Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
JPMorgan Chase vs Merrill Edge
JPMorgan Chase vs Merrill Edge: the differences
| Compare |  JPMorgan Chase |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds, CryptoCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | FINRA, SIPC | FINRA, SEC |
| Platforms | Chase Mobile app, Chase.com | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | 12.25% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $25 wire fee | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000), Options contract fee ($0.65).
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Regulators: only JPMorgan Chase offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers SEC.
- Markets: only JPMorgan Chase offers Crypto.
- Platforms: only JPMorgan Chase offers Chase Mobile app, Chase.com.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers Corporate.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Chat, Email.
- Features: only JPMorgan Chase offers Crypto.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Demo account.
Our verdict on each
JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase takes a stock trade fee of $0 and an account fee of $0, and the account is a retirement wrapper rather than a trading-only platform. It suits beginners and existing Chase customers who want low costs, though the portfolio service needs $25,000 and support runs on phone and help centre only.
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 | JPMorgan Chase | 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 | 9.3 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 9.5 | 9.7Higher |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | JPMorgan Chase | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 64 of 490 | 41 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 15 of 85 | 10 of 85 |
| Options trading platforms | 19 of 103 | 12 of 103 |
| Brokers for beginners | 24 of 88 | 15 of 88 |
| Robo-advisors | 18 of 153 | 13 of 153 |
| IRA providers | 12 of 43 | 8 of 43 |
Licences and countries
| Country | JPMorgan Chase | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed |
What it costs in practice
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
JPMorgan Chase
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Merrill Edge
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Both come to the same total.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where these facts come from
JPMorgan Chase
- chase.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- stockbrokers.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nerdwallet.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- finder.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
Every fact side by side
| Fact | JPMorgan Chase | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Options, Mobile app, Crypto | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1914 |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | JPMorgan Chase | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0.45% to 0.85% |
| Minimum investment | $25,000 | $0 to $1,000Lower |
| Portfolio types | ETF, CryptoCovers more | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | JPMorgan Chase | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | 12.25%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | $0.65above the median | $0.59 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
JPMorgan Chase
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the account fee is $0, with a minimum deposit of $0.
- Investor protection stands at SIPC up to USD 500,000.
- The account list covers ira, roth ira and joint, so retirement and joint investors are served directly.
Cons
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no chat or email channel listed.
- Money moving out by wire costs $25 wire fee.
- An options contract costs $0.65 and margin borrowing is charged at 12.25%, so the commission free model covers share trades rather than every action.
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
JPMorgan Chase
Who it suits
- People new to investing: the stated audience is beginners.
- Retirement and joint investors, since the account types cover ira, roth ira and joint.
- Investors who want options and crypto in one account, since the feature set includes fractional shares, options and mobile app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Forex and CFD traders: CFI (stocks, etfs and forex) and eToro (stocks, etfs and forex) list markets that the JPMorgan Chase list of stocks, etfs and options does not.
- Futures traders: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, so a broader instrument set sits in a single account.
- Anyone starting a managed portfolio with a small sum: Vantage takes $5, while the JPMorgan Chase portfolio account asks $25,000.
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
JPMorgan Chase
Current offer
Bonus
Earn up to $1,000 cash bonus: up to $1,000
Open and fund a J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing account with qualifying new money by 10/21/2026; fund within 45 days, maintain to 90 days
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 | JPMorgan Chase | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
JPMorgan Chase
How much does it cost to trade stocks?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the account fee is $0, with a minimum deposit of $0, so a simple buy and hold account starts with no charge on either side. The pricing model is listed as commission free, and nothing per trade is added on top.
What do options and margin cost?+
An options contract costs $0.65, and borrowing on margin is charged at 12.25%. Those are the places a fee appears, which makes share and fund orders the cheapest actions in the account. Anyone trading options or using margin should read both figures before committing money.
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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