★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley vs Merrill Edge
Pick E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley if
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile · Desktop
Pick Merrill Edge if
Merrill Edge
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile · Desktop
Skip both if: These two cover the same ground; it really comes down to price and which interface you enjoy using.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Merrill Edge cover a lot of the same ground (6 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. On paper they're closely matched, so let pricing, platform fit, and the details below break the tie.
What readers say
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Merrill Edge
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| 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 | — | — |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | Yes | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 6 | 6 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Try it | Visit E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | Visit Merrill Edge |
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Merrill Edge each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Merrill Edge each do best.What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley does best
- Self-directed taxable, IRA, custodial, education, trust, estate, and eligible business accounts.
- E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE web, desktop, and mobile trading workflows.
- Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, and selected fractional listed securities.
- ACH, wire, check, direct-deposit, and brokerage-transfer funding methods.
- Default FDIC Bank Deposit Program sweep with tiered variable APY.
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 active-trading workflows.
- Connected Bank of America and Merrill account visibility with immediate eligible internal transfers.
- Tiered Bank Deposit Program sweep for uninvested brokerage cash.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Merrill Edge, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Merrill Edge, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone and Chat |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Merrill Edge?
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Merrill Edge puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 6 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley 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.
Can I export data from E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Merrill Edge?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley or Merrill Edge?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
Keep researching
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
Feedback
Spot stale pricing, missing features, or a comparison that feels off? Send feedback on the verdict, table, alternatives, or recommendation.
Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.