Public.com gives both you and a friend $20 in a stock or ETF of your choice when the friend signs up through your referral link and makes a first deposit of at least $1,000.
Researched and rated by the BrokerBonuses editorial team · Last verified 2026-06-07 · How we rate
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Availability
Checking availability…The catch
The $20 reward arrives as a fractional share of a stock or ETF you pick from a Public-selected list, and both you and your referred friend must each make a first deposit of at least $1,000 to qualify. You have 30 days to claim it before it expires.
How to claim
- An existing Public Investing member copies their unique referral link from the Rewards button on the Portfolio page or sidebar.
- The friend or family member uses that link to open a Public Investing brokerage account and is approved.
- The new user makes an initial one-time deposit of at least $1,000.
- Public Investing sends an in-app notification when each party is cleared to claim.
- Tap the notification within 30 days and choose a stock or ETF from the available rewards to receive the $20 fractional share.
Full review
Public.com (operated by Open to the Public Investing, Inc.) runs a referral program where an existing member shares a unique link and a friend or family member opens a brokerage account through it. When the new user is approved and makes an initial one-time deposit of $1,000 or more, both people receive a reward worth $20 in a stock or ETF chosen from a list Public selects.
The reward is a fractional share with a notional value of $20 that moves with the market. The catch is in the fine print. The $20 must be claimed within 30 days through an in-app notification, and the cash value cannot be withdrawn for 12 months after you claim it, otherwise the account may incur an early withdrawal fee of up to $20, which would wipe out the reward.
Fractional shares have limited or no voting rights and are not transferable, the $1,000 deposit is required for either party to qualify, and total promotional rewards across all Public offers are capped at $500 per member.
Eligibility is limited to U.S. residents living in the United States who can open a Public Investing brokerage account. Employees, contractors, and household members of Public, plus employees of any securities or regulatory organization or exchange, are excluded.
Referrers must have a funded account in good standing and may only refer people they have a direct personal relationship with.
Pros
- +Both the referrer and the new user each get $20, not just one side.
- +You choose which stock or ETF to receive from a selected list.
- +No promo code needed; the reward is offered automatically once you qualify.
Cons
- −Requires a sizable $1,000 first deposit to unlock the reward.
- −Cash value is locked for 12 months or an early withdrawal fee of up to $20 applies, which can erase the reward.
- −Reward expires if not claimed within 30 days.
- −U.S. residents only, and lifetime promotional rewards are capped at $500.
- −Early withdrawal fee is up to $100 (not $20): pulling the cash value before the 12-month lock can cost you far more than the reward is worth, creating a net loss on your own money.
- −Liquidity trap: to earn $20 you must lock a $1,000 deposit and accept a 12-month hold on the award proceeds, an effective one-time yield of roughly 2 percent on capital you cannot freely touch.
$20 with Public.com
Now you know the terms. Claim it on the broker's own site.
Sources & verification
We research every bonus from the broker's official pages and re-check it on a 60-day schedule.
Confirmed against official sources: title, type, status, Bonus amount, Withdrawal terms, Hold requirement, Minimum deposit, Time limit, Eligible countries, Account type, Restricted countries.
Broker regulation: SEC (license B-66049), FINRA (license 127818), SIPC (license Member).
- Bonus terms and conditions: public.com ↗
- Public.com official site: public.com ↗
Last verified 2026-06-07. Next review within 60 days.