★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) vs Merrill Edge
Pick FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) if
FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times)
Free • Paid plans available · Web · Mobile
- You'd rather start free and only pay if you outgrow it
- You care about alerts, compounding calculator, and screeners, things Merrill Edge doesn't offer
Pick Merrill Edge if
Merrill Edge
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile · Desktop
- You care about brokerage, advanced order types, and options, things FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) doesn't offer
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Merrill Edge cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, portfolio and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) simply does more: 10 categories to Merrill Edge's 6, including alerts, compounding calculator, and screeners. Merrill Edge counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times)
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
Merrill Edge
No votes yet. Cast the first one.
Key differences at a glance
- Free plan
- FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times)
- Broader coverage
- FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times)10 vs 6 categories
- Desktop app
- Merrill Edge
- Global coverage
- FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times)
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 | Free • Paid plans available | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | Yes | No |
Free trial | — | — |
| 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, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 10 | 6 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | 4 signals: Latency: 15-min Delayed and End of Day, Granularity: EOD +2 more | — |
Capabilities | Universe builder | — |
| Try it | Visit FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) | Visit Merrill Edge |
Where each one shines
What FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Merrill Edge each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Merrill Edge each do best.What FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) does best
- Tracking global equities, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, commodities, and currencies through FT market pages.
- Watchlists, portfolio tracking, alerts, equity screeners, fund screeners, and a compound growth calculator from the markets tools hub.
- Tools for building watchlists and manual portfolios with a free FT account, then connect instrument pages to related FT news.
- Email alerts for 52-week highs or lows, unusual trading volume, and moves through the 15-day moving average.
- World Markets and sector pages for interactive charts, overlays, and performance comparisons.
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.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Merrill Edge, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Merrill Edge, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsCommoditiesCurrencies | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | 15-min DelayedEnd of Day | Not specified |
Data granularity | EOD | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
Import methods | Manual | Not specified |
Export formats | PDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Capability signals | Universe builder | Not specified |
Vendor & support | The Financial Times Ltd.Country: United KingdomSupport: Email | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone and Chat |
Curation ratings | Methodology 4/5Reliability 4/5UX 4/5 | Not specified |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“Free (Registered)” | — |
| Entry paid plan | Subscription“FT Digital (Subscriber)” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Merrill Edge?
FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) leans toward portfolio, watchlist, and alerts, while Merrill Edge puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
Is FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) or Merrill Edge free to use?
FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) has a free tier, so you can get started without paying anything. Merrill Edge is paid-only. If budget matters, start with FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and see how far it takes you before opening your wallet.
Should I choose FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) or Merrill Edge?
It depends on what you're after. Pick FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) if alerts and compounding calculator matter to you; go with Merrill Edge if you'd rather have brokerage and advanced order types. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Merrill Edge cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) also handles commodities and currencies. Merrill Edge adds options on top.
Which covers international markets: FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) or Merrill Edge?
FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, APAC, LatAm, and more), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Merrill Edge is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) and Merrill Edge?
Merrill Edge exports to CSV. FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) is stingier about getting data out.
Which has a better stock screener: FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) or Merrill Edge?
FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Merrill Edge doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with FT Markets (Markets data - Financial Times) 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.