Acorns vs Interactive Brokers Referral Bonus (2026)
A detailed comparison of Acorns ($5–$50 per referral) and Interactive Brokers ($200 per referral) in the Investing category.
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Verdict: Interactive Brokers Edges Ahead
Both Acorns and Interactive Brokers offer competitive referral programs. Interactive Brokers edges ahead with a 4.2-star rating.
Acorns vs Interactive Brokers: Referral Bonus Decision Card
Before you decide which referral link to share, check the variables that determine whether the bonus actually lands: how much you earn, what your friend earns, what they have to do to qualify, when the reward posts, and where the offer is available. Anything the provider has not confirmed is marked rather than estimated.
Acorns referral bonus at a glance
- You earn per referral
- $5–$50
- Your friend earns
- $5–$20
- Qualifying action
- Must open a new Acorns account using your link and make a first investment of $5 or more (a one-time investment or via Round-Ups) within the promotion's qualifying window.
- Payout timing
- Not confirmed — verify current terms
- Where it's available
- Not confirmed — verify current terms
- Referral cap
- unlimited
- Max earnings
- unlimited
- Last verified
- Jun 2, 2026
Interactive Brokers referral bonus at a glance
- You earn per referral
- $200
- Your friend earns
- Up to $1,000 in IBKR stock
- Qualifying action
- Must open a new Interactive Brokers account through your referral link and meet the program's funding and activity conditions. Review the official Refer a Friend program terms for the current requirements.
- Payout timing
- Not confirmed — verify current terms
- Where it's available
- Residents of Japan, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Poland, mainland China, and Israel cannot participate as referrers. Canadian referrers earn the $200 but not IBKR stock.
- Referral cap
- 15 referrals per year (30 lifetime)
- Max earnings
- $3,000/year, $6,000 lifetime
- Last verified
- Aug 24, 2026
These are referral-program terms as last verified by RefPerks — not financial, tax, or betting advice, and not a guarantee of payout. Providers change reward amounts, caps, and eligibility without notice, so confirm the current terms with the provider before sharing your link.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Acorns | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Referrer Bonus | $5–$50 | $200 |
| Referee Bonus | $5–$20 | Up to $1,000 in IBKR stock |
| Payout Type | Cash | Cash |
| Commission Type | One-Time | One-Time |
| Max Referrals | unlimited | 15 referrals per year (30 lifetime) |
| Max Earnings | unlimited | $3,000/year, $6,000 lifetime |
| Conversion Difficulty | Easy | Hard |
| Rating | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| How to Refer | Open the Acorns app, tap 'Earn' or 'Invite Friends,' and share your unique referral link. | Log in to IBKR Client Portal, open the Refer a Friend section under the referral programs menu, and share your personal referral link or code. |
| Referee Requirements | Must open a new Acorns account using your link and make a first investment of $5 or more (a one-time investment or via Round-Ups) within the promotion's qualifying window. | Must open a new Interactive Brokers account through your referral link and meet the program's funding and activity conditions. Review the official Refer a Friend program terms for the current requirements. |
| Last Verified |
Pros & Cons
Acorns
Pros
- +Extremely easy to explain and recommend
- +Low barrier for referrals — just enable Round-Ups
- +Appeals to people who've never invested before
- +Unlimited referrals
Cons
- −Base referral bonus is only $5
- −Acorns charges a monthly subscription fee ($3–$12)
- −Referral must maintain account to keep bonus invested
Interactive Brokers
Pros
- +Flat $200 cash per referral — no randomized stock lottery
- +Highest confirmed per-referral cash payout among major US brokerages
- +Your friend can earn up to $1,000 in IBKR stock
Cons
- −You must hold $2,000+ net liquidation value and have placed a trade to qualify
- −Hard caps at 15 referrals per year and 30 lifetime
- −Several countries are excluded from participating as referrers
- −IBKR appeals to active traders, so it converts poorly with casual investors
Detailed Program Breakdowns
Acorns Referral Program
Earn $5 to $50 per referral when a friend signs up for Acorns and makes their first investment.
Max earnings: unlimited
Max referrals: unlimited
Interactive Brokers Referral Program
Interactive Brokers pays a flat $200 for each eligible referral under its Refer a Friend program. To qualify as a referrer your own IBKR account must hold a net liquidation value of at least $2,000 and have placed at least one securities trade.
Max earnings: $3,000/year, $6,000 lifetime
Max referrals: 15 referrals per year (30 lifetime)
Our Recommendation
Interactive Brokers edges ahead with a 4.2/5 rating, making it our top pick in this comparison. It offers $200 per referral with cash payouts.
That said, Acorns is still a solid program worth considering. The best choice ultimately depends on your audience — promote the platform your referrals are most likely to sign up for, as conversions matter more than raw bonus amounts.
For best results, consider promoting both programs and recommending whichever fits each individual referral's situation. Many successful referrers maintain active links for multiple programs in the same category.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which referral program pays more, Acorns or Interactive Brokers?
- Acorns offers $5–$50 per referral while Interactive Brokers offers $200 per referral. Based on the maximum bonus value, Interactive Brokers has the higher earning potential per referral.
- Is Acorns or Interactive Brokers easier to refer friends to?
- Acorns has a easy difficulty level while Interactive Brokers has a hard difficulty level. Acorns is generally easier to convert referrals for.
- How do Acorns and Interactive Brokers pay referral bonuses?
- Acorns pays referral bonuses as cash with a one-time commission structure. Interactive Brokers pays as cash with a one-time commission structure.
- Can I promote both Acorns and Interactive Brokers referral programs?
- Yes, you can promote both Acorns and Interactive Brokers referral programs simultaneously. Many successful referrers promote multiple programs in the same category and recommend different options to different audiences based on their needs and preferences.
- Which has a higher rating, Acorns or Interactive Brokers?
- Acorns has a 4.1/5 rating while Interactive Brokers has a 4.2/5 rating on RefPerks. Interactive Brokers is rated higher overall. Ratings reflect the quality of the referral program from a referrer's perspective, including payout reliability, bonus amounts, and ease of conversion.
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Where This Comparison Fits
Keep researching before you share a link — these pages cover the same programs from a different angle.
Explore Each Program
Get the complete breakdown of each referral program, including detailed tips, step-by-step referral instructions, and earning strategies.
Referral program terms may change. Verify current offers on the official website.