IG
merrill edge
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Overview
IG was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in 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. IG serves 178,500+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at IG and $250 at merrill edge.
| Feature | IG | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) | 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 | 1974 | 2010 |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Clients | 178,500+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IG and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. IG has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $200 (vs $250 at merrill edge). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Overall, IG scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IG | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
IG 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. IG edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | IG | 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, Mac, Web Trader, L2 Dealer, 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 IG and merrill edge compare. IG runs regular live webinars; merrill edge does not. Both provide video tutorials. IG publishes daily market commentary; merrill edge does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. IG maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. IG scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | IG | 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. IG accepts 3 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal), while merrill edge supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). merrill edge uniquely supports Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. merrill edge scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | IG | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | 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 IG and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. IG supports 5 languages and merrill edge supports 8, giving merrill edge broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | IG | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |