Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Merrill Edge vs eToro, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Quick take: Merrill Edge is the better pick for a wide range of traditional investments and retirement needs, while eToro shines for crypto and fractional shares. For Range of Investments, StockBrokers.com rates Merrill Edge 4.5 out of 5 stars (ranked #7 of 14) and eToro 2.5 out of 5 stars (ranked #14 of 14).
Both brokers offer stock and options trading. Merrill Edge supports margin trading, OTC stocks, and mutual funds, but it does not offer crypto, forex, or futures. eToro does not offer margin, OTC stocks, mutual funds, forex, or futures, but it does offer fractional shares and crypto trading.
Account features differ, too. Merrill Edge offers Traditional and Roth IRAs plus advisor services. eToro does not offer IRAs or advisor services, but it provides access to 104 cryptocurrencies for trading. If you want margin, mutual funds, OTC access, retirement accounts, or guidance, Merrill Edge fits the bill. If you want fractional shares and a large menu of crypto, eToro is the match.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | No |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 104 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
For those seeking a comprehensive trading platform, Merrill Edge boasts a commendable array of features that may better suit seasoned traders. Offering 105 technical indicators, the ability to adjust open orders directly on a stock chart, and options to display corporate events, Merrill Edge provides detailed insights and advanced customization. In comparison, eToro, while user-friendly and offering features like paper trading and 48 drawing tools, doesn't deliver the same depth in terms of technical indicators or chart customization options. Merrill Edge receives a higher rating of 4 stars compared to eToro's 2.5 stars, according to StockBrokers.com rankings.
Both Merrill Edge and eToro provide a browser-based trading platform, catering to traders who prefer not to download software to their devices. However, only eToro offers a paper trading feature, which is beneficial for beginners looking to practice before investing real money. When it comes to watch lists, Merrill Edge takes the lead with 285 customizable fields, significantly more than eToro's 7 options. This allows Merrill Edge users to maintain comprehensive watch lists tailored to their specific trading preferences.
Charting capabilities are another area where these platforms differ. Merrill Edge grants traders the ability to add notes, display historical trades, and show automated technical analyses directly on the chart, while eToro lacks these capabilities. Furthermore, Merrill Edge provides more customization fields for technical studies like the SMA, offering 8 fields against eToro's 5. Both platforms, however, allow saving multiple chart profiles, a feature that supports traders managing diverse portfolios. Overall, while eToro offers a solid starting point for less experienced traders, Merrill Edge delivers advanced toolsets that cater to those seeking more in-depth trading features.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | No | No |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
| Paper Trading | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 285 | 7 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 105 | 46 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 48 |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
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Comparing Merrill Edge and eToro for beginner and investor education, both platforms cover the basics with education on stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, and both offer educational videos. Merrill Edge adds more learning formats and topics, including mutual funds education, webinars, and quizzes. eToro does not offer mutual funds education, webinars, or quizzes, but it does provide paper trading so beginners can practice without risking real money. Neither platform lets you track your learning progress.
For quality, Merrill Edge is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks 5th out of 14 brokers for education on StockBrokers.com, while eToro is rated 2.5 out of 5 stars and ranks 14th out of 14. If you want broader learning with webinars and quizzes, Merrill Edge is the stronger choice. If practicing trades matters most, eToro’s paper trading can be a helpful starting point alongside its core education.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes |
| Paper Trading | No | Yes |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When choosing between Merrill Edge and eToro for their stock trading app capabilities, both platforms offer distinct advantages that cater to various trading preferences. Merrill Edge holds a slight edge in terms of overall ranking, securing the 6th spot out of 14 brokers compared to eToro's 11th place. Both brokers boast a solid rating of 4.5 stars for their app performance, making them reliable options for on-the-go trading. Notably, eToro excels with its vast selection of 103 technical studies for charting, which is considerably more than Merrill Edge's 34, appealing to traders who favor more in-depth analysis tools.
For mobile app availability, Merrill Edge and eToro both provide iPhone and Android apps, ensuring seamless access for users on these platforms, although neither offers apps for Apple Watch. After-hours trading is supported by Merrill Edge, while eToro stands out with its provision of videos on demand, offering users additional educational resources. Both apps support streaming quotes, stock alerts, and the ability to create custom watch lists, making them competitive choices for active traders looking to stay informed and organized.
Charting capabilities differ between the two, with Merrill Edge allowing charts to be viewed in landscape mode and supporting multiple time frames. In contrast, eToro does not offer landscape mode but compensates with after-hours charting. Additionally, both apps enable users to display stock comparisons directly on their charts, enhancing the analysis experience. Overall, each broker has unique strengths, allowing traders to select an app that best aligns with their personal trading strategies and preferences.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | No | No |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 34 | 103 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When choosing between Merrill Edge and eToro for online brokerage services, it's essential to consider their fees and charges. Merrill Edge is particularly appealing for those who want to start investing without committing a substantial amount upfront, as it requires no minimum deposit and charges $0 for regular stock trades. On the other hand, eToro requires a minimum deposit of $50, but it also offers commission-free stock trades. However, if you plan on trading options, Merrill Edge charges $0.65 per contract, while eToro offers options trading at no additional charge.
For investors interested in margin trading, it's worth noting that Merrill Edge offers this option with varying fees depending on the balance, whereas eToro does not provide margin services. Both platforms have their unique advantages, with Merrill Edge offering free IRA accounts—although closing an IRA with them incurs a $49.95 fee—while eToro offers free options trading, which might be tempting for more experienced investors looking to diversify their portfolios.
Additionally, when it comes to transferring accounts, Merrill Edge stands out by not charging for either partial or full account transfers, whereas eToro imposes a $75 fee for each. Both platforms, however, do not charge for options exercise and assignment, making them equally attractive for options traders in this regard. Depending on your specific needs, Merrill Edge might be the better option for beginners with its low initial cost commitment and enticing benefits, whereas eToro may appeal to those seeking a diversified trading experience with no per-contract options fees.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $50.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.00 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $49.95 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When it comes to day trading capabilities, Merrill Edge and eToro both present a mix of features suitable for various traders. Both platforms provide streaming time and sales for stocks, allowing traders to watch price movements and trade volumes in real-time. However, neither of them offers streaming live TV, direct market routing, ladder trading, or trading hotkeys for swift trade entries, which might be a consideration for those seeking high-frequency trading features.
Merrill Edge has the edge with its inclusion of level 2 quotes, which can be beneficial for investors seeking a deeper view of market depth. Additionally, it provides basic strategy backtesting, allowing traders to test strategies with historical data, although it does not extend to advanced backtesting. On the other hand, eToro lacks these features but focuses on social trading, which might attract traders interested in mimicking successful investors' trades. Neither platform supports a short locator tool for accessing stock availability nor offers order liquidity rebates, limiting certain advanced trading strategies.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming TV | No | No |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No |
| Short Locator | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2025 for Beginners and Active Traders
When it comes to market research capabilities, Merrill Edge clearly outshines eToro. Offering a comprehensive suite of research tools, Merrill Edge provides in-depth analysis and resources for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. The platform also includes portfolio allocation insights and numerous downloadable PDF reports to assist traders in making informed decisions. eToro, although equipped with some modern features like social media sentiment data and ESG research, falls short in several aspects and is mainly geared towards stocks and ETFs, lacking extensive data on other asset classes.
Merrill Edge provides a holistic market research experience, with a variety of resources to cater to diverse investor needs. Investors can access detailed research reports and screeners for a range of investment types, from stocks and ETFs to bonds and mutual funds. The ability to analyze portfolio allocation by asset class adds another layer of depth to its offerings, making it a powerful tool for traditional investors. In contrast, while eToro offers innovative tools such as real-time social media sentiment analysis, it does not support research for mutual funds or bonds and lacks downloadable reports, limiting its utility for comprehensive portfolio management.
Adding to its strong market research offerings, Merrill Edge is ranked #5 out of 14 brokers, with a full 5-star rating for market research capabilities according to StockBrokers.com. eToro, on the other hand, ranks last at #14, with a 1.5-star rating. This disparity underscores Merrill Edge's leadership in market research, providing users with extensive resources and tools to guide their investment journey, rather than the niche approach adopted by eToro.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | No |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Research |
|
|
When comparing the banking capabilities of Merrill Edge and eToro, Merrill Edge clearly stands out as it provides a comprehensive range of traditional banking services. Merrill Edge offers checking and savings accounts, giving users a versatile option to manage their finances with ease. In addition, they provide access to debit and credit cards, allowing for convenient transactions and credit building. For those interested in home ownership, Merrill Edge also offers mortgage loans, adding another layer of financial support. Furthermore, they provide Certificates of Deposit (CDs), which can be an attractive option for those looking for a secure investment with fixed returns. On the other hand, eToro does not offer checking accounts, savings accounts, debit or credit cards, or mortgage loans, and also does not feature CDs. This makes Merrill Edge a more comprehensive choice for individuals seeking a full range of banking services alongside their online trading options.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | Yes | |
| Savings Accounts | Yes | |
| Debit Cards | Yes | |
| Credit Cards | Yes | |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | |
| Brokerage CDs | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Merrill Edge is better than eToro. Merrill Edge finished with an overall score of 92.7%, while eToro finished with a score of 66.1%.
Merrill Edge and its parent, Bank of America, make for a well-rounded offering, with $0 trades, robust research, reliable customer service; and its Stock Stories and Fund Stories are an industry standout. There are some gaps in investment offerings, including crypto and futures.
Merrill Edge vs eToro for crypto trading: Merrill Edge does not offer cryptocurrency trading, while eToro does.
Merrill Edge offers 0 coins, whereas eToro supports 104 cryptocurrencies.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Merrill Edge offers both traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees, although there is a $49.95 closure fee. In contrast, eToro does not provide IRA account options.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
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| Review | Merrill Edge Review | eToro Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Trading Fees | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $50.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | N/A | N/A | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | Varies | N/A | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.00 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | (Not offered) | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $29.95 | $0 |
| Margin Rates | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | Varies | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | Varies | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | Varies | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | Varies | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | Varies | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | Varies | Not offered | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | Varies | Not offered |
| Account Fees | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | ||
| IRA Closure Fee | $49.95 | ||
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Investment Options | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | No | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 0 | |
| Futures Trading | No | No | |
| Forex Trading | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 104 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | No | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | No | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | No | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
| Order Types | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Limit | Yes | No | |
| Order Type - After Hours | Yes | No | |
| Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Trailing Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OCO | No | No | |
| Order Type - OTO | No | No | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
| Beginners | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
| Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | No | |
| Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Progress Tracking | No | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple Watch App | No | No | |
| Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - After-Hours | Yes | No | |
| Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Complex Options | Yes | No | |
| Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket SRT Quotes | No | Yes |
| Stock App Features | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | No | No | |
| Videos on Demand | No | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization | No | No |
| Stock App Charting | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 34 | 103 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | Merrill Edge Market Pro | N/A | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | No | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
| Trade Journal | No | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 285 | 7 |
| Stock Chart Features | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 105 | 46 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 48 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 8 | 5 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
| Day Trading | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes | |
| Streaming TV | No | No | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No | |
| Ladder Trading | No | No | |
| Trade Hot Keys | No | No | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No | |
| Short Locator | No | No | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
| Research Overview | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | No | |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | No |
| Stock Research | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 3 | 0 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Social | No | Yes | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | Yes |
| ETF Research | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Prospectus | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - StyleMap | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 4 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | No |
| Banking | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | Yes | ||
| Checking Accounts | Yes | ||
| Savings Accounts | Yes | ||
| Credit Cards | Yes | ||
| Debit Cards | Yes | ||
| Mortgage Loans | Yes |
| Customer Service | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | No | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
| Email Support | No | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | No |
| Overall | Merrill Edge | eToro | |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Merrill Edge Review | eToro Review |
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