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Merrill Edge vs Webull 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

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
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Webull
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00

Range of investments

Here’s the quick takeaway: both Merrill Edge and Webull earn 4 stars for Range of Investments, with Merrill Edge ranked 7th of 14 and Webull 8th by StockBrokers.com. Choose Merrill Edge if you want traditional investments and access to advisor services. Choose Webull if you want more trading choices like crypto, forex, futures, and fractional shares.

What they share: both offer stock trading, margin trading, options trading, OTC stocks, and both Traditional and Roth IRAs. Where they differ: Merrill Edge offers mutual funds and advisor services, while Webull does not. Webull offers fractional shares, crypto (about 50 coins), forex, and futures; Merrill Edge does not offer fractional shares, crypto, forex, or futures.

If you value mutual funds, long-term investing in IRAs, and the ability to get guidance, Merrill Edge is a solid fit. If you want to trade stocks and options alongside crypto, dabble in forex and futures, and buy fractional shares, Webull may be the better match. That’s the core of Merrill Edge vs Webull for investment options.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Webull logoWebull
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 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026

Trading platforms and tools

In the Merrill Edge vs Webull matchup for trading platforms and tools, the takeaway is clear: Merrill Edge wins on built-in charting depth and watch list power, earning 3.5/5 stars and a #7 of 14 ranking from StockBrokers.com, while Webull shines for desktop access, paper trading, and custom study creation, earning 3/5 stars and #9. Choose Merrill Edge if you want richer out-of-the-box charts and detailed watch lists; choose Webull if you want downloadable Windows and Mac apps, a practice mode, and the freedom to build your own studies.

Platform access: Merrill Edge offers a browser-based platform only—there’s no Windows or Mac download. Webull offers desktop platforms for both Windows and Mac, plus a browser platform. Paper trading is not available at Merrill Edge, but Webull includes it. Neither broker includes a trading journal. Both let you adjust open orders directly on a stock chart and save multiple chart profiles.

Charting and tools: Merrill Edge supplies 105 technical indicators, 23 drawing tools, custom date ranges, automated chart pattern recognition, notes on charts, historical trade markers, and corporate events on charts. Webull provides 52 indicators, 19 drawing tools, automated pattern recognition, notes, historical trades, and corporate events, but it does not support custom date ranges. For watch lists, Merrill Edge offers 285 fields versus 35 on Webull. Study controls differ as well: editing an SMA gives eight fields on Merrill Edge versus two on Webull. Only Webull allows creating custom studies; Merrill Edge does not.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Webull logoWebull
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
Advanced Trading 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026

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Beginners and education

Merrill Edge and Webull both offer beginner-friendly education on stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, along with educational videos, webinars, and quizzes. Merrill Edge also covers mutual funds, while Webull does not. Webull adds paper trading and lets you track your learning progress—two features Merrill Edge doesn’t provide. If you want broader topic coverage that includes mutual funds, Merrill Edge may be the better fit; if you want hands-on practice and progress tracking, Webull stands out.

For overall education quality, Merrill Edge is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 14 brokers for education by StockBrokers.com. Webull earns 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #10 out of 14. In short, Merrill Edge scores higher for education coverage, while Webull appeals to new traders who value paper trading and a clear way to monitor learning progress.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Webull logoWebull
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Education 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms & Apps for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

In the Merrill Edge vs Webull stock trading app comparison, Webull earns the higher score (4.5 stars, ranked #4 of 14) versus Merrill Edge (4 stars, ranked #9). Both cover the essentials for mobile stock trading, but Webull pulls ahead with Apple Watch support and deeper charts (56 technical studies vs Merrill Edge’s 34). Merrill Edge, meanwhile, confirms mobile after-hours trading and delivers a well-rated, straightforward experience. Choose Webull for richer chart tools and wearable access; choose Merrill Edge if mobile after-hours trading is a must.

Platform coverage is strong on both sides: iPhone and Android apps are available for Merrill Edge and Webull. Each app includes streaming quotes, mobile options trading, stock alerts, and the ability to create custom watch lists. Neither app offers streaming live TV or videos on demand, and neither allows customizing watch list columns. Webull adds Apple Watch support; Merrill Edge does not. Merrill Edge supports mobile after-hours stock trading.

Charting is a key differentiator. Both apps support landscape mode, multiple time frames, and stock-to-stock comparisons on charts. Merrill Edge provides 34 technical studies, while Webull supplies 56 and also includes after-hours charting. Traders who rely on more indicators and extended-session visuals may prefer Webull; those who prioritize confirmed mobile after-hours trading may lean toward Merrill Edge.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Webull logoWebull
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 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

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 Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Webull logoWebull
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 2026

Day Trading

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 Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Webull logoWebull
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 and Apps for 2026

Market Research

Bottom line: For market research, Merrill Edge is the more complete choice, while Webull is better for quick, stock-focused insights. Merrill Edge earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, thanks to wide asset coverage, screeners, and downloadable reports. Webull scores 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #8 of 14, standing out mainly for its social media sentiment tools.

Both brokers offer stock and ETF research, plus Pink Sheets/OTC coverage. Only Merrill Edge adds mutual fund and bond research, ESG analysis, and the ability to see your portfolio allocation by asset class. Webull’s unique edge is social media sentiment for stocks, which Merrill Edge does not provide.

On tools, both have a stock screener for trade ideas. Merrill Edge goes further with ETF, mutual fund, and bond screeners. It also supplies downloadable PDF reports—three for stocks, plus PDFs for ETFs and mutual funds—while Webull does not offer downloadable research reports.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Webull logoWebull
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 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Banking

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 Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
Webull logoWebull
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

Winner

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 81.9%, while Webull finished with a score of 69.9%.

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.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Merrill Edge or Webull?

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 2026

Does Merrill Edge or Webull offer IRAs?

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 2026

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Compare

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Overall Rating Merrill Edge Webull
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
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 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Merrill Edge Review Webull Review
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