Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Merrill Edge vs VT Markets
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Merrill Edge |  VT Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $100 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | ASIC, FSCA, SIPC |
| Platforms | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app | MT4, MT5, TradingView, VT Markets App |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 74% to 89% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | zero fees on deposits and withdrawals |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:500 |
Same on both: Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Regulators: only VT Markets offers ASIC, FSCA, SIPC.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2015.
- VT Markets is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $100.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options, Bonds, Funds.
- Markets: only VT Markets offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Platforms: only VT Markets offers MT4, MT5, TradingView.
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.
VT Markets
VT Markets suits traders who want a single account across stocks, etfs and forex, with zero fees on deposits and withdrawals, regulation by ASIC, FSCA and SIPC and a demo account, copy trading and a mobile app. The catch: the minimum deposit is $100, and retail accounts that lose money run 74% to 89% here.
Score breakdown
| Area | Merrill Edge | VT Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. | 8.5 |
| Offer | 9.6 | 9.6 |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 9.2 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Merrill Edge | VT Markets |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71021 | |
| Australia | Not confirmed | ASIC 428901 |
| South Africa | Not confirmed | FSCA 50865 |
What we checked
Merrill Edge
- merrilledge.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
VT Markets
- brokeranalysis.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxleaders.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- dailyforex.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Merrill Edge | VT Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 50 of 471 | 153 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Merrill Edge | VT Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | Australia |
| Founded | 1914Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, Email | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Merrill Edge | VT Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | VT Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $100above the median | $25 |
| 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 | 74% to 89%above the median | 72.05 |
| 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
VT Markets
Pros
- Deposits and withdrawals carry zero fees on deposits and withdrawals.
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so forex, CFDs, equities and crypto share one login.
- Regulation by ASIC, FSCA and SIPC, with investor protection stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000.
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $100 sits above the site median of €4.64, ranking 148 of 213 on that measure.
- Retail accounts that lose money run 74% to 89%, above the site median of 70.15%.
- Retail leverage of 1:500 magnifies losses as readily as gains, so position sizing matters more here than elsewhere.
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
VT Markets
Who it suits
- Traders holding several asset classes who want forex, CFDs, equities and crypto under a single login.
- Anyone who puts a regulated broker and a stated protection scheme above a low headline deposit.
- Copy traders and app traders, since demo account, copy trading and mobile app and MT4, MT5 and TradingView are both offered.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, whose minimum deposit is $0, if you want to start with a small balance.
- Vantage, asking $5 to open an account, suits a lighter starting balance.
- eToro, whose markets list of stocks, etfs and forex adds futures to the range offered here.
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 | VT Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
VT Markets
What is the minimum deposit at VT Markets?+
The listed minimum is $100. That is well above the site median of €4.64, and it leaves the broker ranked 148 of 213 on this measure. CFI opens at $0 and Vantage at $5, so smaller balances point elsewhere.
What do deposits and withdrawals cost?+
Deposits and withdrawals carry zero fees on deposits and withdrawals. That removes a steady drip of small charges from the account, which matters more over time than a single low trade price. It applies to the account rather than to a particular payment method.
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