One of the biggest trends in online trading has been the convergence of brokerage business models. Brokerages want your business, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for any one company to stand out. Features like low minimums and prices frequently overlap, particularly among firms that compete within general and retail markets. However, brokerage account bonuses are one way for these firms to separate themselves from the crowd, with everyone from Webull to Robinhood enticing new customers with bonus offers.
Ask a financial advisor about the best trading platform based on your goals, experience and risk profile.
What Is a Brokerage Account Bonus?
A brokerage account bonus is a perk financial companies may offer customers for opening a new account. This can be particularly attractive to beginner investors with limited resources.
Bonuses can vary widely between brokerages, but typical bonuses include cash, free stocks, limited-time discounts on transaction fees and opportunities to earn extra dollars for your account.
These best brokerage account bonuses can help you start off on the right foot, but be sure to double-check availability and eligibility as terms frequently change.
Data and Methodology
We identified the apps below through exhaustive research and analysis of the bonus market within brokerage investment accounts. They are listed in order based on their individual composite score using our methodology, which considers consumer mobile app ratings and maximum bonus potential.
1. Webull
Webull has become one of the most popular commission-free brokerages for active retail investors, consistently offering some of the biggest sign-up promotions in the industry.
Webull offers three promotions for new customers to choose from.
- 4% match bonus. Webull will reward you with a bonus matching deposits or transfers into your account. If you deposit or transfer over $2,000, Webull will give you a 3% bonus, while deposits or transfers of $100,000 or more receive a 4% cash bonus.
- Futures bonus. New clients who deposit $500 or more into their futures accounts benefit from no commissions on their first 50 futures contracts. There is also free access to CME Group Level 2 Market Data through the end of 2025.
- Transfer fee bonus. New clients who transfer their accounts to Webull receive up to $175 in a cash bonus. Brokerage account transfers of $2,000 or more receive up to a $100 reimbursement, while IRA transfers of $2,000 or more receive up to $75 in reimbursement.
Before signing up, consider your investment goals to determine which Webull bonus best suits your financial needs.
2. E*TRADE
E*TRADE is one of the most established online brokerages, and it is also known for offering some of the largest cash bonuses in the industry for new accountholders.
Unlike many investing apps that give out free stock, E*TRADE’s promotion is structured as a tiered cash bonus tied directly to your deposit amount.
When you open a new brokerage account and fund it with qualifying assets, you can earn a bonus ranging anywhere from $50 to $10,000. The structure is simple: the higher your deposit, the larger the bonus. For example, a deposit of $5,000 may qualify you for a $150 bonus, while deposits of $1 million or more can start unlocking multi-thousand-dollar payouts. To reach the top tier of $10,000, you must transfer or deposit a minimum of $5 million in new money to E*TRADE.
E*TRADE requires you to keep your qualifying balance in the account for a set period (typically 60 days or more) to secure your bonus. The promotion is valid for individual brokerage accounts but not retirement accounts.
3. SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest combines commission-free stock and ETF trading with a user-friendly platform designed for beginner and intermediate investors. To attract new customers, SoFi typically offers a cash bonus when you open an account and deposit qualifying funds.
Through the end of September 2025, new customers who fund an Active Invest account with $50 or more will receive a cash bonus ranging from $15 to $3,000. To qualify, you must fund your account within 45 days of opening the account.
5. Citi Personal Wealth Management
Citi Personal Wealth Management caters to investors who want the resources of a major bank paired with the guidance of a professional advisory service. Unlike many online-first brokerages, Citi focuses on a relationship-driven investing experience, and its new account promotion reflects that premium positioning.
When you open a new Citi Wealth Builder or Citi Wealth Builder Plus account, there is no advisory fee for the first 180 days from account opening. You must have an active CitiBank checking or savings account to be eligible.
5. Moomoo
Moomoo is a newer entrant in the U.S. brokerage scene, but it has quickly gained attention for its modern trading platform, advanced research tools and attractive new-account promotions.
Instead of offering a simple cash bonus, Moomoo rewards new users with free stocks valued up to $1,000, making it an appealing option for investors who enjoy the excitement of getting shares rather than a fixed payout.
Additionally, when you enroll in Cash Sweep and activate your coupon, you receive 8.1% APY on your uninvested cash. This is based on the normal 4.1% APY, plus a bonus 4% APY for your first three months.
One of the big advantages of Moomoo’s promotion is its low barrier to entry: you don’t need to deposit tens of thousands of dollars to participate. Even casual investors with a few hundred dollars can walk away with a meaningful bonus in the form of stock ownership.
However, this offer is only available for a limited time, ending on September 25, 2025.
6. TradeStation
TradeStation has built a reputation as a top choice for active traders, thanks to its advanced charting tools, algorithmic trading capabilities and wide selection of investment products.
To bring in new customers, it runs a cash bonus program of up to $3,500 when you open and fund a qualifying account. To qualify, you will need to transfer new money or securities into your TradeStation account and maintain the required balance for the 270-day holding period. Once the holding period ends, the cash bonus is credited directly to your account, ready to use for trading or withdrawal.
7. Schwab
Charles Schwab is one of the largest and most trusted brokerage firms in the U.S., offering a mix of low-cost investing, strong customer service and a wide range of account options.
It is also generous in its brokerage account bonuses, offering the following:
- Referral promotion. If you open a Schwab account using a referral from a friend, you can earn up to $1,000, depending on how much you deposit into your account. Simply use your friend’s referral code at sign-up and make your deposit within the first 45 days from account opening.
- Schwab Starter Kit. Schwab gives new investors $50 of Schwab Stock Slices when they open a new account and fund it with $50 or more within 30 days of account opening.
- Commission-free trades. When you open a new account with Schwab, it will reward you with 500 zero-commission online trades within a two-year period. To qualify, you must fund your account with a minimum of $100,000 within the first 45 days of having the account.
Be sure to check the current terms and conditions for these offers, as no expiration date is listed and they are subject to change at any time.
8. OPTO
OPTO is a newer trading platform designed to make investing straightforward and accessible, with a focus on low fees and a smooth mobile-first experience.
To encourage new customers, OPTO offers a sign-up bonus of up to $300 when you open and fund a qualifying account with $2,000 or more. To qualify, new funds must be deposited into your OPTO account and held for at least 150 days before the bonus is credited. Once the requirements are met, the cash reward is deposited directly into your account and can be used for additional investing.
Bottom Line
Online brokers want your business badly enough to entice you with brokerage account bonuses for becoming a customer. While these offers are not the only thing worth considering when choosing a trading platform, they are an added benefit for opening an account you likely would have opened anyway.
However, remember that this is a long-term relationship. You should make the decision based on which broker fits your financial goals and experience, regardless of its bonus. All things being equal, though, a brokerage account bonus can be a lucrative way to start that relationship off.
Tips on Investing
- If a signing bonus isn’t the right reason to pick a broker, what is? That sounds exactly like a question for a financial advisor. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- No matter which brokerage you choose, one way you can get a quick and relatively accurate overview of your investing is by taking advantage of a free, easy-to-use investment calculator.
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