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Merrill Edge vs tastytrade 2024

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

October 30, 2024

In this head to head comparison of Merrill Edge vs tastytrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Merrill Edge
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
tastytrade
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.50 info

Investment options

When comparing the investment options available at Merrill Edge and tastytrade, it's clear that both platforms offer a robust range of trading choices, though they cater to slightly different preferences. Merrill Edge shines in its offerings of OTC stocks and mutual funds, making it a strong choice for investors seeking these assets. With a respectable rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, it ranks #7 out of 18 brokers for investment options according to StockBrokers.com. In contrast, tastytrade, rated 4 stars and ranked #11, excels in its provision of futures trading and cryptocurrency options, making it ideal for those interested in these specific markets.

Both Merrill Edge and tastytrade allow users to trade stocks and options, and they both provide margin trading capabilities. While Merrill Edge does not offer fractional shares or cryptocurrencies, it compensates with access to a wider array of traditional investment vehicles, such as mutual funds and traditional and Roth IRA accounts. On the other hand, tastytrade offers fractional shares and a selection of four cryptocurrencies, appealing to more modern trading strategies.

In summary, if you prioritize diverse investment options, especially in mutual funds and OTC stocks, Merrill Edge may be the better choice for you. Conversely, if you're looking for flexibility with fractional shares and interest in futures and crypto trading, tastytrade could be more suitable. Understanding these nuances can guide your selection based on your individual investment goals and trading style.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
tastytrade logotastytrade
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info No Yes info
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Mutual Funds info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 4
Investment Options 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms & Brokers, 5 Best Futures Trading Platforms of 2024

Trading platforms and tools

In comparing the trading platforms and tools of Merrill Edge and tastytrade, both brokers shine with a rating of 4.5 stars from users, reflecting their commitment to providing robust trading experiences. Merrill Edge ranks slightly higher at #5 among 18 brokers, while tastytrade follows closely at #6. However, there are notable differences in features and usability that can impact traders' experiences.

Merrill Edge does not offer downloadable platforms for Windows or Mac, relying instead on a capable browser-based trading platform. In contrast, tastytrade caters to users seeking a more traditional experience by providing downloadable platforms for both Windows and Mac. Regarding charting capabilities, Merrill Edge offers 104 technical indicators and 23 drawing tools, while tastytrade boasts an impressive 308 technical indicators and 31 drawing tools, giving traders more options for technical analysis.

Both platforms allow users to adjust open orders directly on stock charts and provide features like adding notes and displaying corporate events. However, Merrill Edge stands out with the capability to set custom date ranges for charts and analyze automated technical patterns. Additionally, while Merrill Edge lacks paper trading and trading journals, tastytrade does not offer these features either. With a more extensive selection of technical indicators and drawing tools, tastytrade may be better suited for traders who prioritize advanced charting, whereas Merrill Edge aligns with users appreciating straightforward, browser-based access and comprehensive order adjustment features.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
tastytrade logotastytrade
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info No Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 285 33
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 104 308
Charting - Drawing Tools info 23 31
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2024, Best Paper Trading Platforms of 2024

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Beginners and education

For beginner investors seeking comprehensive educational resources, both Merrill Edge and tastytrade offer robust platforms with a variety of learning materials. Merrill Edge shines with a broader range of education covering stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds, along with an impressive suite of educational videos, webinars, and interactive quizzes to solidify knowledge. While it lacks paper trading capabilities and the ability to track learning progress, Merrill Edge still stands out with top-tier educational support, earning it a 5-star rating and a #2 ranking by StockBrokers.com.

On the other hand, tastytrade provides solid educational resources focused primarily on stocks, ETFs, and options. It features webinars that cater to various experience levels, although it lacks educational videos, quizzes, and mutual fund or bond education. Despite these gaps, its educational offerings earn a respectable 4-star rating and a #8 ranking by StockBrokers.com. While both platforms deliver quality education, Merrill Edge offers a more comprehensive educational experience for novice investors eager to learn about a wider array of investment options.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
tastytrade logotastytrade
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Bonds) info Yes No
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info Yes No
Webinars info Yes Yes
Education 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2024

Stock trading apps

In summary, both Merrill Edge and tastytrade provide robust stock trading apps for investors, yet they cater to different needs and preferences. Merrill Edge shines with features such as mobile stock alerts, a wealth of technical studies for charting, and stock comparison capabilities. Meanwhile, tastytrade boasts customizable watch list columns and after-hours charting, making it a solid choice for analytical traders.

Both platforms are accessible via iPhone and Android apps, ensuring users have the convenience of trading on the go. Merrill Edge stands out with its 5-star rating and a ranking of #5 among 18 brokers, benefitting from features like mobile after-hours stock trading and streaming quotes. In comparison, tastytrade has a slightly lower 4.5-star rating and is ranked #10, but still offers essential trading functionalities such as mobile options trading and custom watch lists.

While Merrill Edge excels in providing more advanced charting tools and real-time stock alerts, tastytrade offers unique customization options and specific trading features that some users may find valuable. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual trading preferences, but for those seeking a comprehensive trading app with extensive tools, Merrill Edge is a formidable contender.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
tastytrade logotastytrade
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes No
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 34 0
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps of 2024

Fees

When comparing account fees and charges between Merrill Edge and tastytrade, both platforms offer competitive advantages, particularly with their minimum deposit and standard stock trading fees, which are both set at $0.00. However, there are notable differences in their options trading and margin balance fees that may influence a trader's choice between them.

Merrill Edge charges $0.65 per options contract, while tastytrade is slightly more affordable at $0.50 per contract. When it comes to margin balances, tastytrade's rates start at 11% for amounts under $25,000 and decrease to 10% for balances between $50,000 and $99,999. In contrast, Merrill Edge's margin rates vary, which could be more advantageous depending on the specific balance. Both brokers offer $0.00 for IRA and regular stock trades, making them appealing options for cost-conscious investors.

In terms of additional fees, Merrill Edge has the edge with zero charges for IRA closures and account transfers, while tastytrade imposes fees of $60.00 for IRA closures and $75.00 for account transfers. Furthermore, Merrill Edge does not charge for options exercises or assignments, while tastytrade applies a fee of $5.00 for each. Ultimately, investors should weigh these fees alongside their individual trading needs to determine the best broker for their strategy.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
tastytrade logotastytrade
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.50 info
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $5.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $5.00
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $49.95 $60.00
Commissions & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Free Stock Trading of 2024

Day Trading

Merrill Edge and tastytrade each cater to day traders with distinct offerings. Merrill Edge provides valuable features such as streaming time and sales for stocks and level 2 quotes, which can be crucial for making informed quick trading decisions. Additionally, it includes basic strategy backtesting, enabling users to refine their trading strategies. However, Merrill Edge lacks several advanced trading tools such as direct market routing, ladder trading, and trading hotkeys, which could limit flexibility for active traders.

On the other hand, tastytrade stands out with its unique offering of streaming live TV, making it easier for traders to stay updated on market news. While it does not provide level 2 quotes or basic/advanced strategy backtesting, it compensates with innovative tools like ladder trading and a short locator tool that shows real-time availability of shares for short selling. Although both platforms do not offer direct market routing or order liquidity rebates, tastytrade's focus on live resources and specialized tools appeals to day traders seeking an engaging trading environment.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
tastytrade logotastytrade
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes No
Streaming TV info No Yes
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info No Yes

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2024

Market Research

When it comes to market research capabilities, Merrill Edge surpasses tastytrade significantly, scoring 5 stars compared to tastytrade's 2.5 stars. Merrill Edge is ranked #4 out of 18 brokers by StockBrokers.com for its comprehensive market research services, while tastytrade falls to #13. This detailed comparison reveals that Merrill Edge not only offers a wide range of research options but does so with enhanced tools and reports that are valuable for investors.

Merrill Edge provides extensive research coverage, including stock, ETF, mutual funds, and bonds. It excels with multiple downloadable PDF reports for stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, as well as offering specialized screeners for each asset type. In contrast, tastytrade does provide stock and ETF research but lacks in areas like mutual fund and bond analysis and does not offer downloadable reports or screeners for these asset classes, which highlights a clear gap in its research offerings.

Another distinguishing factor is Merrill Edge's provision of ESG research and the ability to access portfolio allocation by asset class. While both brokers allow users to see portfolio allocation, Merrill Edge goes a step further by incorporating ESG factors into its research, addressing the growing demand from socially conscious investors. Overall, for investors seeking robust market research capabilities, Merrill Edge emerges as the clear winner over tastytrade.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
tastytrade logotastytrade
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Screener - Bonds info Yes No
Research 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing the banking capabilities of Merrill Edge and tastytrade, it's clear that Merrill Edge provides a comprehensive suite of banking services that tastytrade lacks. Merrill Edge offers a variety of accounts including checking and savings accounts, along with the convenience of debit and credit cards. Additionally, Merrill Edge supports mortgage loans and certificates of deposit (CDs), making it a robust choice for those seeking banking integration with their investment services. In contrast, tastytrade does not offer any banking features such as checking or savings accounts, debit or credit cards, mortgage loans, or CDs. For users who prioritize banking alongside trading, Merrill Edge stands out as the superior option.

Feature Merrill Edge logoMerrill Edge
tastytrade logotastytrade
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info Yes No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Credit Cards info Yes No
Mortgage Loans info Yes No
CDs info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Bank Brokerages of 2024

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 18 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Merrill Edge is better than tastytrade. Merrill Edge finished with an overall score of 94.0%, while tastytrade finished with a score of 84.9%.

Merrill Edge and its parent, Bank of America, make for a well-rounded offering, with $0 trades, robust research, reliable customer service; and its Stock Stories and Fund Stories are an industry standout. There are some gaps in investment offerings, including crypto and futures.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Merrill Edge or tastytrade?

When comparing online brokers, Merrill Edge does not offer crypto trading, whereas tastytrade provides options for trading cryptocurrencies, supporting 4 different coins.

Dive deeper: Best Crypto Trading Platforms of 2024

Does Merrill Edge or tastytrade offer IRAs?

Both Merrill Edge and tastytrade offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual fees; however, Merrill Edge charges a $49.95 closure fee, while tastytrade charges a higher closure fee of $60.00.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts of 2024

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Merrill Edge tastytrade
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Options 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.0/5 Stars 4.0/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Merrill Edge Review tastytrade Review
Broker Screenshots Merrill Edge tastytrade
Trading Platform & Tools Gallery (click to expand)
Research Gallery (click to expand)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Merrill Edge tastytrade
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info N/A N/A
Mutual Fund Trade Fee Varies info N/A info
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.50 info
Futures (Per Contract) (Not offered) $1.25
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $29.95 $0
Margin Rates Merrill Edge tastytrade
Margin Rate Under $25,000 Varies info 11%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 Varies info 10.5%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 Varies info 10%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 Varies info 9.5%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 Varies info 9%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 Varies info 8.5%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 Varies info 8%
Account Fees Merrill Edge tastytrade
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $49.95 $60.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $0.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $0.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $5.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $5.00
Investment Options Merrill Edge tastytrade
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info No Yes info
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 4
Futures Trading info No Yes
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 4
Mutual Funds (No Load) info 2952 0
Mutual Funds (Total) info 3466 0
Bonds (US Treasury) info Yes No info
Bonds (Corporate) info Yes No
Bonds (Municipal) info Yes No
Traditional IRAs info Yes Yes
Roth IRAs info Yes Yes
Advisor Services info Yes No
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types Merrill Edge tastytrade
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours info Yes Yes
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes No
Order Type - OCO info No Yes
Order Type - OTO info No Yes
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes Yes
Beginners Merrill Edge tastytrade
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Bonds) info Yes No
Education (Retirement) info Yes No
Retirement Calculator info Yes No
Investor Dictionary info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Videos info Yes No
Webinars info Yes Yes
Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Progress Tracking info No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Merrill Edge tastytrade
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes Yes
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info No Yes
Stock App Features Merrill Edge tastytrade
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info No No
Videos on Demand info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes No
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Column Customization info No Yes
Stock App Charting Merrill Edge tastytrade
Charting - After-Hours info No Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 34 0
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons info Yes No
Trading Platforms Merrill Edge tastytrade
Active Trading Platform info Merrill Edge Market Pro tastytrade
Desktop Trading Platform info No Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No Yes
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info No No
Trade Journal info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 285 33
Stock Chart Features Merrill Edge tastytrade
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 104 308
Charting - Drawing Tools info 23 31
Charting - Notes info Yes Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info Yes Yes
Charting - Corporate Events info Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range info Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info Yes No
Charting - Automated Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations info 8 7
Charting - Custom Studies info No Yes
Day Trading Merrill Edge tastytrade
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes No
Streaming TV info No Yes
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info No No
Ladder Trading info No Yes
Trade Hotkeys info No No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info No No
Short Locator info No Yes
Order Liquidity Rebates info No No
Research Overview Merrill Edge tastytrade
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes No
Research - Bonds info Yes No
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Bonds info Yes No
Misc - Portfolio Allocation info Yes Yes
Stock Research Merrill Edge tastytrade
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 3 0
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes No
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes No
Stock Research - Social info No No
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info Yes No
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes No
ETF Research Merrill Edge tastytrade
ETFs - Strategy Overview info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Sector Exposure info Yes No
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes Yes
ETFs - Ratings info Yes No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports info Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Merrill Edge tastytrade
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info Yes No
Options Trading Merrill Edge tastytrade
Option Chains - Basic View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Strategy View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Streaming info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Total Columns info 68 20
Option Chains - Greeks info 5 5
Option Chains - Quick Analysis info Yes Yes
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes Yes
Option Probability Analysis info Yes Yes
Option Probability Analysis Adv info No Yes
Option Positions - Greeks info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Adv Analysis info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Rolling info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Grouping info Yes Yes
Banking Merrill Edge tastytrade
Bank (Member FDIC) info Yes No
Checking Accounts info Yes No
Savings Accounts info Yes No
Credit Cards info Yes No
Debit Cards info Yes No
Mortgage Loans info Yes No
Customer Service Merrill Edge tastytrade
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info No Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
Email Support info No Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info Yes No
Overall Merrill Edge tastytrade
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Options 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Merrill Edge Review tastytrade Review
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