Platform Comparison

Invstr vs Merrill Edge

Compare Invstr and Merrill Edge on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.

IV

Invstr

★3.8

Practice investing with $1M in virtual money, learn through gamified courses, then graduate to real trading—the complete beginner-to-investor journey.

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Higher Rated
ME

Merrill Edge

★4.5

Bank of America's brokerage offering seamless banking integration, solid research tools, and the valuable Preferred Rewards program for qualifying customers.

Full Review

Invstr vs Merrill Edge: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureInvstrMerrill Edge
Our Rating3.8/54.5/5
Trading CommissionsN/A$0
Account MinimumN/A$0
Fractional SharesN/ADRIP only
DRIPN/AFree
Research ToolsBasicGood
Best ForAbsolute BeginnersBank of America Customers

Invstr vs Merrill Edge: Pros and Cons

Invstr

Pros

  • + Free investing course with 85 lessons and certificate
  • + Fantasy Finance: Practice with $1M virtual money
  • + Compete in fantasy leagues and win real prizes
  • + Commission-free real stock and crypto trading
  • + Fractional shares starting at $5

Cons

  • - Real trading has minimum fees ($2.99 full shares, $0.99 fractional)
  • - $5 registration fee for real trading through DriveWealth
  • - Very limited research tools for experienced investors
  • - No mutual funds, bonds, forex, or OTC trading

Merrill Edge

Pros

  • + Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
  • + Seamless integration with Bank of America accounts
  • + Selective DRIP—choose which securities reinvest dividends
  • + DRIP supports fractional share reinvestment
  • + Preferred Rewards program offers fee discounts and bonuses

Cons

  • - No direct fractional share purchases (DRIP only)
  • - Mutual fund transaction fees up to $19.95
  • - Low interest rate on uninvested cash
  • - $49.95 full account transfer fee

Which Is Better for Dividend Investors: Invstr or Merrill Edge?

Choose Invstr if you...

  • Are in Invstr's core audience: absolute beginners

Choose Merrill Edge if you...

  • Are in Merrill Edge's core audience: bank of america customers
  • Prefer a higher-rated overall platform

Want the full breakdown of fees, DRIP, and research tools? Read our Invstr review and Merrill Edge review.

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Investment Disclaimer

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.