eToro
merrill edge
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
eToro was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Cyprus, UK, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. eToro serves 20,000,000+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $50 at eToro and $250 at merrill edge.
eToro
merrill edge
| Feature | eToro | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $50 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), 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 | 2007 | 2010 |
| Country | Cyprus, UK | USA |
| Clients | 20,000,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between eToro 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 $50 at eToro). eToro charges withdrawal fees while merrill edge does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. eToro applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; merrill edge does not. Overall, eToro scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | eToro | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $50 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
eToro offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, a proprietary platform, 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. eToro edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | eToro | 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 | 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 eToro and merrill edge compare. eToro runs regular live webinars; merrill edge does not. Both provide video tutorials. eToro publishes daily market commentary; merrill edge does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. eToro maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. eToro scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | eToro | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. eToro 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 | eToro | 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 eToro and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. eToro supports 5 languages and merrill edge supports 8, giving merrill edge broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | eToro | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |