Interactive Brokers vs Merrill Edge: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology Interactive Brokers scores 83 out of 100 and Merrill Edge scores 82. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| Interactive Brokers | Merrill Edge | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 70 | 70 |
| Cost | 100 | 100 |
| Products | 100 | 100 |
| Service | 75 | 67 |
Pros and cons
Interactive Brokers
- Low commission on the reference order
- Member of the national investor compensation scheme
- Wide choice of asset classes
- States officially that client assets are held separately from its own
Merrill Edge
- Low commission on the reference order
- Member of the national investor compensation scheme
- Wide choice of asset classes
- States officially that client assets are held separately from its own
Facts side by side
| Fact | Interactive Brokers | Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Investor compensation scheme | Yes interactivebrokers.com | Yes merrilledge.com |
| Commission on the reference order | 0% interactivebrokers.com | 0% merrilledge.com |
| Client assets held separately | Yes interactivebrokers.com | Yes sec.gov |
| Financial reports online | Yes interactivebrokers.com | Yes sec.gov |
| No account or custody fee | Yes interactivebrokers.com | Yes merrilledge.com |
| Asset classes (of 5) | 5 interactivebrokers.com | 5 merrilledge.com |
| Tax-advantaged account | Yes interactivebrokers.com | Yes merrilledge.com |
| Mobile app | Yes interactivebrokers.com | Yes merrilledge.com |
| Open an account online | Not verified | Yes merrilledge.com |
| Support channels (of 3) | 3 interactivebrokers.com | 2 merrilledge.com |
| Annual tax statement | Yes interactivebrokers.com | Not verified |