Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Merrill Edge vs Plus500
Where Merrill Edge and Plus500 differ
| Compare |  Merrill Edge |  Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Crypto |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app | Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Regulators: only Plus500 offers Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Plus500 is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Bonds, Funds.
- Markets: only Plus500 offers Forex, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Platforms: only Plus500 offers Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Phone.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Fractional shares, Options.
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.
Plus500
Plus500 suits UK and European retail traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex in a single app. The UK arm is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 behind UK balances and costs charged per trade rather than as a flat account fee.
Score breakdown
| Area | Merrill Edge | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Stock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 9.5 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Merrill Edge | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority 509909 |
| United States | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Merrill Edge | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 41 of 490 | 48 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 12 of 103 | 14 of 103 |
What we checked
Merrill Edge
- merrilledge.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Plus500
- 500affiliates.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- plus500.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, OptionsCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated | Plus500UK Ltd |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1914 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more | Chat, Email, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.45% to 0.85% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | $0 to $1,000 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Plus500 | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81%highest quarter | 70.375% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | Not confirmed | $0.59 |
Median across 99 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
Plus500
Pros
- Costs are charged per trade, with no account fee listed
- UK protection stands at FSCS up to GBP 85,000
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex in the same app
Cons
- Losses run high at 81% of retail accounts
- Support runs on chat, email and help centre only, with no phone line
- Retail loss of 81% tops the site median of 70.15%
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
Plus500
Who it suits
- UK retail traders wanting one app for several asset classes
- First-time traders who can practise on the demo account
- Traders who prefer one platform over several brokers
Who should look elsewhere
- Long-term investors wanting ISA or SIPP style accounts
- Traders wanting CFDs or futures, absent from stocks, etfs and forex
- Traders who want a phone line rather than chat, email and help centre
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 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Plus500
What does Plus500 cost to trade?+
Plus500 charges per trade rather than a flat account fee, and no account fee is listed for the brand. Retail loss figures sit high at 81%, so costs per trade matter more than an annual charge.
Is Plus500 regulated in the UK?+
Yes. The UK arm trades as Plus500UK Ltd and is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under 509909. A Cyprus entity is separately authorised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission under 250/14.
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