How to Get Free Stocks for Signing Up: 15 Apps That Give Users Free Shares
When first getting started in investing, it’s easy to feel a little bit in over your head. After all, there are a lot of decisions to make and a lot of services to pick from. How could you know which one is best right out of the gate?
However, learning to invest in stocks can help you reach your goal to attain financial independence later better than most other methods. There are many services online that allow you to trade in stocks. But did you know that several offer free stocks for signing up? Yes, you can get stocks for free just by selecting a particular service or app.
Today, we will be focusing on how to get free stocks with no deposit and very minimal effort on your part. We will be discussing a variety of investing and trading apps and services that make it easy to both invest toward long-term goals as well as make a quick profit here and there. We’ll go over the features of each service as well as discuss these specific promotions for free stocks each offer.
How to Get Free Stocks for Signing Up?
When you initially hear that you can get free stocks for signing up for an investment service or app, you might roll your eyes. After all, it’s not very often you can get something for free. Or at least not without a catch.
But in recent years, many brokerages have opened online that offer trading services in smaller amounts. And as a part of attracting new investors, these brokerages offer a free bonus for signing up for their service. Oftentimes, this bonus comes in the form of free stocks or free trades.
Some services offer additional free features like analytics, research, and stock charting. All of those features may be more relevant to you as you become a more experienced investor.
If you want to get started, there are a few things you need to know. You can get free stocks by signing up for a new account with a variety of discount brokerages. But be warned: some services require that you make a minimum deposit or make a trade first before you get access to those freebies.
Before signing up or making any trades on these services, be sure to read the terms and conditions before diving in. Make sure that the free stock offer is truly free. Also, make sure there aren’t a bunch of conditions tied to selling your free stock.
With those caveats out of the way now we can get into the list of services we’ve compiled that make it easy to get free stocks and other sign-up bonuses just for creating a new account with them. Here’s a quick breakdown of the apps/services we will be discussing here today, who their target demographic is, any fees associated with their service, and – the part you’re most interested in – what sign-up promotions they offer.
This post may contain affiliate links. You can read the full disclosure here.
| App Suggested | Best For | Fees | Special Offers |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNest | Parents wanting to create custodial accounts | Subscription fee between $3-$6/month | $10 (as of 3/22) |
| M1 Finance | Hands-off/new investors | Commission-free | $30 for depositing $1,000 into your account |
| Acorns | Ideal for young investors | Subscription fee between $3-$5/month | $10 for signing up for a new account |
| Public | Ideal for young investors | No subscription fees | Between $3 to $300 of a slice of stock when you sign-up |
| SoFi | Those wanted automated investing solutions. | Commission-free | Ranges between $5 and $1,000 |
| Stash | New investors looking for an all-in-one financial platform | Subscription fee between $3 - $9 month | At least $5 if you deposit $5 to start |
| DiversyFund | Commercial real estate investors | None | $50 Amazon gift card |
| Webull | Those with some investing knowledge | Commission-free | Five shares of stock — valued between $27 and $9,600 |
| Robinhood | Those interested in basic stock investing | Commission-free | Free stock that’s valued between $2.50 and $225 |
| Groundfloor | Short-term real estate investors | None | $10 after depositing $10 of your own |
| Firstrade | Mutual fund investors | Commission-free | $25- $600 signup bonus after depositing money (starts at $5,000); 1 free stock for referring a friend; 1 free stock for signing up (as of March 2022); 1 free stock for depositing $100 (as of March 2022). |
| E*TRADE | Basic stock and options traders | Commission-free | A $25-$2,500 cash bonus when you deposit funds starting at $5,000 |
| Tornado | Those interested in community-based investing | Subscription fee between $4.99-$4.50/month | $10-$1,000 for signing up and depositing at least $10 into your account; up to $50 for participating in the Learn and Earn feature |
| Coinbase | Crypto investors | Commission vary | $5 for signing up; $20 for learning about cryptocurrencies |
| MyConstant | Investors who want higher-yield investments | Fee-free loan funding | $7 worth of accrued interest after depositing $50; $15 credit after depositing $1,000 or more. |
1. UNest
Signup bonus: $10 (as of 3/2022)
Availability: Apple iOS and Android
First on our list is UNest, a savings account that accrues interest over time. It’s designed for parents to automatically save money for their children’s college education. However, even if your child does not attend college, the funds can still be used to purchase a car or even a first home.
It works by allowing parents to invest in their kids’ names through what’s called a custodial account. The standard procedure is to connect your bank account to the app and then set it to invest $25 per month automatically. If an account is started when a child is a baby, the funds could easily be cashed out to use to pay for college.
The company occasionally has a bonus where new members receive a matching credit upon signing up. For instance, the company most recently offered a matching account credit of $25 if you opened and funded an account with at least $25 of your own.
Currently, UNest encourages users to join a crypto waitlist and in exchange receive a $10 credit in their account. Doing this will automatically enter users into weekly Ethereum giveaways in the future.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
Sign up for a UNest account and opt-in on the crypto waitlist. You’ll receive a $10 credit in your UNest account + entry in future Ethereum giveaways.
2. M1 Finance
Signup bonus: $30 for depositing $1,000 into your account
Availability: Desktop, Apple iOS, and Android
Another option is M1 Finance, which offers a wide range of automated investing options. It provides access to stock trading tools that are suited to beginner investors. Plus it has a bonus currently available. You can receive $30 in credit when you deposit at least $1,000 into your account.
With this service, you can pick and choose which stocks and index funds you’d like to invest in and add to your portfolio. You also have the option to choose from over 80 different expert portfolios.
You can buy fractional shares too, making it easier to invest in higher-priced stocks.
To get started, all you need to do is deposit money, pick your stocks, and the rest will run on autopilot as per your instructions.
Getting started with M1 Finance is free and you can access the service from your desktop or your iPhone or Android mobile apps.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
To receive an extra $30 to invest according to your preferences, all you need to do is sign up for an account with M1 Finance and then deposit at least $1,000.
3. Acorns
Signup bonus: $10 for signing up for a new account.
Availability: Desktop, Android, and Apple iOS
Acorns is best described as a micro-investing app designed for building portfolios for kids and teenagers. It works by taking the spare change rounded up to the next dollar from your purchases and investing that into a professionally created portfolio.
The stocks included in your portfolio will have been selected by experts and are adjusted over time to best suit your goals.
By investing these small, rounded-up amounts, Acorns takes the decision-making out of the investment process and turns it into an automatic endeavor. And over time, teens and young adults will find themselves with a healthy portfolio to lead them into adulthood. You can even configure the app to invest a portion of each paycheck into your portfolio.
The service costs $3-5 a month to start and can even be used alongside an IRA account called Acorns Invest.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
To get the $10 bonus from Acorns, all you have to do is sign up for a new account. That’s it. Once the signup process is complete, Acorns will deposit $10 into your account, and then it will be invested along with any money you add according to your account preferences.
4. Public
Signup bonus: Between $3 to $300 of a slice of stock when you sign-up
Availability: Desktop, Apple iOS, and Android
Public.com is another investing app worth considering. What sets the service apart is that it allows users to invest in stock from companies that match their ideologies. The app also has no subscription fees on its platform, as well as basically no fees at all.
It relies on fractional investing to allow people without a lot of money to buy portions of shares of stock. The investment app also guides how to make the most of your investments and build a portfolio that will serve you over time.
Public.com also provides investment opportunities into ETFs and crypto, not just your standard stocks.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
To receive this bonus, all you have to do is signup for a new account, open an approved brokerage amount, and deposit some money to get started.
When that is done, you qualify to receive a free slice of stock that can be valued between $3 to $300. The amount received for each sign-up is random and only new users can avail of this offer.
You can learn more here.
Not investment advice. This is a paid endorsement. Securities trading offered by Open to the Public Investing, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Cryptocurrency trading offered by Apex Crypto LLC. Mark up on crypto applies. Free stock offer for new customers only. New customers receive free stock with value $3-300; 0.3% receive the max value.Full terms and conditions at www.public.com/disclosures. Investing involves risk.
5. SoFi
Signup bonus: Ranges between $5 and $1,000.
Availability: Desktop, Google Play, Apple iOS, and Android.
Or perhaps SoFi Invest is more your speed? This app is designed to make it easy to track your investments and trade money quickly and easily. It’s a part of the larger SoFi financial platform and allows you to trade for free on stocks, ETFs, and crypto. It also allows you to invest in IPOs.
With this service, you can select the specific stocks you’d like to trade-in or take a more hands-off approach and use their provided automated investing service. And since the service is integrated with the larger SoFi platform, you can easily participate in other financial service products like money management, credit cards, and even student loans.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
To get this bonus, all you need to do is open a wealth account and deposit at least $100. You will then receive a sign-up bonus that ranges between $5 and $1,000.
6. Stash
Signup bonus: At least $5 if you deposit $5 to start
Availability: Desktop, Google Play, and Apple iOS
Another clear favorite investment platform for beginners is Stash. This app provides both a checking account and an investment platform to help beginners get acquainted with the process.
It caters specifically to those who are looking for an automated experience. It works by investing the amount of money you would like to invest each month into stocks on your behalf automatically.
If you opt to sign up for a banking account, you’ll find no hidden fees, no minimum balance requirement,1 and no ATM fees for in-network ATMs.2 Using the provided debit card at popular stores also allows you to earn Stock-Back® Rewards.3
Plus, you can securely invest in cryptocurrency automatically through Stash’s Smart Portfolio, as well.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
After signing up and depositing at least $5 into your account, Stash will deposit a $5 signup bonus into your account as well.
Paid client testimonial. Not representative of all clients and not a guarantee. View important disclosures. Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value.
Bank Account Services provided by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC. Stash banking account opening is subject to identity verification by Green Dot Bank. Investment products and services provided by Stash Investments LLC, not Green Dot Bank, and are Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, and May Lose Value.
Crypto is relatively new and can be volatile. Investments are Delaware Statutory Trusts and offer indirect exposure to Crypto. “Secure” pertains to the fund structure. Stash has full authority to manage a “Smart Portfolio,” a discretionary managed account.
1 Other fees apply to the bank account. Please see the Deposit Account Agreement for details. If applicable, your Stash banking account is a funding account for purposes of the Advisory Agreement. Your Stash subscription fee may be deducted from your Stash banking account balance.
2 Fee-free ATM access applied to in-network ATMs only. For out-of-network ATMs and bank tellers a $2.50 fee will apply, plus any additional fee that the ATM owner or bank may charge.
3 All rewards earned through use of the Stash Visa Debit card (Stock-Back® Card) will be fulfilled by Stash Investments LLC. Rewards will go to your Stash personal investment account, which is not FDIC insured. You will bear the standard fees and expenses reflected in the pricing of the investments that you earn, plus fees for various ancillary services charged by Stash. Stash Stock-Back® Rewards is not sponsored or endorsed by Green Dot Bank, Green Dot Corporation, Visa U.S.A., or any of their respective affiliates. If publicly-traded stock of the merchant (or a subsidiary thereof, if applicable) is not available or otherwise capable of being fulfilled for any reason, the stock reward arising from a qualifying transaction will be in an ETF or a publicly traded company available on the Stash Platform. A user will receive shares of the ETF or publicly traded company that is designated as their Default Investment at the time the qualifying purchase posts to the user’s Stash Banking account.
7. DiversyFund
Signup bonus: $50 Amazon gift card
Availability: Desktop, Android, Apple iOS
DiversyFund is another option for building a portfolio and netting a freebie while you do it. It’s not structured like a typical investment platform, however. DiversyFund instead allows investors to buy “multi-family projects“
The idea is that you can build a more diversified portfolio that includes investments outside of the stock market to create a more stable and reliable future for yourself. This platform lets you invest in private market real estate that you can hold for an extended time. You will invest in a part of a multi-family property and that money is then used to renovate the said property and improve its market value.
After an extended period, of approximately five years, DiversyFund then sells the property and you receive a cash payout. You can then reinvest this money or take the cash.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
This platform does offer a bonus to encourage you to give it a try. After setting up a new account and making your first purchase, you will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. However, to qualify for the bonus, you do need to make an initial investment of at least $500.
8. Webull
Signup bonus: Five shares of stock — valued between $27 and $9,600
Availability: Desktop, Apple iOS, Android
Another great option for getting free stocks when signing up for an investment service is Webull. Though a newer service in the online brokerage niche, this company provides a way to trade stocks for free as well as allows you to dabble in cryptocurrency and ETFs.
The service provides a variety of reporting and analytics tools so you can make better decisions about your investments in the future. And with the commission-free trading setup, you can also gain access to market data from NASDAQ for just $2 a month.
Webull is also attractive to beginners because it has no deposit minimums and you don’t have to maintain a certain account balance to keep your account open. Other features include extended trading hours and a full online support system.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
You can get five free shares of a stock when you sign up for Webull. The only catch is that you have to deposit at least $5 into your account after signing up. And what’s interesting, is these five free shares can be worth up to $9,600.
9. Robinhood
Signup bonus: Free stock that’s valued between $2.50 and $225
Availability: Desktop, Android, Apple iOS
Another popular choice is Robinhood. This platform provides commission-free trading, an index fund, as well as stock and option information. You can also use the service to invest in crypto without having to pay any commission fees. The platform trades on ETH, LTC, DOGE, and more. And you only need $1 to get started.
It’s the platform that has set the standard for commission-free trading. The app provides a straightforward way to get started with investing. There are no fees to open a new account and there’s no minimum balance requirement, opening it up for a wider range of customers.
And another service Robinhood provides is Cash Management, which is something adjacent to a savings account with a higher interest rate. Additionally, the service offers a cash card that you can use as a debit card with the added benefit of weekly rewards.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
Robinhood offers a chance at getting a high dollar value stock when you sign up. It’s provided basically through an online game where you have to pick a card and whichever card you pick reveals the stock you get for free. The free stock provided here ranges in value between $2.50 and $225.
10. Groundfloor
Signup bonus: $10 after depositing $10 of your own
Availability: Desktop only
Still another option is Groundfloor. Now, it is important to note that Groundfloor operates a little bit differently than some of the other investment services we’ve discussed here so far, but strikes a lot of similarities with DiversyFund. It’s a real estate investing platform and is crowdsourced.
The idea behind this platform is that the company buys properties that could be considered fixer-uppers. They then conduct a series of upgrades and maintenance projects to boost the property’s value. After a time, Groundfloor will sell the property and then pay out those who invested in it on their platform.
The company provides financing for residential real estate loans and then pays those who invest in the property interest on their investment. You will receive a predetermined amount of interest on the money you invest plus the principle will be paid back as well. Loans here are more short-term than what DiversyFund offers and span from a typical 6 to 12-month term or an extended 18-month term.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
When you sign up for Groundfloor and make your first investment, you will receive a $10 bonus. As far as specific steps you need to take, simply sign up, connect your bank account, and add at least $10 to your account. A matching $10 will then be credited to your account once your deposit is approved.
11. Firstrade
Signup bonus: $25- $600 signup bonus after depositing money (starts at $5,000); 1 free stock for referring a friend; 1 free stock for signing up (as of March 2022); 1 free stock for depositing $100 (as of March 2022).
Availability: Desktop, Android, Google Play, Apple iOS
Another investing platform that may be of interest is Firstrade, which offers a range of bonuses just for signing up and depositing some cash. This platform provides a wide variety of investment products and tools that can help you build a portfolio that will stand the test of time.
A quick review of the platform indicates that the user interface is easy to navigate and the provided apps are feature-rich without being daunting.
With first trade, you can make over 11,000 investments including stocks and bonds, as well as index funds, mutual funds, and ETFs. They even provide savings accounts and investment accounts for retirement like a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, and more.
It’s an all-around great solution for beginners and experienced investors. And their website has a pretty robust education center so if you’re brand-new to investing, this is a good place to learn.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
Firstrade offers a couple of different bonuses when you sign up for their services. First of all, you can get a sign-up bonus by creating a new account and depositing funds into that account. The bonus amount ranges from $25-$600 depending on how much you deposit. However, the amount you must invest to get a bonus at all is pretty steep, starting at $5,000.
You can get free stocks from Firstrade as well when you refer people you know to the platform. Should someone take you up on the referral, both of you and they will receive a free stock. The free stock you receive ranges in value from $3 to $200. As of this writing (March 2022), however, you can receive 1 free stock just by opening a new account and another free stock by depositing $100 or more into your account within your first 30 days of signing up.
12. E*TRADE
Signup bonus: A $25-$2,500 cash bonus when you deposit funds starting at $5,000.
Availability: Desktop, Android, Google Play, and Apple iOS
If you’re looking for a tried and true option, E*TRADE is it. On this platform, you can invest in a variety of ways including in stock futures, stocks and bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and more.
What sets this platform apart, however, is the vast array of educational materials it provides. You can learn all about the different types of accounts you can hold, the types of portfolios, your investment choices, how trading works, and gain access to advanced training resources including analytics.
They even have a new investing guide that walks you through the process of making your first investment from start to finish.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
When you sign up for E*TRADE, you only need to deposit funds to receive a bonus. Cash bonuses range from $25-$2,500 and start when you transfer or deposit at least $5,000 into your account. You won’t receive the higher end of the bonus unless you deposit $1 million – making this way out of reach for most people.
13. Tornado
Signup bonus: $10-$1,000 for signing up and depositing at least $10 into your account; up to $50 for participating in the Learn and Earn feature
Availability: Desktop, Google Play, Apple iOS
Formerly called Nvstr, Tornado is another investing platform that makes it easy to get started. The service prioritizes community and allows users to collaborate and interact with one another to learn and grow.
There are no deposit minimums on this platform and it utilizes a variety of tools that encourage you to learn about investing and building a portfolio. It also provides a portfolio optimizer tool that allows you to filter stocks you’re interested in by your goals or personal interests, choose stocks or ETFs, and optimize allocations with a single click.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
Tornado currently offers a sign-up bonus ranging between $10 and $1,000 when you activate a new brokerage account. You also must connect your bank account to the service and deposit at least $10 to qualify. They also offer another bonus based on your willingness to learn about investing. With their Learn and Earn service, you are rewarded with money to invest each time you “level up your skills.“ You can earn up to $50 to invest this way.
14. Coinbase
Signup bonus: $5 for signing up; $20 for learning about cryptocurrencies
Availability: Desktop, Android, Apple iOS
If crypto is what you’re interested in, Coinbase offers an ideal platform to get started with investing in it. This platform makes it easy to buy, sell, and trade in bitcoin with all the security and ease you would expect from any financial management tool.
The platform also offers a Coinbase Visa debit card that you can use like you would any other debit card.
The only real drawback here is that Coinbase does charge a trading commission fee. They range based on volume, however, and typically span from $.99 to $2.99.
Over time, Coinbase has expanded outside the realm of just bitcoin and allows you to invest in other cryptocurrencies including Ethereum, Tether, and Kryll.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
Getting a bonus from Coinbase is easy: simply open a new account and you’ll receive $5 in bitcoin immediately. You don’t have to make a deposit to receive it. You can receive an additional $20 worth of bitcoin by learning about new cryptocurrencies.
15. MyConstant
Signup bonus: $7 worth of accrued interest after depositing $50; $15 credit after depositing $1,000 or more.
Availability: Desktop, Android, Google Play, Apple iOS
MyConstant is unlike any other service listed here so far. It offers an entirely different way to earn interest income by serving as a peer-to-peer lending platform. He provides secured lending and savings accounts with high-interest rates for those interested.
The peer-to-peer loans come with a yield of 6% or more. All loans on this platform are backed by collateral, making them much more secure and providing you with greater peace of mind about your invested money. Though this platform is not FDIC-insured, it is an interesting alternative to more traditional investment platforms.
How Do I Get the Bonus?
To receive a bonus from MyConstant, simply create a new account and deposit $50. The company will then deposit $4,000 in your account for 15 days. At the end of that timeframe, they will take that money back and you get to keep the interest accrued on the amount during that time. This roughly works out to about $7. If you deposit over $1,000, you will receive $15.
FAQs
How to get free stocks?
You can get free stocks in a variety of ways. The services discussed above all offer free stocks, cash credits, or some other types of bonuses for signing up or completing simple activities. Most often, you can get free stocks by creating a new account with an applicable investment platform. Sometimes you will need to deposit a predetermined cash amount to qualify for the bonus.
What does free float mean in stocks?
Free float is also referred to as a public float. It is a term used for the number of shares a company has that are allowed to be publicly traded at any given time and are not restricted. Free float shares are those that can be publicly traded in the secondary market, i.e. investment platforms like those discussed here.
How to get free stocks on Robinhood?
You can get a free stock by signing up for a new account with Robinhood and participating in a game where you pick a card to reveal the value of the stock you will receive. The value ranges from $2.50 to $225.
How to get a free stock on Webull?
After signing up for a new account, simply deposit at least $5. You will receive five shares of stock, which can be collectively worth between $27 and $9,600.
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