks the largest U.S. brokers by assets under management, along with emerging industry players. Our aim is to provide an independent, balanced assessment of brokerages to help arm you with information to make sound, informed judgments on which ones will best meet your needs. Our highest priority is maintaining editorial integrity.
We collect data directly from brokerages through detailed questionnaires, and conduct first-hand testing and observation through demonstrations. The questionnaire answers, combined with demonstrations, interviews of personnel at the brokerages and our specialists’ hands-on research, fuel our proprietary assessment process that scores each broker's performance across more than 20 factors. The final output produces star ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).
For more details about the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.