FreshForex
merrill edge
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Overview
FreshForex was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Russia, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. FreshForex holds licences including SVGFSA 20623 IBC 2012, while merrill edge is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. FreshForex serves 710,000+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at FreshForex and $250 at merrill edge.
| Feature | FreshForex | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Regulation | SVGFSA 20623 IBC 2012 | 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 | 2004 | 2010 |
| Country | Russia | USA |
| Clients | 710,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between FreshForex and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. FreshForex has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $250 at merrill edge). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Overall, FreshForex scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | FreshForex | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
FreshForex offers MT4, MT5, a proprietary platform, while merrill edge supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. merrill edge edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | FreshForex | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | No | Yes |
| Android App | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Windows, MAC, Linux | 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 FreshForex and merrill edge compare. FreshForex runs regular live webinars; merrill edge does not. Both provide video tutorials. FreshForex publishes daily market commentary; merrill edge does not. merrill edge integrates third-party research tools (Autochartist); FreshForex does not. FreshForex maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. FreshForex scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | FreshForex | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. FreshForex accepts 4 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller), while merrill edge supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). merrill edge uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. merrill edge scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | FreshForex | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | 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 FreshForex and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. FreshForex supports 1 language and merrill edge supports 8, giving merrill edge broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | FreshForex | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |