Merrill Edge vs Webull 2025
In this head to head comparison of Merrill Edge vs Webull, 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 Webull, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Merrill Edge vs. Webull: pick based on what you want to trade and how you invest. Merrill Edge is a strong fit for long-term investors who want mutual funds and advisor support, earning a 4.5/5 rating and ranking #7 of 14 for Range of Investments by StockBrokers.com. Webull favors active traders who want fractional shares plus crypto, forex, and futures; it’s rated 4/5 and ranks #11 of 14 for Range of Investments. Both brokers cover core needs with stock, options, OTC stock, and margin trading, and both offer Traditional and Roth IRAs.
Trading choices differ in key ways. Merrill Edge offers stocks, options, margin, and OTC stocks, but it does not support fractional shares, crypto, forex, or futures. Webull also offers stocks, options, margin, and OTC stocks, and adds fractional shares, crypto trading with 50 coins, forex, and futures. If you want mutual funds, only Merrill Edge provides them.
For account features, both brokers support Traditional and Roth IRAs. If you want guidance, Merrill Edge offers advisor services, while Webull does not. If your priority is access to newer assets (crypto, forex, futures) or fractional shares, Webull has the edge; if you value mutual funds and advisor help within a single platform, Merrill Edge is the better match.
Feature |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
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 | Yes |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 50 |
Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
When it comes to choosing between Merrill Edge and Webull for online trading, both platforms offer solid options with unique strengths. Merrill Edge excels in its comprehensive charting tools and customization options, from providing more technical indicators to allowing custom date ranges. On the other hand, Webull stands out with its versatile downloadable desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, making it convenient for traders who prefer a dedicated application. With both platforms rated at four stars for their trading tools, the decision largely depends on your specific needs, such as the importance of desktop access or deeper charting functionalities.
Merrill Edge offers an impressive array of charting capabilities, boasting 105 technical indicators and 23 drawing tools, compared to Webull’s 52 indicators and 19 tools. While both platforms allow users to adjust open orders directly on stock charts and display vital information such as historical trades and corporate events, Merrill Edge edges out with additional features like custom date ranges and more customizable fields for studies like SMAs. Moreover, with 285 fields available for watch lists, Merrill Edge proves to be more extensive than Webull, which offers 35.
Webull, however, has the advantage of providing a downloadable trading platform for both Windows and Mac, a feature that Merrill Edge lacks. It also offers paper trading, which is a plus for users looking to practice their strategies without financial risk. While both platforms do not yet include trading journals, Webull's ability to create custom studies might appeal to traders keen on personalization and strategizing unique trading approaches. Both platforms rank closely for their tools, with Merrill Edge placed sixth and Webull seventh among 14 brokers evaluated by StockBrokers.com. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether a more feature-rich web interface or the convenience of desktop software holds more value for you.
Feature |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes |
Paper Trading | No | Yes |
Watchlists - Total Fields | 285 | 35 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 105 | 52 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 19 |
Platforms & Tools |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
Merrill Edge and Webull both offer beginner-friendly education on stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, along with videos, webinars, and quizzes. Merrill Edge goes further with mutual funds education, which Webull does not provide. Webull, however, stands out for hands-on learning: it includes paper trading and lets you track your learning progress, two features Merrill Edge lacks.
For overall quality, Merrill Edge earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #5 of 14 for education on StockBrokers.com, while Webull scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #10. Choose Merrill Edge if you want broader topic coverage—especially mutual funds—and a higher-rated learning experience. Pick Webull if practicing with a simulator and monitoring your progress are top priorities.
Feature |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes |
Paper Trading | No | Yes |
Videos | Yes | Yes |
Webinars | Yes | Yes |
Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When comparing Merrill Edge and Webull for their stock trading app capabilities, both platforms stand out with distinct advantages. They both offer Android and iPhone apps, along with features like mobile options trading, streaming quotes, and customizable watch lists. However, Webull takes a slight edge with unique offerings such as an Apple Watch app, after-hours charting, and a greater number of technical studies for charting—56 compared to Merrill Edge's 34. Despite these differences, both platforms receive a commendable rating of 4.5 stars, demonstrating strong user satisfaction and competitive functionality.
Both Merrill Edge and Webull cater to various trading needs effectively. They provide reliable mobile app experiences with features like after-hours stock trading, landscape mode charting, and the ability to compare stocks on charts. However, Webull’s ability to offer after-hours charting adds to its dynamic offerings, perhaps providing more flexibility for tech-savvy users. Moreover, while both platforms allow users to create custom watch lists, neither allows the customization of watch list columns.
StockBrokers.com ranks Webull slightly higher at #5 when compared to Merrill Edge’s #6, reflecting Webull's broader appeal due to its additional features. Both platforms lack certain multimedia offerings such as streaming live TV and videos on demand, but they excel in delivering timely stock alerts and facilitating viewing across different chart time frames. Whether choosing based on platform familiarity or specific extras, both Merrill Edge and Webull prove to be strong contenders in the mobile trading space.
Feature |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch App | No | Yes |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes |
Charting - Technical Studies | 34 | 56 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
Bottom line: Merrill Edge and Webull both offer $0 minimum deposits and $0 stock trades, but their other fees differ in ways that can matter. Webull is friendlier for frequent options traders with a $0 per-contract fee, while Merrill Edge charges $0.65 per contract. If you think you might move your account, Merrill Edge stands out with $0 fees for both partial and full ACAT transfers, compared with $75 at Webull. For IRAs, ongoing fees are $0 at both, but Merrill Edge charges $49.95 to close an IRA, while Webull charges $0. Margin pricing also diverges: Webull lists 8.74% for balances under $100,000, whereas Merrill Edge’s margin rate varies by balance.
Core trading costs are similar for most investors: minimum deposit is $0 at both brokers, and regular stock trades cost $0. Options differ: Merrill Edge is $0.65 per contract, while Webull is $0 per contract. Options exercise and assignment fees are $0 at both firms. For retirement accounts, the annual IRA fee is $0 at both, but the IRA closure fee is $49.95 at Merrill Edge versus $0 at Webull.
On margin, Webull’s rate is 8.74% for balances below $25,000, $25,000–$49,999, and $50,000–$99,999. Merrill Edge’s margin rate varies across these same tiers. For transfers, Merrill Edge charges $0 for both partial and full ACATs, while Webull charges $75 for a partial ACAT and $75 for a full ACAT.
Feature |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
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 | $0.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When it comes to day trading, both Merrill Edge and Webull have unique strengths and limitations. For investors looking at real-time decision-making, both platforms provide streaming time and sales data, as well as level 2 quotes, helping traders stay informed about market dynamics. However, Webull offers a slight edge by providing ladder trading and trading hotkeys, which can be attractive for traders seeking a bit more control and agility in executing trades. Unfortunately, neither platform offers streaming live TV or direct market routing, which may be a consideration for those who rely heavily on such features.
Merrill Edge, on the other hand, allows traders to perform basic strategy backtesting, a useful feature for those looking to refine their trading strategies. Conversely, neither Merrill Edge nor Webull supports advanced strategy backtesting or access to a short locator tool for finding available shares to short. Importantly, both platforms lack order liquidity rebates, which might be a disadvantage for traders who focus on high-frequency trading strategies. Ultimately, the best platform depends on the specific tools and features an individual day trader values most.
Feature |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes |
Streaming TV | No | No |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No |
Short Locator | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2025 for Beginners and Active Traders
When considering Merrill Edge and Webull for market research, Merrill Edge takes the lead with a more comprehensive suite of tools and resources. Merrill Edge stands out with its extensive offerings in stock, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and pink sheets/OTCBB research. Additionally, its capabilities include downloadable PDF reports, a wide array of screeners, and ESG research options. In comparison, Webull, while also providing research on stocks and ETFs, lacks in several areas such as mutual funds and bonds research, ESG considerations, and downloadable PDF reports, which positions it lower on the list for thorough research capabilities. Merrill Edge’s features earn it a 5-star rating, significantly higher than Webull’s 2.5-star score, and rank it at #5 compared to Webull's #9 by StockBrokers.com for market research performance.
Merrill Edge offers a range of market research features that cater to diverse investor needs. Users benefit from its detailed research covering stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, complemented with pink sheets/OTCBB insights. The platform also provides downloadable PDF reports, facilitating deeper analysis. Merrill Edge’s tools for assessing portfolio allocation by asset class and its ESG research capabilities further enhance its offerings, providing users with a well-rounded view of investment opportunities across various asset types.
Webull, primarily known for its user-friendly interface and real-time data, provides stock and ETFs research, benefiting those who prioritize social media sentiment data within their investment strategies. However, the platform lacks depth in several research fronts, such as mutual funds, bonds, and missing PDF report options, limiting its appeal for those seeking comprehensive data. Its market research capabilities are more focused on stocks, which might suit traders primarily focused on this asset class. Despite these limitations, Webull’s stock screener remains a useful tool for generating trade ideas, though it falls short in screener options for ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds compared to Merrill Edge.
Feature |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
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 |
|
|
When comparing Merrill Edge and Webull for banking services, Merrill Edge clearly stands out as the more comprehensive option. Merrill Edge provides a complete suite of banking products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, and debit and credit cards, all of which Webull lacks. Additionally, Merrill Edge offers mortgage loans and certificates of deposit (CDs), whereas Webull does not provide these services. For anyone looking to consolidate their investments and banking needs under one roof, Merrill Edge offers a range of options that Webull simply does not match.
Feature |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
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 Webull. Merrill Edge finished with an overall score of 92.7%, while Webull finished with a score of 81.0%.
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 cryptocurrency trading (0 coins). Webull supports crypto trading with access to 50 coins, making it the better choice for investors seeking digital asset exposure.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both Merrill Edge and Webull offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees, but unlike Webull, Merrill Edge charges a $49.95 closure fee when closing IRA accounts.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5Overall Rating | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Overall |
|
| |
Range of Investments |
|
| |
Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
Research |
|
| |
Customer Service |
|
| |
Education |
|
| |
Ease of Use |
|
| |
Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Merrill Edge Review | Webull Review |
Broker Screenshots | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
Trading Fees | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | $0.00 | |
Futures (Per Contract) | (Not offered) | $1.25 | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $29.95 | N/A |
Margin Rates | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Margin Rate Under $25,000 | Varies | 8.74% | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | Varies | 8.74% | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | Varies | 8.74% | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | Varies | 8.74% | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | Varies | 8.74% | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | Varies | 8.74% | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | Varies | 8.74% |
Account Fees | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $49.95 | $0.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $0.00 | $75.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Investment Options | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | 4 | |
Futures Trading | No | Yes | |
Forex Trading | No | Yes | |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 50 | |
Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | |
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | Yes | |
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Yes | |
Order Type - OCO | No | Yes | |
Order Type - OTO | No | Yes | |
Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | No |
Beginners | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
Investor Dictionary | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
Progress Tracking | No | Yes | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | Yes | Yes |
Stock Trading Apps | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch App | No | Yes | |
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | No |
Stock App Charting | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | No | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 34 | 56 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platform | Merrill Edge Market Pro | N/A | |
Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes | |
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | No | Yes | |
Trade Journal | No | No | |
Watchlists - Total Fields | 285 | 35 |
Stock Chart Features | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 105 | 52 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 19 | |
Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | No | |
Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | No | |
Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 8 | 2 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | No | Yes |
Day Trading | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes | |
Streaming TV | No | No | |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | No | No | |
Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
Trade Hot Keys | No | Yes | |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | No | |
Short Locator | No | No | |
Order Liquidity Rebates | No | No |
Research Overview | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Yes | |
Screener - ETFs | Yes | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | No |
Stock Research | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 3 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - Social | No | Yes | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | Yes |
ETF Research | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Yes | |
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | No | |
ETFs - Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
Mutual Fund Research | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Yes | |
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
Banking | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Email Support | No | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | Yes | No | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
24/7 Support | Yes | No |
Overall | Merrill Edge | Webull | |
---|---|---|---|
Overall |
|
| |
Range of Investments |
|
| |
Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
Research |
|
| |
Education |
|
| |
Ease of Use |
|
| |
Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | Merrill Edge Review | Webull Review |