Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
InvestEngine vs Merrill Edge
InvestEngine vs Merrill Edge: the differences
| Compare |  InvestEngine |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | £100 | $0 |
| Stock trade fee | £0 | $0 |
| Account fee | £0 | $0 |
| Markets | ETFs | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, Corporate | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 0% | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only InvestEngine offers Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2019.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Stocks, Options, Bonds.
- Platforms: only InvestEngine offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Account types: only InvestEngine offers ISA, SIPP.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers IRA, Roth IRA, Joint.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Phone, Chat.
Our verdict on each
InvestEngine
InvestEngine suits beginners who want their money spread across ETFs without picking shares themselves. Costs stay thin: an account fee of £0, a stock trade fee of £0 and a single portfolio management charge of 0.25%, with deposits and withdrawals free.
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 | InvestEngine | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0 | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. |
| Offer | 8.8The isa, sipp and corporate account range wraps one ETF plan for savers and firms alike. | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 8.4 | 9.7Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | InvestEngine | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 195 of 471 | 50 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 42 of 86 | 11 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 57 of 88 | 15 of 88 |
| Robo-advisors | 84 of 151 | 14 of 151 |
Licences and countries
| Country | InvestEngine | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for InvestEngine: 1. Additional countries for Merrill Edge: 1.
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | InvestEngine | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Account types | InvestEngine | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No |
| SIPP | Yes | No |
| IRA | No | Yes |
| Roth IRA | No | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
| Corporate | Yes | Yes |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | InvestEngine | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, OptionsCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | InvestEngine (UK) Limited | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | United States |
| Founded | 2019 | 1914Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | InvestEngine | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.25%Lower | 0.45% to 0.85% |
| Minimum investment | £1 | $0 to $1,000 |
| Portfolio types | ETF | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | InvestEngine | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65above the median | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | 0%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 43 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
InvestEngine
Pros
- An account fee of £0 and a stock trade fee of £0 leave almost nothing to pay for holding or trading.
- Investor protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000, with the platform regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
- The platform list covers Web, iOS and Android, and fractional shares make small regular buys work.
Cons
- Shares are not among its markets (etfs), so the range stays on funds rather than a general dealing list.
- Support runs on email and help centre, with no phone number for urgent account questions.
- Cash waiting to be invested earns 0%.
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
InvestEngine
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a curated portfolio and can start from a minimum investment of £1.
- ISA and SIPP holders in the UK who would rather not pay an account fee.
- Investors who only need help by email and are happy to stay inside a single asset class.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, for anyone who wants to open with a minimum deposit of $0 rather than £100.
- Vantage, for anyone who wants a smaller entry point, since its minimum deposit is $5.
- eToro, for traders who want share dealing, because shares are not among its markets (etfs).
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 | InvestEngine | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
InvestEngine
What does it cost to hold an InvestEngine account?+
The account fee is £0 and a stock trade costs £0, so buying and holding leaves most of the pot intact. The only ongoing charge is the portfolio management fee of 0.25%, which is taken on the portfolio rather than per trade. Cash left uninvested earns 0%.
Is my money protected if the platform fails?+
The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator named on the licence, and the platform states investor protection of FSCS up to GBP 85,000. The account is run by InvestEngine (UK) Limited, a UK company, so UK rules and the protection scheme both apply to the account.
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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