Merrill Edge
merrilledge.com
Bank of America's online brokerage: $0 stock, ETF and options commissions plus $0.65 per contract, the MarketPro platform with Level II, and BofA research.
What it is
Merrill Edge Self-Directed is the do-it-yourself brokerage of Merrill, part of Bank of America. Online stock and ETF trades have no commission, options cost $0 per trade plus $0.65 per contract, and there is no minimum to open general or retirement accounts. Broker-assisted trades cost $29.95. Mutual funds range from $0 for no-transaction-fee funds to $19.95 per online trade for transaction-fee funds.
Active traders use Merrill Edge MarketPro, a web platform included with a Self-Directed account. It offers more than 105 technical indicators and 23 drawing tools, Trading Central technical events, Nasdaq Level II and TotalView depth, net order imbalance data around the open and close, news from Dow Jones and PR Newswire, alerts and up to 25 configurable windows. Options traders get OptionsPlay and an Options Strategy Assistant for generating and checking trade ideas. Research includes reports from BofA Global Research.
The main reason to choose it is the link to Bank of America: banking and investing sit under one login, and combined balances count toward BofA Rewards (formerly Preferred Rewards) tiers. For managed money, Merrill Guided Investing charges 0.45% a year, or 0.85% with an advisor. MarketPro is not available to investment professionals, trusts or business accounts.
Key features
- $0 online trades
- No commission on online stock and ETF trades; options are $0 per trade plus $0.65 per contract; no account minimum.
- MarketPro
- Web trading platform with 105+ indicators, 23 drawing tools, Trading Central insights and 25 configurable windows.
- Level II and TotalView
- Nasdaq Level II, TotalView, a depth meter and net order imbalance data at the open and close.
- Options tools
- OptionsPlay strategy ideas built into MarketPro and an Options Strategy Assistant for risk exposure.
- BofA Global Research
- Research reports from Bank of America's research division along with screeners.
- Bank integration
- Bank of America and Merrill accounts under one login, with combined balances counted toward BofA Rewards tiers.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks and ETFs (online) | $0 | No commission; small regulatory transaction fees apply on sales |
| Options (online) | $0 + $0.65/contract | Exercise and assignment fees may apply |
| Broker-assisted trade | $29.95 | Plus $0.65 per options contract |
| Transaction-fee mutual funds | $19.95 per online trade | No-transaction-fee funds are $0, with a $39.95 short-term redemption fee |
| Merrill Guided Investing | 0.45%/yr | Managed portfolio, $1,000 minimum; 0.85%/yr with an advisor, $20,000 minimum |
No minimum to open a Self-Directed account. MarketPro is included with a Self-Directed account at no extra cost.
Free option: Opening a Self-Directed account is free with no minimum, and MarketPro, research and options tools are included at no extra charge.
Checked September 25, 2026 on merrilledge.com. Prices change; confirm on the provider's site before you subscribe.
Strengths
- $0 online stock and ETF trades and no account minimum
- MarketPro includes Level II and Nasdaq TotalView depth at no extra charge
- Bank of America research and banking under one login
- Balances count toward BofA Rewards tiers for customers who bank there
Limitations
- Options carry $0.65 per contract; some brokers charge nothing per contract
- Broker-assisted trades cost $29.95
- MarketPro is not available to investment professionals, trust accounts or business accounts
- Transaction-fee mutual funds cost $19.95 per online trade
Good fit for
- Bank of America customers who want banking and investing together
- Stock and ETF investors who want $0 commissions and in-house research
- Traders who want Level II data without paying a platform fee
Look elsewhere if
- High-volume options traders who want the lowest per-contract cost
- Traders who want a downloadable desktop platform (MarketPro runs in the browser)
Compare
Alternatives to Merrill Edge
Merrill Edge questions
How much does Merrill Edge charge for options?
Online options trades are $0 per trade plus $0.65 per contract. Broker-assisted options trades are $29.95 plus $0.65 per contract.
Is there a minimum to open a Merrill Edge account?
No. Self-Directed general and retirement accounts have no minimum.
What is Merrill Edge MarketPro?
A web trading platform included with a Self-Directed account, with advanced charting, Level II and TotalView depth, alerts and OptionsPlay.
Do I need a Bank of America account to use Merrill Edge?
No, but linking one lets you manage both under one login, and combined balances count toward BofA Rewards tiers.
Written from Merrill Edge's own website and documentation. All Trading Tools lists and compares tools; it does not recommend trades or give financial advice. Sources: merrilledge.com, merrilledge.com/pricing, merrilledge.com/investment-products/options, merrilledge.com/dashboard, merrilledge.com/preferred-rewards.