Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Merrill Edge vs tastyfx
Where Merrill Edge and tastyfx differ
| Compare |  Merrill Edge |  tastyfx |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Forex |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | NFA, CFTC |
| Platforms | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app | Tastyfx platform, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | Corporate, IRA |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Deposits free, $15 wire withdrawal fee |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 50:1 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 8% |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Inactivity fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Regulators: only tastyfx offers NFA, CFTC.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Stocks, ETFs, Options.
- Markets: only tastyfx offers Forex.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Platforms: only tastyfx offers Tastyfx platform, MT4, MT5.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers Roth IRA, Joint.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Fractional shares, 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.
tastyfx
tastyfx suits beginners who want to trade currency pairs without paying commission, with a minimum deposit of $0 and a single market of forex. The account is held in the US, and your money sits with SIPC cover of SIPC up to USD 500,000.
Score breakdown
| Area | Merrill Edge | tastyfx |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Stock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. | 9.6Higher |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.4Offer score rests on commission-free pricing, a minimum deposit of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0. |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 9.5 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Merrill Edge | tastyfx |
|---|---|---|
| Investment platforms and apps | 10 of 85 | 11 of 85 |
| Brokers for beginners | 15 of 88 | 16 of 88 |
| IRA providers | 8 of 43 | 9 of 43 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Merrill Edge | tastyfx |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Account types | Merrill Edge | tastyfx |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | Yes | No |
| Corporate | Yes | Yes |
Which one suits you
Pick Merrill Edge if account types matter most.
Pick tastyfx if cost matter most.
Sources behind this comparison
Merrill Edge
- merrilledge.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
tastyfx
- tastyfx.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forexcryptohub.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- cashbackforexusa.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- forexsuggest.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Merrill Edge | tastyfx |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, OptionsCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated | IG US LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1914 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Email | Chat, Email, Help centre, Phone |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Merrill Edge | tastyfx |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | tastyfx | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | Not confirmed | $0.59 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 8%highest quarter | 3% |
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
tastyfx
Pros
- No minimum to start, a minimum deposit of $0 against a site median of €4.64
- The pricing model is commission-free, so you pay for the spread inside the trade rather than a ticket fee
- No inactivity charge, at $0 and first in the site ranking on inactivity fee, 1 of 56
Cons
- The market list is limited to forex, so a share or bond holding is not available here
- Wire withdrawals cost, at Deposits free, $15 wire withdrawal fee
- Retail currency trading runs to a typical loss rate of 72.13% across the brokers compared, and leverage of 50:1 magnifies it
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
tastyfx
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a first currency account in the US
- Traders who want to practise on a demo before risking money
- Anyone who wants a commission-free structure rather than a per-trade ticket
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants shares, ETFs or bonds, since forex is the only market offered
- Retirement savers who need a wider account range than corporate and ira
- People who withdraw by wire often, because Deposits free, $15 wire withdrawal fee applies
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
tastyfx
Current offer
Bonus
Deposit match bonus and trading rebates up to 15%: up to 15% rebates
new accounts
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Merrill Edge | tastyfx |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
tastyfx
What is the minimum deposit at tastyfx?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so you can fund an account from a small starting amount rather than waiting for a larger balance. That places tastyfx first in the site ranking on minimum deposit, 1 of 213, against a site median of €4.64.
Does tastyfx charge any commission on trades?+
The pricing model is commission-free, so there is no separate ticket fee per trade. The cost of a currency trade is built into the spread you trade through. The only market on offer is forex, so this structure applies to currency pairs.
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