Interactive Brokers vs Robinhood Referral Bonus (2026)
A detailed comparison of Interactive Brokers ($200 per referral) and Robinhood (1 free stock per referral) in the Investing category.
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Verdict: Robinhood Edges Ahead
Both Interactive Brokers and Robinhood offer competitive referral programs. Robinhood edges ahead with a 4.4-star rating.
Interactive Brokers vs Robinhood: 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.
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
Robinhood referral bonus at a glance
- You earn per referral
- 1 free stock
- Your friend earns
- 1 free stock
- Qualifying action
- Must create a new Robinhood account and link a bank account. No deposit required.
- Payout timing
- Not confirmed — verify current terms
- Where it's available
- Not confirmed — verify current terms
- Referral cap
- unlimited referrals (capped at $1,500 in stock rewards per year)
- Max earnings
- $1,500/year in free stock
- Last verified
- Jun 2, 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 | Interactive Brokers | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Referrer Bonus | $200 | 1 free stock |
| Referee Bonus | Up to $1,000 in IBKR stock | 1 free stock |
| Payout Type | Cash | Stock |
| Commission Type | One-Time | One-Time |
| Max Referrals | 15 referrals per year (30 lifetime) | unlimited referrals (capped at $1,500 in stock rewards per year) |
| Max Earnings | $3,000/year, $6,000 lifetime | $1,500/year in free stock |
| Conversion Difficulty | Hard | Easy |
| Rating | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| How to Refer | 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. | Open the Robinhood app, tap the person icon, select 'Free Stocks,' and share your referral link via text, email, or social media. |
| Referee Requirements | 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. | Must create a new Robinhood account and link a bank account. No deposit required. |
| Last Verified |
Pros & Cons
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
Robinhood
Pros
- +No deposit required — extremely easy to convert
- +Unlimited referrals with no cap
- +Fun random stock selection adds shareability
- +Strong brand recognition in commission-free trading
Cons
- −About 99% of reward stocks are worth roughly $5
- −Free stocks can't be sold for 3 trading days, and proceeds can't be withdrawn for 30 days
- −Stock rewards are capped at $1,500 per year
Detailed Program Breakdowns
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)
Robinhood Referral Program
Earn a free stock (valued $5–$200) for each friend who signs up and links their bank account using your referral link. In practice about 99% of reward stocks are worth roughly $5.
Max earnings: $1,500/year in free stock
Max referrals: unlimited referrals (capped at $1,500 in stock rewards per year)
Our Recommendation
Robinhood edges ahead with a 4.4/5 rating, making it our top pick in this comparison. It offers 1 free stock per referral with stock payouts.
That said, Interactive Brokers 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, Interactive Brokers or Robinhood?
- Interactive Brokers offers $200 per referral while Robinhood offers 1 free stock per referral. Based on the maximum bonus value, Interactive Brokers has the higher earning potential per referral.
- Is Interactive Brokers or Robinhood easier to refer friends to?
- Interactive Brokers has a hard difficulty level while Robinhood has a easy difficulty level. Robinhood is generally easier to convert referrals for.
- How do Interactive Brokers and Robinhood pay referral bonuses?
- Interactive Brokers pays referral bonuses as cash with a one-time commission structure. Robinhood pays as stock with a one-time commission structure.
- Can I promote both Interactive Brokers and Robinhood referral programs?
- Yes, you can promote both Interactive Brokers and Robinhood 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, Interactive Brokers or Robinhood?
- Interactive Brokers has a 4.2/5 rating while Robinhood has a 4.4/5 rating on RefPerks. Robinhood 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.