Brokerage for DIY investors with ACAT bonuses and low fees

For a DIY investor balancing low trading fees ($0 commission on standard U.S. stocks and ETFs) with strong ACAT transfer incentives , a few top-tier brokerages stand out depending on whether you prefer a percentage-based asset match or a flat cash bonus.

Top Brokerage Contenders for Transfers & Low Fees

• Robinhood
  • ACAT/Transfer Bonus: Offers an ongoing/recurring transfer match program (such as their periodic 1% to 3% match on incoming ACATS transfers and IRA rollovers/transfers). Note that higher tiers often require Robinhood Gold membership or holding the assets in the account for up to 5 years to avoid a clawback. They also reimburse old-firm transfer fees up to $75 for transfers meeting a minimum threshold (typically $7,500+).
  • Trading Fees: $0 online commissions for stocks, ETFs, and options [5.2].[robinhood.com](https://robinhood.com/us/en/campaign/hoodmonth/)[[2](https://www.finder.com/investments/robinhood-bonus)](https://www.finder.com/investments/robinhood-bonus)[[3](https://sailgp.com/prediction-markets/robinhood/transfer-bonus)](https://sailgp.com/prediction-markets/robinhood/transfer-bonus)
• E*TRADE (from Morgan Stanley)
  • ACAT/Transfer Bonus: Known for tier-based major cash promos scaling up to a $10,000 cash bonus for massive account transfers and large deposits.
  • Trading Fees: $0 for online stock and ETF trades, with low options contract pricing ($0.65 or $0.50 for active traders).[robinhood.com](https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-brokerage-account-bonuses/)[[2](https://www.finder.com/investments/robinhood-bonus)](https://www.nerdwallet.com/investing/best/brokerage-account-promotions-and-bonuses)
• Firstrade
  • ACAT/Transfer Bonus: Offers an ACATS transfer fee rebate up to $250 for qualifying incoming asset transfers of $2,500 or more.
  • Trading Fees: $0 online stock, mutual fund, and ETF trades.[robinhood.com](https://www.firstrade.com/accounts/acat-transfer)
• Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
  • ACAT/Transfer Bonus: Rarely runs traditional flashy cash bonuses or asset percentage matches, but represents the gold standard for ultra-low margin rates and execution pricing.
  • Trading Fees: Effectively $0 on US stocks/ETFs via their IBKR Lite tier, or exceptionally low wholesale pricing via IBKR Pro.

Summary Strategy

• If you are moving a very large portfolio and want flat cash in hand, E*TRADE routinely commands the highest ceiling for straight cash tier bonuses.[robinhood.com](https://www.nerdwallet.com/investing/best/brokerage-account-promotions-and-bonuses)[[2](https://www.finder.com/investments/robinhood-bonus)](https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-brokerage-account-bonuses/)
• If you want an ongoing percentage match on your transferred portfolio value (and plan to keep the assets parked there long-term), Robinhood's match structure is uniquely aggressive.[robinhood.com](https://sailgp.com/prediction-markets/robinhood/transfer-bonus)[[2](https://www.finder.com/investments/-bonus)]()

If you can share the approximate balance of the accounts you are planning to transfer and whether they are taxable or retirement (IRA) accounts, I can help calculate which of these promotions yields the highest net payout for your specific situation.

If you're a DIY investor switching brokers, I'd compare ACAT transfer bonuses, ongoing trading costs, and the fine print on transfer incentives together. A large cash bonus can look attractive, but low commissions, no account fees, and reimbursement of your outgoing broker's transfer fee can be worth more over time.

For a U.S. investor, I'd start with major self-directed brokers that offer commission-free online stock and ETF trades, then check which currently have the best funding or transfer promotions.

The key distinction: ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service) is the standard system for moving eligible investments between brokerage firms without selling them first. Some brokers advertise bonuses specifically for incoming transfers; others reward new assets more generally.

Best places to check right now

U.S. self-directed brokerage accounts · Offers checked October 14, 2026

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1. Public.com

(Best uncapped transfer match)

Public's current offer is a 1% match on eligible incoming brokerage and retirement transfers, paid in monthly installments over five years. The offer has no stated dollar cap, so it may be especially compelling for a large portfolio.help.public.com+1

• Trading: $0 stock and ETF commissions.
• Transfer fees: The offer's terms should be checked for reimbursement and account-specific eligibility.
• Main catch: The match isn't paid upfront; you receive it over 60 months.

Official transfer promotion and terms ·Broker website

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2. Robinhood

(Best short-window match to investigate)

Robinhood has advertised a personalized 1%, 2%, or 3% ACATS match on eligible incoming taxable brokerage assets, with no stated dollar cap. However, the offer I verified runs only through October 16, 2026, at 8:59:59 p.m. ET. Check your own eligibility before initiating a transfer.robinhood.com+1

• Trading: $0 online stock and ETF commissions.
• Transfer fees: Reimbursement up to $75 for eligible transfers of $7,500 or more.
• Main catch: A five-year earn-out/chargeback provision applies; withdrawals can trigger repayment of some of the bonus.

Official ACATS promotion terms ·Broker website

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3. E*TRADE

(Best large-deposit cash offer)

E*TRADE advertises a tiered cash bonus of up to $10,000 for qualifying new deposits, including eligible securities transfers. The current offer requires funding within 60 days of opening and uses promo code OFFER26.us.etrade.com+1

• Trading: $0 online U.S.-listed stock, ETF, and option commissions; options contract fees still apply.
• Bonus tiers: $50 for $1,000–$4,999; $300 for $20,000–$99,999; $1,500 for $500,000–$999,999; $10,000 for $5 million or more.
• Main catch: The offer is for eligible new, non-retirement brokerage accounts, with funding by October 31, 2026, and a 12-month asset-retention requirement.

Official promotion and full tiers ·Commissions and fees

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4. Interactive Brokers

(Best for cost-conscious active traders)

IBKR is worth a close look if your priority is execution tools, international markets, and low trading costs rather than a huge transfer bonus.

• Trading: IBKR Lite offers $0 commissions on eligible U.S. stock and ETF trades; IBKR Pro uses tiered or fixed pricing, which can be attractive for active traders.
• Transfer costs: The IMPACT product page lists ACATS position transfers as free; check the specific account's terms.
• Main catch: IBKR Pro fees and exchange or regulatory charges differ from Lite, and its platforms are more complex.

Official stock commission schedule ·IMPACT pricing and transfer fees

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5. Fidelity Investments

Best baseline for long-term DIY investing. Fidelity offers $0 online U.S. stock and ETF trades, no account minimum to open a brokerage account, and a straightforward in-kind transfer process. I didn't verify a comparable current public ACAT bonus, so I'd compare it on ongoing costs and service rather than assume a promotion exists.www.fidelity.com+1

Official transfer guide ·Official commissions and fees

Which promotion is actually worth the most?

The size of your portfolio changes the answer. Here's what the headline percentages translate to before taxes, holding restrictions, and payment timing.

These are illustrative calculations, not guaranteed payouts. Robinhood's match rate is personalized, and Public pays its 1% match over five years rather than upfront. E*TRADE uses fixed bonus tiers instead.

My recommendation by investor type

• Moving $10,000–$50,000: Compare Public's 1% offer with any personalized Robinhood offer you're eligible for. Consider how long you're willing to leave the money in place.
• Moving $50,000–$500,000: Compare Public's percentage match against E*TRADE's fixed cash tiers. A fixed bonus can be competitive, particularly at the higher tiers.
• Trading frequently: Put Interactive Brokers on your shortlist, especially if you trade internationally or use advanced order types.
• Mostly buying and holding ETFs: Fidelity is a useful benchmark for a long-term, low-maintenance brokerage account.

Before you initiate an ACATS transfer

1. Check the deadline first. Robinhood's verified promotion has a short remaining window; E*TRADE's current offer expires October 31, 2026.
2. Check transfer eligibility. Some offers exclude IRAs, managed accounts, certain assets, or existing customers.
3. Review the holding period. A bonus that requires five years of retention may be less valuable if you anticipate moving again.
4. Confirm that your holdings can transfer in kind. Fractional shares, proprietary mutual funds, and other unsupported investments may need to be liquidated.
5. Compare the full fee schedule. Options contracts, margin interest, foreign exchange, mutual fund transaction fees, and trading execution can matter more than stock commissions alone.

One final point: a transfer between taxable brokerage accounts generally doesn't itself trigger capital gains if the securities move in kind, but selling holdings to complete a transfer can. Confirm the details with the receiving broker before starting.

Let me narrow this down to the best deal for you

The most useful next step is to compare the actual incentives against your portfolio size and trading style.

Approximate portfolio value to transfer

Under $25,000

$25,000–$99,999

$100,000–$249,999

$250,000–$499,999

$500,000 or more

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Account type

Taxable brokerage

Traditional or Roth IRA

Both

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Trading style

Buy-and-hold ETFs

Individual stocks

Options trading

Active or international trading

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What matters most?

Largest transfer bonus

Lowest long-term trading costs

Best balance of bonus and fees

Current broker (optional)

[Input placeholder: e.g. Schwab, Vanguard, Merrill] (Current value unavailable.)

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