Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Merrill Edge vs WH SelfInvest
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Merrill Edge |  WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $1.90 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Bonds |
| Platforms | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app | NanoTrader, TradingView, Trader Workstation, Mobile Apps |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | Not confirmed |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 76% |
| 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 9.3.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $1.90.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Funds.
- Markets: only WH SelfInvest offers Forex, CFDs, Futures.
- Platforms: only Merrill Edge offers Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app.
- Platforms: only WH SelfInvest offers NanoTrader, TradingView, Trader Workstation.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Chat, Help centre.
- Features: only Merrill Edge offers Options.
- Features: only WH SelfInvest offers Copy trading.
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.
WH SelfInvest
WH SelfInvest sits in Luxembourg and covers stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs, options, futures and bonds under an account fee of €0 and an inactivity fee of €0, which suits investors who want many asset classes without a standing charge. Stock dealing is the cost to watch, at $1.90 a trade.
Score breakdown
| Area | Merrill Edge | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherStock trade fee of $0, account fee of $0 and no inactivity charge at $0, with options at $0.65 per contract. | 9.1The standing fees are flat, at €0 and €0, while the dealing charge of $1.90 a trade pulls the score down. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.5 |
| Trust | 9.7 | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Merrill Edge | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 50 of 471 | 86 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 13 of 103 | 28 of 103 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Merrill Edge | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Merrill Edge | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Sources behind this comparison
Merrill Edge
- merrilledge.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
WH SelfInvest
- whselfinvest.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Merrill Edge | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options | Demo account, Fractional shares, Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Luxembourg |
| Founded | 1914 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more | Email, Phone |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Merrill Edge | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | WH SelfInvest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $1.90highest quarter | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 76%highest quarter | 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
WH SelfInvest
Pros
- The account fee is €0 and the inactivity fee is €0, so an account left open or left idle is not billed, and the standing cost sits level with Vantage at $0.
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so shares, forex, CFDs, options, futures and bonds can be held and traded together.
- The platform choice runs from NanoTrader, TradingView and Trader Workstation, so the same account can be worked from a desktop terminal or from mobile apps.
Cons
- Stock dealing costs $1.90 a trade, where eToro charges $0 for its stock dealing.
- That dealing charge ranks 123 of 161 on our data, while the account fee sits at 1 of 138 and inactivity at 1 of 56, so the standing costs lead the table while dealing sits near the back of it.
- Support runs on email and phone, so a live chat window and a help centre are not part of the contact options.
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
WH SelfInvest
Who it suits
- Investors who want shares and leveraged products side by side, since stocks, etfs and forex puts forex, CFDs, options, futures and bonds in the same account.
- People who split activity between a desktop terminal and mobile apps, since NanoTrader, TradingView and Trader Workstation covers both.
- Traders who want to test before committing, since demo account, fractional shares and copy trading includes a demo account and fractional shares.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who mainly wants cheap stock dealing: eToro charges $0 for stock dealing against $1.90 here.
- Crypto traders, since crypto is missing from stocks, etfs and forex although CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex.
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 | WH SelfInvest |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
WH SelfInvest
Does WH SelfInvest charge an account fee?+
The account fee is €0 and the inactivity fee is €0, so there is nothing to pay for holding the account open and nothing for leaving it idle. That is why the brand ranks 1 of 138 on our data for the account fee and 1 of 56 for inactivity.
What does it cost to buy a stock?+
A stock trade costs $1.90, and that is the charge which scales with how often you trade. It ranks 123 of 161 on our data, so anyone dealing in shares regularly will feel it far more than the flat fees. Multiply it by the number of trades you expect.
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