AS
Avenue Securities
3.4 / 5Score: 1 / 1
Avenue Securities delivers broader regulatory coverage and crypto market access without charging a single commission.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SEC, FINRA, CVM
Reviewed by Experts Updated 10/23/2026
Avenue Securities vs Merrill Edge: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Avenue Securities and Merrill Edge both offer commission-free trading with no minimum deposit, but they diverge sharply on regulation, leverage, and market access. Our proprietary rating gives Avenue Securities the edge at 3.4/5 versus Merrill Edge's 3.2/5. Here's the full breakdown.
ME
Merrill Edge
3.2 / 5Score: 0 / 1
Merrill Edge pairs over a decade of operating history with modest leverage flexibility for traditional market investors.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:2
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SEC
Overall Winner
Avenue Securities
Best for Beginners
Avenue Securities
Lowest Fees
Avenue Securities
Top Regulation
Avenue Securities
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | AS Avenue Securities | ME Merrill Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.4 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 2019 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Miami, USA | Charlotte, USA |
| Regulation | SEC, FINRA, CVM | SEC |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:1 | 1:2 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Mobile, Proprietary Web | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
| Markets Offered | Stocks, Etf, Crypto | Stocks, Indices |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Avenue Securities
$0
Merrill Edge
$0
Spreads From
Avenue Securities
0 pips
Merrill Edge
0 pips
Commission
Avenue Securities
None
Merrill Edge
None
Deposit Fees
Avenue Securities
None
Merrill Edge
None
Withdrawal Fees
Avenue Securities
None
Merrill Edge
None
Pros & cons
AS
Avenue Securities
Pros
- Highest overall rating in this comparison at 3.4/5
- Broader regulatory footprint spanning three licences
- Wider market selection including cryptocurrency exposure
- Zero commission structure with no minimum deposit barrier
- No deposit or withdrawal fees eating into returns
- Modern proprietary platforms built specifically for its user base
Cons
- Leverage capped at 1:1, offering no margin amplification
- Founded more recently in 2019, with a shorter track record
- Smaller headquarters footprint compared to legacy institutions
- Platform maturity may lag more established competitors
ME
Merrill Edge
Pros
- Established operating history dating back to 2010
- Slightly higher leverage ceiling at 1:2
- Zero commission trading with no minimum deposit
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Straightforward access to stocks and indices
- Backed by a well-known financial brand presence
Cons
- Lower overall rating of 3.2/5 versus the competitor
- Single regulatory licence compared to rival's three
- Narrower market range, excluding cryptocurrency entirely
- Fewer asset diversification options overall
- Platform innovation may trail newer market entrants
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Avenue Securities
Lowest fees Avenue Securities
Best regulation Avenue Securities
Better for beginners Avenue Securities
Avenue Securities is our recommended pick in this matchup, earning a 3.4/5 on our independent rating system compared to Merrill Edge's 3.2/5. The win comes down to broader regulatory coverage, a wider range of tradable markets including crypto, and zero-commission pricing that matches its rival. Merrill Edge remains a credible alternative for investors who specifically want its established platform or are already embedded in the Bank of America ecosystem, but for most traders in 2026, Avenue Securities offers the stronger all-around package.
Regulation & Safety
Both brokers operate under reputable oversight, but Avenue Securities pulls ahead with a broader regulatory footprint. It is licensed by the SEC and FINRA in the United States, plus CVM in Brazil, giving it three distinct regulatory touchpoints across two jurisdictions.
Merrill Edge, by contrast, is regulated solely by the SEC. While this is still a tier-1 regulator and provides solid investor protections, it represents a narrower compliance net than its competitor offers.
For traders who prioritize multi-jurisdictional oversight as a proxy for operational transparency, Avenue Securities' additional licences give it a measurable edge in our safety scoring.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Pricing is where these two brokers look almost identical on paper. Both Avenue Securities and Merrill Edge advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, charge no commission on standard trades, and waive both deposit and withdrawal fees entirely.
Neither platform imposes a minimum deposit requirement, meaning new investors at either broker can open an account and begin trading with as little as $0 committed upfront.
The practical difference for cost-conscious traders will likely come down to execution quality and any hidden spread markups during live trading conditions, which our rating already factors into the final score.
Leverage & Trading Conditions
Merrill Edge actually outpaces Avenue Securities in one specific area: leverage. Merrill Edge offers maximum leverage of 1:2, while Avenue Securities caps out at 1:1, meaning no leverage amplification at all.
This makes Merrill Edge marginally more appealing to investors who want some buying power flexibility on margin positions, though 1:2 remains conservative compared to leverage available on many international platforms.
Traders focused purely on long-term, unleveraged stock and ETF investing may find this distinction largely irrelevant to their strategy.
Market Access & Product Range
Avenue Securities supports a wider product suite, covering Stocks, ETFs, and Crypto. This gives investors exposure to digital assets alongside traditional equities within a single account structure.
Merrill Edge covers Stocks and Indices, a more traditional combination that skips cryptocurrency entirely but may appeal to investors who prefer to stay within conventional asset classes.
For diversification-minded investors who want crypto exposure without opening a separate exchange account, Avenue Securities' broader market range is a meaningful differentiator.
Platforms & Usability
Both brokers rely on proprietary technology rather than third-party platforms like MetaTrader. Avenue Securities offers a Proprietary Mobile app and Proprietary Web platform, while Merrill Edge mirrors this with its own Proprietary Web and Proprietary Mobile offerings.
Merrill Edge benefits from being the more established company, founded in 2010 versus Avenue Securities' 2019 launch, which may translate into a more mature and polished platform experience for some users.
Ultimately platform preference is subjective, and traders should weigh Merrill Edge's longer operating history against Avenue Securities' broader asset coverage when making a final decision.
Our Verdict
Avenue Securities earns our recommendation in this comparison, driven primarily by its stronger regulatory coverage and wider market access that includes cryptocurrency trading. Its 3.4/5 overall rating edges out Merrill Edge's 3.2/5 score.
Merrill Edge isn't without merit — its longer track record since 2010 and slightly higher 1:2 leverage ceiling make it a sensible choice for investors anchored to traditional markets or seeking an established name.
For the broadest range of traders in 2026, however, Avenue Securities presents the more well-rounded package: equivalent zero-commission pricing, more regulatory licences, and access to a wider set of asset classes.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Avenue Securities wins overall
Avenue Securities edges out Merrill Edge overall based on our expert rating score.
AS
Highest Rated
Avenue Securities
3.4 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).
Avenue SecuritiesBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Avenue SecuritiesLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Avenue SecuritiesStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Avenue Securities
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent rating system, Avenue Securities scores higher overall at 3.4/5 compared to Merrill Edge's 3.2/5. The advantage stems from broader regulatory coverage and wider market access, though Merrill Edge remains competitive for investors who value its longer operating history.
Both brokers are essentially tied on cost structure. Avenue Securities and Merrill Edge each offer spreads starting from 0 pips, charge no standard commission, and waive deposit and withdrawal fees entirely.
Neither broker requires an upfront minimum deposit. Both Avenue Securities and Merrill Edge allow you to open an account with $0 committed, making them accessible to investors just starting out.
Avenue Securities holds licences from the SEC, FINRA, and CVM, spanning oversight in both the United States and Brazil. Merrill Edge is regulated solely by the SEC, which is still a reputable tier-1 regulator but represents a narrower compliance footprint.
Avenue Securities provides a proprietary mobile app and proprietary web platform. Merrill Edge offers a comparable setup with its own proprietary web and mobile trading tools, so neither relies on third-party software like MetaTrader.
Yes, but only through Avenue Securities. Its market lineup includes stocks, ETFs, and crypto, while Merrill Edge sticks to a more traditional combination of stocks and indices without any digital asset exposure.
Merrill Edge offers slightly higher leverage at a maximum of 1:2, while Avenue Securities caps leverage at 1:1 with no margin amplification. Investors seeking leveraged positions may find Merrill Edge marginally more flexible in this specific area.
Yes, there is nothing preventing you from holding accounts at both brokers at the same time. Many investors split holdings across multiple platforms to access different asset classes or compare execution quality firsthand.
Merrill Edge has the longer track record, having been founded in 2010 and headquartered in Charlotte, USA. Avenue Securities is newer by comparison, founded in 2019 and based in Miami, USA.
No, both Avenue Securities and Merrill Edge waive deposit and withdrawal fees entirely, meaning your capital movements in and out of either account should not incur additional platform charges.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.