Betterment vs Charles Schwab: Brokerage Bonus Comparison
Updated July 2026 — See which brokerage bonus is better for you.
Betterment Investing Bonus
$1,500 bonus
- Hold Period
- 3 years
- Qualifying Period
- 45 days from account opening
- Requirements
- Minimum $1,000 net qualified deposit; Deposit within 45 days of account opening; Deposits must be maintained for 3 years after reward date to avoid early removal fees; Minimum deposit of $2,500; Deposits must be completed within 45 days of account opening; Deposits must remain in account for 3 years to avoid early removal fee; Minimum $2,500 net qualified deposits to receive any bonus; Deposits must be completed within 45 days of enrollment; Qualified deposits include new funds, rollovers, and external transfers; Must enroll by clicking offer link in email, app, or on website; Deposits must be made within 45 days of enrollment; Eligible for account opening link enrollment by April 30, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM ET; Minimum net qualified deposit of $2,500; Deposits must be from external accounts (new funds, rollovers, transfers from external IRAs); Minimum $2,500 net deposit to receive any bonus; Deposits must be to individual taxable managed investing accounts or IRA accounts (traditional, Roth, or SEP); Deposits include rollovers and external transfers; Internal transfers from Betterment Cash Reserve or Checking are not eligible; Minimum net deposits of $2,500 within 45 days of enrollment; Deposits must be net qualified deposits (new funds, rollovers, or transfers from external accounts); Internal transfers from Betterment Cash Reserve or Checking accounts do not count; Minimum $2,500 deposit required to earn bonus; Deposit/rollover into individual investing accounts (including IRAs) within 45 days of account opening; Open an individual investing account (including Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, or SEP IRA); Deposit minimum $2,500 within 45 days of enrollment; Minimum $2,500 deposit to receive any reward; Deposits must be from external sources (rollovers, external transfers, new funds); Enroll by April 30, 2026; Minimum $2,500 net qualified deposits within 45 days of enrollment; Deposits must be from external accounts (not internal Betterment transfers); Minimum $2,500 net deposit to earn any bonus; Deposits into individual taxable or IRA accounts only; Qualified deposits must be from external sources (not internal transfers from Cash Reserve or Checking); Must complete deposit within 45 days of enrollment; Minimum net deposit of $2,500 within 45 days of enrollment; Individual managed investing account (taxable, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, or SEP IRA); Deposit of new funds (rollovers and external transfers qualify)
Charles Schwab Brokerage Referral Bonus
$1,000 bonus
- Hold Period
- 1 year
- Qualifying Period
- 45 days
- Requirements
- Open eligible retail brokerage or IRA account; Make qualifying net deposit within 45 days of account opening; Must be new to Schwab (excluding Stock Plan Services accounts); Deposit must be new to Schwab (not from affiliates); Open eligible account via referral link; Make qualifying net deposit within 45 days of opening account; Deposit must be new to Schwab (not transfers from Schwab affiliates); Maintain net deposit for at least 1 year (minus market losses); Open an eligible retail brokerage account or IRA; Enroll in the offer using an existing client's referral code; Make a qualifying net deposit within 45 days of enrolling; For taxable accounts: maintain the net deposit amount (less market losses) for at least 1 year; Open eligible Schwab retail brokerage account or IRA using referral code; Make qualifying net deposit of cash or securities within 45 days; Deposit must be new assets outside Schwab; Maintain deposit for at least 1 year (for taxable accounts); Make qualifying net deposit of cash or securities within 45 days of account opening; Maintain the net deposit amount (less any market losses) for at least 1 year (taxable accounts)
Bottom Line
Betterment offers a higher bonus ($1,500 vs $1,000). However, be sure to compare hold periods and requirements before deciding.