FBS
Merrill Edge
VS
Higher Rated
FBS
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between FBS and Merrill Edge depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. FBS is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, while Merrill Edge operates from Charlotte, USA. FBS has the longer track record, established in 2009, 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.
FBS
Merrill Edge
FBS is the better choice overall, scoring 3.9/5 vs 3.2/5 on BrokerRank's independent rating. On fees, FBS offers lower spreads (0 pips).
See full side-by-side comparison belowOverall Rating
FBS
3.9 vs 3.2
Lowest Fees
Tied
0 vs 0 pips
Regulation
FBS
3 vs 1 licences
Min. Deposit
Merrill Edge
$1 vs $0
FBS
WinnerMerrill Edge
FBS
Merrill Edge
FBS holds licences from ASIC, CySEC, FSCA. Merrill Edge is regulated by SEC.
Both brokers offer access to Stocks, Indices markets. FBS additionally covers Forex, Cfd, Commodities.
FBS supports MT4, MT5, Proprietary Mobile. Merrill Edge offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Mobile.
FBS requires a minimum deposit of $1, while Merrill Edge sets no minimum deposit. This makes Merrill Edge accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores FBS at 3.88/5 and Merrill Edge at 3.19/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. FBS leads overall with a clear advantage.
FBS scores higher overall on our independent rating system. FBS holds a 3.9/5 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.
FBS offers spreads from 0 pips, while Merrill Edge starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
FBS requires a minimum deposit of $1. Merrill Edge requires $0.
FBS is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, while Merrill Edge holds licences from SEC.
FBS supports MT4, MT5, 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.