Comparison Firstrade vs Merrill Edge

The InvestorGreg.net broker comparisons assess over a dozen different brokers, finding the best online trading brokers. This comparison page compares Firstrade vs Merrill Edge. Is Firstrade or Merrill Edge a better online broker?

First of all, we’ll compare the commission fees of the two brokers. The commission fee of Firstrade on regular transactions of the stock exchange is $0, and Merrill Edge has a commission fee of $6.95. When analyzing trading options, the commission fees of Firstrade is $0, and that one of Merrill Edge is $6.95 + $0.75. You can read more detailed information on commission fees in the online broker reviews.

It is important for investors to know what types of online trading broker supports and what tools they can use for trading. Let’s compare them. Stocks Trading, Options Trading, ETFs Trading, Mutual Funds Trading, Bonds Trading are provided to customers by Firstrade and Stocks Trading, Penny Stocks Trading, Options Trading, ETFs Trading, Mutual Funds Trading, Bonds Trading are provided by Merrill Edge. As for platforms, Firstrade offers Desktop Platform (Windows), Desktop Platform (MacOS), Web Platform, Android App, iOS App, while Merrill Edge offers Web Platform, Android App, iOS App.

In conclusion, when comparing the two online brokers, we should pay our attention to the year and country of foundation, the regulatory authorities and ways to withdraw funds. Firstrade was established in 1985 in United States, and it is regulated by SEC and FINRA. And Merrill Edge was established in 2010 in USA, and it is regulated by SEC, FINRA. We can withdraw funds from Firstrade with the help of Bank Wire, and its withdrawal fee is $30 domestic US, $50 international. And Merrill Edge provides the ability to withdraw funds with the help of Bank Wire, Visa/Mastercard, and its withdrawal fee is $0 (Visa Debit Card). The time for withdrawal in Firstrade is 2-3 business days, and that one in Merrill Edge is immediate (Bank Wire).

Overall, Firstrade boasts 3.9 stars versus Merrill Edge 4.1 stars.

Overall Rating

 
Overall
Products & Fees
Security
Tools
Desktop Experience
Mobile Experience
Banking
Customer Support
Education
 
Firstrade
Overall
Products & Fees
Security
Tools
Desktop Experience
Mobile Experience
Banking
Customer Support
Education
Merrill Edge
Overall
Products & Fees
Security
Tools
Desktop Experience
Mobile Experience
Banking
Customer Support
Education

Fees

Fees
Stock
ETFs
Options
Mutual Funds
Bonds
Firstrade
Stock
$0
ETFs
$0
Options
$0
Mutual Funds
$0
Bonds
$40
Merrill Edge
Stock
$6.95
ETFs
$6.95
Options
$6.95 + $0.75
Mutual Funds
No Transaction Fee
Bonds
$1 Per Bond ($10 min)

Types of trading

Types of trading
Stocks Trading
Penny Stocks Trading
Options Trading
ETFs Trading
Mutual Funds Trading
Bonds Trading
Firstrade
Stocks Trading
Penny Stocks Trading
Options Trading
ETFs Trading
Mutual Funds Trading
Bonds Trading
Merrill Edge
Stocks Trading
Penny Stocks Trading
Options Trading
ETFs Trading
Mutual Funds Trading
Bonds Trading

Platforms

Platforms
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Desktop Platform (MacOS)
Web Platform
Firstrade
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Desktop Platform (MacOS)
Web Platform
Merrill Edge
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Desktop Platform (MacOS)
Web Platform

Tools

Tools
Research & Analysis
Education
Firstrade
Research & Analysis
Education
Merrill Edge
Research & Analysis
Education

Mobile App

Mobile App
Android App
iOS App
Firstrade
Android App
iOS App
Merrill Edge
Android App
iOS App

Deposits

Deposits
Minimum deposit
Bank Wire
Visa/Mastercard
Firstrade
Minimum deposit
$0
Bank Wire
Visa/Mastercard
Merrill Edge
Minimum deposit
None
Bank Wire
Visa/Mastercard

Withdrawals

Withdrawals
Bank Wire
Visa/Mastercard
Withdrawal Time
Withdrawal Fee
Firstrade
Bank Wire
Visa/Mastercard
Withdrawal Time
2-3 business days
Withdrawal Fee
$30 domestic US, $50 international
Merrill Edge
Bank Wire
Visa/Mastercard
Withdrawal Time
Immediate (Bank Wire)
Withdrawal Fee
$0 (Visa Debit Card)

Security & Fairness

Security & Fairness
Сountry of Origin
Year Founded
Regulated By
Firstrade
Сountry of Origin
United States
Year Founded
1985
Regulated By
SEC and FINRA
Merrill Edge
Сountry of Origin
USA
Year Founded
2010
Regulated By
SEC, FINRA

Customer Service

Customer Service
Phone
Email
Live Chat
 
Firstrade
Phone
Yes
Email
Yes
Live Chat
No
Merrill Edge
Phone
Yes
Email
Yes
Live Chat
No

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