Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
LYNX vs Merrill Edge
Where LYNX and Merrill Edge differ
| Compare |  LYNX |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $5 | $0Lower |
| Account fee | €0 | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | €5 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Platforms | LYNX+, Trader Workstation, Trading App | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Margin rate | 7.1% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | One withdrawal per month free | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0).
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $5.
- Markets: only LYNX offers Forex, Futures.
- Platforms: only LYNX offers LYNX+, Trader Workstation, Trading App.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Options.
- Pricing model: only LYNX offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Merrill Edge offers Commission free.
- Audience: only Merrill Edge offers Beginners.
Our verdict on each
LYNX
LYNX suits experienced traders who want a long list of markets behind the same account. The account fee is €0 and the minimum deposit is $0, so holding costs nothing, while a stock trade fee of $5 makes dealing the cost centre.
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 | LYNX | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0Costly to trade: stock trade fees rank 139 of 161 and the inactivity fee 34 of 56, against an account fee of €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 | 9.6 | 9.6 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.7 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | LYNX | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | LYNX | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 74 of 471 | 50 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 21 of 103 | 13 of 103 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | LYNX | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed |
Sources behind this comparison
LYNX
- brokerchooser.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- lynxbroker.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- mygermanfinances.de: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- traderfrancophone.fr: 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 | LYNX | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, OptionsCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1914 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Email |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | LYNX | 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 | LYNX | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $5highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | 7.1%below the median | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65above the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
LYNX
Pros
- Nothing to pay for the account itself: fees run €0 and the minimum deposit is $0.
- The same account covers stocks, etfs and forex, putting shares, funds, bonds and derivatives under one roof.
- Platform choice runs from the LYNX+ terminal to the Trader Workstation and a mobile app, and a demo account with fractional shares comes with it.
Cons
- A stock trade fee of $5 applies to every deal, so frequent dealing raises the bill quickly.
- An inactivity fee of €5 applies, so money left untouched still carries a charge.
- A margin rate of 7.1% means a small deposit can control a much larger position.
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
LYNX
Who it suits
- Experienced traders: the audience listed is experienced, and the account is priced as a low fee model.
- Anyone who wants stocks, etfs and forex sitting in the same login.
- Traders who want to practise first, with a demo account and fractional shares alongside a mobile app.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro for occasional share buying: its stock trade fee is $0 against $5 at LYNX, so small repeated deals cost more here.
- Vantage for anyone who must start with a deposit: the minimum deposit there is $5 while LYNX opens at $0.
- CFI for CFD and crypto trading, since its markets run to stocks, etfs and forex while LYNX runs to stocks, etfs and forex.
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 | LYNX | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
LYNX
What does LYNX charge to open and hold an account?+
Opening and holding are free: the account fee is €0 and the minimum deposit is $0. Costs appear only when you trade, through a stock trade fee of $5. The account is priced overall as a low fee model rather than a subscription service.
What does a stock trade cost on LYNX?+
A stock trade costs $5 with no account fee on top, and the same account also carries forex, options, futures, bonds and funds. On share dealing alone LYNX sits near the back of the brands compared, at 139 of 161.
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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