E*TRADE

4.3(1900)

SEC/FINRA

Merrill Edge

4.1(1500)

SEC/FINRA

E*TRADE vs Merrill Edge

Head-to-Head Comparison 2026

Our Verdict

E*TRADE has a higher rating of 4.3/5 compared to Merrill Edge (4.1/5). E*TRADE offers 6 instrument types, while Merrill Edge offers 5. E*TRADE has been in the market since 1982, making it the more experienced provider.

Comparison Table

Criteria	E*TRADE	Merrill Edge
Rating	4.3/5 (1900 reviews)✓	4.1/5 (1500 reviews)
Regulation	SEC/FINRA	SEC/FINRA
Fees	$0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades)	$0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract
Min. Deposit	0 $	0 $
Instruments	Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Futures	Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds
Platforms	ETRADE Web, Power ETRADE, E*TRADE App	Merrill Edge Web, Merrill Edge App, MarketPro
Options Trading	Yes, comprehensive options trading with Power E*TRADE	Yes, US options available
Founded	1982	2010
Headquarters	New York	New York

Detailed Comparison

Fee Comparison

E*TRADE: $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades). Minimum deposit: 0 $.

Merrill Edge: $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract. Minimum deposit: 0 $.

Product Range

E*TRADE (6 categories)

StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual FundsFutures

Merrill Edge (5 categories)

StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds

Trading Platforms

E*TRADE

E*TRADE Web
Power E*TRADE
E*TRADE App

Merrill Edge

Merrill Edge Web
Merrill Edge App
MarketPro

Regulation & Security

E*TRADE is regulated by SEC/FINRA (HQ: New York).

Merrill Edge is regulated by SEC/FINRA (HQ: New York).

Who Is It For?

E*TRADE

Established US broker by Morgan Stanley with strong options platform

✓ Power E*TRADE – excellent options platform

✓ Commission-free stock and ETF trading

✓ Part of Morgan Stanley – high security

✗ Only available for US customers

✗ International markets not available

Merrill Edge

Online broker by Bank of America with integrated banking

✓ Seamless integration with Bank of America

✓ Commission-free stock and ETF trading

✓ Access to Merrill Lynch research

✗ Only available for US customers

✗ MarketPro platform less powerful than competitors

Frequently Asked Questions

Is E*TRADE or Merrill Edge cheaper?

E*TRADE charges $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades). Merrill Edge charges $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract. The minimum deposit is 0 $ at E*TRADE and 0 $ at Merrill Edge.

Which broker offers more products: E*TRADE or Merrill Edge?

E*TRADE offers Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Futures. Merrill Edge offers Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds.

Which broker is better regulated?

E*TRADE is regulated by SEC/FINRA. Merrill Edge is regulated by SEC/FINRA.

Is E*TRADE or Merrill Edge better for beginners?

E*TRADE has a minimum deposit of 0 $ and offers E*TRADE Web, Power E*TRADE, E*TRADE App as platforms. Merrill Edge has a minimum deposit of 0 $ and offers Merrill Edge Web, Merrill Edge App, MarketPro. E*TRADE has the lower entry barrier.

E*TRADE vs Merrill Edge: Which broker is better overall?

The choice between E*TRADE (4.3/5, 1900 reviews) and Merrill Edge (4.1/5, 1500 reviews) depends on your needs. E*TRADE: Established US broker by Morgan Stanley with strong options platform. Merrill Edge: Online broker by Bank of America with integrated banking.

E*TRADE

Established US broker by Morgan Stanley with strong options platform

Open Account →

From 0 $ min. deposit

Merrill Edge

Online broker by Bank of America with integrated banking

Open Account →

From 0 $ min. deposit

E*TRADE read review →Merrill Edge read review →