Best Brokerage New Account Promotions and Bonuses in 2026
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Best Brokerage Firm Promotions and Bonuses
Investors have plenty of choices among discount brokerage firms. When comparing the best brokers,
it helps to look not only at their investment products and platform features, but also at the promotions and special offers available to new and existing clients.
Broker Promotions and Bonuses
Brokerage bonuses can be structured in several different ways. Below are some of the most common offers you may find when opening a new investment account.
Transfer Fee Reimbursements
Transfer fee reimbursements are a fairly common incentive. Many brokerage firms charge fees for
wire transfers or outgoing account transfers through ACATS. A transfer-fee rebate can reduce or fully offset the cost of moving assets to a new broker.
Cash Bonuses for Deposits
Cash deposit bonuses are one of the most common promotions for new accounts. A few brokers pay a bonus just for opening an account, but most cash rewards depend on how much money or assets you bring in.
These offers are usually tiered, so larger qualifying deposits generally unlock larger bonuses.
Free Stocks for New Brokerage Accounts
Free stocks are another frequent incentive for new brokerage customers. These rewards may be chosen
randomly from a list of eligible companies or issued as fractional shares with a set cash value.
The value of free-stock promotions can differ quite a lot. Some companies give one smaller stock reward, while
others offer multiple shares. Fractional-share rewards may range from just a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, and some promotions advertise much higher maximum values.
Commission Discounts
Many brokerage firms provide trading-fee discounts when customers first begin investing with them.
Even brokers with $0 commissions on listed stocks and ETFs may still charge fees for OTC stocks, options, bonds, and mutual funds. Some firms waive or reduce these charges for a limited time.
Broker Referral Bonuses
Many brokers have some type of referral program. Some pay rewards such as gift cards, while others offer free stocks, account credits, or cash bonuses.
Referral programs may reward both the existing customer and the new customer, and there is often an annual cap on the total amount that can be earned.
Cryptocurrency Bonuses
In addition to cash rewards and free shares, some online brokers and crypto platforms also use cryptocurrency bonuses as promotional incentives.
These crypto rewards are often paid in Bitcoin, although other well-known digital currencies may also be used.
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers has a strong referral program that can reward both sides of the referral. Referrers can receive $200 for each qualifying referral. Referred clients can earn up to $1,000 in IBKR stock after opening and funding a new account, but the reward depends on the amount deposited and the required balance must be maintained for the required holding period.
moomoo
Opening an account at moomoo can include free NVDA stock for a qualifying deposit. Current advertised tiers go up to $1,000 in NVDA stock, depending on the qualifying deposit amount and promotion terms.
Robinhood
Robinhood offers free stock rewards that can be worth from $5 to $200 each for eligible new customers and referrals. Investors can use the reward value to select whole or fractional shares of an eligible company.
Written by Alex Bost
Updated on 7/29/2026.
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