Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Merrill Edge vs Wealthfront
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Merrill Edge |  Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | SIPC |
| Platforms | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app | Web, iOS app, Android app |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free instant withdrawals |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.55% |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.1.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Regulators: only Wealthfront offers SIPC.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2011.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Platforms: only Wealthfront offers Web, iOS app, Android app.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers Corporate.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers 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.
Wealthfront
Wealthfront suits beginners who want their portfolio run for them, with a management fee of 0.25% on automated portfolios and a deposit starting at $1. Commission-free dealing at $0 and free instant withdrawals keep running costs low, though the managed minimum is higher than some rivals.
Score breakdown
| Area | Merrill Edge | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. | 9.0Cash pays 3.55%, the account fee is $0 and the management fee of 0.25% sits below 0.4% for robo-advisors here. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.5 |
| Trust | 9.7Higher | 9.1 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Merrill Edge | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Merrill Edge | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate | Yes | No |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Merrill Edge | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 68534 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Merrill Edge | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 50 of 471 | 129 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 11 of 86 | 27 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 15 of 88 | 35 of 88 |
| Robo-advisors | 14 of 151 | 47 of 151 |
| IRA providers | 8 of 43 | 19 of 43 |
What we checked
Merrill Edge
- merrilledge.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Wealthfront
- wealthfront.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | WEALTHFRONT BROKERAGE LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1914Lower | 2011 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.45% to 0.85% | 0.25%Lower |
| Minimum investment | $0 to $1,000Lower | $500 |
| Portfolio types | ETF | ETF, ESG, CashCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Merrill Edge | Wealthfront | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $1below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.55%above the median | 3% |
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
Wealthfront
Pros
- Trading is commission-free, with a stock trade fee of $0 on share dealing.
- The cash account fee is $0, and the management fee on automated portfolios is 0.25%.
- A minimum deposit of $1 and fractional shares make it easy to spread small amounts across stocks, etfs and bonds.
Cons
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre only, which narrows the options for anyone who wants live chat.
- Managed portfolios need $500 to open, well above the typical entry point across the brokers listed here (€25).
- Asset choice stops at stocks, etfs and bonds, so the product list suits long-term holders more than active traders.
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
Wealthfront
Who it suits
- Beginners, since the audience is listed as beginners and the deposit and fee levels keep the entry small.
- US savers building retirement or shared accounts, with ira, roth ira and joint on offer.
- Long-term holders who want a robo portfolio alongside cash, reachable from Web, iOS app and Android app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who needs a lower floor for managed investing: Axos Invest starts at $100, against $500 here.
- Readers after a plan fee rather than a robo charge, since Vivid Standard charges 0.5% to 1.5%.
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
Wealthfront
Current offer
Bonus
Cash Account APY Boost: up to 4.45% APY (3.55% base APY as of 09/18/2026)
APY Boost applies up to a $150,000 balance; 3.55% base APY as of 09/18/2026, provided by program banks and subject to change; funds held at program banks
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Merrill Edge | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Wealthfront
What does Wealthfront charge to manage my portfolio?+
The management fee is 0.25% on automated portfolios, while the cash account fee is $0. Stock trade fees are $0, so for most readers the robo charge is the only recurring cost to weigh against a rival's plan fee.
How much do I need to get started?+
The minimum deposit is $1, so an account can be opened with a small transfer, and instant withdrawals are free if plans change. An automated portfolio needs $500 to open, which is the figure most readers should compare with other robo-advisors.
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