Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Merrill Edge vs Plum
Where Merrill Edge and Plum differ
| Compare |  Merrill Edge |  Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | £2 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £0 |
| Account fee | $0 | £0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Funds |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | Financial Conduct Authority |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app | Mobile app |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate | ISA, SIPP, Lisa |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
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 8.9.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Regulators: only Plum offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2016.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options, Bonds.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Platforms: only Plum offers Mobile app.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers IRA, Roth IRA, Joint.
- Account types: only Plum offers ISA, SIPP, Lisa.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Phone, Chat.
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.
Plum
Plum is a UK app aimed at beginners who want to start small and pay nothing to hold or trade. Stocks, ETFs and funds sit behind fractional shares, the account fee is £0 and the minimum deposit is £2, so small amounts can be put to work in a SIPP, ISA or LISA.
Score breakdown
| Area | Merrill Edge | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Stock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. | 9.3Stock dealing is £0, the account fee is £0 and management fees run 0.15% to 0.6% on portfolios. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 8.9 |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 8.5 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Merrill Edge | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Merrill Edge | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 50 of 471 | 168 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 11 of 86 | 34 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 15 of 88 | 43 of 88 |
| Robo-advisors | 14 of 151 | 67 of 151 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, OptionsCovers more | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated | Plum Fintech Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1914Lower | 2016 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.45% to 0.85% | 0.15% to 0.6%Lower |
| Minimum investment | $0 to $1,000 | £1 |
| Portfolio types | ETF | ETF, CashCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Plum | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
Median across 38 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
Plum
Pros
- Stock trades cost £0 and the account fee is £0, so holding and dealing carry no charge.
- The account opens from £2 and the smallest investment is £1, which suits small regular amounts.
- Fractional shares on a Mobile app let a small sum hold part of a share rather than a whole one.
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so an urgent question waits for a written answer.
- The market list is stocks, etfs and funds and portfolio types run to etf and cash, so the account is narrow beside a full trading platform.
- The minimum deposit of £2 ranks 89 of 213, and CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0.
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
Plum
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a SIPP, ISA or LISA going from a first deposit of £2.
- Investors who want to pick their own shares and are content with portfolio types of etf and cash.
- Readers who care most about the cost of a trade, since dealing is £0 and the account fee is £0.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a lower floor than the £2 minimum, since CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0.
- Readers comparing purely on dealing costs, since eToro also charges $0 for a stock trade.
- People who want to fund from a higher starting amount: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5.
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 | Plum |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Plum
How much does it cost to use Plum?+
Stock trades cost £0 and the account fee is £0, so there is no dealing charge and no annual subscription to pay. The cost that can appear is the management fee of 0.15% to 0.6% on portfolios, which applies to the managed side rather than to every account. On the cost of holding and dealing, Plum sits at the cheap end of the field.
Is Plum regulated, and is my money protected?+
Plum is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and the account is held with Plum Fintech Limited. The stated investor protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000, which is the compensation available if the firm cannot pay a valid claim. That is the standard UK arrangement for a firm holding investments, and it is the part to check before depositing.
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 Axi
- Merrill Edge vs tradegate.direct
- Merrill Edge vs Firstrade
- Merrill Edge vs Bestinvest
- Merrill Edge vs AJ Bell
- Merrill Edge vs ActivTrades
- Merrill Edge vs XTB
- Merrill Edge vs NAGA
- Merrill Edge vs UNest
- Merrill Edge vs eToro
- Merrill Edge vs Mintos
- Merrill Edge vs Bitpanda
- 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