Robinhood Referral Program: Earn Up to $15,000 in Free Stock
Robinhood rebuilt its referral program in September 2026. Instead of one small stock per friend, you now unlock bigger stock rewards at milestones, from $50 for your first friend up to $10,000 at 200 friends.
in stock rewards per year is the cap on the new Robinhood referral program. New users who join with a referral link get their own free stock worth $5 to $200. Join Robinhood with our link
The Robinhood referral program (Robinhood calls it the Tiered Referrals Program) pays you in stock when friends you invite open a Robinhood investing account and fund it. Your friend gets a separate sign-up reward of their own, so both sides come out ahead. This post covers the milestone table, what counts as a referral, what your friend gets, how to claim and sell your stock, and the fine print that trips people up.
How the Robinhood tiered referrals program works
You get a referral link and QR code in the Rewards section of the app. Each friend who signs up with your link, opens a Robinhood investing account, and makes a successful deposit greater than $0 counts as one qualifying referral. When your count hits a milestone, you get a bonus stock reward for that milestone.
The rewards are tiered, so you don't earn anything for the referrals in between milestones. Your second friend, for example, doesn't pay out on its own; it moves you toward the 3-referral milestone.
Robinhood referral bonus milestones
These are the milestones and rewards according to Robinhood's terms, for referrals who started signing up on or after September 1, 2026 at 9 AM PT:
| Qualifying referrals | Bonus stock reward |
|---|---|
| 1 referral | $50 |
| 3 referrals | $150 |
| 10 referrals | $800 |
| 50 referrals | $4,000 |
| 200 referrals | $10,000 |
Add them all up and you get the yearly cap: $50 + $150 + $800 + $4,000 + $10,000 = $15,000 in bonus stock per year. If you'd already earned referral rewards earlier in 2026, Robinhood reset your annual limit when this program launched on September 1.
How many referrals do you need on Robinhood?
Just one to get started. Your first funded referral unlocks $50 in stock, which is already ten times what most people got per friend under the old program. Three friends gets you to $200 total, and ten friends gets you to $1,000 total. The big tiers at 50 and 200 referrals are realistic mainly for people with an audience, like a blog, newsletter, or social account.
What your friend gets with a Robinhood referral link
Your friend's reward is separate from yours. New customers who sign up through a Robinhood referral link and link a bank account or debit card can pick a Robinhood free stock worth anywhere from $5 to $200. According to Robinhood, about 99% of people get $5, about 0.9% get $10, and about 0.1% get $200. They choose from 26 well-known companies: the two largest S&P 500 companies in each of the top 13 sectors.
Remember that linking a bank is enough for your friend's free stock, but it isn't enough for your referral to count. Your friend also needs to fund the account with a deposit, and the deposit has to settle.
How to refer friends on Robinhood
- Open Rewards. In the app, tap Account (the person icon), then Menu (3 bars), then Rewards. On the web, log in and choose Rewards.
- Copy your referral link or QR code. Share it by text, email, or wherever your friends are.
- Your friend signs up and funds the account. They open a Robinhood investing account through your link and make a deposit of any amount above $0.
- Track your progress. Tap the clock icon at the top right of Rewards to see how close you are to the next milestone.
- Claim your stock. When you hit a milestone, claim the reward in Rewards and pick your shares.
Claiming, selling, and withdrawing your stock reward
- Claim within 60 days. A milestone reward expires if you don't claim it within 60 days.
- Whole or fractional shares. You get the full reward amount to put toward shares from up to 26 companies, chosen by market cap within their sectors.
- Sell after 3 trading days. You can sell the stock 3 trading days after it's granted and reinvest the money on Robinhood.
- Withdraw after 60 days. To move the cash out to your bank, keep the cash value of the reward in your account for at least 60 days after claiming it.
Who can join the Robinhood referral program?
You and your friends must be US residents. You need an active Robinhood individual brokerage account in good standing to claim a milestone reward. Securities affiliates and customers with certain account or tax restrictions aren't eligible. If you qualify, you'll see the referral offer in Rewards.
Tips to get the most from your Robinhood referral bonus
- Remind friends to fund the account. The most common reason a referral doesn't count is a friend who linked a bank but never made a deposit.
- Make sure they use your link. Referrals are tracked through the link. A friend who downloads the app on their own won't count toward your milestones.
- Claim right away. Set a reminder so a reward doesn't expire after 60 days.
- Mind your taxes. Stock rewards can count as income. Robinhood may report them on a Form 1099, and selling the stock can create a capital gain or loss. Check with a tax advisor if you earn a lot.
- Terms can change. Robinhood can change or end the program at any time, so check the current terms in the app before a big push.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Robinhood referral program work?
You invite friends with your referral link. Each friend who opens a Robinhood investing account and funds it with a deposit greater than $0 counts as a qualifying referral. You earn a stock reward at 1, 3, 10, 50, and 200 referrals.
How much is the Robinhood referral bonus?
$50 in stock for your first referral, $150 at 3, $800 at 10, $4,000 at 50, and $10,000 at 200. That adds up to a maximum of $15,000 in bonus stock per year.
Do I get a reward for every friend I refer?
No. Rewards come only when you reach a milestone. Referrals between milestones count toward the next one but don't pay out on their own.
What does my friend get when they use my Robinhood referral link?
A separate free stock worth $5 to $200 after they open an eligible account and link a bank account or debit card. Most people get $5.
How long do I have to claim my Robinhood referral reward?
60 days. You can sell the stock 3 trading days after it's granted, and you can withdraw the cash after keeping it in your account for 60 days.
Bottom line on the Robinhood referral program
The new tiered setup makes the Robinhood referral program worth sharing: $50 in stock for your very first friend and up to $15,000 a year if you bring in a crowd. Not on Robinhood yet? Join with our link to claim your own free stock, then start inviting friends.
Related deal
Commission-free investing app. Join with our link for a free stock worth $5 to $200, then earn up to $15,000 a year in stock by referring friends.