Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Bestinvest vs Merrill Edge
Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Bestinvest vs Merrill Edge: the differences
| Compare |  Bestinvest |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | £4.95 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Platforms | Mobile app | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Jisa | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.95% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
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Key differences
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 1986.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options, Bonds.
- Platforms: only Bestinvest offers Mobile app.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Account types: only Bestinvest offers ISA, SIPP, Jisa.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers IRA, Roth IRA, Joint.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Chat, Email.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Fractional shares, Demo account, Options.
- Pricing model: only Bestinvest offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Merrill Edge offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
Bestinvest
Bestinvest is an online investment platform known for pairing wide investment choice with expert coaching and planning tools. It suits newcomers and steady investors who want ISAs, pensions and junior accounts with clear guidance while they shape long term goals.
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 | Bestinvest | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.2 | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 9.7 | 9.7 |
How they place
| Ranking | Bestinvest | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 249 of 471 | 50 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 53 of 86 | 11 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 64 of 88 | 15 of 88 |
| Robo-advisors | 101 of 151 | 14 of 151 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Bestinvest | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Bestinvest | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No |
| SIPP | Yes | No |
| IRA | No | Yes |
| Roth IRA | No | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
| Corporate | No | Yes |
| Jisa | Yes | No |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Bestinvest | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, OptionsCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Limited | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 1986 | 1914Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Bestinvest | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% to 0.4%Lower | 0.45% to 0.85% |
| Minimum investment | £50 | $0 to $1,000 |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, CashCovers more | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Bestinvest | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $25 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.95%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65above the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Bestinvest
Pros
- Operates with over 40 years of experience dating back to 1986.
- Offers expert coaching and smart planning tools alongside investment choice.
- Covers more than 3,000 shares and funds plus ETFs and investment trusts.
Cons
- Management of investments happens online and through the mobile app.
- Ready-made Portfolios are built and managed by the parent company teams.
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
Bestinvest
Who it suits
- New investors wanting coaching with investment choice
- Parents arranging junior ISAs and pensions for children
- Planners using ISAs and SIPPs for long term goals
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders seeking face to face branch service
- Investors wanting fully independent portfolio management
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 | Bestinvest | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Bestinvest
Which accounts does Bestinvest provide?+
Bestinvest provides ISAs, Self-invested Personal Pensions, a general investment account without annual limits, and junior versions for children. You can hold Ready-made Portfolios inside these accounts or select your own investments. The range supports goals from daily investing to retirement and childhood saving.
Who runs Bestinvest and its Ready-made Portfolios?+
Bestinvest has helped investors make the most of their money since 1986, building over 40 years of experience. Its Ready-made Portfolios are built and managed by expert teams at its parent company Evelyn Partners. That relationship gives hands off investors professional portfolio management within the platform.
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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