5 hottest brokerage promos 2021: Free Apple shares + more

Why the Investment World is Feeling a Little Too Competitive

These days you’ve got a lot of investment brokers and robo‑advisors marching around like a crowded runway show. They’re so eager to win your wallet that the only thing left to trip over is the kaleidoscope of slick sign‑up deals they’re throwing at you.

Let the (Digital) Fur Fly!

We’re just ticked off that we’re being served better offers than a free coffee at a famished frat. If you’re looking for the hottest deals, here’s a quick rundown to make your eyes pop and your account grow.

Top Picks of the Moment

AppleStock or “Upgrade”: Get your very first trade fee waiver if you open a new account before the end of the month—no condition on the number of trades.
Given a Big Prize: Put $10,000 in a brokerage account and you might win three Instant Paychecks of $1,000 each for the next three quarters.
Bonus in the Brush: See a 0% fee period for your standard account tiers for the first 12 months after you sign up.
Flashy Frequent Flyer: Earn 5% cash‑back on every trade on all investment options during the promotional period.
Scoop Special: Sign up and have your trades automatically allocated for a balanced fund instead of just picking stocks.

Picture the whole market as a grand masquerade ball where everyone wants the best hosting you can get. The only thing left for you to worry about is picking the costume—your investment plan—and reveling in the perks.

5 best investment brokerage promotions (2021)

Online Brokerage Bonanza

Looking to start your investing journey without breaking the bank? Every brokerage is pulling out all the stops with sweet, commission‑free deals and even a few free stocks. Let’s dive straight into what’s on the table.

Current Sign‑Up Bonuses

Tiger Brokers: Kick off with a free Apple (AAPL) share, enjoy 180 days of zero‑commission trading up to 60 transactions, and grab 500 Tiger Coins for future goodies.
Moomoo by FUTU: Get not one, but two free Pfizer (PFE) shares, plus five free Haidilao (HDL) shares. Trade at $0 commission for 180 days, and pocket a $50 cash coupon voucher to sweeten the mix.
Saxo Markets: I’m betting you’ll be thrilled: $0 commission on all US stocks and ETFs until September 3, 2021.
Syfe: Bank on 200% savings—$0 commission on US stocks & ETFs for half a year.
IG: How about a generous $388 cash welcome bonus? Talk about a juicy start!

Why Tiger Brokers Is Still a Force to Reckon With

Despite the conundrum of the famed Tiger Airways, its trading sibling Tiger Brokers is buzzing with activity—and a straightforward, no‑fuss incentive that will have you smiling as you delete the old account you didn’t know you still had.

From the get‑go, new riders get a free Apple (AAPL) share to symbolize growth, plus up to 60 commission‑free trades in the next 180 days—no hidden costs to derail your momentum. And with 500 Tiger Coins up for grabs, you’re basically handing the broker a small fortune to start your investing adventures.

So buckle up, friend! A fresh Apple share, a smorgasbord of trading savings, and some extra coins are waiting to be unleashed. All you need to do is hit “Sign Up” and let the broker’s good‑vibes roll in.

Sweet Deals for Smart Traders: Grab Your Apple & Pfizer Shares for Free!

Feeling the urge to upgrade your portfolio with some juicy stocks? Dive into these promos and watch your money grow—without spending a dime on commissions!

Tiger Trading Platform Promo (Ends: Sept 1, 2021)

Ever wondered how to snag free Apple stock like a pro? Here’s the low‑down:

Who Gets It? Anyone who hasn’t deposited in Tiger accounts before 12 pm on July 1, 2021. (You’re basically a clean‑slate trader.)
How to Grab Your Free Apple Share:
1. Deposit at least $2,000 in one single transfer.
2. Congratulations—Apple comes to you free, like a surprise birthday gift!
Need to Cash Out? You must complete 10 trades first. Blip: it’s a quick way to get your profits back without the “wait for every trade” drama.
Commision‑Free Trading: Once your account’s approved, you get free trades on US, HK, Singapore stocks, PLUS Singapore futures. No extra fees—who doesn’t love that?
Tiger Coins: Kick off with 500 Tiger Coins. Use them to snag a variety of gifts—think of it as a loyalty bonus, but better.

Additional Hot Promo from Moomoo by FUTU

While Tiger’s offering Apple, Moomoo’s giving out free Pfizer shares—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s what you should know:

Free shares come as part of their “Buy‑in” promotion, so you’ll get a dose of pharma power without spending a cent.
Check the terms; every promo has its own set of conditions (e.g., minimum deposit, trade count).
Both platforms are commission‑free for a range of stocks and futures—so your transaction costs stay low.

Quick Tips to Get the Most Out of These Deals

Plan Your Entry – Know the date limits so you don’t miss the deadline.
Stick to the Minimum – Don’t over‑deposit; $2,000 is all you need for Apple.
Make Your 10 Trades Wisely – Aim for steady, small wins to hit the trade count without the risk of a big loss.
Track Your Coins – Use Tiger Coins strategically; they’re handy for getting free commissions or other perks.
Stay Updated – Platforms might update terms on a whim; keep an eye on the official website or app notifications.

In short, both Tiger and Moomoo are serving up free shares while keeping your commission costs at zero. Grab your Apple or Pfizer, hit those trades, and watch your portfolio grow—today’s the day to bite the action!

Moomoo’s Fresh New Deal for Newbies

Remember when Moomoo was handing out Apple stock for free? Yeah, that was a while ago. Since everyone else is doing it too, they’ve spruced up their sign‑up offer with a fresh lineup of goodies. Here’s the low‑down:

What’s in the bag?

Up to two free Pfizer (PFE) shares—we’re talking literal stock, not a “Pharmaceutical Fund Equity” banner.
Five complimentary Haidilao (6862) shares—because who doesn’t want a slice of that spicy hotpot empire?
180 days of unlimited commission‑free trades—no fees on your twiddles, for most main markets.
A $50 cash coupon voucher that you can swipe in the app and swap for cash later.

How to snag the goodies

Opening an account

Deal is good for accounts launched after 8 pm on August 2, 2021 or for old accounts that opened before 11:59 pm on May 31, 2021 but had no cash deposited before 8 pm August 2.

It all ends on August 31, 2021 at 7:59 pm.

Commission‑free period

The 180‑day free‑trade streak activates once your account is approved.
Note: it doesn’t cover stock options, futures, or China A shares.

Getting that first Pfizer share

Deposit at least $2,700 (or US$2,000 / S$2,715) or HK$16,000 (S$2,790) within 30 days of opening.

Securing the second Pfizer share

Repeat the deposit requirement plus:
Follow one friend in the community.
Post one comment in the community.
Complete three US market trades.

Five free Haidilao shares

All the previous steps plus:
Execute three completed trades on the Hong Kong market.

Claiming the $50 cash coupon

Upload a position/share transfer‑in to your account.
The voucher lands in the coupon centre of the Moomoo app, where you can flip it for real money.

Side note: Saxo Markets.

Also, if you’re looking for zero‑commission on US stocks and ETFs, keep an eye on Saxo Markets—they’ve got that sweet spot too.

Saxo Markets’ Commission‑Free Frenzy

Like a generous friend offering a free pizza night, Saxo Markets is letting you trade US stocks and ETFs without paying a commission— but only until September 3, 2021. Since we’re already in August, the window is shrinking faster than you can say “cash‑less.”

How the Promo Works

Start Time: Any new account opened before the promo ends.
End Time: Sept 3, 2021. After that your commissions will pop back up.
What’s Excluded? – Trades on OTC Bulletin Board and OTC Markets Group don’t qualify.
Hidden Costs – Regulatory and exchange fees are still out in the open.

Other Brokerages Worth a Quick Look

Syfe is playing a different game: no fees for the first six months of your account. Perfect if you’re looking to keep more of the money you trade.

Bottom line: get your sign‑up queued up as soon as you can— after all, you only have two months to enjoy free trading with Saxo before the commission drum starts beating again.

Syfe’s New “Free Trades” Deal – Grab It Before It Vanishes!

In the wild world of robo‑advisors, it’s become almost a habit to lure fresh investors with tricks that feel a little too tempting. Syfe just dropped a shiny new card on the deck: a six‑month waiver of the management fee for anyone loving a tidy portfolio.

What You’ll Pay Normally (Spoiler: It’s Not Cheap)

Under usual circumstances, getting your money to grow with Syfe comes with an annual fee that can climb as high as 0.65%. Think about that every year; it’s like paying a subscription to your future.

How this Free‑Trade Offer Works – A Step‑by‑Step

No deadline yet – The promotion’s magic has no fixed “end” date, so hang tight for updates.
Only for brand‑new customers – Refer to MoneySmart and you’re in the clear.
Funds must be in SGD – If you’re holding U.S. dollars, go ahead anyways, just keep the logs handy.
Referral code is the secret sauce – While opening your Syfe account, type SYFEWAIVER as the referral code and start your first deposit.
Six‑month validity – Once you take the plunge and fund your account, you’ll have the free‑trade breath of air for 180 days.
Investment cap – The offer only applies to portfolios up to $30,000 (a nice amount without breaking your bank).

Why It’s Hot Right Now

Robo‑advisors have moved onto the “free trades” bandwagon, and Syfe’s entry only enriches the scattershot of choices out there. This new promotion can sweeten the deal for younger investors and those looking to get a feel for automated investing without the extra dollar burn.

Other Prominent Deals You Might Have Heard About

IG – Up to $388 in free cash for the coolest moments.

Bottom line: Jump in with Syfe, use that referral code, and have a free‑trade pass for six months. Got more questions? Check out Syfe’s website—no feeling of missing out on that sweet upgrade.

IG’s Cash‑Gifting Frenzy: Grab Your Free Bucks Now!

Ready to see your wallet inflate without spending a dime? IG, the slick CFD trading platform, is handing out a hefty $288 welcome cash gift, plus an extra $100 if you fire up a knock‑out trade. Sounds tempting? It is, but keep your feet on the ground—CFD trading is a jungle.

Why It’s Not for the Naïve

CFDs use leverage, meaning a small move in the market can send your gains or losses rockets.
Not a playground for the “just starting out” crowd.
Know your risks before you dip your toes in.

Promotion Details

Time’s ticking. The offer runs until September 30, 2021.
When you can sign up: Midnight, July 1, 2021, until the last minute of September 30, 2021.
Who’s in the hot‑seat: Anyone who’s done with past or current IG promos (except KrisFlyer Loyalty Programme) is out.
Cash gift checklist:
- Deposit at least $10,000 once.
- Open a CFD position during the promo period.
Extra cash bonus:
- Place an additional knock‑out CFD trade while the promotion is live.
Where it goes: Both the $288 and $100 bonuses land in your account within 21 business days after September 30, 2021.

So, if you’re up for a thrilling ride—and can keep your head in the game—grab this offer before it ticks away.

Final note: Free Apple shares are nice & all, but…

Choosing the Right Investment Platform—Not Just the Freebies

Free sign‑up promos are catchy, but they fade faster than a Snapchat streak. What really matters over the long haul? Here’s the checklist that keeps you in the green (and keeps you from losing your mind while trading):

1. Fee Matters—But Look Beyond the Percentage

Every broker advertises “X% per trade.” Don’t stop there.

Minimum per‑trade fee can bite into that 0.5% in a tiny trade.

Compare average cost per $1,000 to see the real impact.

2. User Experience Is Key

Think of the platform as your sidekick—intuitive, slick, and glitch‑free.

Flawless mobile version lets you double‑check that you haven’t accidentally bought 10,000 shares of a penny stock.

A clean UI means you can focus on strategy, not on hunting through menus.

3. Account Type: CDP vs Custodian

Two quick ways to hold your shares:

CDP (Cash Deposit Platform) – Opens an account, you’re in the driver’s seat. All your stocks live in one place, so you can hop between brokers without a hamster‑like series of logins.
Custodian Account – The broker holds the shares for you. Easier on paper, but you have less control and might face limits on simultaneous platform trades.

Bottom line: pick what suits your trading style. If you like having all the power (and risk) in your own hands, go CDP. If you’re a “set it and forget it” kind of investor, a custodian might do.

Final Takeaway

Free bonuses are a fun footnote, but the fees, ease of use, and account structure are the headline acts that keep you profitable and stress‑free over the long run. Choose wisely—and trade with confidence!

Published originally on MoneySmart under categories InvestmentDeals, Promotions, AppleStocks and Shares, investment planning.