Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
AvaTrade vs Merrill Edge
Where AvaTrade and Merrill Edge differ
| Compare | AvaTrade ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $50 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $100.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $50.
- Markets: only AvaTrade offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Funds.
- Platforms: only AvaTrade offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Features: only AvaTrade offers Copy trading.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Fractional shares, Options.
Our verdict on each
AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a commission-free CFD and forex broker for traders who want no deposit or withdrawal charges and free stock dealing, and who can start at a minimum deposit of $100. The catch is an inactivity fee of $50 on dormant accounts, so this suits active traders rather than occasional investors.
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 | AvaTrade | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Stock dealing costs $0 with no deposit or withdrawal fees, offset by an inactivity fee of $50. | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.6 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.7 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | AvaTrade | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | AvaTrade | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 89 of 471 | 50 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 31 of 103 | 13 of 103 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | AvaTrade | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
What we checked
AvaTrade
- forexsuggest.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingcritique.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Merrill Edge
- merrilledge.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AvaTrade | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Copy trading | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options |
| Pricing model | Commission free | 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 | AvaTrade | 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 | AvaTrade | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $50highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65above the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
AvaTrade
Pros
- Stock dealing is free, with a stock trade fee of $0
- No deposit or withdrawal fees, so funding and getting money out cost nothing
- A demo account, a mobile app and copy trading are all offered
Cons
- Dormant accounts attract an inactivity fee of $50
- The minimum deposit of $100 is higher than the site median of €4.64
- Copy trading sits well below the site average of 9.6%
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
AvaTrade
Who it suits
- Traders who keep an account active and want free deposits and withdrawals
- Anyone who wants to trade forex, CFDs, options and crypto in one place
- Copy traders who want to follow other people's positions as well as run their own
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors who need a tax-sheltered investment account
- Anyone who would leave a balance sitting untouched for long periods
- CFI or Vantage suit people who want a lower starting deposit
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
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 | AvaTrade | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
AvaTrade
What does it cost to trade stocks at AvaTrade?+
Stock dealing carries a stock trade fee of $0, and pricing is commission-free, so there is no separate dealing commission layered on top. Other costs are thinner too: funding an account carries no deposit fee.
What is the smallest amount needed to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $100. That sits above the site median of €4.64 and above the lower quartile of €0, so it is a higher starting bar than many brokers on the site.
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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