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.
Merrill Edge vs eToro: For most long-term investors and retirement savers, Merrill Edge is the stronger all-around pick thanks to its wider mix of traditional investments and account types. It earns 4 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #7 of 14 at StockBrokers.com, while eToro scores 2.5 stars and ranks #14. eToro shines for traders who want easy access to crypto and fractional shares alongside stocks and options.
Both platforms offer stock trading and options trading, and neither offers forex or futures. Merrill Edge supports margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, Traditional and Roth IRAs, and advisor services. eToro does not offer margin, OTC stocks, mutual funds, IRAs, or advisor services, but it does provide fractional shares and crypto trading with 104 coins (Merrill Edge offers no crypto and no fractional shares).
Choose Merrill Edge if you want margin access, mutual funds, OTC stocks, retirement accounts, and the option to get advisor help. Pick eToro if your priority is stocks, options, and a large crypto lineup with fractional shares, and you don’t need mutual funds or IRA account types.
| 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 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
In the Merrill Edge vs eToro comparison for trading platforms and tools, Merrill Edge comes out ahead. StockBrokers.com rates Merrill Edge 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks it 7th of 14, while eToro earns 1.5 stars and ranks 11th. Merrill Edge suits traders who want deep chart features and detailed watch lists, whereas eToro is better if you value paper trading and a simpler setup.
Neither broker offers a downloadable desktop platform for Windows or Mac; both run in your browser. eToro offers paper trading, but Merrill Edge does not. Neither platform includes a trading journal, and neither allows you to build custom studies. Both let you save multiple chart profiles.
Merrill Edge provides far more data fields for watch lists (285 vs 7) and lets you adjust open orders directly on charts, which eToro does not. For charting, Merrill Edge includes 105 technical indicators versus eToro’s 46, while eToro offers more drawing tools (48 vs 23). Both support adding notes to charts, but only Merrill Edge shows historical trades, corporate events, custom date ranges, and automated chart pattern analysis. Editing an SMA study offers more inputs on Merrill Edge (8 vs 5). If you want richer chart features and in-chart order control, Merrill Edge is stronger; if you need practice trading in a live-like environment, eToro’s paper trading stands out.
| 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 |
| Advanced Trading |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
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Merrill Edge and eToro both provide beginner-friendly investing education across stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, plus video lessons. Merrill Edge goes further with mutual funds education, live webinars, and interactive quizzes. eToro lacks webinars and quizzes, but it does include paper trading so you can practice risk-free. Neither platform currently lets you track your learning progress.
For education quality, StockBrokers.com rates Merrill Edge 4 out of 5 stars and ranks it #6 of 14 brokers, while eToro earns 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #9. Choose Merrill Edge if you want a broader set of learning formats and mutual fund coverage; pick eToro if hands-on practice with virtual trades is your top priority.
| 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 |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
Merrill Edge vs eToro: both deliver capable stock trading apps for iPhone and Android, each earning 4 stars from StockBrokers.com. Merrill Edge ranks #9 of 14 brokers, while eToro ranks #11. Pick Merrill Edge if you want in-app after-hours trading and landscape chart views; pick eToro if you prefer deeper chart studies, after-hours charting, and videos on demand. Note: eToro’s mobile after-hours trading availability wasn’t confirmed.
Both apps are available on iPhone and Android, with no Apple Watch support. Each provides streaming quotes, stock alerts, and the ability to build custom watch lists, though neither lets you customize watch list columns. Neither streams live TV; eToro offers videos on demand, while Merrill Edge does not.
Trading tools line up closely: both support mobile options trading. Merrill Edge allows after-hours trades from the app; eToro’s mobile after-hours trading wasn’t confirmed. For charts, both offer multiple time frames and symbol comparisons. eToro includes after-hours charting and 103 technical studies versus Merrill Edge’s 34, while Merrill Edge supports landscape chart viewing and eToro does not.
| 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 2026
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 2026
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 and Apps for 2026
If market research is your priority, Merrill Edge clearly outpaces eToro. Merrill Edge earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 14 brokers for market research at StockBrokers.com, while eToro scores 2 stars and ranks #14. Merrill Edge covers more asset types, offers more downloadable reports and screeners, and shows portfolio allocation by asset class. eToro’s standout is social media sentiment. For most investors, Merrill Edge is the more complete research choice; pick eToro if you specifically want social sentiment in a simpler setup.
Coverage and reports: Merrill Edge provides research on stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, pink sheets/OTC, and bonds. eToro limits research to stocks and ETFs and does not cover mutual funds, OTC, or bonds. Merrill Edge also supplies downloadable PDF research: three reports for stocks, plus reports for ETFs and mutual funds. eToro does not offer downloadable PDF reports. Both brokers include ESG research, but only Merrill Edge lets you view your portfolio’s mix by asset class.
Idea tools and data: Merrill Edge includes screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds to help you find trade ideas, whereas eToro offers no screeners. eToro does provide stock research using social media sentiment, which Merrill Edge lacks. In short, Merrill Edge fits investors who value classic analyst research, screeners, and clear portfolio views, while eToro suits those who want social sentiment data and basic coverage.
| 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 2026
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 81.9%, while eToro finished with a score of 51.4%.
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 2026
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 2026
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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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| Research |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Merrill Edge Review | eToro Review |
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