Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Global Prime vs Merrill Edge
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Global Prime |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), SIPC | FINRA, SEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Account types | Joint, Corporate | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.1% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 deposit fees | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:1000 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only Global Prime offers Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), SIPC.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2010.
- Global Prime is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Markets: only Global Prime offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options, Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only Global Prime offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers IRA, Roth IRA.
Our verdict on each
Global Prime
Global Prime is a low-cost broker for traders who already work in a standard terminal and want shares, forex and CFDs in one place. A minimum deposit of $0 and a listed EUR/USD spread of 0.1% keep the running costs down, though leverage of 1:1000 is not for beginners.
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 | Global Prime | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 9.3Stock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 9.4 | 9.7Higher |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Global Prime | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Metals | Yes | No |
| Account types | Global Prime | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | No | Yes |
| Roth IRA | No | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate | Yes | Yes |
Which one suits you
Pick Global Prime if cost matter most.
Pick Merrill Edge if offer, trust, and account types matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Global Prime | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 46 of 490 | 41 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 13 of 85 | 10 of 85 |
Sources behind this comparison
Global Prime
- globalprime.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 2 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 | Global Prime | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Crypto | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options |
| Pricing model | Commission free, Low feesCovers more | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | TD PRIME SERVICES LLC | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | Australia | United States |
| Founded | 2010 | 1914Lower |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Email |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Global Prime | 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 | Global Prime | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| 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 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.1%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65above the median | $0.59 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Global Prime
Pros
- Regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and SIPC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and SIPC), so the money sits in a regulated structure.
- One account covers stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs, crypto and metals (stocks, etfs and forex) on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 (MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5).
- A demo account is offered, so you can test the terminals before funding, and pricing comes in commission free and low fees variants.
Cons
- Account types run to joint and corporate only, with no ISA, SIPP or IRA listed, so tax wrappers sit elsewhere.
- Leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses as much as gains, so oversized positions hurt quickly.
- SIPC cover attaches to TD PRIME SERVICES LLC, the US entity, while the brand sits in Australia, so the entity on your account matters.
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
Global Prime
Who it suits
- Traders who already work in MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 and want one account for shares, forex, CFDs and crypto.
- Anyone testing a platform first, since a demo account is offered and both joint and corporate accounts sit in the range (joint and corporate).
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for beginners: leverage of 1:1000 turns a wrong position into a fast loss, and the platforms are MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 rather than a simplified app.
- Not for futures traders: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, which adds futures that the Global Prime markets list leaves out.
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 | Global Prime | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Global Prime
What will it cost me to get started?+
The minimum deposit is $0 and the published deposit charge is $0 deposit fees. What you pay afterwards depends on the account model you pick, either commission-free or low-fee (commission free and low fees), and on the spread you trade through, with an EUR/USD spread of 0.1% listed.
How is my money protected?+
Global Prime is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), and it appears on the SIPC membership list. The listed investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000. That cover belongs to the US entity, so check the legal entity named on your account before you fund it.
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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