Starting your investment journey in 2025? One of the smartest ways to get a head start is by taking advantage of brokerage account bonuses. These rewards—ranging from free stocks to thousands of dollars in cash—are offered by top online brokers to attract new clients. If you’re planning to open a new account, these brokerage account bonuses can give your investing portfolio an instant boost.
Below, we’ve listed the top 5 brokerage account bonuses in 2025, complete with the steps you need to follow to claim each reward.
1. Public – Up to $10,000 Bonus for Transferring Funds

Best For: Transferring an existing brokerage account
Bonus Amount: $150 – $10,000
Minimum Requirement: Transfer $5,000 or more
Public offers one of the most lucrative brokerage account bonuses for investors transferring funds from another broker. The reward is based on the amount transferred.
Steps to earn the Public bonus:
- Open a new brokerage account with Public.
- Transfer at least $5,000 from an existing brokerage (not a new deposit).
- Receive your cash bonus based on the tier:
- $150 for $5,000–$24,999
- $250 for $25,000–$99,999
- $600 for $100,000–$249,999
- $1,000 for $250,000–$499,999
- $2,000 for $500,000–$999,999
- $4,000 for $1M–$4.9M
- $10,000 for $5M+
- $150 for $5,000–$24,999
📌 Tip: Only account transfers and IRA rollovers qualify—standard deposits don’t count.
2. Robinhood – Free Stock + Up to 3% IRA Match

Best For: Beginners and retirement savers
Bonus Amount: Free stock ($5–$200) + 1%–3% IRA match
Minimum Requirement: Link a bank account or debit card
Robinhood’s brokerage account bonuses are perfect for new investors. You can get both a free stock and a long-term retirement benefit with their IRA match program.
Steps to earn the Robinhood bonuses:
- Sign up for a Robinhood account.
- Link a bank account or debit card.
- Claim your free stock (valued up to $200) from a list of 26 top companies.
- Open a Robinhood IRA account.
- Contribute to your IRA to earn a 1% match (3% if you’re a Robinhood Gold member).
🎯 Note: Under Robinhood promotions, most users will receive a $5 stock, but you have a small chance to win one worth $200.
3. Moomoo – Up to 30 Free Stocks + 8.10% APY

Best For: Stock rewards and high interest on idle cash
Bonus Amount: 5–30 free stocks + 8.10% APY
Minimum Requirement: $100+ deposit
Moomoo delivers one of the most generous brokerage account bonuses in terms of quantity. Plus, it offers a high yield on uninvested funds.
Steps to earn the Moomoo bonus:
- Open a Moomoo brokerage account using the link.
- Deposit at least $100 to earn 5 free stocks.
- Deposit $2,000 or more to receive an additional 25 stocks (30 total).
- Leave your uninvested cash in the account for 3 months to earn 8.10% APY.
📅 These brokerage account bonuses are valid until March 31, 2025 (expired).
4. Charles Schwab – $101 Bonus + Up to $1,000 Referral Bonus

Best For: Beginners and long-term investors
Bonus Amount: $101 + up to $1,000 via referral
Minimum Requirement: $50 for Starter Kit; $25,000+ for referral bonus
Charles Schwab offers one of the best brokerage account bonuses for those starting small, while also rewarding big deposits with tiered bonuses.
Steps to earn the Schwab bonuses:
To get the $101 Starter Kit bonus:
- Open a new Schwab account.
- Deposit at least $50.
- Receive $101 to invest in fractional shares of 5 popular stocks.
To earn the referral bonus:
- Get a referral code from an existing Schwab customer.
- Open a new account using that code.
- Deposit funds within 45 days to earn up to:
- $100 for $25,000–$49,999
- $300 for $50,000–$99,999
- $500 for $100,000–$499,999
- $1,000 for $500,000+
- $100 for $25,000–$49,999
⏳ Funds must remain in the account for at least 90 days.
5. Merrill Edge® Self-Directed – Up to $600 Cash Bonus

Best For: High-balance investors and Bank of America users
Bonus Amount: $100 – $600
Minimum Requirement: Deposit $20,000+ within 45 days
Merrill Edge provides another solid option for brokerage account bonuses, especially if you’re already banking with Bank of America.
Steps to earn the Merrill Edge bonus:
- Open a new Merrill Edge Self-Directed account.
- Deposit funds within 45 days:
- $100 for $20,000–$49,999
- $150 for $50,000–$99,999
- $250 for $100,000–$199,999
- $600 for $200,000+
- $100 for $20,000–$49,999
- Maintain the deposited amount for at least 90 days.
💡 This brokerage account bonus is a straightforward cash offer perfect for serious investors.
What Are Brokerage Account Bonuses?
Brokerage account bonuses are promotional rewards offered by brokers to attract new customers. Free brokers let you buy and sell stocks without commission charges. Finding the right online brokers for stocks can help you trade easily without paying extra fees. These can include:
- Free stocks
- Cash deposits
- High APY on idle cash
- Fractional shares
- Retirement account matches
While they add value, they often come with terms like minimum deposits, transfer requirements, and holding periods. Always read the fine print before signing up.
How to Choose the Right Brokerage Account Bonus
To find the best brokerage account bonus for your situation, consider the following:
- Deposit amount: Pick a bonus you can comfortably qualify for.
- Bonus value: Weigh the actual value of the bonus against the deposit needed.
- Platform experience: Choose a broker whose tools, support, and investments match your goals.
- Wait time: Some bonuses are instant, others take weeks or months to process.
Final Thoughts
There’s never been a better time to take advantage of brokerage account bonuses. Whether you’re looking to invest with just $50 or move a six-figure portfolio, 2025 is packed with rewarding offers from reputable brokers like Public, Robinhood, Moomoo, Schwab, and Merrill Edge.
From free stocks and cash rewards to high APY incentives and IRA matches, each of these brokerage account bonuses offers a unique way to grow your wealth—starting day one.
FAQs
What are brokerage account bonuses?
Brokerage account bonuses are rewards—like free stocks, cash, or high-yield interest—offered by online brokers to attract new customers. These usually require you to deposit or transfer a certain amount of money into a new account.
How do I qualify for a brokerage account bonus?
To qualify, you typically need to open a new brokerage account, deposit or transfer a minimum amount, and sometimes hold the funds for a set period (e.g., 90 days). Always read the bonus terms carefully.
Are brokerage account bonuses taxable?
Yes, most brokerage account bonuses are considered taxable income. Brokers usually report these bonuses to the IRS, and you’ll need to include them when filing your taxes.