Are you searching for the best way to earn interest on your uninvested USD cash while waiting for the right investment opportunity?
Rates on idle cash vary widely between US brokers: some pass most of the market rate on to clients, while others pay almost nothing unless you move your cash into a separate product. As of early October 2026, the best rates we found are around 3.3% to 3.6% APY, from Robinhood Gold, Wealthfront, Interactive Brokers and Public.com, while Charles Schwab and Ally Invest pay little or nothing on cash left uninvested.
APY stands for annual percentage yield. All rates are variable and can change at any time, so check the provider’s site before moving money.
7 brokers compared for interest on uninvested USD cash
- Robinhood: 3.6% APY with Robinhood Gold ($5 a month)
- Wealthfront: 3.55% APY base, with boosts for new and active clients
- Interactive Brokers: 3.38% above the first $10,000, best for international (non-US) investors
- Public.com: 3.30% APY with no fees or minimums
- Webull: rate shown in the app, higher with Webull Premium
- Charles Schwab: 0.01% on uninvested cash, money funds yield more
- Ally Invest: no interest on uninvested cash, Ally Bank savings pays 3.10%
Interest on uninvested USD cash: comparison table
Best Brokers for interest rates on uninvested cash in USD
1. Robinhood
Robinhood pays 3.6% APY on eligible brokerage cash to Robinhood Gold members, with no caps or minimums. Gold costs $5 a month after a 30-day free trial, so on small balances the fee can outweigh the extra interest: at 3.6%, you need roughly $1,700 in cash to earn back the $60 a year.
Uninvested cash in the sweep program is held at partner banks and is eligible for FDIC insurance, and the brokerage account is protected by SIPC up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash.
2. Wealthfront
Wealthfront pays a base APY of 3.55% on its Cash Account (October 2026). New clients get a 0.65% boost for three months on up to $150,000, and the rate can reach 4.45% APY with ongoing deposits and investing.
Wealthfront sweeps deposits across up to 32 partner banks, giving FDIC insurance of up to $8 million for individual accounts ($16 million for joint accounts). There are no account fees and withdrawals to eligible external accounts are instant and free.
3. Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers pays 3.38% on USD cash for IBKR Pro clients (September 2026), set at its benchmark rate minus 0.5%. Interest is paid on balances above the first $10,000, and only accounts with a net asset value (NAV) of $100,000 or more get the full rate. Smaller accounts earn a proportionally lower rate. Interest accrues daily and is paid monthly.
IBKR is the most useful option on this list for non-US residents, who generally cannot open accounts with the US-only platforms. For more on the protection of IBKR accounts, read our article on IBKR’s safety or our Interactive Brokers review.
4. Public.com
Public.com pays 3.30% APY on its High-Yield Cash Account, with no fees, subscription, minimum or maximum balance. Cash is swept to partner banks, giving up to $5 million of FDIC coverage, 20 times the standard limit.
5. Webull
Webull pays interest on cash enrolled in its Cash Management program, with a higher rate for Webull Premium members ($40 a year). The current rate is shown in the app rather than on Webull’s public website. Enrolled cash is swept to partner banks with up to $5 million of FDIC coverage.
Interested in knowing more about Webull? Read our Webull review.
6. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab pays only 0.01% APY on uninvested brokerage cash (5 October 2026). To earn a market rate, you need to move cash into a product: Schwab money funds yielded 2.62% to 3.86%, and brokered CDs offer fixed rates for a set term. Money funds are not bank deposits and are not FDIC-insured, though they are low-volatility investments.
7. Ally Invest
Ally Invest states that self-directed account cash balances do not currently earn interest. Its sister bank pays 3.10% APY on Ally Bank savings (5 October 2026), so the practical solution is to keep idle cash in Ally Bank and transfer it when you want to invest.
Ally Invest accounts are protected by SIPC up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash, with additional insurance through Lloyd’s of London.
Bottom line
In summary, rates on idle USD cash range from almost nothing to around 3.6% APY, so where you leave your cash matters.
If you’re looking for the highest rate, Robinhood Gold pays 3.6% APY for $5 a month, while Wealthfront pays 3.55% with no fees.
If you live outside the US, Interactive Brokers pays 3.38% on USD cash above $10,000, with the full rate from $100,000 in assets.
It’s essential to consider the specific requirements and restrictions of each broker, such as minimum deposits or the protection schemes available, to ensure they align with your investment needs.
Looking for interest in EUR and GBP cash? Check our articles on the best brokerage account interest rates on uninvested EUR cash and uninvested GBP cash.
Feel free to get in touch if you want to share feedback or have any questions.
FAQs
Which broker pays the most interest on uninvested cash?
As of early October 2026, Robinhood Gold pays 3.6% APY ($5 a month) and Wealthfront pays a base 3.55% APY, followed by Interactive Brokers (3.38% above $10,000) and Public.com (3.30%).
Does Charles Schwab pay interest on uninvested cash?
Only 0.01% APY on uninvested brokerage cash. To earn more, Schwab clients typically buy a Schwab money fund or a CD.
Is cash in a brokerage account insured?
Cash held at the broker is covered by SIPC up to $250,000 if the broker fails. Cash swept to partner banks is covered by FDIC insurance instead, often up to several million dollars across multiple banks.
Can non-US residents earn interest on USD cash?
Yes, through brokers that accept international clients, such as Interactive Brokers, which pays interest on USD balances above $10,000.
