E*TRADE
Merrill Edge
VS
Higher Rated
E*TRADE
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between E*TRADE and Merrill Edge depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. E*TRADE is headquartered in Arlington, USA, while Merrill Edge operates from Charlotte, USA. E*TRADE has the longer track record, established in 1982, 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.
E*TRADE
Merrill Edge
E*TRADE is the better choice overall, scoring 3.6/5 vs 3.2/5 on BrokerRank's independent rating. On fees, E*TRADE offers lower spreads (0 pips).
See full side-by-side comparison belowOverall Rating
E*TRADE
3.6 vs 3.2
Lowest Fees
Tied
0 vs 0 pips
Regulation
E*TRADE
2 vs 1 licences
Min. Deposit
Tied
$0 vs $0
E*TRADE
WinnerMerrill Edge
E*TRADE
Merrill Edge
E*TRADE holds licences from SEC, CFTC. Merrill Edge is regulated by SEC.
Both brokers offer access to Stocks, Indices markets. E*TRADE additionally covers Commodities.
E*TRADE supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Merrill Edge offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
E*TRADE requires no minimum deposit, while Merrill Edge sets no minimum deposit. This makes E*TRADE accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores E*TRADE at 3.60/5 and Merrill Edge at 3.19/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. E*TRADE leads overall with a clear advantage.
E*TRADE scores higher overall on our independent rating system. E*TRADE 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.
E*TRADE offers spreads from 0 pips, while Merrill Edge starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
E*TRADE requires a minimum deposit of $0. Merrill Edge requires $0.
E*TRADE is regulated by SEC, CFTC, while Merrill Edge holds licences from SEC.
E*TRADE supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. 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.
Only 26% of Brokers Are Truly Fee-Free
BrokerRank Research — Hidden costs across 345 brokers
58% of Brokers Hold a Single Licence
BrokerRank Research — Regulation quality analysis
71% of Retail Traders Lose Money
BrokerRank Research — Loss rates across 50 EU brokers
76% of Brokers Use Proprietary Platforms
BrokerRank Research — MT4 vs MT5 vs proprietary
Trading involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Capital at risk. Full risk disclosure.