Merrill Edge vs Public.com 2025
In this head to head comparison of Merrill Edge vs Public.com, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of Merrill Edge vs Public.com, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When choosing between Merrill Edge and Public.com, it's important to consider the diverse range of investment options each platform offers to align with your financial goals. Merrill Edge receives a strong rating of 4.5 stars for its range of investments, ranking 7th among 14 brokers, thanks to its extensive offering, including stock trading, margin trading, mutual funds, options trading, and various IRA accounts. On the other hand, Public.com, with a 3.5-star rating and a ranking of 13th, provides a more focused offering that includes stock trading, the ability to trade fractional shares, options trading, and a curated selection of 22 cryptocurrencies, but lacks mutual funds and IRA accounts.
Merrill Edge is ideal for investors looking for a traditional brokerage experience with comprehensive investment options. It supports trading for stocks, options, and mutual funds, alongside offering traditional and Roth IRA accounts. Additionally, Merrill Edge provides advisor services, which can guide investors in their financial planning. However, it does not offer crypto trading, futures, or forex trading, limiting its appeal to those interested in these areas.
Conversely, Public.com appeals to those who prioritize modern trading options like fractional shares and crypto trading, albeit with some limitations. While it offers stock and options trading similar to Merrill Edge, it distinguishes itself with access to 22 cryptocurrencies for investors interested in diversifying their portfolios with digital options. However, the absence of mutual funds, IRA accounts, and advisor services may not cater to those seeking a broader investment strategy. Ultimately, the choice between Merrill Edge and Public.com hinges on your specific investment needs and preferences.
Feature |
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Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes |
OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | No | No |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 22 |
Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
In the realm of online trading, Merrill Edge and Public.com cater to different needs, as reflected in a comparison of their trading platforms and tools. Merrill Edge emerges as the more feature-rich option, earning a commendable 4 out of 5 stars, compared to Public.com's 2-star rating. Ranked #6 out of 14 brokers by StockBrokers.com, Merrill Edge significantly outperforms Public, which sits at the bottom of the list at #14. This overview highlights Merrill Edge's superior offerings, making it the preferred choice for traders seeking comprehensive analytical tools and charting capabilities.
Delving deeper into the specifics, both Merrill Edge and Public.com provide browser-based trading platforms, with neither offering desktop downloadable options for Windows or Mac. However, this is where their similarities end. Merrill Edge vastly surpasses Public.com in charting tools, offering 105 technical indicators and 23 drawing tools, while Public.com offers none in either category. Merrill Edge also excels in watch list customization, boasting 285 fields compared to Public.com's 3. While both platforms lack paper trading and trading journal functionalities, Merrill Edge's platform is designed for traders who value in-depth chart analysis, including features like adjusting orders directly on charts, adding notes, displaying historical trades, and illustrating corporate events.
Chart customization is another area where Merrill Edge outshines its competitor. It supports multiple chart profile saves, custom date ranges, automated technical analysis, and displays of chart patterns, whereas Public.com does not offer these. Additionally, Merrill Edge provides eight customization fields for editing an SMA study on stock charts. In contrast, Public.com offers none. Although both brokers don't support creating custom studies, Merrill Edge's broad array of functionalities makes it a more appealing choice for traders who require detailed and adjustable charting options to inform their investment strategies.
Feature |
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Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | No |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
Paper Trading | No | No |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 285 | 3 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 105 | 0 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 0 |
Platforms & Tools |
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Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
For beginner investors seeking educational resources, both Merrill Edge and Public.com offer a range of options, but there are key differences in their offerings. Merrill Edge provides comprehensive education across various investment types, including stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds, which makes it a versatile choice for learners interested in a broad spectrum of investments. Public.com, meanwhile, offers education on stocks, ETFs, and options, but does not cover mutual funds or bonds. Both platforms feature educational videos and webinars, though only Merrill Edge offers interactive quizzes to help reinforce learning. Unfortunately, neither platform includes paper trading tools or the ability to track learning progress directly, which might influence the depth of practical learning experiences available to users.
Evaluations suggest that Merrill Edge is more highly regarded for its educational offerings. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for investor education, compared to Public.com's 3.5-star rating. Moreover, in rankings compiled by StockBrokers.com, Merrill Edge is positioned 5th out of 14 brokers, underscoring its strength in providing educational resources, while Public.com is ranked at 11th. These ratings and rankings may guide beginners in choosing a platform that fits their learning style and educational needs.
Feature |
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Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No |
Paper Trading | No | No |
Videos | Yes | Yes |
Webinars | Yes | Yes |
Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When comparing Merrill Edge and Public.com for their stock trading app capabilities, Merrill Edge emerges as the more comprehensive choice for most investors. It offers a wider range of features, including streaming quotes, stock alerts, and the ability to create custom watch lists, all of which are absent from Public.com. Additionally, Merrill Edge provides a more robust charting experience with 34 technical studies compared to none offered by Public.com. Rated 4.5 stars among stock trading apps and ranked #6 by StockBrokers.com, Merrill Edge surpasses Public.com, which holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks #14.
Both Merrill Edge and Public.com have apps available for iPhone and Android devices but lack an Apple Watch app. They each support mobile options trading and allow investors to view charts in multiple time frames, with Merrill Edge providing the added benefit of viewing charts in landscape mode. However, only Public.com allows users to customize watch list columns, which could be a significant feature for some traders.
For investors seeking mobile after-hours trading, Merrill Edge offers this capability, attracting those who like to trade outside regular market hours, whereas Public.com does not specify this feature. Furthermore, while both platforms provide the function to display stock comparisons on charts, the lack of streaming live TV and videos on demand is consistent across both apps. Overall, for traders prioritizing advanced features and higher app evaluations, Merrill Edge stands out as the superior app, making it a preferable choice for a comprehensive stock trading experience.
Feature |
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iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch App | No | No |
Stock Alerts | Yes | No |
Charting - After-Hours | No | No |
Charting - Technical Studies | 34 | 0 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When deciding between Merrill Edge and Public.com, it's crucial to consider their account fees and other charges. Merrill Edge appears to be more accommodating with no minimum deposit requirement and offers commission-free stock trades, similar to Public.com. However, Public.com does have a $20 minimum deposit. When trading options, Merrill Edge charges $0.65 per contract, while Public.com stands out by offering free options trading. Another point of difference is their approach to margin trading: Merrill Edge's charges vary, whereas Public.com charges a fixed rate, which fluctuates based on the balance tier. Both platforms offer free IRA annual fees, but Public.com charges significantly more for IRA closure fees and account transfers.
Merrill Edge doesn't require any minimum deposit to get started, making it easier for new investors to open an account. Meanwhile, Public.com requires a minimum deposit of $20. While both platforms offer zero commissions on regular stock trades, a significant divergence emerges in options trading, with Merrill Edge charging $0.65 per contract in contrast to Public.com's free offering. Margin rates further highlight differences; Public.com's straightforward rates offer transparency, whereas Merrill Edge's variable rates could appeal to those anticipating lower costs through negotiation or larger balances.
Both Merrill Edge and Public.com do not charge annual fees for IRAs, aiming to provide a low-cost approach to long-term investing. However, if you ever decide to close an IRA, Merrill Edge imposes a $49.95 fee, considerably less than Public.com's $150. Additionally, Merrill Edge charges nothing for both partial and full account transfers, in stark contrast to Public.com's $100 fee. If you're considering options trading or frequent account transfers, Merrill Edge's lower costs could offer significant savings over time.
Feature |
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $20.00 |
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 | $0.00 |
IRA Closure Fee | $49.95 | $150.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When weighing Merrill Edge against Public.com for day trading, there are some important differences to consider. Merrill Edge gives day traders the advantage of streaming time and sales for stocks, providing a continuous stream of transaction details, which Public.com does not offer. Furthermore, Merrill Edge offers Level 2 quotes, delivering more detailed market depth information that can be crucial for making informed trading decisions, while Public.com lacks this feature entirely.
Both platforms fall short in certain advanced trading functionalities, as neither offers direct market routing, ladder trading, or trading hotkeys for quick trade entries. Strategy backtesting is limited across these platforms as well, with Merrill Edge only supporting basic strategy backtesting, whereas Public.com does not offer this feature at all. Additionally, neither provides a short locator tool or order liquidity rebates, leaving room for growth in catering to professional day traders seeking a more comprehensive range of tools.
Feature |
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Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
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 for 2025
When it comes to market research capabilities, Merrill Edge outshines Public.com by offering a comprehensive suite of resources that cater to a broad range of investment needs. Merrill Edge not only provides robust research tools for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, pink sheets, and bonds but also allows users to see portfolio allocation by asset class and access downloadable PDF research reports. In comparison, Public.com falls short in these areas and is particularly lacking in mutual fund and bond research capabilities. As a result, Merrill Edge receives a high market research rating of five stars and ranks #5 on StockBrokers.com, while Public.com receives two stars and is ranked #12.
Merrill Edge covers an extensive array of research topics, such as stock and ETF research, mutual fund insights, and even niche areas like pink sheets and OTCBB research. In stark contrast, Public.com only provides basic research options for stocks and ETFs, omitting any mutual fund or bond research capabilities. Additionally, Merrill Edge allows users to download PDF reports not only for stocks but also for ETFs and mutual funds, offering tangible resources for investors seeking in-depth information.
Another notable difference is the analytical tools available to users. Merrill Edge equips investors with multiple screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, helping them discover trade ideas that fit their investment strategies. Public.com, on the other hand, lacks these sophisticated tools and does not offer any stock or ETF screeners for trade inspiration. Despite both platforms offering some level of research, Merrill Edge clearly provides a more exhaustive and versatile approach, making it the preferred choice for detailed market insights.
Feature |
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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 |
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When considering banking features, Merrill Edge clearly outpaces Public.com, offering a wide array of financial products for its users. Merrill Edge provides comprehensive banking services such as checking and savings accounts, along with debit and credit cards, making it a versatile choice for personal finance management. Additionally, Merrill Edge customers have access to mortgage loans and certificates of deposit (CDs), providing multiple avenues for financial growth and investment. In contrast, Public.com does not offer any traditional banking services like checking or savings accounts, nor do they offer debit cards, credit cards, mortgage loans, or CDs. This makes Merrill Edge a more complete solution for individuals seeking an online broker that doubles as a banking institution.
Feature |
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Checking Accounts | Yes | No |
Savings Accounts | Yes | No |
Debit Cards | Yes | No |
Credit Cards | Yes | No |
Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
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 Public.com. Merrill Edge finished with an overall score of 92.7%, while Public.com finished with a score of 69.6%.
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.
While Merrill Edge does not offer any crypto trading options, Public.com provides access to trading in 22 different cryptocurrencies, making it a more versatile choice for those interested in the digital currency market.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
When comparing Merrill Edge and Public.com for IRA accounts, Merrill Edge offers both traditional and Roth IRAs with no annual fee, but charges a $49.95 closure fee, whereas Public.com does not offer IRA accounts and charges a $150 closure fee.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5Overall Rating | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Customer Service |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Merrill Edge Review | Public.com Review |
Broker Screenshots | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
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Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
Trading Fees | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $20.00 | |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | N/A | $2.99 | |
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 | n/a |
Margin Rates | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
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Margin Rate Under $25,000 | Varies | 8.75% | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | Varies | 8.75% | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | Varies | 6.75% | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | Varies | 6.75% | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | Varies | 5.75% | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | Varies | 5.75% | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | Varies | 5.75% |
Account Fees | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
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IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $49.95 | $150.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $100.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $0.00 | $100.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Investment Options | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
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Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes | |
OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
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 | 22 | |
Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | |
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | Yes | |
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 | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Limit | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - After Hours | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Trailing Stop | Yes | No | |
Order Type - OCO | No | No | |
Order Type - OTO | No | No | |
Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
Beginners | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
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Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No | |
Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | No | |
Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
Progress Tracking | No | No | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | No |
Stock Trading Apps | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch App | No | No | |
Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
Trading - Complex Options | Yes | No | |
Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
Order Ticket SRT Quotes | No | No |
Stock App Features | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
Stream Live TV | No | No | |
Videos on Demand | No | No | |
Stock Alerts | Yes | No | |
Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Streaming) | Yes | No | |
Watch Lists - Create & Manage | Yes | No | |
Watch Lists - Column Customization | No | Yes |
Stock App Charting | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | No | No | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | No | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 34 | 0 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | No | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | No | |
Trade Journal | No | No | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 285 | 3 |
Stock Chart Features | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | No | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 105 | 0 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 0 | |
Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
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 | No | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 8 | 0 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | No | No |
Day Trading | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
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 | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
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 | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 3 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - Social | No | No | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | No |
ETF Research | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | Yes | |
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 | No | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
Mutual Fund Research | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
Banking | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Bank (Member FDIC) | Yes | No | |
Checking Accounts | Yes | No | |
Savings Accounts | Yes | No | |
Credit Cards | Yes | No | |
Debit Cards | Yes | No | |
Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
Customer Service | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
Email Support | No | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
24/7 Support | Yes | No |
Overall | Merrill Edge | Public.com | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Education |
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Ease of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Merrill Edge Review | Public.com Review |