Abshire Smith
merrill edge
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
Abshire Smith was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in United kingdom, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. Abshire Smith serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $500 at Abshire Smith and $250 at merrill edge.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $500 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F277 |
| Founded | 1997 | 2010 |
| Country | United kingdom | USA |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Abshire Smith and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. merrill edge has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $250 (vs $500 at Abshire Smith). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Abshire Smith charges deposit fees; merrill edge does not. Overall, merrill edge scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $500 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Abshire Smith offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while merrill edge supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. Abshire Smith edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4, cTrader Platform | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Abshire Smith and merrill edge compare. merrill edge has a video library; Abshire Smith does not. merrill edge integrates third-party research tools (Autochartist); Abshire Smith does not. merrill edge scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | No |
| Weekly Webinars | No | No |
| Daily Commentary | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Abshire Smith accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while merrill edge supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). merrill edge uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. merrill edge scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Abshire Smith and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Abshire Smith supports 2 languages and merrill edge supports 8, giving merrill edge broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Abshire Smith | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |