Ascot Securities
merrill edge
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Overview
Ascot Securities was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Estonia, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. Ascot Securities holds licences including Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while merrill edge is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Ascot Securities serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $25 at Ascot Securities and $250 at merrill edge.
| Feature | Ascot Securities | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $25 | $250 |
| Regulation | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | 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 | 1996 | 2010 |
| Country | Estonia | USA |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Ascot Securities and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Ascot Securities has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $25 (vs $250 at merrill edge). Ascot Securities charges withdrawal fees while merrill edge does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. Ascot Securities applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; merrill edge does not. Ascot Securities charges deposit fees; merrill edge does not. Overall, Ascot Securities scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Ascot Securities | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $25 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Ascot Securities 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. Ascot Securities edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Ascot Securities | 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 | Desktop,Android,iPhone/iPad,Mac | 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 Ascot Securities and merrill edge compare. Both provide video tutorials. Both integrate third-party research tools. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | Ascot Securities | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | No |
| Weekly Webinars | No | No |
| Daily Commentary | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Ascot Securities 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 | Ascot Securities | 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 Ascot Securities and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Ascot Securities supports 2 languages and merrill edge supports 8, giving merrill edge broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Ascot Securities | 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 |