Core Spreads
merrill edge
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Overview
Core Spreads was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in London, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. Core Spreads serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Core Spreads and $250 at merrill edge.
| Feature | Core Spreads | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $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 | 2014 | 2010 |
| Country | London | USA |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Core Spreads and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Core Spreads has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $250 at merrill edge). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Core Spreads charges deposit fees; merrill edge does not. Overall, Core Spreads scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Core Spreads | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Core Spreads 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 Core Spreads does not offer. Core Spreads edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Core Spreads | 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, Web Trader, 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 Core Spreads and merrill edge compare. Both provide video tutorials. Both integrate third-party research tools. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | Core Spreads | 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. Core Spreads 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 | Core Spreads | 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 Core Spreads and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Core Spreads supports 2 languages and merrill edge supports 8, giving merrill edge broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Core Spreads | 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 |