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E*TRADE vs Merrill Edge 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025

In this head to head comparison of E*TRADE vs Merrill Edge, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

E*TRADE
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4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Merrill Edge
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65

Range of investments

E*TRADE edges out Merrill Edge for range of investments, mainly because it includes futures trading. For most everyday needs, both brokers cover the core choices. If you want the broadest lineup, pick E*TRADE; if you don’t need futures, either broker can fit the bill.

Both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge offer stock trading, margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options trading, Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and advisor services. Neither broker supports fractional shares, forex trading, or crypto trading (0 coins at each). The key difference is futures: E*TRADE offers futures trading, while Merrill Edge does not.

Reflecting these choices, E*TRADE earns a 4.5 out of 5 for Range of Investments and ranks #4 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com. Merrill Edge earns 4 out of 5 and ranks #7 out of 14.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info No No
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds info Yes Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading info No No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 0
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026

Trading platforms and tools

Bottom line: In the head-to-head matchup of trading platforms and tools, E*TRADE has the edge thanks to its downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac and the inclusion of paper trading. Merrill Edge counters with excellent watchlist depth, but it lacks a desktop app. Reflecting this, E*TRADE earns 4 stars and ranks #6 out of 14 brokers for platforms and tools at StockBrokers.com, while Merrill Edge holds 3.5 stars and ranks #7.

Platform access is a key divider. E*TRADE offers a downloadable platform for Windows and Mac, plus a browser-based experience. Merrill Edge delivers a capable browser-based platform but no desktop download for either Windows or Mac. E*TRADE also includes paper trading for practice; Merrill Edge does not. Neither broker provides a built-in trading journal.

On tools, each broker lets you adjust open orders right on the chart, add notes, view historical trades, display earnings/splits/dividends, set custom date ranges, auto-detect chart patterns, and save multiple chart profiles. E*TRADE supplies 121 technical indicators and 37 drawing tools, while Merrill Edge offers 105 indicators and 23 drawing tools. Watchlists swing toward Merrill Edge with 285 available fields versus E*TRADE’s 43. Editing an SMA study provides 8 customization fields at both brokers, and neither supports creating fully custom studies.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Paper Trading info Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields info 43 285
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 121 105
Charting - Drawing Tools info 37 23
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026

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Beginners and education

E*TRADE and Merrill Edge both cover the core investing topics beginners look for, including stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds. Each platform offers educational videos and live webinars. The key differences: E*TRADE includes paper trading for hands-on practice, while Merrill Edge does not; Merrill Edge offers quizzes to test your knowledge, while E*TRADE does not. Neither platform currently lets you track your learning progress.

Both brokers earn 4 stars for education. In StockBrokers.com’s rankings of 14 brokers, E*TRADE places #5 and Merrill Edge is close behind at #6. If you want to practice strategies in a risk-free setting, E*TRADE’s paper trading could be a deciding factor. If you prefer checking your understanding with quizzes, Merrill Edge has an edge there. Either way, beginner investors will find broad topic coverage and multiple ways to learn.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes Yes
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Education 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026

Stock trading apps

Bottom line: E*TRADE’s mobile trading app has the edge over Merrill Edge thanks to broader device support, more trading-hour flexibility, live market TV, and deeper charting tools. That advantage shows up in third-party scores: E*TRADE is rated 4.5/5 stars and ranks #5 of 14 for stock trading apps at StockBrokers.com, while Merrill Edge earns 4/5 stars and ranks #9. Choose E*TRADE if you want more advanced features on the go; pick Merrill Edge if you mainly need the essentials in a straightforward app.

Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, but only E*TRADE adds an Apple Watch app. Each supports mobile options trading and streaming quotes. E*TRADE also enables mobile after-hours trading, whereas Merrill Edge does not list this capability. For market media, E*TRADE streams live TV; neither broker offers a video library on demand. Both provide stock alerts and custom watch lists, though only E*TRADE lets you customize watch list columns.

Charting is another clear separator. E*TRADE includes after-hours charting (Merrill Edge does not), and both apps allow landscape charts, multiple time frames, and side-by-side stock comparisons. E*TRADE offers a larger menu of technical studies (107 versus Merrill Edge’s 34), giving active traders more ways to analyze price action.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info Yes No
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Technical Studies info 107 34
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

When evaluating E*TRADE and Merrill Edge for their account fees and charges, both online brokers offer competitive pricing that appeals to a wide range of investors. E*TRADE and Merrill Edge share several similarities, such as no minimum deposit and commission-free trading for regular stocks, making them both accessible options for new and seasoned investors alike. One noteworthy distinction, however, is in the account transfer fees: E*TRADE charges $75 for a full account transfer, while Merrill Edge users can transfer their accounts in full without incurring any fees.

Both platforms offer free options exercise and assignment, ensuring that investors don't face extra costs when participating in more complex trades. Options contracts are also priced equally at $0.65 per contract across both platforms, maintaining uniformity for traders comparing the two. When looking at margin rates, however, E*TRADE provides clear rates beginning at 12.95% for balances below $25,000, whereas Merrill Edge's rates fluctuate based on various factors. For investors who want predictability in margin costs, this might be a consideration.

For IRA accounts, both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge users can enjoy zero annual fees, but E*TRADE edges ahead with no IRA closure fees, unlike Merrill Edge’s $49.95 charge. This difference might sway those who are concerned about potential costs when exiting an IRA account. Additionally, partial account transfers are free with both brokers, allowing investors some ease of movement without financial penalty. Ultimately, the choice between E*TRADE and Merrill Edge may come down to specific needs like margin cost predictability and fee-free full account transfers.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.65
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $49.95

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

When comparing the day trading features of E*TRADE and Merrill Edge, E*TRADE stands out in several areas that are essential for active traders. E*TRADE provides excellent resources, including streaming time and sales for stocks, which is matched by Merrill Edge. However, E*TRADE enhances the experience with streaming live TV, a feature that Merrill Edge lacks. E*TRADE also allows direct market routing for stocks, providing greater flexibility in executing trades, while Merrill Edge does not offer this option. Adding to E*TRADE's appeal is the support for trading hotkeys, enabling swift keyboard trade entries, a tool not available with Merrill Edge. Both platforms provide access to level 2 quotes, essential for understanding market depth.

In contrast, Merrill Edge offers a feature that E*TRADE does not: basic strategy backtesting, which allows traders to test their strategies using historical data, although neither platform provides advanced strategy backtesting. Neither E*TRADE nor Merrill Edge offers ladder trading, a short locator tool, or order liquidity rebates. For traders who prioritize direct market routing and integrated features like streaming TV and the use of hotkeys, E*TRADE may be the preferable choice. However, for those who value backtesting capabilities, Merrill Edge might offer a slight edge despite its more limited range of trading tools.

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

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2026 for Beginners and Active Traders

Market Research

Bottom line: E*TRADE and Merrill Edge are both excellent for market research, each earning 4.5 out of 5 stars. E*TRADE holds a slight edge in StockBrokers.com’s rankings (#3 vs. #4), thanks to more downloadable stock reports and built-in social media sentiment. Merrill Edge counters with ESG research, which E*TRADE doesn’t offer. Pick E*TRADE if you want broader stock report coverage and social signals; choose Merrill Edge if ESG is a must-have.

Both brokers cover a wide range of assets with research on stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and even Pink Sheets/OTC. Each platform includes screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds to help you find ideas, plus downloadable PDF reports for ETFs and mutual funds. You can also view portfolio allocation by asset class on either service, making it easier to check diversification at a glance.

Key differences: E*TRADE provides eight downloadable PDF research reports for individual stocks, while Merrill Edge offers three. E*TRADE also includes stock research that factors in social media sentiment; Merrill Edge does not. In turn, Merrill Edge delivers ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) research, which E*TRADE lacks. These trade-offs—plus the small ranking gap—will likely guide your choice based on what type of insight matters most to you.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income info Yes Yes
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes Yes
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing the banking capabilities of online brokers E*TRADE and Merrill Edge, both platforms offer an extensive range of services to meet diverse financial needs. E*TRADE allows customers to open checking accounts, savings accounts, and CDs, while also providing debit and credit card options. Additionally, E*TRADE users can explore mortgage loans to finance their home purchases. Similarly, Merrill Edge matches these offerings with its own suite of financial products, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, and both debit and credit cards, along with mortgage loan services. This comprehensive suite of banking options across both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge enables users to manage their finances with flexibility and ease.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Checking Accounts info Yes Yes
Savings Accounts info Yes Yes
Debit Cards info Yes Yes
Credit Cards info Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans info Yes Yes
Brokerage CDs info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2026

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that E*TRADE is better than Merrill Edge. E*TRADE finished with an overall score of 86.0%, while Merrill Edge finished with a score of 81.9%.

With two distinct platforms (E*TRADE Web and Power E*TRADE) the broker effectively serves both the "set-it-and-forget-it" investor and the high-volume derivatives trader. Whether you aim to construct a long-term retirement portfolio or deploy complex options strategies, E*TRADE provides a sophisticated, dependable environment that grows with your ambition.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with E*TRADE or Merrill Edge?

Both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge do not offer crypto trading options, as neither platform provides access to any cryptocurrency coins.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does E*TRADE or Merrill Edge offer IRAs?

Both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees, but while E*TRADE charges no fee for closing an IRA account, Merrill Edge imposes a closure fee of $49.95.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

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Overall Rating E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review E*TRADE Review Merrill Edge Review
Broker Screenshots E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $6.95 info N/A
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info $0.00 Varies info
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 $0.65
Futures (Per Contract) info $1.50 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $25 $29.95
Margin Rates E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 12.95% info Varies info
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 12.7% Varies info
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 12.2% Varies info
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 11.7% Varies info
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 11.2% Varies info
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info Varies info Varies info
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info Varies info Varies info
Account Fees E*TRADE Merrill Edge
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $49.95
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $75.00 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info No No
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 4
Futures Trading info Yes No
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 0
Fixed Income (Treasurys) info Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) info Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) info Yes Yes
Traditional IRAs info Yes Yes
Roth IRAs info Yes Yes
Advisor Services info Yes Yes
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours info Yes Yes
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - OCO info Yes No
Order Type - OTO info Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes Yes
Beginners E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes Yes
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator info Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info Yes No
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Progress Tracking info No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info No Yes
Stock Trading Apps E*TRADE Merrill Edge
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info Yes No
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes Yes
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info Yes No
Stock App Features E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Mobile Research - Market Movers info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info Yes No
Videos on Demand info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watchlist (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watchlist (Streaming) info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization info Yes No
Stock App Charting E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Charting - After-Hours info Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 107 34
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons info Yes Yes
Trading Platforms E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Active Trading Platform info Power E*TRADE Merrill Edge Market Pro
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info Yes No
Trade Journal info No No
Watchlists - Total Fields info 43 285
Stock Chart Features E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 121 105
Charting - Drawing Tools info 37 23
Charting - Notes info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info Yes Yes
Charting - Corporate Events info Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range info Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Time Bars info No Yes
Charting - Automated Analysis info Yes Yes
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations info 8 8
Charting - Custom Studies info No No
Day Trading E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes Yes
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities info Yes No
Ladder Trading info No No
Trade Hot Keys info Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes info Yes
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info No Yes
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info No No
Order Liquidity Rebates info No No
Research Overview E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes Yes
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes Yes
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes Yes
Portfolio Asset Allocation info Yes Yes
Stock Research E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 8 3
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social info Yes No
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info No Yes
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes Yes
ETF Research E*TRADE Merrill Edge
ETFs - Investment Objective info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets info Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure info Yes Yes
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes Yes
ETFs - Ratings info Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info Yes Yes
ETFs - PDF Reports info Yes Yes
Mutual Fund Research E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info Yes Yes
Options Trading E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Option Chains - Total Greeks info 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes Yes
Banking E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Bank (Member FDIC) info Yes Yes
Checking Accounts info Yes Yes
Savings Accounts info Yes Yes
Credit Cards info Yes Yes
Debit Cards info Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans info Yes Yes
Customer Service E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) info Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
Email Support info Yes No
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) info No Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info Yes Yes
Overall E*TRADE Merrill Edge
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review E*TRADE Review Merrill Edge Review
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