ActivTrades
Merrill Edge
VS
Higher Rated
ActivTrades
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between ActivTrades and Merrill Edge depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. ActivTrades is headquartered in London, UK, while Merrill Edge operates from Charlotte, USA. ActivTrades has the longer track record, established in 2001, compared to Merrill Edge which was founded in 2010. This in-depth comparison covers regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and overall ratings to help you decide which broker is the better fit in 2026.
ActivTrades
Merrill Edge
ActivTrades is the better choice overall, scoring 3.6/5 vs 3.2/5 on BrokerRank's independent rating. On fees, Merrill Edge offers lower spreads (0 pips).
See full side-by-side comparison belowOverall Rating
ActivTrades
3.6 vs 3.2
Lowest Fees
Merrill Edge
0.5 vs 0 pips
Regulation
ActivTrades
2 vs 1 licences
Min. Deposit
Tied
$0 vs $0
ActivTrades
WinnerMerrill Edge
ActivTrades
Merrill Edge
Lower feesActivTrades holds licences from FCA, CySEC. Merrill Edge is regulated by SEC.
Both brokers offer access to Stocks, Indices markets. ActivTrades additionally covers Forex, Cfd, Commodities.
On spreads, Merrill Edge is more competitive with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips, compared to 0.5 pips at ActivTrades.
ActivTrades supports MT4, MT5, Proprietary Web. Merrill Edge offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Web.
ActivTrades requires no minimum deposit, while Merrill Edge sets no minimum deposit. This makes ActivTrades accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores ActivTrades at 3.56/5 and Merrill Edge at 3.19/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. ActivTrades leads overall with a clear advantage.
ActivTrades scores higher overall on our independent rating system. ActivTrades holds a 3.6/5 rating vs Merrill Edge's 3.2/5. The best choice ultimately depends on your trading style — see our full verdict above for a detailed breakdown.
ActivTrades offers spreads from 0.5 pips, while Merrill Edge starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
ActivTrades requires a minimum deposit of $0. Merrill Edge requires $0.
ActivTrades is regulated by FCA, CySEC, while Merrill Edge holds licences from SEC.
ActivTrades supports MT4, MT5, Proprietary Web. Merrill Edge supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Yes, you can hold accounts at multiple brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across platforms to access different markets and tools.
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Trading involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Capital at risk. Full risk disclosure.