Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Merrill Edge vs One (One Finance)
Merrill Edge
Higher score in this comparison
One (One Finance)
Merrill Edge vs One (One Finance): the differences
| Compare | Merrill EdgeReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | One (One Finance)ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | $0 to $1,000Lower | $1 |
| Regulators | FINRA, SEC | FINRA, SIPC, NMLS |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Portfolio types | ETF | ETF, CryptoCovers more |
| Management fee | 0.45% to 0.85% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Merrill Edge offers SEC.
- Regulators: only One (One Finance) offers SIPC, NMLS.
- Minimum investment is lower at Merrill Edge: $0 to $1,000 vs $1.
- Account types: only Merrill Edge offers Joint, Corporate.
- Portfolio types: only One (One Finance) offers Crypto.
- Support channels: only Merrill Edge offers Email.
Our verdict on each
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.
One (One Finance)
One is a US easy-access account paying a variable rate of 3.35% with deposit protection of FDIC up to USD 250,000, so it suits savers who want instant access and deposit cover rather than a fixed term. Investment accounts and retirement options sit under the same brand for anyone building savings and portfolios together.
Score breakdown
| Area | Merrill Edge | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Account fee $0, inactivity fee $0 and stock trade fee $0 are the lowest we rank. | 9.3A monthly fee of $0 and a minimum deposit of $0 keep the cost of holding the account low. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.1ETFs and crypto in etf and crypto portfolios, plus retirement accounts listed as ira and roth ira, add to the banking offer. |
| Trust | 9.7 | 9.9Higher |
Choosing between them
Pick Merrill Edge if offer, minimum investment, and account types matter most.
Pick One (One Finance) if portfolio types matter most.
Feature by feature
| Portfolio types | Merrill Edge | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| ETF | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Account types | Merrill Edge | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | No |
| Corporate | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | Merrill Edge | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 66 of 654 | 69 of 654 |
| Robo-advisors | 12 of 154 | 14 of 154 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Merrill Edge | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated | One Finance, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1914 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, EmailCovers more | Phone, Chat, Help centre |
Credit cards
| Fact | Merrill Edge | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards type | Not confirmed | Cashback |
| Pricing model | Commission free | No monthly fee |
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app, Options | Rewards |
| Card kind | Not confirmed | Credit |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Not confirmed |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | Merrill Edge | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Derivatives | Not confirmed | No |
| Exchange type | Not confirmed | Cex |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Merrill Edge | One (One Finance) | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0.45% to 0.85%above the median | Not confirmed | 0.35 |
| Minimum investment | $0 to $1,000lowest quarter | $1below the median | $500 |
Median across 86 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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.
One (One Finance)
Pros
- Headline rate of 3.35% against a site median of 3%.
- Demand deposit accounts with no limit on monthly withdrawals.
- A linked credit card that pays cashback rewards.
Cons
- The rate is variable, so interest can move down with base rates.
- One is headquartered in the United States, so it does not serve readers who need a UK or European account.
- Investing cover is SIPC up to USD 500,000, a separate scheme from the FDIC up to USD 250,000 that covers deposits.
Who each suits
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.
One (One Finance)
Who it suits
- US savers who want demand access and a variable rate of 3.35%.
- First-time investors, with a minimum investment of $1 and ETFs and crypto in the portfolio range.
- Retirement savers, since the account types listed are ira and roth ira.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want a provider outside the US: Wise pays 3.29% and bunq pays 3.01%.
- Savagers who only want the top of the range: Finteres, where rates run 0% to 36%.
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
One (One Finance)
Current offer
Bonus
3% cash back on chosen category (Walmart, gas or dining): 3% cash back on up to $150 spent per month
Select category each month in the OnePay app; earned as OnePay Points; 1 point per $10 spent after the $150 monthly cap
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Unlimited 3% cash back at Walmart, 5% with Walmart+: 3% (5% with Walmart+)
Subject to credit approval; OnePay CashRewards Mastercard issued by Synchrony Bank; U.S. Walmart locations and Walmart.com only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Early Pay: Payday up to 2 days early
Direct deposit required; funds may be available up to 2 days in advance
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Merrill Edge | One (One Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
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.
One (One Finance)
What rate does One pay on savings?+
The headline rate is 3.35% and the rate type is variable, so the return can change as base rates move. The account kind is easy access, which means money is available on demand rather than locked for a set period, and the account is listed with no monthly fee under no monthly fee.
Is my money protected?+
Deposits sit with FDIC up to USD 250,000, while investments in the same app are covered by SIPC up to USD 500,000 instead. One also holds a US state money transmitter licence, 2273210, and a California financing law licence, 60DBO-131026.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Merrill Edge
One (One Finance)