Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Merrill Edge vs Mintos
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Merrill Edge |  Mintos |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €50 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | €4.90 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Bonds, ETFs, Crypto |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | Latvijas Banka, LV LV |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app | Web, iOS, Android |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free bank transfer withdrawal; 2% card deposits |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.5% |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Regulators: only Mintos offers Latvijas Banka, LV LV.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2015.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Stocks, Options, Funds.
- Markets: only Mintos offers Crypto.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Platforms: only Mintos offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Phone, Chat.
- Support channels: only Mintos offers Community.
Our verdict on each
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.
Mintos
Mintos is a cheap, commission-free platform for lending money to businesses through their loan marketplace, with an account fee of €0 and a secondary market for exiting early. It suits investors who want lending exposure in euro-denominated loans rather than a share dealing account, and accept that the money carries borrower default risk.
Score breakdown
| Area | Merrill Edge | Mintos |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. | 8.9Account fee of €0, an inactivity fee of €4.90 and a minimum deposit of €50. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.2Minimum investment of €50, target return of 9.2% and a secondary market. |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 9.0 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Merrill Edge | Mintos |
|---|---|---|
| Latvia | Not confirmed | LV_LV PSD_EMI LV_FCMC!723 |
| United States | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Merrill Edge | Mintos |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 50 of 471 | 9 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Mintos |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated | SIA Mintos Payments |
| Headquarters | United States | Latvia |
| Founded | 1914Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Email | Email, Help centre, Community |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Mintos |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.45% to 0.85% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | $0 to $1,000 | €50 |
| Portfolio types | ETF | Not confirmed |
P2P lending
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Mintos |
|---|---|---|
| Target return | Not confirmed | 9.2% |
| Secondary market | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Mintos | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.5%below the median | 3% |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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
Mintos
Pros
- The account fee is €0, and Mintos ranks at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Investing is commission-free, and the minimum investment is €50
- A secondary market is available, so loans can be sold before they mature
Cons
- Card deposits cost Free bank transfer withdrawal; 2% card deposits, so topping up is dearer than a bank transfer
- An inactivity fee of €4.90 applies, against an inactivity fee position of 33 of 56
- The minimum deposit of €50 sits far above a site minimum deposit median of €4.64
Who each suits
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
Mintos
Who it suits
- Investors who want to lend to businesses and earn a target return of 9.2%
- Lenders who want a secondary market to sell a loan before it matures
- Euro-based investors who accept that defaults can reduce returns
Who should look elsewhere
- Share traders, who should look at eToro with a commission-free model and a wider market list
- Anyone wanting to start with a very small sum, since CFI takes a minimum deposit of $0
- Lenders who need a guaranteed buyback, as the return of 9.2% is a target rather than a promise
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 | Merrill Edge | Mintos |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
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.
Mintos
What fees does Mintos charge on an account?+
The account fee is €0, and the platform is commission-free, so there is no dealing charge on an investment. The charges that apply are a currency conversion fee of 0.5%, card deposit costs set out as Free bank transfer withdrawal; 2% card deposits, and an inactivity fee of €4.90.
How much do I need to put in to start lending?+
The minimum deposit is €50, and the smallest single investment is €50. The two figures are close, so funding to the deposit minimum is enough to purchase a loan. For scale, the site median for a minimum investment is €25.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Merrill Edge vs LANDE
- Merrill Edge vs Afranga
- Merrill Edge vs Nectaro
- Merrill Edge vs JPMorgan Chase
- Merrill Edge vs Wealthfront
- Merrill Edge vs WH SelfInvest
- Merrill Edge vs Webull
- Merrill Edge vs Markets.com
- Merrill Edge vs Interactive Brokers
- Merrill Edge vs Wealthyhood
- Merrill Edge vs VT Markets
- Merrill Edge vs Stash
- Merrill Edge vs Lime Financial
- Merrill Edge vs InvestEngine
- Merrill Edge vs tastyfx
- Merrill Edge vs LYNX
- Merrill Edge vs RoboForex
- Merrill Edge vs Plum
- Merrill Edge vs Axi
- Merrill Edge vs tradegate.direct
- Merrill Edge vs Firstrade
- Merrill Edge vs Bestinvest
- Merrill Edge vs ActivTrades
- Merrill Edge vs XTB
- Merrill Edge vs NAGA
- Merrill Edge vs UNest
- Merrill Edge vs eToro
- Mintos vs Linxea
- Merrill Edge vs Revolut
- Merrill Edge vs Empower Personal Dashboard
- Merrill Edge vs Robinhood
- Merrill Edge vs S Broker
- Merrill Edge vs Kraken
- Merrill Edge vs EBC Financial Group
- Merrill Edge vs CapTrader