2025 may be over, but you can still contribute to an IRA and potentially reduce your tax bill before the tax deadline. Additionally, we have just completed our annual brokerage review for 2026 and found several brokers and robo-advisors that now offer a 401(k)-style match on IRA contributions as a retention incentive. Here are the top investment platforms for IRA matches in 2026.
If you prefer to choose your retirement investments yourself, opening an IRA through an online broker may be the best option. Four of the brokers reviewed by BW offer IRAs with contribution matches, and three also offer matches on rollovers. One such option is Public, which offers a 1% match on IRA rollovers and contributions.
Public also stands out for its unique features like basket trading and options rebates. The platform allows users to buy a customizable mix of stocks, ETFs, and crypto in a single transaction. Additionally, Public pays users a rebate of $0.06 to $0.18 per options contract traded, depending on volume.
While options trading can be risky and may not be a conventional retirement investing strategy, it could potentially boost returns for investors with a high risk tolerance and a longer investing timeline. Explore all of Public’s features, pros, and cons in our full review or check out the summary below. The website is quite user-friendly and easy to navigate. The suite of educational articles and webinar events provided by SoFi, along with their easily-navigable website, make it a great choice for investors. SoFi offers a 1% match on IRA contributions for all users, and a 3% match for Gold account holders. Additionally, SoFi provides unlimited access to financial planners for a small fee, making it stand out among other brokers. This, combined with their extensive fractional share offering, makes SoFi a good choice for beginner investors looking to save for retirement. For more information on SoFi’s user experience, including details on fees, features, and minimums, read our full review.
On the other hand, Webull offers a 1% match on IRA contributions for free users, and a 3.5% match for Webull Premium users. While the Premium offering has the highest IRA match in theory, it comes with more restrictions than other brokers. Webull’s IRA match is only for contributions, not rollovers, and Premium users must maintain their subscription for a year to keep the higher match percentage. Each Webull Premium IRA contribution has its own 1-year clock, making it more likely for users to lose their extra match if they discontinue Premium. Depending on individual contributions and preferences, the extra match from Webull Premium may put users ahead of those using Robinhood Gold. One downside of Webull Premium compared to Robinhood Gold is the potential for a small match clawback if you downgrade to a regular Webull account while making frequent IRA contributions. This clawback is calculated by a complex and opaque formula, which can lead to an unpleasant surprise for users.
On the other hand, Webull offers unique features such as high interest rates on uninvested cash and advanced trading capabilities. The platform provides a balance of advanced charting tools and an easy-to-use mobile interface, making it appealing to day traders and those interested in high-risk speculative investments.
While Webull may not be recommended as a long-term wealth-building strategy by most financial advisors, it can be a good choice for individuals who understand the risks involved in short-term betting. Additionally, Webull offers a wide selection of speculative investments, including cryptocurrencies and prediction markets.
If you prefer a more hands-off approach to retirement investing, robo-advisors like Acorns and Stash offer IRA matches on contributions. Acorns, for example, provides a 1% match on IRA contributions for Silver users and a 3% match for Gold users in the first year. However, similar to Webull, there are clawback provisions in place that require users to keep the funds in their IRAs for a certain period to retain the match. Both conditions are applied proportionally, with each deposit having its own 4-year timeframe for investment.
Acorns’ standout feature is its round-up option, where linked payment cards can invest spare change from purchases automatically. Additionally, users can earn cash back through the Acorns Earn program, with higher rewards for Gold tier users. These round-ups and cash-back rewards can be allocated to an Acorns IRA, where they may be matched if the amount is at least 1 cent.
While Acorns’ round-up and cash-back features can benefit those on tight budgets, they may not be sufficient to fully fund retirement. BW’s retirement calculator can help illustrate this point with small monthly contributions.
In comparison, Stash offers a 3% match on IRA contributions for Stash+ users, paid monthly rather than per deposit. Stash also provides a round-up feature for spare change investments, which can be combined with the 3% match for Stash+ users. Additionally, Stash offers users the ability to transfer money from their checking account to their Stash investment account, similar to conventional IRAs. Users can set up scheduled transfers or utilize the “Smart Stash” feature, which adjusts transfer amounts based on spending patterns. For taxable brokerage accounts, users have the option of DIY investment selections or automated portfolio management, while IRAs are DIY-only. However, with a wide range of index ETFs and target date funds available, this limitation may not be a significant drawback. The flexibility in investment selection and deposit options, including small “spare change” investments, makes Stash a suitable choice for those looking to save for retirement without financial constraints compared to Acorns’ target audience.
To learn more about Stash’s pricing tiers and services, refer to our comprehensive Stash review. Additionally, information on IRA matches, including contribution limits, holding periods, and limited-time promotions, is provided. Comparisons between IRA matches and 401(k) matches are also discussed, highlighting the advantages of employer-sponsored retirement plans over IRAs. Vanguard’s “How America Saves” report is referenced to illustrate the average employer match percentage in 2025. When it comes to retirement savings, employer-sponsored accounts like 401(k) plans often offer more generous matches compared to even the highest IRA match programs. Additionally, 401(k) plans have higher contribution limits and stronger creditor protections in case of bankruptcy. In 2026, the maximum contribution for a 401(k) plan is $24,500 ($32,500 for those over 50), while the maximum contribution for IRAs is $7,500 ($8,600 for those over 50).
Considering these benefits, it may be wise to prioritize maxing out your 401(k) plan if available and if you can afford to reach the high contribution limits. If maxing out is not feasible, it’s recommended to at least contribute enough to receive the company match, and then explore an IRA with a contribution matching program for additional savings.
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