This guide is packed with the best broker promotions of 2026 that will supercharge your investments. From Acorns’ $20 bonus for recurring investments to J.P. Morgan’s impressive $1,000 bonus, these offers are the easiest way to get more out of your money from day one.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to dive into the market, this is it. Ready to turn those bonuses into real gains?
Let’s explore the top stock broker promotions you can’t afford to miss this year:
All offers verified • FDIC/SIPC insured • Secure platforms
How to Choose the Right Broker Promotion for Your Goals
With over a dozen competitive offers available in 2026, selecting the right broker promotion requires matching the bonus structure to your investing style and account size. Here’s what separates genuinely valuable promotions from marketing gimmicks that look good on paper but deliver little practical value.
Understanding Broker Bonus Structures
Stock broker promotions typically fall into three categories, each serving different investor profiles:
Flat Cash Bonuses
$10-$200 fixed amounts work best for new investors testing the waters with smaller initial deposits. You know exactly what you’ll receive, making it easier to calculate ROI.
Percentage-Based Matches
1-4% of deposits scale with your investment size, ideal for experienced investors. A 1% match on $100,000 delivers $1,000 instantly—far more valuable than any flat bonus.
Stock Rewards
Fractional or full shares provide immediate portfolio diversification. Receiving NVIDIA or S&P 500 stocks gives you real ownership from day one in companies you’d want anyway.
Detailed Analysis: Top Promotions for 2026
Acorns
Top Pick
Free $20 Bonus
Create account + set up recurring investments
Best for Building Investment Habits
Acorns earns our top recommendation for investors who struggle with consistency. The $20 bonus activates once you establish recurring investments—even small amounts like $5 weekly count toward the requirement.
What sets Acorns apart is the automatic round-up feature. Every debit card purchase rounds up to the nearest dollar, investing the difference. A $3.67 coffee becomes $4, with $0.33 flowing into your portfolio. These micro-investments add up surprisingly fast, with the average user investing an extra $30-50 monthly without consciously thinking about it.
Account Types
Taxable, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, checking accounts
Monthly Cost
$3-$12 based on features selected
Best For
New investors, automated investing, habit builders
Moomoo
Earn up to 8.1% APY + $1,000 NVDA Stock
Open account to earn high APY and bonus stock
Best Combination of High APY and Stock Bonus
Moomoo’s dual-incentive approach addresses a common investor dilemma: keeping some cash liquid while pursuing growth. The 8.1% APY on uninvested cash dramatically outperforms traditional savings accounts (currently averaging 0.5%) and most high-yield savings options (4-5%).
The NVDA stock bonus adds growth potential. While the exact value fluctuates with market conditions, you’re essentially getting free exposure to one of the market’s leading semiconductor companies. For investors who want both cash stability and equity upside, this dual structure delivers immediate value.
Trading Tools
Advanced charting, Level 2 data, options trading
Commission
$0 stock trades, competitive options pricing
Best For
Active traders, research-focused investors
Robinhood
$5-$200 in Fractional Shares
From America’s leading companies
Best for Simplicity and Fractional Share Bonuses
Robinhood revolutionized commission-free trading and continues leading with the most intuitive mobile interface in the industry. The $5-$200 fractional share bonus might seem less predictable than fixed cash, but it serves a strategic purpose.
You receive fractional shares from top S&P 500 companies—stocks like Apple, Amazon, Tesla, or Google that many new investors want to own but can’t afford full shares of at hundreds or thousands per share. This randomized approach creates excitement while giving you real ownership in quality companies from day one.
Interface
Mobile-first design, beginner-friendly UI
Assets
Stocks, ETFs, options, crypto
Best For
Mobile traders, crypto investors, simplicity seekers
Strategies to Maximize Your Bonuses
The Multi-Platform Approach
There’s no rule saying you can only claim one bonus. Smart investors often open multiple accounts to capture several promotions simultaneously. This strategy works particularly well when different platforms serve different purposes in your portfolio.
Example Strategy
Potential Earnings
Acorns $20 + Moomoo $1,000 NVDA + Robinhood $100 avg = $1,120+ in bonuses by strategically diversifying across platforms
Timing Your Deposits for Maximum Value
Most promotional periods run for limited windows, but they also tend to refresh quarterly. If you’re planning a larger investment anyway, waiting for a promotion period can add hundreds of dollars to your account through matching or bonus structures.
Public’s 1% uncapped match on transfers particularly rewards this patience. Moving a $50,000 IRA during a promotional period nets you $500 instantly—money that immediately starts compounding in your favor.
Platform-Specific Benefits Beyond the Bonus
A signup bonus gets you in the door, but the platform’s ongoing features determine whether you’ll stay. Consider what you’ll need six months or a year from now—advanced charting, retirement accounts, cryptocurrency access, or educational resources.
Most modern brokers have eliminated trading commissions, but other fees can erode returns. Account maintenance fees, transfer fees, and options contract fees vary significantly across platforms.
✓
Most Platforms: $0 Stock Trades
All featured brokers offer commission-free stock and ETF trading
!
Watch Options Pricing
Active options traders should compare per-contract fees ($0.50-$0.65 typical)
$
Monthly Fees Apply to Some
Special Considerations for Different Investor Types
For Complete Beginners
If you’ve never invested before, Acorns and SoFi offer the gentlest learning curves. Both provide educational resources and automated features that remove decision paralysis.
Recommended Strategy
Start with $10-$20 weekly recurring investments. The bonus accelerates your progress while you learn diversification and asset allocation basics.
For Experienced Traders
Sophisticated investors should focus on transfer bonuses and matching programs. Public’s uncapped 1% match and J.P. Morgan’s tiered structure reward larger account balances.
Maximum Bonus Potential
$50,000 IRA transfer = $500 instant (Public) or up to $1,000 with new money (J.P. Morgan)
Tax Implications You Should Know
⚠️
Important Tax Considerations
The IRS considers most broker bonuses taxable income in the year you receive them. Platforms report bonuses over $600 via 1099-MISC forms, but you’re technically required to report all bonus income regardless of amount.
Cash Bonuses
Taxed as ordinary income at your marginal rate. A $100 bonus = $75-85 after-tax value depending on your bracket
Stock Bonuses
Taxed on fair market value when received, then capital gains on appreciation when sold. Hold 1+ year for long-term capital gains rates (0-20% vs 10-37% ordinary income)
Bottom line: Bonuses are still worthwhile—you’d pay taxes on equivalent investment gains anyway. Just factor the tax impact into your calculations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✕
Chasing Bonuses Without Platform Research
A generous bonus matters little if the platform frustrates you or lacks features you need. Spend time with demo or paper trading features before committing real money. The best promotion introduces you to your new favorite investing platform.
✕
Ignoring Holding Requirements
Most bonuses require maintaining your deposit for 30-180 days. Withdrawing early forfeits the bonus and may trigger clawback provisions. Only deposit money you can leave untouched for the required period.
✕
Overlooking Account Type Restrictions
Some promotions only apply to taxable brokerage accounts, excluding IRAs. Others specifically target retirement transfers. Verify your intended account type qualifies before deposits—moving retirement funds unnecessarily can trigger tax consequences that dwarf any bonus.
Final Thoughts: Making Your Decision
The best broker promotion isn’t necessarily the one with the highest dollar amount—it’s the one that introduces you to a platform you’ll genuinely use for years. A $20 bonus on a platform that becomes your primary investment tool delivers far more value than a $1,000 bonus on a platform you abandon after meeting requirements.
Start by identifying your investing style and goals. New investors benefit most from educational resources and automation. Active traders need advanced charting and low-cost options trading. Long-term investors should prioritize retirement account options and low expense ratios. Match the promotion to a platform that supports your specific needs.
Choosing the Right Online Broker
The brokers above offer diverse investment products, advanced platforms, and excellent service. Your ideal choice depends on your goals—compare fees, products, and platforms carefully.
Fees
Watch for commissions, maintenance, and hidden charges
Products
Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and options
Platform
Tools matching your experience and needs
Support
Phone, email, chat plus learning resources
My Millennial Guide ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.