Kraken
Merrill Edge
VS
Higher Rated
Kraken
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between Kraken and Merrill Edge depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. Kraken is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, while Merrill Edge operates from Charlotte, USA. Merrill Edge has the longer track record, established in 2010, compared to Kraken which was founded in 2011. This in-depth comparison covers regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and overall ratings to help you decide which broker is the better fit in 2026.
Kraken
Merrill Edge
Kraken is the better choice overall, scoring 3.4/5 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
Kraken
3.4 vs 3.2
Lowest Fees
Merrill Edge
0.2 vs 0 pips
Regulation
Kraken
2 vs 1 licences
Min. Deposit
Tied
$0 vs $0
Kraken
Merrill Edge
Kraken
Merrill Edge
Lower feesKraken holds licences from FCA, CFTC. Merrill Edge is regulated by SEC.
Kraken additionally covers Crypto. Merrill Edge adds Stocks, Indices.
On spreads, Merrill Edge is more competitive with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips, compared to 0.2 pips at Kraken.
Kraken supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Merrill Edge offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Kraken requires no minimum deposit, while Merrill Edge sets no minimum deposit. This makes Kraken accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores Kraken at 3.37/5 and Merrill Edge at 3.19/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. Kraken leads overall with a clear advantage.
Kraken scores higher overall on our independent rating system. Kraken holds a 3.4/5 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.
Kraken offers spreads from 0.2 pips, while Merrill Edge starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
Kraken requires a minimum deposit of $0. Merrill Edge requires $0.
Kraken is regulated by FCA, CFTC, while Merrill Edge holds licences from SEC.
Kraken 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.