E*TRADE vs Merrill Edge Review
The StockBrokers.com 2017 Brokerage Review compares E*TRADE vs Merrill Edge. Compare E*TRADE and Merrill Edge trade commissions, fees and overall broker ratings by using the table below. Is E*TRADE or Merrill Edge a better online broker?
Looking at both brokers, first we will take a look at the commission rates for both placing regular stock and options trades. E*TRADE and Merrill Edge both cost $6.95 per trade. For options trading, both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge charge the same base fee of $6.95. Contracts cost $0.75 each at both brokerages. It should be noted that not every broker uses a flat rate stock trade fee structure, so it is important to read the full commission notes (head over to any online brokerage review page, then navigate to the "Commission Notes" section).
Alongside trade commissions, being able to trade the way you want is a must. Merrill Edge provides its clients with Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds while E*TRADE gives clients access to Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. When it comes to mutual funds, Merrill Edge trails E*TRADE by 1,003.00 total funds, with E*TRADE offering 8652 and Merrill Edge offering 7649. Commission free ETFs can also be a nice plus, with E*TRADE having the upper hand thanks to its 133 available ETFs compared to Merrill Edge's offering of 0.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two brokers. E*TRADE nor Merrill Edge has virtual trading. For mobile trading, Both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge offer clients access to an iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Furthermore, some investors like to bank online, and multiple brokerages provide these services to clients. Checking Accounts and Debit Cards are offered by E*TRADE while Merrill Edge offers Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards, Credit Cards and Mortgage Loans. On the whole, when it comes to tools, research, and trading on the go, E*TRADE finished with awards for Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading in 2014, while Merrill Edge came up with Best in Class - Research.
Overall, both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge hold a 4.00 star rating.
Looking at both brokers, first we will take a look at the commission rates for both placing regular stock and options trades. E*TRADE and Merrill Edge both cost $6.95 per trade. For options trading, both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge charge the same base fee of $6.95. Contracts cost $0.75 each at both brokerages. It should be noted that not every broker uses a flat rate stock trade fee structure, so it is important to read the full commission notes (head over to any online brokerage review page, then navigate to the "Commission Notes" section).
Alongside trade commissions, being able to trade the way you want is a must. Merrill Edge provides its clients with Stock Trading, Options Trading and Mutual Funds while E*TRADE gives clients access to Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. When it comes to mutual funds, Merrill Edge trails E*TRADE by 1,003.00 total funds, with E*TRADE offering 8652 and Merrill Edge offering 7649. Commission free ETFs can also be a nice plus, with E*TRADE having the upper hand thanks to its 133 available ETFs compared to Merrill Edge's offering of 0.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two brokers. E*TRADE nor Merrill Edge has virtual trading. For mobile trading, Both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge offer clients access to an iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Furthermore, some investors like to bank online, and multiple brokerages provide these services to clients. Checking Accounts and Debit Cards are offered by E*TRADE while Merrill Edge offers Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards, Credit Cards and Mortgage Loans. On the whole, when it comes to tools, research, and trading on the go, E*TRADE finished with awards for Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading in 2014, while Merrill Edge came up with Best in Class - Research.
Overall, both E*TRADE and Merrill Edge hold a 4.00 star rating.
Jump to:
Overall
Commissions & Fees
Offering of Investments
Platforms & Tools
Research
Customer Service
Mobile Trading
Ease of Use
Education
Order Execution
Banking
Stock Trade Fee (flat)
Options Base Fee
Options Per Contract Fee
Mutual Fund Trade Fee
Broker Assisted Trades Fee
Minimum Deposit
No Inactivity Fees
No Fee IRAs
Stock Trading
Options Trading
Mutual Funds
Forex Trading
Futures Trading
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Web Platform
Virtual Trading
Charting - Drawing Tools
Charting - Indicators / Studies
Option Chains - Total Columns
Watch Lists - Total Fields
iPhone App
iPad App
Android App
Android Tablet App
Apple Watch App
Trading - After-Hours
Trading - Mutual Funds
Trading - Conditional Orders
Trading - Simple Options
Trading - Complex Options
Commission Free ETFs
Mutual Funds (No Load)
Mutual Funds (Total)
# of Easy to Borrow Stocks
Retail Locations
Under $24,999.99
$25,000.00 to $49,999.99
$50,000.00 to $99,999.99
$100,000.00 to $249,999.99
$250,000.00 to $499,999.99
Above $1,000,000.00
$500,000.00 to $999,999.99
Checking Accounts
Savings Accounts
Credit Cards
Debit Cards
Mortgage Loans
No Fee Banking
Comparing 2 brokers
E*TRADE
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
24
118
39
130
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
133
4276
8652
3000
30
8.75%
8.50%
8.00%
7.50%
7.00%
5.50%
6.50%
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Merrill Edge
Special Offer
Invest in a new account and get up to $600 Learn More
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
22
73
62
216
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
0
2764
7649
3793
2161
8.88%
7.75%
7.75%
6.38%
6.38%
5.50%
6.13%
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 2/20/2017 and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. The StockBrokers.com staff is constantly working with its online broker representatives to obtain the latest pricing data. If you believe any data listed above is inaccurate, please contact us using the link at the bottom of this page. For stock trade rates, advertised pricing is for a standard order size of 500 shares of stock priced at $30 per share. For options orders, an options regulatory fee per contract may apply.