Fidelity
Merrill Edge
VS
Higher Rated
Fidelity
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between Fidelity and Merrill Edge depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. Fidelity is headquartered in Boston, USA, while Merrill Edge operates from Charlotte, USA. Fidelity has the longer track record, established in 1946, 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.
Fidelity
Merrill Edge
Fidelity is the better choice overall, scoring 3.6/5 vs 3.2/5 on BrokerRank's independent rating. On fees, Fidelity offers lower spreads (0 pips).
See full side-by-side comparison belowOverall Rating
Fidelity
3.6 vs 3.2
Lowest Fees
Tied
0 vs 0 pips
Regulation
Fidelity
2 vs 1 licences
Min. Deposit
Tied
$0 vs $0
Fidelity
WinnerMerrill Edge
Fidelity
Merrill Edge
Fidelity holds licences from SEC, CFTC. Merrill Edge is regulated by SEC.
Both brokers offer access to Stocks, Indices markets. Fidelity additionally covers Commodities.
Fidelity supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Merrill Edge offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Fidelity requires no minimum deposit, while Merrill Edge sets no minimum deposit. This makes Fidelity accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores Fidelity at 3.58/5 and Merrill Edge at 3.19/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. Fidelity leads overall with a clear advantage.
Fidelity scores higher overall on our independent rating system. Fidelity 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.
Fidelity offers spreads from 0 pips, while Merrill Edge starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
Fidelity requires a minimum deposit of $0. Merrill Edge requires $0.
Fidelity is regulated by SEC, CFTC, while Merrill Edge holds licences from SEC.
Fidelity 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.
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Trading involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Capital at risk. Full risk disclosure.