Online brokers compared for fees, trading platforms, safety and more. See how Charles Stanley Direct stacks up against Merrill Edge!
Last update of data—Dec 2022
Charles Stanley Direct is a UK broker, regulated by the top-tier FCA. It was acquired by Raymond James Financial, Inc in 2022, which is an NYSE listed financial services company, a constituent of the blue-chip S&P 500, a stock index of the biggest listed companies in the USA.
Merrill Edge is a US-based broker owned by Bank of America (BofA). It is regulated by the top-tier SEC and FINRA; BofA is listed on the NYSE.
Recommended for beginners and buy-and-hold investors focusing on the UK market.
Recommended for investors and traders looking for low fees, quick account opening and simple platforms.
Charles Stanley Direct
Charles Stanley Direct is a UK broker, regulated by the top-tier FCA. It was acquired by Raymond James Financial, Inc in 2022, which is an NYSE listed financial services company, a constituent of the blue-chip S&P 500, a stock index of the biggest listed companies in the USA.
Recommended for beginners and buy-and-hold investors focusing on the UK market.
Merrill Edge
Merrill Edge is a US-based broker owned by Bank of America (BofA). It is regulated by the top-tier SEC and FINRA; BofA is listed on the NYSE.
Recommended for investors and traders looking for low fees, quick account opening and simple platforms.
Charles Stanley Direct's service is on par with Merrill Edge's and a comparison of their fees shows that Charles Stanley Direct's fees are slightly higher than Merrill Edge's.
Account opening takes somewhat more effort at Charles Stanley Direct compared to Merrill Edge, deposit and withdrawal processes are more seamless at Charles Stanley Direct, while customer service quality is somewhat better than Merrill Edge's.
Our experts rated the trading platform of Charles Stanley Direct as somewhat worse than the platform of Merrill Edge, found that clients have access to slightly less markets and products with Charles Stanley Direct, while Merrill Edge provides somewhat better research and education.
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