Etrade
merrill edge
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Overview
Etrade was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in United States, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. Etrade holds licences including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while merrill edge is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Etrade serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Etrade and $250 at merrill edge.
| Feature | Etrade | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Regulation | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | 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 | 2012 | 2010 |
| Country | United States | USA |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Etrade and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Etrade has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $250 at merrill edge). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Overall, Etrade scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Etrade | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Etrade 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. Etrade edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Etrade | 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 | cTrader, SocialTrading, webPlatform, DesktopPlatform, Proprietary . | 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 Etrade and merrill edge compare. Etrade runs regular live webinars; merrill edge does not. Both provide video tutorials. Etrade publishes daily market commentary; merrill edge does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. Etrade maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Etrade scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Etrade | 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. Etrade 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 | Etrade | 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 Etrade and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Etrade supports 2 languages and merrill edge supports 8, giving merrill edge broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Etrade | 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 |