Bonuses with no or low minimum deposit
Updated October 16, 2026 · Offer data last verified 2026-10-16 · Not financial or tax advice.
Most of the largest bonuses need five- or six-figure deposits. If you're starting small, the best opportunities are the offers with low minimums and decent annualized returns. Here's an honest look at what our data shows right now.
Does any brokerage bonus have no minimum?
Not among the investing offers we currently track. The lowest qualifying deposit for a live brokerage, IRA or robo offer is $500 (Moomoo). Promos that advertise "no minimum" usually mean the account has no minimum, but the bonus still needs a qualifying deposit. Read the bonus terms, not the account features.
Investing bonuses with a minimum of $2,500 or less
| Offer | Max bonus | Min deposit | Hold | Best yield | Ends | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Moomoo | $1,000 | $500 | 180d | 36.50% | 2026-10-31 | official terms ↗ |
 CIT Bank / First Citizens Self-Directed Investing | $750 | $1,000 | 60d | 15.21% | No end date listed | official terms ↗ |
 E*TRADE | $10,000 | $1,000 | 365d | 5.00% | 2026-10-31 | official terms ↗ |
 Betterment | $2,000 | $1,000 | 1095d | 3.33% | 2026-11-30 | official terms ↗ |
 tastytrade | $2,000 | $2,500 | 365d | 2.00% | No end date listed | official terms ↗ |
Low minimums often go with longer holds or smaller bonuses. Look at the annualized column, not just the minimum. A small bonus with a short hold can beat a bigger one locked up for a year.
IRA contribution matches: small deposits by design
Contribution matches are tied to the IRS annual limit, so you never need more than one year's contribution. The figures in our data assume the maximum, but the match is a percentage, so a smaller contribution earns a proportionally smaller match. See best IRA bonuses.
Bank bonuses with no direct-deposit requirement
A few checking offers don't require a direct deposit at all. They use other activity instead, such as debit card spending:
| Offer | Max bonus | Ends | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
 Percapita Cash Account | $300 | 2026-12-31 | official terms ↗ |
 Citizens Quest / One Deposit Checking | $1,200 | No end date listed | official terms ↗ |
- Percapita Cash Account: No DD: $25/month for 12 months when you spend $300+/month on debit card. First 7,000 customers; open by 12/31/26.
- Citizens Quest / One Deposit Checking: $50/mo (One Deposit) or $100/mo (Quest/Private Client) for 12 months with qualifying activity. Stacks with Citizens savings bonus.
Tips for small balances
- Watch fees. A monthly account fee can wipe out a small bonus. Make sure you can meet the waiver conditions.
- Check the funding window. Low-minimum promos often need the deposit within 30 to 60 days of opening.
- Don't stretch. Don't move emergency savings into an account you can't touch for the hold period.
- Stack sensibly. With a few thousand dollars you can often do one low-minimum brokerage offer and one bank offer at the same time.
Use the calculator with your real amount to see which combination pays the most.
FAQ
Are there brokerage bonuses with no minimum deposit?
Not among the offers we currently track. The lowest qualifying deposit is $500. "No minimum" usually refers to the account, not the bonus.
What is the easiest bonus to get with little money?
Look for low minimums combined with short holds and a high annualized return in the table above. Bank offers without direct-deposit requirements are another option.
Do small bonuses still count as taxable income?
Generally yes, even if you don't get a tax form because of reporting thresholds. This is general information, not tax advice.
Can I combine several small bonuses?
Yes. Offers at different institutions are independent, as long as you meet each one's requirements.
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