afx group
merrill edge
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Overview
afx group was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Geneva, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. afx group serves 14,000,000+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. Both brokers share the same minimum deposit of $250.
| Feature | afx group | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $250 |
| Regulation | 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-F220 | 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 | 2013 | 2010 |
| Country | Geneva | USA |
| Clients | 14,000,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between afx group and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Both require a minimum deposit of $250. Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | afx group | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
afx group offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while merrill edge supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. merrill edge supports social and copy trading features, which afx group does not offer. afx group edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | afx group | 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 | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps | 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 afx group and merrill edge compare. afx group runs regular live webinars; merrill edge does not. Both provide video tutorials. afx group publishes daily market commentary; merrill edge does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. afx group maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. afx group scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | afx group | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. afx group accepts 5 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller), while merrill edge supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | afx group | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill | Yes | Yes |
| Neteller | Yes | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both afx group and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 8 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | afx group | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |