★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
Merrill Edge vs Rakuten Securities
Pick Merrill Edge if
Merrill Edge
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile · Desktop
- You care about advanced order types, something Rakuten Securities doesn't offer
Pick Rakuten Securities if
Rakuten Securities
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
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
Merrill Edge and Rakuten Securities cover a lot of the same ground (5 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
Merrill Edge
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Rakuten Securities
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Global coverage
- Rakuten Securities
- Desktop app
- Merrill Edge
- Asset coverage
- Rakuten SecuritiesAdds futures
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 | No |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 6 | 5 |
Regions | North America | APAC |
| Try it | Visit Merrill Edge | Visit Rakuten Securities |
Where each one shines
What Merrill Edge and Rakuten Securities each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What Merrill Edge and Rakuten Securities each do best.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.
What Rakuten Securities does best
- Japanese cash equities with a conditional ¥0 Zero Course.
- U.S. stocks and ETFs at 0.495%, capped at $22 per trade.
- Kabumini eligible Japanese odd lots from one whole share.
- Mutual funds, bonds, NISA and derivatives in the wider account suite.
- Free eligible real-time deposits and standard domestic withdrawals.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Merrill Edge and Rakuten Securities, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for Merrill Edge and Rakuten Securities, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsOptionsFutures |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | APAC |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Countries: JPExchanges: XTKS, XNAS, and XNYSIdentifiers: Ticker and ISIN |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone and Chat | Rakuten Securities, Inc.Country: JapanSupport: Phone and Chat |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Merrill Edge and Rakuten Securities?
Merrill Edge leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Rakuten Securities puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Merrill Edge and Rakuten Securities 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.
Should I choose Merrill Edge or Rakuten Securities?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Merrill Edge if advanced order types matter to you; go with Rakuten Securities if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Merrill Edge and Rakuten Securities cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds. Rakuten Securities adds futures on top.
Which covers international markets: Merrill Edge or Rakuten Securities?
Rakuten Securities has documented international coverage (APAC), 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 Merrill Edge and Rakuten Securities?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with Merrill Edge or Rakuten Securities?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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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.