Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
eToro vs Merrill Edge
eToro
Merrill Edge
Higher score in this comparison
Where eToro and Merrill Edge differ
| Compare | eToroReviewVisitVisit | Merrill EdgeReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1 to $10,000 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Futures | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), SIPC | FINRA, SEC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Account types | ISA | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Merrill Edge website, Merrill Edge MarketPro, Merrill mobile app |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Account fee ($0).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Merrill Edge scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only eToro offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), SIPC.
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers FINRA, SEC.
- Founded is lower at Merrill Edge: 1914 vs 2007.
- eToro is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 vs $1 to $10,000.
- Markets: only eToro offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Merrill Edge offers Options, Bonds, Funds.
- Account types: only eToro offers ISA.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers IRA, Roth IRA, Joint.
Our verdict on each
eToro
eToro suits new investors who want shares, crypto and cash interest in a single app, with an account fee of $0 and a stock trade fee of $0. The catch is the withdrawal fee of $5 flat fee, which makes it a poor fit for anyone moving small sums in and out often.
Merrill Edge
Merrill Edge suits people who want to trade US stocks and ETFs with no commission and no monthly charge. It suits beginners and experienced investors who want a retirement, joint or corporate account, and the minimum deposit is $0 with a stock trade fee of $0.
Score breakdown
| Area | eToro | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account fee $0 and stock trade fee $0 rank 1 and 1, while withdrawals cost $5 flat fee. | 9.3Account fee $0, inactivity fee $0 and stock trade fee $0 are the lowest we rank. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 9.2 | 9.7Higher |
Availability and regulation
| Country | eToro | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 70212 | |
| Cyprus | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) MiCA CASP 213800GIFQMSV7HROS23 | Not confirmed |
What it costs in practice
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
eToro
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Merrill Edge
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Both come to the same total.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | eToro | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 5 of 654 | 66 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 4 of 358 | 41 of 358 |
| Robo-advisors | 1 of 154 | 12 of 154 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | eToro | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Fractional shares, Copy trading, Mobile app | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | eToro (Europe) Ltd | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | United States |
| Founded | 2007 | 1914Lower |
| Support channels | Help centre | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | eToro | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 1% | Not confirmed |
| Coins listed | from 150 | Not confirmed |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank | Not confirmed |
| Withdrawal fee | $5 flat fee | Not confirmed |
| Derivatives | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Exchange type | Cex | Not confirmed |
Savings
| Fact | eToro | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.8% | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Variable | Not confirmed |
| Deposit protection | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 | Not confirmed |
| Access terms | Interest on USD cash balance, no lock-in, withdraw at any time, calculated daily and paid monthly | Not confirmed |
| Monthly fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account kind | Cash management | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | eToro | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0%Lower | 0.45% to 0.85% |
| Minimum investment | $500 | $0 to $1,000Lower |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, Cash, CryptoCovers more | ETF |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | eToro | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Mobile | Not confirmed |
| Custody | Custodial | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | eToro | Merrill Edge | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1 to $10,000below the median | $0below the median | $23.50 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65at the median | $0.65 |
Median across 138 listed providers.
Pros and cons
eToro
Pros
- Interest on the USD cash balance pays 3.8% on a variable basis, calculated daily and paid monthly, and withdrawals are allowed at any time.
- Regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and SIPC, with client asset protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 and deposit protection of EU DGS up to EUR 100,000.
- Minimum deposit $1 to $10,000 and minimum portfolio investment $500 keep the starting point low, and fractional shares are among the listed features.
Cons
- Withdrawal costs $5 flat fee each time, which makes small, regular transfers expensive next to the $0 stock trade fee.
- Client asset protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 sits well below deposit protection of EU DGS up to EUR 100,000, so a large share portfolio can outrun the cover.
- Taker fee 1% sits above the 0.25% median, which matters for anyone trading crypto often rather than holding.
Merrill Edge
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the account fee is $0.
- Nothing is charged for inactivity, at $0, and the minimum deposit is $0.
- Fractional shares, a demo account, a mobile app and options are all available.
Cons
- Options carry a fee of $0.65, so the commission-free deal stops at derivatives.
- The advisory side adds a management fee of 0.45% to 0.85% and a minimum investment of $0 to $1,000.
- Most retail accounts lose money, 72.05% on this ranking, so low charges say nothing about how the portfolio performs.
Who each suits
eToro
Who it suits
- New investors, since the audience is listed as beginners and the minimum deposit is $1 to $10,000.
- Investors who want cash and markets together, with USD balance interest at 3.8% alongside stocks, etfs and forex.
- UK savers who want a tax wrapper, since an ISA sits among the isa on offer.
Who should look elsewhere
- bunq, which covers stocks, etfs and crypto and suits anyone who wants shares, ETFs and crypto and can set derivatives aside.
- CFI, for readers who want stocks, etfs and forex and can leave futures aside; eToro is the wider of the two.
- Fiesta Credito MX, which answers to CONDUSEF rather than Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and SIPC, for readers trading outside those markets.
Merrill Edge
Who it suits
- First-time US share buyers using fractional shares and a demo account.
- Experienced investors who want options and a mobile app in one place.
- Anyone saving into an IRA, Roth IRA, joint or corporate account.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders after forex, CFDs or crypto: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Savers wanting a bank balance, since bunq personal plans start from a minimum deposit of €10.
- Borrowing rather than investing, as Fiesta Credito MX answers to CONDUSEF.
Current offers
Merrill Edge
Current offer
First period offer
$0 program fee for 6 months - Merrill Guided Investing: $0 for 6 months
New enrollments, use offer code 6FREE
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | eToro | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
eToro
What does eToro charge to open and run an account?+
The account fee is $0 and the monthly fee is $0, so the account costs nothing to hold. Stock trades are charged at $0 and the platform describes itself as commission-free. Managed portfolios carry a management fee of 0%. Money moving out is the exception, at $5 flat fee per withdrawal.
Is my money protected at eToro?+
eToro is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and SIPC. Client assets sit under investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, while cash deposits are covered by a separate scheme at EU DGS up to EUR 100,000. These ceilings are very different, so anyone holding a large share portfolio should treat the lower figure as the real limit on recovery.
Merrill Edge
What does it cost to hold a Merrill Edge account?+
The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so there is no monthly charge for keeping the account open. Costs appear in the products you pick, such as the options fee of $0.65, rather than in the account itself.
Is stock trading really commission free?+
Stock trades carry a fee of $0 and the pricing model is commission-free, so buying shares and ETFs in the usual way adds nothing per trade. Options are charged at $0.65, and the spread you receive can still widen as prices move.
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eToro
Merrill Edge