Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
bunq vs Merrill Edge
bunq vs Merrill Edge: the differences
| Compare |  bunq |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €10 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Bunq app | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only bunq offers De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2012.
- bunq is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only bunq offers Crypto.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options, Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only bunq offers Bunq app.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Phone, Chat.
Our verdict on each
bunq
bunq suits beginners who want a modest minimum deposit, fractional shares and a mobile app for stocks, ETFs and crypto. Its published minimum is €10, but investors wanting a broader market selection or more support channels may prefer an alternative.
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 | bunq | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9 | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 9.1 | 9.7Higher |
Feature by feature
| Markets | bunq | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | bunq | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 8 of 490 | 41 of 490 |
| Brokers for beginners | 5 of 88 | 15 of 88 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | bunq | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71344 | |
| Netherlands | Not confirmed |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | bunq | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | BUNQ US BD LLC | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2012 | 1914Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | bunq | 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 | bunq | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65above the median | $0.59 |
Median across 81 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
bunq
Pros
- The minimum deposit is €10.
- The available features include fractional shares, crypto and a mobile app.
- Regulatory listings include De Nederlandsche Bank in NL and SIPC in the US.
Cons
- Support runs through email and help centre only.
- The available markets cover stocks, ETFs and crypto.
- The stated EU investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
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
bunq
Who it suits
- Beginners comfortable investing through a mobile app.
- Investors interested in fractional shares.
- Retail investors focused on stocks, ETFs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for CFI users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
- Not for eToro users seeking forex, CFDs or futures alongside the markets listed at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Not for Vantage users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
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
bunq
Current offer
First period offer
No fees for buying or selling stocks for first 3 months: 0% for 3 months
Up to €100,000 in completed buy and sell orders
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 | bunq | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
bunq
What is bunq's minimum deposit?+
bunq lists a minimum deposit of €10. This makes the platform relevant to readers comparing entry requirements for stock, ETF and crypto investing.
Which markets are available on bunq?+
bunq offers stocks, etfs and crypto. Its market choice therefore centres on shares, funds tracking baskets of assets and digital assets through the app.
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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