Top broker perks every investor should know about
If you’re serious about growing your portfolio, it’s hard to ignore the premium memberships more and more brokers are rolling out. From lower costs and better rates on idle cash to advanced tools and exclusive research, these upgrades aren’t just nice-to-haves — they provide tangible benefits that help investors stay ahead in today’s market:
- Higher yields on uninvested cash can provide meaningful interest over time, helping grow your portfolio even when you’re not actively trading or investing.
- Lower fees and margin rates mean more of your money stays invested and compounding.
- Advanced research and data can improve your decision-making, helping you spot opportunities faster.
- Priority support and dedicated reps can save time and reduce stress when problems arise or when you need guidance.
And with more brokers stepping up their premium offerings, investors have options they can’t afford to overlook. Here are four brokers delivering benefits worth your attention.
1. Robinhood Gold
Robinhood is widely known for its simple, intuitive interface and low-cost trading, making it especially appealing to beginners and intermediate traders and investors.
The company introduced its premium subscription service Robinhood Gold in 2016 for $10 per month. It’s now half that — $5 per month or $50 per year when you pay annually — and includes more perks.
Its three most valuable benefits are probably its 3% IRA contribution match, high yield on uninvested cash, and Robinhood Gold Card. The credit card, exclusive to Gold members, isn’t available to everyone just yet, but I don’t think that diminishes its value. It offers a 3% cashback rate on all purchases, which is one of the best flat rates in the credit card industry.
You can also try Robinhood Gold with a one-time free trial for the first 30 days.
Benefits of Robinhood Gold
- 3.75% APY on uninvested cash
- 3% IRA contribution match
- Bigger instant deposits
- Morningstar research
- Level 2 market data
- $1,000 of interest-free margin
- $250 cap on Robinhood Strategies’ annual management fees
- Discounted futures commissions
- Discounted index options commissions
Best for: Investors who want higher yields, advanced research tools, and a low-cost entry into premium perks.
Webull stands out for its advanced charting, technical indicators and paper trading feature, even with a standard account, making it popular among experienced traders. But upgrading to its premium tier unlocks some exclusive perks for traders and long-term investors.
Launched earlier this year, Webull Premium offers discounted trading fees, higher APY on idle cash, and lower margin rates — similar to Robinhood.
However, at 3.5%, Webull’s IRA match is one of the most competitive. If you max out your IRA at $7,000 in 2025, that’s an extra $245 — more than enough to cover the annual subscription. So, if you’re an active trader looking for monetary benefits, don’t overlook Webull Premium.
For $3.99 per month or $40 per year when you pay annually, you get:
- 3.85% APY on uninvested cash
- Lower margin rates
- Discounted futures and index options trades
- Advanced market data
- 3.5% IRA contribution match
Best for: Traders who rely on technical tools, real-time data, and cost savings to optimize their trading strategies.
SoFi Plus
SoFi is unique in that it lets customers invest, bank, and borrow from a single platform, which can simplify managing money for casual and long-term investors. Its intuitive interface makes investing approachable, while a steadily expanding range of investment options shows that SoFi caters to more than just beginners.
But if you want to maximize your rewards and take advantage of the best rates and perks across the SoFi ecosystem, SoFi Plus is hard to ignore. It offers significant value, particularly for those who can get it free with direct deposit. SoFi Plus is $10 per month, but you can waive that fee by setting up direct deposit.
Higher savings rates, deposits boost, and in-person experiences are all great. But it’s the unlimited access to certified financial planners (CFPs) that really stands out for me. If you’re a SoFi member, could benefit from expert financial guidance and maybe can’t afford a traditional CFP, this feature alone can make SoFi Plus worthwhile.
SoFi Plus benefits
- 3.80% APY on SoFi Bank savings
- Unlimited access to financial planners
- 1% match on recurring invest deposits, paid in rewards points
- 10% cash back rewards boost
- $1,000 home mortgage discount
- SoFi Plus experiences
Best for: Investors who want an integrated financial hub that combines investing with broader financial tools and lifestyle perks.
Public was a commission-free, social investing platform when it launched in 2019, but has since grown into a multi-asset investing powerhouse. Trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, cryptocurrencies and yield products. Plus, access treasuries, bonds and a high-yield cash account. Public also recently introduced direct indexing.
For $8 per month or free with an account over $50,000, Public Premium enhances this experience with advanced research, additional trading tools and priority support. This includes unique company APIs like Tesla’s vehicle deliveries or Disney’s subscriber growth, plus advanced charts and fee-free over-the-counter (OTC) trades. Not to mention, you get a seven-day free trial.
- Advanced metrics, company KPIs, and analyst ratings
- Earnings data and transcripts
- Advanced charts
- VIP account management
- Fee-free extended hours and OTC trades
Best for: Investors who want advanced research tools, fee-free extended hours trading and VIP account management to support their multi-asset investing.
When deciding on a premium tier, consider your goals, trading style, and which perks matter most:
- Know your priorities: Are you after higher cash yields, advanced research, or integrated financial perks?
- Consider your trading style: Active trader, long-term investor, or casual saver — different brokers cater to different needs.
- Weigh cost versus benefit: Most premium tiers are under $10 per month. Make sure the perks justify the subscription.
- Look at non-monetary perks: Priority support, in-depth research, and exclusive tools can sometimes outweigh pure financial benefits.
- Try the broker’s standard account first: Ensure you enjoy the platform’s core offerings before you consider its paid tier. Does it offer the assets you want to invest in? Do you enjoy the broker’s investing experience?
Bottom line
These aren’t gimmicks — they’re edge-givers in a noisy market. I upgraded to Robinhood Gold in 2023 and haven’t looked back. I was already a Robinhood customer, and the added perks have only improved my experience. Plus, the membership pays for itself with the IRA match alone.
Test-driving a free trial costs nothing, so which premium broker membership catches your eye? Compare brokers to find the platform that’s best for you.
