Robinhood is the simplest choice for a U.S. resident who wants a free brokerage bonus without making a large deposit. Eligible new customers can receive between $5 and $200 in fractional stock, although Robinhood says approximately 99% of customers receive $5. You must be approved for an individual taxable brokerage account and link a bank account or debit card.
If you plan to deposit money, moomoo's 2026 U.S. welcome offer provides up to $1,000 in NVDA fractional stock for a qualifying $100,000 deposit.
Best Trading Platforms With Free Bonuses
| Platform | Advertised bonus | Main requirement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | $5 to $200 in fractional stock | Open a new taxable account and link a bank account or debit card | A small bonus without a large deposit |
| moomoo | $30 to $1,000 in NVDA stock | Deposit at least $500, with higher rewards for larger deposits | A large deposit-based stock bonus |
| SoFi Invest | Up to $1,000 in stock, or up to $2,000 with SoFi Plus | Open and fund a new Invest account; terms and award amounts vary | Investors who already use SoFi |
| Webull | Promotional free-stock rewards may be available | Requirements vary by promotion and referral link | Users who find an active in-app offer |
Robinhood Works Best for a Small Sign-Up Bonus
Robinhood does not advertise a required minimum cash deposit for its new-customer offer. Eligible customers receive a reward worth between $5 and $200 and can use it to select whole or fractional shares from Robinhood's available stock list. Robinhood says approximately 99% of customers receive a $5 reward.
The main conditions are:
- You must be a new Robinhood customer.
- The account must be an individual taxable brokerage account.
- You must link a bank account or debit card.
- The reward generally becomes available after account approval and qualification.
- You can sell the reward after three trading days.
- The cash value generally cannot be withdrawn for 30 days after you claim it.
- The reward may be reported for tax purposes where required.
Robinhood is the better fit if you want a small stock reward without transferring hundreds or thousands of dollars.
moomoo Offers the Largest Deposit Bonus
moomoo's 2026 U.S. welcome offer pays free NVDA fractional stock based on your qualifying net deposit:
| Qualifying net deposit | Advertised stock reward |
|---|---|
| $500 | $30 |
| $2,000 | $100 |
| $10,000 | $200 |
| $50,000 | $400 |
| $100,000 | $1,000 |
The offer runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, subject to eligibility and the platform's terms. It is available to qualifying U.S. residents who have not previously made a deposit or ACATS transfer under the applicable promotion.
The stock reward is not immediately unrestricted. moomoo requires customers to maintain specified asset levels for periods ranging from 60 to 180 days, depending on the reward tier. The $30 reward, for example, requires at least $500 in average assets for 60 days. The $1,000 reward has longer holding requirements.
moomoo makes more sense than Robinhood if you already plan to deposit at least $500. It is less suitable if you are opening an account only for a small sign-up reward.
SoFi Invest May Offer a Larger Headline Reward
SoFi Invest lists an ongoing new-account promotion offering up to $1,000 in stock, or up to $2,000 for eligible SoFi Plus customers. The actual reward, funding requirement and eligibility rules depend on the offer attached to the account. SoFi Plus is a paid membership, so the larger reward should be weighed against the subscription cost.
SoFi may suit investors who already use SoFi for banking, direct deposit or other financial products. Someone opening an account only for a simple brokerage reward may find Robinhood easier to use.
What a "Free Bonus" Usually Means
A trading-platform bonus is usually fractional stock, not withdrawable cash. The offer may also require:
- A new account
- Identity verification
- A minimum deposit
- A minimum holding period
- A referral link or promotional code
- A minimum account balance
- Claiming the reward before it expires
The reward can create a tax-reporting obligation. Robinhood states that the value of certain offers may appear on applicable tax forms. moomoo says promotional rewards may be reported as other income on Form 1099-MISC where required.
Final Recommendation
- Want a bonus without a large deposit? Choose Robinhood.
- Depositing at least $500? Compare moomoo, which advertises $30 at that tier.
- Depositing $100,000? moomoo advertises up to $1,000 in NVDA stock, but the offer includes holding requirements.
- Already use SoFi? Check the current SoFi Invest offer before opening an account, particularly if you have or want SoFi Plus.
A bonus should not be the only reason to choose a brokerage. Review trading fees, available investments, account protection, withdrawal restrictions and any requirement to keep your money invested.