Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Merrill Edge vs Stash
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Merrill Edge |  Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $0Lower | $144 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Platforms | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app | Web, iOS, Android |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Regulators (FINRA, SEC), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2015.
- Account fee is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $144.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options, Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Platforms: only Stash offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers Joint, Corporate.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Phone, Chat, Email.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Demo account, Options.
- Audience: only Merrill Edge offers Experienced.
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.
Stash
Stash suits US beginners who want a retirement pot built from a phone rather than a wide market. Trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is free, but the account fee of $144 a year is the price of that simplicity.
Score breakdown
| Area | Merrill Edge | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. | 9.1A free minimum deposit and $0 trades rank 1 of 213 and 1 of 161, but the $144 account fee is the weight. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 9.0 |
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
Merrill Edge
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Stash
$144
48 × $0 + 1 × $144
Merrill Edge costs $144 less.
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 | Merrill Edge | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 50 of 471 | 148 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 11 of 86 | 31 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 15 of 88 | 38 of 88 |
| Robo-advisors | 14 of 151 | 57 of 151 |
| IRA providers | 8 of 43 | 22 of 43 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Merrill Edge | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States |
Available in 1 country for both.
Where these facts come from
Merrill Edge
- merrilledge.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Stash
- stash.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingplatforms.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Stash Investments LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1914Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.45% to 0.85% | $108 to $144 |
| Minimum investment | $0 to $1,000Lower | $5 |
| Portfolio types | ETF | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Stash | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $144highest quarter | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
Median across 134 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
Stash
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so small orders carry no per-trade charge.
- The portfolio option is an etf portfolio alongside ira and roth ira accounts, which keeps retirement saving in one place.
- Access runs through Web, iOS and Android, and fractional shares spread small contributions across holdings.
Cons
- The account fee of $144 a year leaves Stash at 134 of 138 brands on that measure, while eToro lists $0.
- Support runs on help centre only, so questions about a retirement account are left to articles.
- Trading is limited to stocks and etfs with an etf portfolio, so there is no forex, crypto or CFD route.
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
Stash
Who it suits
- US beginners who want a retirement account, a phone app and a small starting amount rather than a wide market.
- Long-term savers content to hold stocks and etfs and an etf portfolio without picking markets themselves.
- Readers who weigh regulation first, since Stash is registered with SEC and FINRA in the US.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want forex, crypto or CFDs, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Anyone put off by a yearly charge, as eToro lists $0 for its account.
- Readers who prefer a provider with a published entry figure, such as Vantage at $5, rather than a free minimum deposit.
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
Stash
Current offer
Free trial
Try Stash for 7 days: 7-day trial
new Stash Plan subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Merrill Edge | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
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.
Stash
How much does Stash cost to run?+
Running the plan costs a management fee of $108 to $144 a year, and the account fee is $144. Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so the charge sits with the subscription rather than the order. The site median account fee is €0, so Stash sits at the dear end of the table.
How much do I need to start?+
The minimum deposit is free, and the minimum investment is $5, so an account can be opened at a size that suits a monthly habit rather than a lump sum. Stash ranks 1 of 213 brands on this measure, against a site median of €4.64.
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