Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Markets.com vs Merrill Edge
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Markets.com |  Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $10 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread betting | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 72.4% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.6% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | no deposit or withdrawal fees | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FCA, FSCA.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Markets.com is licensed in 3 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $100.
- Inactivity fee is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options, Funds.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
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 | Markets.com | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.6 |
| Trust | 9.9Higher | 9.7 |
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Markets.com
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Merrill Edge
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Both come to the same total.
Excludes currency conversion fee (not stated by Merrill Edge). Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Markets.com | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 40 of 490 | 41 of 490 |
| Brokers for beginners | 14 of 88 | 15 of 88 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Markets.com | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, Crypto | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Finalto Financial Services Limited | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1914 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Markets.com | 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 | Markets.com | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above 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 | $10above the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 72.4%above the median | Not confirmed | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.6%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.4% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $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
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
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 | Markets.com | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra charges.
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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