Table of Contents
1) What is Acorns—and what are Recurring Investments?
Acorns is an automated investing app built to help beginners and busy people invest consistently without having to pick individual stocks or time the market. You deposit money, answer a few profile questions, and Acorns recommends a diversified ETF portfolio aligned to your risk level. From there, you can contribute automatically—daily, weekly, or monthly—using Recurring Investments starting from as little as $5. On top of that, Acorns can also invest your spare change from everyday purchases if you opt into Round-Ups®.
Recurring Investments are Acorns’ simplest “set-it-and-forget-it” automation: pick an amount (e.g., $5 weekly), choose a schedule (daily/weekly/monthly), and let it run. That steady contribution cadence is the backbone of long-term investing discipline—and it’s the action that qualifies you for the current $20 promotion for new users.
2) The $20 Bonus: What you need to do (step-by-step)
Acorns is currently promoting a $20 bonus investment for first-time customers who set up an account and make their first successful Recurring Investment (minimum $5).
Step-by-step:
- Open your account (takes ~3 minutes).
- Set up Recurring Investments.
- Make your first successful recurring contribution of at least $5.
- Bonus timing: Expect your bonus the following month, typically within 10–40 days after your first recurring investment posts.
Your quick link to enroll:
Get your Acorns $20 bonus »
Eligibility notes:
- New, first-time Acorns users only; U.S., age 18+.
- You must open an Acorns Invest account and complete the recurring deposit requirement.
- Payout timing can vary slightly; always review the fine print on the sign-up page.
3) Acorns pricing and what you get on each plan
Acorns offers three straightforward monthly plans with bundled features. The Recurring Investments feature is available on all plans.
- Bronze — $3/month
Includes: Invest, Later (IRA), and Checking. - Silver — $6/month
Everything in Bronze, plus: Premium Education, Emergency Fund, Earn Rewards Match (up to an extra 25% on eligible partner bonuses), and the Mighty Oak Card. - Gold — $12/month
Everything in Silver, plus: Benefits Hub, Custom Portfolio, Early (investment accounts for kids), a higher Earn Rewards Match (up to an extra 50% on eligible partner bonuses), and the Mighty Oak Card.
4) Core features that make Acorns beginner-friendly
a) Automated diversification with ETF portfolios
Acorns uses expert-built model portfolios of ETFs (stocks, bonds, and more) and rebalances automatically to maintain your target allocation. You can also opt for ESG portfolios or a Bitcoin-linked ETF within policy limits.
b) Round-Ups® and “spare change” investing
If you enable Round-Ups®, Acorns tracks transactions on your linked card(s), rounds each to the next dollar, and invests the accumulated difference once your Round-Ups® reach $5.
c) Recurring Investments (the star of this promo)
Pick a cadence (daily/weekly/monthly) and amount (starting at $5), then let it run. This is the core action that qualifies you for the $20 bonus.
d) Banking and retirement options under one roof
With Acorns Checking, you get no minimum balance or overdraft fees and access to AllPoint ATMs. With Acorns Later, you can open an IRA (Traditional, Roth, or SEP) with recurring contributions and age-based portfolio updates.
e) Safety, SIPC & FDIC protections
- Invest accounts are with Acorns Securities, a member of SIPC, which protects securities in brokerage accounts up to $500,000 (including $250,000 in cash) against the failure of the brokerage firm—not market loss.
- Checking accounts are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 through partner banks.
5) Pros, cons, and who Acorns is best for
Pros
- Easy setup for new investors.
- Automated contributions via Recurring Investments and optional Round-Ups®.
- All-in-one bundle of Invest, IRA, Checking, and optional Early.
- Transparent, flat monthly pricing—no trading commissions.
- Start with as little as $5.
Cons
- Flat monthly fees can be high as a percentage of very small balances.
- Limited customization compared to DIY brokerage investing.
- Bonus payout timing varies; read the fine print.
Best for
- Beginners wanting an easy, automated start.
- Busy professionals who prefer “set it and forget it.”
- Families looking for bundled accounts in one app.
6) How to set up your first Recurring Investment (and get the $20)
- Enroll via the promo link: Start here for the $20 bonus »
- Open your Acorns Invest account and complete verification.
- Set up Recurring Investments for at least $5 on your chosen schedule.
- Confirm your first recurring deposit succeeds.
- Watch for your $20 bonus the following month (typically within 10–40 days).
7) Strategic ways to use Acorns (beyond just grabbing $20)
a) Use Recurring + Round-Ups® together
Combine a weekly $5 Recurring Investment with Round-Ups® to boost contributions effortlessly.
b) Align to your pay cycle
If paid biweekly, schedule deposits for the day after payday.
c) Increase gradually
Start small, then raise your recurring amount over time.
d) Add a retirement account
Open an IRA with Acorns Later for tax-advantaged savings.
e) Centralize your banking
Use Acorns Checking to keep investing and spending in one ecosystem.
8) Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I have to be new to get the $20?
Yes, it’s for first-time Acorns users only.
Q: How long until I get the bonus?
Typically the following month, within 10–40 days of your first successful recurring deposit.
Q: What’s the minimum recurring amount?
As little as $5 per deposit.
Q: What are the current plan prices?
Bronze: $3/mo, Silver: $6/mo, Gold: $12/mo.
Q: Is my money insured?
Invest accounts: SIPC-protected up to $500,000. Checking: FDIC-insured up to $250,000.
Q: What does Acorns invest in?
A diversified mix of ETFs across stocks and bonds.
Q: Can I withdraw anytime?
Yes, but allow a few business days for settlement and transfer.
9) Final verdict
If you’ve struggled to invest consistently, Acorns Recurring Investments can be the “easy button” that gets you started. You’ll choose a small amount—as little as $5—and let Acorns handle the rest. Add Round-Ups® to invest spare change in the background, and you’ll build a simple, steady system for long-term wealth.
The $20 bonus is a nice kickstart—just follow the steps, let your first recurring deposit clear, and watch for the credit the following month.
Ready to try Acorns and claim the bonus?
Get your $20 bonus with this link »
10) Disclosures & notes
- Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
- SIPC covers brokerage accounts against broker failure, not market losses.
- FDIC covers eligible bank deposits up to $250,000.
- Bonus timing varies by campaign; read the terms at sign-up.
- Pricing and plan details can change; check the latest before subscribing.
