Rakuten Securities
Merrill Edge
VS
Higher Rated
Rakuten Securities
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between Rakuten Securities and Merrill Edge depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. Rakuten Securities is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, while Merrill Edge operates from Charlotte, USA. Rakuten Securities has the longer track record, established in 1999, 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.
Rakuten Securities
Merrill Edge
Rakuten Securities is the better choice overall, scoring 3.4/5 vs 3.2/5 on BrokerRank's independent rating. On fees, Rakuten Securities offers lower spreads (0 pips).
See full side-by-side comparison belowOverall Rating
Rakuten Securities
3.4 vs 3.2
Lowest Fees
Tied
0 vs 0 pips
Regulation
Tied
1 vs 1 licences
Min. Deposit
Tied
$0 vs $0
Rakuten Securities
Merrill Edge
Rakuten Securities
Merrill Edge
Rakuten Securities holds licences from FSA. Merrill Edge is regulated by SEC.
Both brokers offer access to Stocks, Indices markets. Rakuten Securities additionally covers Etf, Crypto, Forex.
Rakuten Securities supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MarketSpeed II. Merrill Edge offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Rakuten Securities requires no minimum deposit, while Merrill Edge sets no minimum deposit. This makes Rakuten Securities accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores Rakuten Securities at 3.42/5 and Merrill Edge at 3.19/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. Rakuten Securities leads overall with a clear advantage.
Rakuten Securities
Rakuten Securities scores higher overall on our independent rating system. Rakuten Securities 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.
Rakuten Securities offers spreads from 0 pips, while Merrill Edge starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
Rakuten Securities requires a minimum deposit of $0. Merrill Edge requires $0.
Rakuten Securities is regulated by FSA, while Merrill Edge holds licences from SEC.
Rakuten Securities supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MarketSpeed II. 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.