lightspeed
merrill edge
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
lightspeed was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in USA, while merrill edge was established in 2010 and is based in USA. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. lightspeed serves 142,500+ clients worldwide; merrill edge has 10,000+. Both brokers share the same minimum deposit of $250.
| Feature | lightspeed | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $250 |
| Regulation | 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-F269 | 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 | USA | USA |
| Clients | 142,500+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between lightspeed and merrill edge, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Both require a minimum deposit of $250. lightspeed charges withdrawal fees while merrill edge does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. lightspeed applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; merrill edge does not. Overall, merrill edge scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | lightspeed | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
lightspeed 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. lightspeed edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | lightspeed | 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, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, 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 lightspeed and merrill edge compare. lightspeed runs regular live webinars; merrill edge does not. Both provide video tutorials. lightspeed publishes daily market commentary; merrill edge does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. lightspeed maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. lightspeed scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | lightspeed | 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. lightspeed 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 | lightspeed | 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 lightspeed and merrill edge offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 8 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | lightspeed | merrill edge |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |