Stake
Merrill Edge
VS
Higher Rated
Stake
Capital at risk · T&Cs apply
Choosing between Stake and Merrill Edge depends on your trading style, preferred markets, and budget. Stake is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, while Merrill Edge operates from Charlotte, USA. Merrill Edge has the longer track record, established in 2010, compared to Stake which was founded in 2017. This in-depth comparison covers regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and overall ratings to help you decide which broker is the better fit in 2026.
Stake
Merrill Edge
Stake is the better choice overall, scoring 3.4/5 vs 3.2/5 on BrokerRank's independent rating. On fees, Stake offers lower spreads (0 pips).
See full side-by-side comparison belowOverall Rating
Stake
3.4 vs 3.2
Lowest Fees
Tied
0 vs 0 pips
Regulation
Stake
2 vs 1 licences
Min. Deposit
Tied
$0 vs $0
Stake
WinnerMerrill Edge
Stake
Merrill Edge
Stake holds licences from ASIC, FCA. Merrill Edge is regulated by SEC.
Both brokers offer access to Stocks markets. Merrill Edge adds Indices.
Stake supports Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Merrill Edge offers Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile. Both brokers are available on Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile.
Stake requires no minimum deposit, while Merrill Edge sets no minimum deposit. This makes Stake accessible to traders with any budget.
BrokerRank scores Stake at 3.44/5 and Merrill Edge at 3.19/5, based on 50+ data points covering regulation, fees, platforms, markets, and user experience. Stake leads overall with a clear advantage.
Stake scores higher overall on our independent rating system. Stake 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.
Stake offers spreads from 0 pips, while Merrill Edge starts at 0 pips. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
Stake requires a minimum deposit of $0. Merrill Edge requires $0.
Stake is regulated by ASIC, FCA, while Merrill Edge holds licences from SEC.
Stake 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.