Tool Comparison
Cash App vs Merrill Edge
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, Desktop
Best if
- You want watchlist, advanced order types, and options.
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Pick Cash App instead if
Cash App
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Mobile · Web
- Go this way if you prefer a simpler, more focused tool.
Start here
Merrill Edge
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile · Desktop
- You want watchlist, advanced order types, and options.
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
Cash App and Merrill Edge cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, brokerage, portfolio, and downloadable tax reports), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. Merrill Edge simply does more: 6 categories to Cash App's 3, including watchlist, advanced order types, and options. Cash App counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
Cash App
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Merrill Edge
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Key differences at a glance
- Broader coverage
- Merrill Edge6 vs 3 categories
- Desktop app
- Merrill Edge
What Cash App does best
- Buying and selling U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs with fractional shares and small-dollar purchases where Cash App supports the security.
- Auto Invest to schedule recurring purchases of selected stocks, ETFs, or Bitcoin.
- Round Ups to invest spare change from Cash App Card purchases into a chosen stock, Bitcoin, or savings balance.
- Trading access for Bitcoin inside the same app, including send and receive support through the Lightning Network where available.
- Custom price-triggered orders for stocks and Bitcoin; these are not guaranteed limit orders.
What Merrill Edge does best
- Individual, joint, custodial, trust, estate, IRA, and eligible small-business self-directed accounts.
- Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, options, margin, and research tools.
- Merrill website, mobile app, and MarketPro trading workflows.
- Connected Bank of America and Merrill account visibility with immediate eligible internal transfers.
- Tiered Bank Deposit Program sweep for uninvested brokerage cash.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 5 limits: Cash App Investing: stock etf commission: $0, Cash App Investing: minimum stock purchase: $1 +3 more | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | No | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
Broker sync | No | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 3 | 6 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Security | Status page | — |
| Try it | Visit Cash App | Visit Merrill Edge |
Standout features
The best features of Cash App and Merrill Edge.ShowHide
Standout features
What Cash App does best
- Buying and selling U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs with fractional shares and small-dollar purchases where Cash App supports the security.
- Auto Invest to schedule recurring purchases of selected stocks, ETFs, or Bitcoin.
- Round Ups to invest spare change from Cash App Card purchases into a chosen stock, Bitcoin, or savings balance.
- Trading access for Bitcoin inside the same app, including send and receive support through the Lightning Network where available.
- Custom price-triggered orders for stocks and Bitcoin; these are not guaranteed limit orders.
What Merrill Edge does best
- Individual, joint, custodial, trust, estate, IRA, and eligible small-business self-directed accounts.
- Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, options, margin, and research tools.
- Merrill website, mobile app, and MarketPro trading workflows.
- Connected Bank of America and Merrill account visibility with immediate eligible internal transfers.
- Tiered Bank Deposit Program sweep for uninvested brokerage cash.
All details
Every attribute we track for Cash App and Merrill Edge.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsCryptos | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | PDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Status page | Not specified |
Vendor & support | Cash App Investing LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone and Chat | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone and Chat |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“Cash App Investing”stock etf commission: $0 · minimum stock purchase: $1 · +3 more | — |
Alternatives
Free alternatives
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Cash App and Merrill Edge?
Cash App leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and downloadable tax reports, while Merrill Edge puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Cash App and Merrill Edge cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
Which is better for beginners: Cash App or Merrill Edge?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Should I choose Cash App or Merrill Edge?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Cash App if you prefer its overall approach; go with Merrill Edge if you'd rather have watchlist and advanced order types. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Cash App and Merrill Edge cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. Cash App also handles cryptos. Merrill Edge adds options, bonds, and mutual funds on top.
Can I export data from Cash App and Merrill Edge?
Merrill Edge exports to CSV. Cash App is stingier about getting data out.
Can I track my portfolio with Cash App or Merrill Edge?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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