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Merrill Edge vs eToro 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

July 03, 2025

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
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
eToro
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $50.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00

Range of investments

For those deciding between Merrill Edge and eToro, it's essential to consider the distinct investment options each platform offers. Merrill Edge shines with a more traditional approach, providing access to stock, margin, and options trading, as well as opportunities in mutual funds and OTC stocks. This makes it an appealing choice for investors interested in a diverse portfolio that can include retirement accounts such as traditional and Roth IRAs. In contrast, eToro steps into a more modern trading scene by offering features like fractional shares and cryptocurrency trading, catering to investors eager to explore newer markets like digital currencies. Stocks and options are also available on eToro, yet the absence of certain traditional investments gives Merrill Edge a broader appeal to conventional investors.

Delving into specific offerings, Merrill Edge allows for stock trading with margin, and it extends its services to include mutual funds and options trading. However, it does not support fractional shares or cryptocurrency trading, favoring more conventional investment routes including advisor services. eToro, on the other hand, does not offer margin trading or mutual funds but caters to enthusiasts of fractional shares and cryptocurrency, boasting a selection of 26 coins. These choices underline eToro's commitment to accessible and innovative financial markets, despite the absence of traditional IRA accounts and advisory services.

The ratings and rankings tell a compelling story regarding the range of investments. Merrill Edge garners an impressive 4.5 stars and ranks #7 out of 14 brokers, showcasing its comprehensive investment offerings and solid performance in traditional markets. eToro, rated at 2.5 stars and positioned at #14 in the same ranking, appeals to those drawn to innovative markets, despite a more limited range of investments in traditional asset classes. These distinctions highlight Merrill Edge's strength in conventional trading avenues and eToro's niche in modern, emerging investment opportunities.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
eToro logoeToro
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes No
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info No Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Mutual Funds info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 26
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market

Trading platforms and tools

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 logoMerrill Edge
eToro logoeToro
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Paper Trading info No Yes
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 285 7
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 105 46
Charting - Drawing Tools info 23 48
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025

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Beginners and education

When comparing Merrill Edge and eToro for their educational resources tailored for beginners and investors, Merrill Edge takes a more comprehensive approach. Merrill Edge provides a well-rounded suite of educational materials that span stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds. They enrich this offering with educational videos, webinars, and quizzes to engage their users actively. Although Merrill Edge lacks a feature for tracking learning progress and doesn't offer paper trading, its extensive educational content earns it a high rating of 4.5 stars in the investment community and ranks it as the 5th best among 14 brokers by StockBrokers.com.

On the other hand, eToro has a more limited educational scope. While it provides resources on stocks and educational videos, eToro falls short by not offering education on ETFs, options, mutual funds, or bonds. However, eToro presents an interactive feature through paper trading, which can be beneficial for beginners looking to practice without financial risk. Despite this, eToro's overall educational offerings only garner a 2.5-star rating, placing it at 14th out of 14 brokers as per StockBrokers.com rankings. While both platforms cater to different needs, Merrill Edge emerges as the more robust choice for comprehensive investor education.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
eToro logoeToro
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes No
Education (Options) info Yes No
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes No
Paper Trading info No Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes No
Education 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

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 logoMerrill Edge
eToro logoeToro
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 34 103
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

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 logoMerrill Edge
eToro logoeToro
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $50.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $49.95

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

When evaluating Merrill Edge and eToro for day trading, both platforms provide streaming time and sales for stocks, ensuring traders have access to real-time data. However, neither offers streaming live TV, direct market routing, or ladder trading, potentially limiting the depth of analysis some traders might seek. Furthermore, traders who prefer using keyboard hotkeys for quick trade entry will find these features absent on both platforms.

Where Merrill Edge distinguishes itself is in offering level 2 quotes and basic strategy backtesting, providing traders with more detailed market insights and a tool to test their strategies on past market data. In contrast, eToro doesn't provide these features, which might be a consideration for those who rely on detailed market depth and testing capabilities in their trading routine. Despite these differences, neither platform offers a short locator tool for real-time share availability or advanced strategy backtesting, thus keeping certain advanced trading features out of reach for users on both platforms.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
eToro logoeToro
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes Yes
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Equities info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info No No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025

Market Research

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 logoMerrill Edge
eToro logoeToro
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Fixed Income info Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes No
Research 5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars

Banking

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 logoMerrill Edge
eToro logoeToro
Checking Accounts info Yes
Savings Accounts info Yes
Debit Cards info Yes
Credit Cards info Yes
Mortgage Loans info Yes
Brokerage CDs info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025

Winner

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.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Merrill Edge or eToro?

Merrill Edge does not offer crypto trading and provides zero coins for trading, while eToro supports cryptocurrency trading with access to 26 different coins.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025

Does Merrill Edge or eToro offer IRAs?

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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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Merrill Edge eToro
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.0/5 Stars N/A
Education 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Merrill Edge Review eToro Review
Broker Screenshots Merrill Edge eToro
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Merrill Edge eToro
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $50.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info N/A N/A
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info Varies info N/A
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) info (Not offered) (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $29.95 $0
Margin Rates Merrill Edge eToro
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info Varies info Not offered
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info Varies info Not offered
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info Varies info Not offered
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info Varies info Not offered
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info Varies info Not offered
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info Varies info Not offered
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info Varies info Not offered
Account Fees Merrill Edge eToro
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $49.95
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $0.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $0.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Merrill Edge eToro
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes No
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info No Yes
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 0
Futures Trading info No No
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 26
Fixed Income (Treasurys) info Yes No
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) info Yes No
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) info Yes No
Traditional IRAs info Yes No
Roth IRAs info Yes No
Advisor Services info Yes No
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types Merrill Edge eToro
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes No
Order Type - After Hours info Yes No
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - OCO info No No
Order Type - OTO info No No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes No
Beginners Merrill Edge eToro
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes No
Education (Options) info Yes No
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes No
Education (Retirement) info Yes No
Retirement Calculator info Yes No
Investor Dictionary info Yes No
Paper Trading info No Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes No
Progress Tracking info No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Merrill Edge eToro
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes No
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes No
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info No Yes
Stock App Features Merrill Edge eToro
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info No No
Videos on Demand info No Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Column Customization info No No
Stock App Charting Merrill Edge eToro
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 34 103
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons info Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Merrill Edge eToro
Active Trading Platform info Merrill Edge Market Pro N/A
Desktop Trading Platform info No No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No Yes
Trade Journal info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 285 7
Stock Chart Features Merrill Edge eToro
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 105 46
Charting - Drawing Tools info 23 48
Charting - Notes info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events info Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range info Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info Yes No
Charting - Automated Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations info 8 5
Charting - Custom Studies info No No
Day Trading Merrill Edge eToro
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes Yes
Streaming TV info No No
Direct Market Routing - Equities info No No
Ladder Trading info No No
Trade Hot Keys info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info No No
Order Liquidity Rebates info No
Research Overview Merrill Edge eToro
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes No
Research - Fixed Income info Yes No
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes No
Portfolio Asset Allocation info Yes No
Stock Research Merrill Edge eToro
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 3 0
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social info No Yes
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info Yes Yes
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes Yes
ETF Research Merrill Edge eToro
ETFs - Investment Objective info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Sector Exposure info Yes No
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes No
ETFs - Ratings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports info Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Merrill Edge eToro
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info Yes No
Options Trading Merrill Edge eToro
Option Chains - Total Greeks info 5 4
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes No
Banking Merrill Edge eToro
Bank (Member FDIC) info Yes
Checking Accounts info Yes
Savings Accounts info Yes
Credit Cards info Yes
Debit Cards info Yes
Mortgage Loans info Yes
Customer Service Merrill Edge eToro
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes No
Email Support info No Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info Yes No
Overall Merrill Edge eToro
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Merrill Edge Review eToro Review
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