Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Angel One vs Merrill Edge
Angel One vs Merrill Edge: the differences
| Compare |  Angel One |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | ₹0 | $0 |
| Stock trade fee | ₹20 | $0 |
| Account fee | ₹0 | $0 |
| Markets | Bonds, ETFs, Forex, Funds, Futures, Options, StocksCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Options contract fee | ₹20 | $0.65 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Margin rate | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
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Key differences
- Angel One scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.5.
- Markets: only Angel One offers Forex, Futures.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Fractional shares, Options.
Our verdict on each
Angel One
Angel One suits beginners and active traders in India who want a mobile app and a demo account, with no minimum deposit at INR 0. The account fee of INR 0 keeps holding costs low, while the stock trade fee of INR 20 makes frequent buying the expensive part.
Merrill Edge
Merrill Edge is a US brokerage that suits investors who want commission-free stock and ETF dealing alongside a brokerage account. Stock trade fees of $0 and an account fee of $0 put it in the cheapest band we rate, though options and managed portfolios carry their own charges.
Score breakdown
| Area | Angel One | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4HigherAccount fee INR 0 and margin rate 0% are the strong points, while INR 20 for each stock trade holds the cost score back. | 9.3Stock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. |
| Offer | 9.9Higher | 9.6 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.7 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Angel One | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | Angel One | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 32 of 490 | 41 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 6 of 103 | 12 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Angel One | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, OptionsCovers more |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1914 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Email |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Angel One | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0.45% to 0.85% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | $0 to $1,000 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Angel One | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | 0%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.79% |
Median across 36 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Angel One
Pros
- Account upkeep is simple: the account fee is INR 0.
- You can start small, since the minimum deposit is INR 0.
- One account covers bonds, etfs and forex, so shares, funds, bonds and derivatives sit together.
Cons
- The stock trade fee of INR 20 is the weak spot: eToro lists $0 for the same trade.
- On stock trade fee it ranks position 99 of 161, so it sits well down that list.
- Each options contract adds INR 20, and that charge repeats on every contract you trade.
Merrill Edge
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the account fee is $0, so the everyday cost of holding a brokerage account is minimal
- No inactivity charge at $0, unlike several rivals that bill dormant accounts
- Minimum deposit of $0 means an account can be opened and funded without a large starting balance
Cons
- Options cost $0.65 per contract, so the free stock dealing does not extend to derivatives
- Managed portfolios charge 0.45% to 0.85% in advisory fees, where commission-free dealing applies only to self-directed trading
- Account types are limited to retirement and joint and corporate forms, so it does not cover the wider account range some rivals offer
Who each suits
Angel One
Who it suits
- New investors in India who want to open an account with no minimum deposit and try a demo account first.
- Traders who work mainly from a phone, since a mobile app is one of the listed features in demo account and mobile app.
- Buy and hold investors, because the account fee of INR 0 keeps the cost of holding steady.
Who should look elsewhere
- Frequent share traders, since eToro lists $0 on stock trades against INR 20 here.
- Anyone who wants a stated starting amount to plan around: Vantage lists $5 while Angel One lists INR 0.
Merrill Edge
Who it suits
- US investors who want commission-free stocks and ETFs plus a retirement account in one place
- Long term holders who would rather avoid an inactivity charge of $0 and the account fees some rivals levy
- Beginners and experienced traders who appreciate support across phone, chat and help centre
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors who want forex or crypto, as the market list holds stocks, etfs and options
- Anyone looking for a fully managed portfolio without paying advisory fees of 0.45% to 0.85%
- Readers who want the wider market spread offered by CFI or eToro, where the asset mix runs wider than stocks, etfs and options
Current offers
Angel One
Current offer
First period offer
Rs 0 brokerage for first 30 days up to Rs 500: Rs 500 brokerage discount
Brokerage up to Rs 500 will not be charged for the first 30 days after onboarding; 0 brokerage across all segments for first 30 days, up to Rs 500
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Merrill Edge
Current offer
First period offer
$0 program fee for 6 months - Merrill Guided Investing: $0 for 6 months
New enrollments, use offer code 6FREE
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Angel One | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| India | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Angel One
Is there a minimum deposit to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is listed as INR 0, so you can open an account and add money when you are ready. Across the 213 brands on our ranking, Angel One sits at position 1 on this measure, which puts it among the cheapest ways in.
What does it cost to keep the account open?+
The account fee is listed as INR 0, so there is no charge for holding the account open. That measure places Angel One at position 1 across 138 brands ranked, so upkeep is the strongest part of the cost picture. Your costs come from each deal instead.
Merrill Edge
What does it cost to trade stocks at Merrill Edge?+
Online stock dealing is priced at a stock trade fee of $0, with an account fee of $0 on the brokerage account. The inactivity fee is $0, so a dormant account is not billed. Options trades are charged separately at $0.65 per contract.
Which regulator supervises Merrill Edge?+
Merrill Edge is supervised in the US, and the regulators recorded for it are FINRA and SEC. The legal entity behind the brand is Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated. Securities held in the account fall under the investor protection arrangement stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000.
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