Get up to $3,000 in Bonus Cash or Free Stock: The Best Brokerage Bonuses of August 2026
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You can pocket up to $3,000 in free stock, or up to $1,500 in cash, this month just for opening or moving a brokerage account. Most of these bonuses scale with your deposit, so the biggest numbers take an already large portfolio to unlock. The smallest ones ask for as little as $50.
I've spent 15+ years investing in index funds, and no bonus ever moved my net worth the way steady monthly contributions did. But if you're already opening an account this August, there's no reason to leave free money on the table.
My team at Motley Fool Money watches these promos year-round, and three brokers stood out this month. Here's who each one is best for.
1. SoFi Active Investing
Best for: Beginner investors looking for an all-in-one app experience.
SoFi® is the best home base if you want investing, banking, and loans under one login. SoFi Active Investing won our award for the Best Stock Broker for Beginners in 2026, largely because the app makes buying your first shares painless.
This is my pick for someone opening a first account who wants to keep things hassle-free. You can buy fractional shares by dollar amount, so even a small budget can get you invested the same day.
Right now SoFi® is offering up to $3,000 in stock when you fund a new account with at least $50 in the first 45 days. Terms apply. Fair warning, the probability of getting the highest bonus is small, so most people should expect a bonus in the $15 to $30 range.
2026 Award Winner
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= PoorThis brokerage is a clear standout for its well-rated mobile app and also has unique investment offerings like IPOs, options, and fractional shares.
$0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts
$0
Get up to $3,000 in stock when you fund a new account.
On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website.
2. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
Best for: Funding or moving a large balance
E*TRADE pays one of the biggest headline bonuses here, up to $1,500 in cash. Open a new brokerage account with promo code OFFER26, then fund it within 60 days.
The payout scales with your deposit, from a small credit around $1,000 up to the full $1,500 at $500,000 or more. That makes E*TRADE the play if you're rolling in a large lump sum, not testing the waters.
2026 Award Winner
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= PoorE*TRADE offers low fees and tons of account types. If you need it, chances are, E*TRADE has it. You can access advanced features through its popular Power E*TRADE platform. Open an E*TRADE account to trade fee-free mutual funds and do all your investing in one place.
Commission-free; other fees apply
$0
Open and fund a brokerage account and get up to $1,500. Terms apply.
On E*TRADE's Secure Website.
3. Charles Schwab
Best for: An easy $50 for just getting started
Schwab has one of the only bonuses you can unlock with pocket change. Deposit at least $50 into a new Schwab brokerage account and its Starter Kit adds $50 of free stock. That $50 arrives as stock, split across five large U.S. companies.
Schwab is also the name I trust most for long-term retirement money, and it won our 2026 award for the Best Stock Broker for IRA Investors. If you plan to open an IRA anyway, the Starter Kit is a free head start. Our Schwab promotions review covers a separate referral bonus up to $1,000 for larger transfers, too.
2026 Award Winner
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= PoorCharles Schwab pioneered the low-cost brokerage model decades ago, and that legacy continues with its lineup of no-commission-fee offerings. The robust lineup of account types, investment vehicles, and high quality app round out the stacked feature set.
$0 stock, ETF, and Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource® trades. No fees to buy fractional shares.
$0
On Charles Schwab's Secure Website.
Pick the broker you'd keep, not just the bonus
I used to be a bonus chaser. It's fun to get "free money" by opening accounts, moving money around, and taking advantage of limited-time offers.
But I eventually learned that I'd rather sit tight with a broker I love using long term, vs. earning a quick $200 and not enjoying the platform much.
A one-time bonus is a nice bump, but it never compounds. Over the long run, the S&P 500 has returned about 10% a year, according to Motley Fool research on the average stock market return. No sign-up offer keeps pace with that kind of compounding.
If you're brand new, SoFi® or Schwab get you invested today with almost no cash. See the best stock brokers of 2026 to compare every option, bonus or not.
FAQs
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You'll likely forfeit the bonus if you withdraw before the required holding period ends. Most brokers claw back the reward, and some charge an early-termination fee. Read your broker's specific terms before moving funds you're not ready to leave in place.
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No, there's no limit on how many brokerage accounts you can open. You can hold accounts at multiple firms at once, which is exactly how most bonus-chasers collect several offers. Just keep track of paperwork and tax forms, since each broker sends its own.
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Yes, brokerage bonuses count as taxable income. Cash bonuses typically show up on a 1099-INT or 1099-MISC, while stock bonuses are taxed based on their value when you receive them. You'll owe tax again on any gains when you eventually sell.
Our Research Expert
Joel O’Leary is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, mortgages, and other personal finance topics. Joel has been writing about personal finance since 2018, previously leading editorial content for the How To Money podcast and serving as a resident writer at Budgets Are Sexy. He bought his first rental property at age 18, funding the down payment with savings from his high school job at McDonald’s -- a testament to his lifelong passion for smart money decisions. His work aims to make personal finance accessible and actionable for everyday readers. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys surfing and spending time with his family.
Motley Fool Stock Disclosures
Charles Schwab is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Joel O'Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Charles Schwab and recommends the following options: short September 2026 $95 calls on Charles Schwab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.E*TRADE services are available just to U.S. residents.