Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Axi vs Merrill Edge
Axi vs Merrill Edge: the differences
| Compare |  Axi |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $10 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Axi Trading Platform | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 67.24% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | commission-free deposits and withdrawals | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:30 | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2007.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $5.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only Axi offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options, Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only Axi offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Axi Trading Platform.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Phone, Chat, Email.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Fractional shares, Demo account, Options.
Our verdict on each
Axi
Axi is a low-cost multi-asset broker for retail traders who want forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs and crypto in one account with a small entry deposit. Funding is commission-free deposits and withdrawals, and the entry cost of $5 suits people starting with modest sums.
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 | Axi | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Minimum deposit of $5, an inactivity fee of $10, and commission-free deposits and withdrawals keep entry costs low. | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 9.1 | 9.7Higher |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Axi | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed |
What we checked
Axi
- axi-solaris.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forex92.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Merrill Edge
- merrilledge.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Axi | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 134 of 471 | 50 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Axi | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, OptionsCovers more |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Solaris EMEA Ltd | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | 2007 | 1914Lower |
| Support channels | Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Axi | 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 | Axi | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $10above the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 67.24%below the median | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65above the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Axi
Pros
- A minimum deposit of $5 keeps the entry point low
- Access to stocks, etfs and forex from a single account
- Trading platforms include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and Axi Trading Platform, plus mobile app
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts
- Support runs on help centre only
- Retail accounts that lose money stand at 67.24%
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
Axi
Who it suits
- Traders who hold forex, CFDs, shares, ETFs and crypto together
- Retail investors who want a small starting deposit
- MetaTrader users who prefer their own charting environment
Who should look elsewhere
- People wanting phone or live chat help, since support is help centre only
- Long term investors who would be hit by an inactivity fee of $10
- Beginners who should weigh that 67.24% of retail accounts lose money
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 | Axi | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Axi
What is the minimum deposit at Axi?+
The minimum deposit is $5, which sits below the site median of €4.64. That low entry point suits retail investors who want to fund an account in small steps rather than commit a large sum up front.
What markets can I trade on Axi?+
One account covers stocks, etfs and forex. That mix lets retail investors move between currencies, indices, shares, ETFs and crypto without opening separate accounts at different brokers.
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.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Merrill Edge vs LANDE
- Merrill Edge vs Afranga
- Merrill Edge vs Nectaro
- Axi vs Hantec Markets
- Axi vs PU Prime
- Axi vs Exness
- Axi vs VT Markets
- Axi vs AvaTrade
- Axi vs Optimus Futures
- Axi vs TradeStation
- Axi vs CMC Markets
- Axi vs FBS
- Axi vs Trading 212
- Axi vs Deriv
- Axi vs Tradier
- Axi vs LYNX
- Axi vs tastyfx
- Axi vs City Index
- Axi vs FXCC
- Axi vs Capital.com
- Axi vs Acorns Checking
- Axi vs AJ Bell
- Axi vs Lightspeed Financial
- Axi vs ActivTrades
- Merrill Edge vs XTB
- Axi vs NAGA
- Merrill Edge vs UNest
- Merrill Edge vs eToro
- Merrill Edge vs Mintos
- Merrill Edge vs Bitpanda
- Merrill Edge vs Revolut
- Axi vs Robinhood
- Merrill Edge vs Empower Personal Dashboard
- Merrill Edge vs S Broker
- Axi vs Kraken
- Merrill Edge vs EBC Financial Group
- Axi vs BlackBull Markets