I use Robinhood primarily, but what's cool about Public is that YOU GET TO PICK your free stock! It's up to $1000 worth (just changed again!). It's rare that you will get $1000 but when I signed up I got $17 and only deposited $1. To verify you can deposit any amount of money by debit card. (without linking your bank) So NO, you don't have to spend money to get money. It also let's you choose between popular stocks. IMO, worth every simple second.