Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Merrill Edge vs tastytrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Bottom line: Merrill Edge and tastytrade both cover the basics—stock trading, options, and margin—but they diverge on what you can trade beyond that. Merrill Edge suits investors who want mutual funds, OTC stocks, and access to advisor services, while tastytrade is built for active traders who want fractional shares, crypto (17 coins), futures, and forex. Both earn 4 stars for Range of Investments from StockBrokers.com, with Merrill Edge ranked #7 of 14 and tastytrade ranked #9.
Side by side, each platform offers stocks, options, and margin. Merrill Edge adds mutual funds and OTC stocks, which tastytrade does not support. tastytrade counters with fractional shares, crypto trading (17 coins versus 0 at Merrill Edge), plus futures and forex, none of which are available at Merrill Edge.
Both brokers support Traditional and Roth IRAs. If you value professional guidance, Merrill Edge offers advisor services, while tastytrade does not. For a Merrill Edge vs tastytrade choice, lean Merrill Edge for fund investing and advice, and pick tastytrade for derivatives, crypto, and fractional share flexibility.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 17 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
Merrill Edge vs tastytrade: For most traders, tastytrade’s lineup will feel more complete because it offers downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac along with a solid web platform. Merrill Edge relies on the browser, which suits bank-linked investors and checklist-driven traders who want very detailed watch lists and built-in chart pattern detection. Overall, tastytrade scores higher for platforms and tools (4 stars, ranked #5 of 14 by StockBrokers.com) than Merrill Edge (3.5 stars, ranked #7), but your choice hinges on whether you value desktop apps and hundreds of indicators (tastytrade) or automated pattern scans and expansive watch list fields (Merrill Edge).
Platform access and workflow: tastytrade offers downloadable desktop platforms for Windows and Mac, plus a browser-based platform; Merrill Edge provides a browser-based platform only. Neither broker offers paper trading. tastytrade includes a built-in trading journal, while Merrill Edge does not. Both let you adjust open orders directly on a chart and save multiple chart profiles, making order management and layout switching straightforward.
Charting and watch lists: tastytrade packs 308 technical indicators and 31 drawing tools, compared with Merrill Edge’s 105 indicators and 23 drawing tools. Both platforms let you add notes, see past trades on charts, overlay corporate events, and set custom date ranges; editing a simple moving average uses 7 fields on tastytrade and 8 on Merrill Edge. tastytrade also supports creating custom studies, whereas Merrill Edge does not; in turn, Merrill Edge offers automated chart pattern recognition that tastytrade lacks. For lists, Merrill Edge supports 285 watch list columns versus 33 on tastytrade, which can matter if you like to screen many data points.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes |
| Paper Trading | No | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 285 | 33 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 105 | 308 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 31 |
| Advanced Trading |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
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Merrill Edge vs. tastytrade for beginner and investor education: both brokers cover the basics with stock, ETF, and options education, plus on-demand videos and live webinars. Key differences show up in the extras. Merrill Edge also teaches mutual funds and bonds, and offers quizzes to test what you’ve learned. tastytrade does not cover mutual funds or bonds, and it doesn’t have quizzes, but it does let you track your learning progress—something Merrill Edge doesn’t offer. Neither broker includes paper trading.
For a broader learning path, Merrill Edge earns 4 out of 5 stars for education and ranks #6 of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com. tastytrade earns 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #11 of 14. If you want guidance across more investment types and like quizzes, Merrill Edge is the stronger pick. If progress tracking matters most, tastytrade has an edge there.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
Bottom line: both Merrill Edge and tastytrade deliver capable mobile stock trading apps with the same 4-star rating, but Merrill Edge earns a higher placement in StockBrokers.com’s rankings (#9 vs. #12). Merrill Edge is the stronger pick for in‑app chart tools and study depth, while tastytrade appeals to traders who want flexible watch-list columns and after-hours charting on mobile. Neither app includes Apple Watch support, streaming TV, or videos on demand.
Availability is straightforward: the Merrill Edge app and the tastytrade app are offered on both iPhone and Android. Merrill Edge supports mobile after-hours stock trading; tastytrade’s mobile after-hours availability isn’t confirmed here. Both apps include mobile options trading, streaming quotes, price alerts, and the ability to build custom watch lists. Only tastytrade lets you customize the columns in those lists.
For charting, both apps work in landscape and let you switch among multiple time frames. Tastytrade adds after-hours charting, whereas Merrill Edge does not. Merrill Edge provides deeper technical analysis with 34 studies and allows side-by-side stock comparisons on charts; tastytrade offers no technical studies and no chart comparisons. Final verdict for most mobile stock traders: Merrill Edge for richer chart features, tastytrade for simpler list customization—each earning 4 stars, with Merrill Edge ranked #9 and tastytrade #12 out of 14 brokers by StockBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026
When comparing the account fees and charges of Merrill Edge and tastytrade, both platforms offer competitive pricing with some key differences. Both Merrill Edge and tastytrade do not require a minimum deposit, and they provide commission-free trading for regular stocks. However, tastytrade has a slight edge in options trading, charging $0.50 per contract compared to Merrill Edge's $0.65. In terms of margin rates, tastytrade offers more transparency with specified rates, while Merrill Edge’s rates vary depending on the margin balance.
Regarding retirement accounts, both brokers offer $0 annual fees for IRAs, but Merrill Edge charges a $49.95 fee for account closure, slightly less than tastytrade's $60 fee. For account transfers, Merrill Edge shows a cost-effective advantage with no fees for both partial and full ACAT transfers, whereas tastytrade charges $75 for either. Additionally, Merrill Edge does not charge for options exercise or assignment fees, while tastytrade imposes a $5 fee for each.
Overall, both online brokers stand out by offering $0 commission stock trading and no IRA annual fees. Tastytrade presents lower options contract fees and clear margin rates, suitable for active options traders and those using margin. Meanwhile, Merrill Edge is attractive to cost-conscious investors with free account transfers and no fees for options exercises and assignments. Depending on your trading style and financial needs, both platforms offer unique benefits.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.50 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $5.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $5.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $49.95 | $60.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026
Merrill Edge vs. tastytrade for day trading comes down to the tools you value most. Merrill Edge supplies streaming time and sales and Level II quotes for deeper market insight, plus basic strategy backtesting. However, it lacks direct market routing, ladder trading, trading hotkeys, a short locator, and live TV.
Tastytrade flips the script with ladder trading for quick order entry, streaming live TV, advanced strategy backtesting, and a short locator for finding shares to short. It does not provide streaming time and sales, Level II quotes, or trading hotkeys, and—like Merrill Edge—offers no direct market routing or maker/taker rebates. Choose Merrill Edge if you prioritize tape reading and market depth; pick tastytrade if you want ladder trading, advanced testing, and built-in tools for short selling.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
| Streaming TV | No | Yes |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | Yes |
| Short Locator | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2026 for Beginners and Active Traders
If market research is a priority, Merrill Edge clearly outpaces tastytrade. Merrill Edge earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 14 brokers for research on StockBrokers.com, while tastytrade scores 2 out of 5 stars and ranks #13. Investors who want wide coverage across more asset classes with downloadable reports will likely prefer Merrill Edge, while tastytrade fits traders who just need basic stock and ETF tools and screeners.
Both brokers offer stock and ETF research and let you view portfolio allocation by asset class, and neither uses social media sentiment data. Merrill Edge goes further with mutual fund, bond, and OTC/Pink Sheets research, plus ESG research. It also supplies downloadable PDF reports—three for stocks—along with PDFs for ETFs and mutual funds. Tastytrade lacks mutual fund, bond, and OTC research, provides no ESG research, and offers no downloadable PDF reports.
For idea generation, both platforms include stock and ETF screeners. Merrill Edge also provides mutual fund and bond screeners, whereas tastytrade has a bond screener but no mutual fund screener. If you want screeners that tie into full research coverage and analyst PDFs, Merrill Edge is the more complete choice; tastytrade keeps things lean for users who prioritize trading over research depth.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes |
| Research |
|
|
When it comes to banking options, Merrill Edge outshines tastytrade with a more comprehensive range of services. Merrill Edge caters to customers with checking and savings accounts, while tastytrade doesn't provide these options. If you're looking for payment cards, Merrill Edge has you covered with debit and credit cards, a feature absent from tastytrade's offerings. Furthermore, Merrill Edge extends its banking capabilities with mortgage loans and certificates of deposit (CDs), areas where tastytrade again falls short. For those seeking a versatile banking experience alongside their online investing, Merrill Edge clearly offers a broader suite of financial services compared to tastytrade.
| Feature |
Merrill Edge
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 tastytrade. Merrill Edge finished with an overall score of 81.9%, while tastytrade finished with a score of 64.0%.
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 does not offer crypto trading, providing zero coins, while tastytrade offers a robust selection of 17 crypto coins for trading.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026
Both Merrill Edge and tastytrade offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees; however, Merrill Edge charges a $49.95 closure fee, while tastytrade charges a higher closure fee of $60.00.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
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| Review | Merrill Edge Review | tastytrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
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| Trading Fees | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| 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 | $0.50 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | $1.00 | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $29.95 | $0 |
| Margin Rates | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | Varies | 11% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | Varies | 10.5% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | Varies | 10% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | Varies | 9.5% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | Varies | 9% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | Varies | 8.5% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | Varies | 8% |
| Account Fees | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $49.95 | $60.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $5.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $5.00 |
| Investment Options | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
| Futures Trading | No | Yes | |
| Forex Trading | No | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 17 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
| Order Types | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Order Type - OTO | No | Yes | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | Yes |
| Beginners | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket SRT Quotes | No | Yes |
| Stock App Features | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | No | No | |
| Videos on Demand | No | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Stock App Charting | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 34 | 0 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | Merrill Edge Market Pro | tastytrade | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | No | No | |
| Trade Journal | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 285 | 33 |
| Stock Chart Features | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 105 | 308 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 31 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | Yes |
| Day Trading | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
| Streaming TV | No | Yes | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No | |
| Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
| Trade Hot Keys | No | No | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | Yes | |
| Short Locator | No | Yes | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
| Research Overview | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | Yes | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 3 | 0 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | No | |
| 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 | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Email Support | No | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | No |
| Overall | Merrill Edge | tastytrade | |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Merrill Edge Review | tastytrade Review |
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