Merrill Edge vs Vanguard Comparison
Comparing brokers side by side is no easy task. For our 2023 annual broker review, we spent hundreds of hours assessing 17 brokerages to find the best online broker. Let's compare Merrill Edge vs Vanguard.
Is Merrill Edge or Vanguard better for beginners?
Merrill Edge offers more comprehensive new investor education for beginner investors than Vanguard. Merrill Edge offers investors access to Videos, Education (Stocks), Education (ETFs), Education (Options), Education (Mutual Funds), Education (Bonds) and Education (Retirement), while Vanguard offers investors access to Videos, Education (Stocks) and Education (Retirement), neither have Paper Trading.
What about Merrill Edge vs Vanguard pricing?
Merrill Edge and Vanguard charge the same amount for regular stock trades, $0.00. Option contracts are pricier at Vanguard, costing $1.00 per contract versus $0.65 per contract at Merrill Edge. For a complete commissions summary, see our best brokers for free stock trading guide.
Does Merrill Edge or Vanguard offer a wider range of investment options?
Both Merrill Edge and Vanguard offer Stock Trading, Options Trading, OTCBB / Pink Sheets, Mutual Funds and Advisor Services, neither have Fractional Shares, Futures Trading and Forex Trading. Looking at Mutual Funds, Vanguard trails Merrill Edge in its offering of no transaction fee (NTF) mutual funds, with Merrill Edge offering 3095 and Vanguard offering .
Which trading platform is better: Merrill Edge or Vanguard?
To compare the trading platforms of Merrill Edge and Vanguard, we tested each broker's trading tools, research capabilities, and mobile apps. For trading tools, Merrill Edge offers a better experience. With research, Merrill Edge offers superior market research. Finally, we found Merrill Edge to provide better mobile trading apps.
Does either broker offer banking?
Online banking can be a benefit for investors, and some brokerages do provide banking services to customers. Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards, Credit Cards and Mortgage Loans are offered by Merrill Edge while Vanguard offers neither of these.
Is Merrill Edge good?
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.
Is Vanguard good?
Vanguard is aimed squarely at buy-and-hold investors, and its platform reflects that focus. Vanguard is known for its low-cost funds, and the investment platform is really built for those looking to invest solely in mutual funds and ETFs.
Merrill Edge vs Vanguard Winner
Overall winner: Merrill Edge
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